The Buick Regal GS looks pretty cool and at 135 hp per liter, it's engine has the greatest power density ever certified by the SAE. At our track, it put up impressive handling numbers for a front driver, but its 0-60 of only 6.9 seconds was rather disappointing.
Nevertheless, GM will be running a nearly stock Regal GS in the Silver State Classic Challenge. I won't tell you where it'll take place, you'll just have to rely on your knowledge of state nicknames. Hint: it's not Hawaii. This bi-annual race is an open road rally run on a remote, two-lane, 90-mile section of the Silver State's Highway 318. It's common for cars to top 200 mph, but given the GS theoretical top speed of 152 mph, it will be competing against 30 to 40 other cars in the 120-mph speed class.
The only modifications made to the GS will be required safety equipment that includes a roll hoop and five-point belts along with computational equipment for data collection. The car will be driven by GS engineers Bill Rietow and John Townsend.
"The GS is the most performance-oriented Regal in Buick's sport sedan portfolio," Rietow said, apparently thinking that a "portfolio" can consist of a single car. "As a race, I know how thrilling this event will be, but it also serves as an opportunity for us to gain invaluable insights about vehicle and engine performance that directly benefit our customers.
In other words, the Regal GS can get even better.
bkaiser1 says:
11:03 AM, 09/15/11
Ah, my home state of Nevada...I've never made it out to witness the Silver State Classic, but I hear it is quite an event.
louiswei says:
11:28 AM, 09/15/11
" it will be competing against 30 to 40 other cars in the 120-mph speed class."
What are the usual suspects in the 120-mph speed class?
eqt2010 says:
11:28 AM, 09/15/11
The 2.0T from Hyundai/Kia has 274hp --> 137 hp per liter.
csubowtie says:
11:53 AM, 09/15/11
Hyundai/Kia don't get SAE certified. EVO's and STI's have been pushing 300 hp out of 2.0 liters for a while too. I don't know if they have been SAE certified.
louiswei says:
11:59 AM, 09/15/11
At 6.9 seconds from 0 to 60, I don't really give a damn about SAE certified or not...
stovt001 says:
12:08 PM, 09/15/11
I really want to do this some time. Alas, I don't think an MX-5 would be all that competitive in a 90 mile near-flat-out race.
church123 says:
01:40 PM, 09/15/11
You can actually drive the route for the Silver State classic as it is on public roads. Seems pretty uneventful even at 140 mph (oops, meant kph ;) although I did slow substantially going through the narrows. Even at 95-100 (kph of course) that feels pretty tight. If you choose the right time of day/week, you won't see another car for 30 miles at a stretch. But that does have a downside if you were to have a problem.....
The 120 mph class is viable for almost any car. I don't know the exact rules, but in the slower classes you don't need cages, etc. You can get by with a helmet. Once you go above a certain speed (might be 110 mph) then you start to have to make modifications. The speed class is also an average. You are allowed a maximum trap speed somewhat above your average target, but not too far.
As for the Buick making the claims about the highest hp/L, wait for it, SAE certified, that's pretty sketchy shit from the marketing guys. As others have mentioned, there are plenty of cars making lots more power/liter even if they haven't undergone the SAE certification. Considering that an Evo X MR weighs in at 3700 lbs and traps 7-8 mph faster, its clearly making more power/liter, SAE or not. And of course, power liter really isnt all that important anyways.
sniperruff says:
02:14 PM, 09/15/11
I think the Evo VIII FQ400 wins the hp/liter war hands down in a production car.
brn says:
04:14 PM, 09/15/11
"0-60 of only 6.9 seconds was rather disappointing"
It's funny that we live in a time when 6.9 seconds is disappointing.
Also, keep in mind that Edmunds is pretty strict when it comes to measuring 0-60 times. 6.9 for them might be 6.5 for someone else.
dillworth says:
05:23 PM, 09/15/11
dont think the time is bad at all, not crazy fast but decent. Lets see what motortrend gets. I'm banking on 6.5 or lower- for those who are in a real rush of course. Plenty of cars in this price range are no faster. If it looks good and handles well I think its a good package
dillworth says:
11:09 AM, 09/16/11
Plenty of cheaper cars are faster than plenty of cars costing $35k. Not really breaking news there. The more expensive cars still sell. Why? They look better, handle better, have nicer interiors, more features, better warranties, better dealers, etc. If 0-60 was all that mattered the Camry LE V6 would be one of the best cars under 50 grand. If there is "zero presence" for Buick in the manually equipped, 250+ hp club than any car they sell (and I feel they will sell some) is an added bonus. OR they could sit out and wait until they come up with a mythicsal perfect Regal GS and not capture any of the market. I think they made the right decision. Considering Infiniti just rolled out a rather slow G25 and the fact that most C classes and 3s have base engines I will go out on a limb and say acceleration isnt that important to a huge number of buyers in this segment.
dillworth says:
12:55 PM, 09/16/11
6.5 or below is fast enough considering our speed limits and traffic issues. A better time would be better for spec racing however.
roadburner says:
01:17 PM, 09/16/11
I was all set to run the SSC a couple of years ago -in a Dinan turbo 325ix(130 mph class IIRC)- but I had to cancel. Grrr...