Can't blame Buick for giving it a try. It launched the Buick GS with a six-speed manual transmission only, a move seen as equally cool or stupid depending on who you asked.
For 2013, the 270-hp GS will offer a six-speed automatic transmission as a no-cost option. Buick says it's still good for a 0-60 mph time of 6.7 seconds and will return 27 mpg on the highway.
If that's not enough efficient for you, Buick also announced that its eAssist system will now come standard with the base 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine. The mild hybrid system pushed the Regal's EPA highway number up to 36 mpg on the highway.
rl5 says:
09:08 AM, 02/ 7/12
2 separate announcements here- the auto is available on the 2012 now. The eassist WILL be standard on 2013 models- whenever they come out.
mazdamike17 says:
09:36 AM, 02/ 7/12
This is GREAT NEWS! First off, offering an auto is brilliant, as much as edmunds people and posters here LOVE manuals, the people who actually buy these cars don't always feel the same way. Having the awesome GS manual only isn't the best thing, so offering an auto as a no cost option is great. Now everyone can be happy, manual if you want or auto if your lazier.
Regarding the 2.4, that's awesome they are adding eassist. The regular Regal was okay on gas, but this will help alot and make the car a lot more premium. Both Lacrosse and Regal now have Eassist 4 cylinders as standard, so not only are they great American Luxury, they are efficient as well!
ed124c says:
10:03 AM, 02/ 7/12
I am convinced that GM has some pretty doggy engines. Sticking with the underwhelming 2.4 and then putting on a bandage just doesn't sound right. Other companies have moved on to more efficient engines with no silly e-crap.
But if the engine is a good one to start with, I would have no objections to the eAssist. The old 2.4 with eAssist is just lipstick on a pig.
Even the GS is kind of a failure. Its base price is $36K, and it isn't remotely as fast as the larger AWD Legacy GT or even as fast as the new BMW 328i, which has about the same base price. (Yeah, yeah-- the options, I know. But which would you rather have?)
csubowtie says:
11:22 AM, 02/ 7/12
I'm sure this will sell more cars, at the expense of purity of the car. Of course, this car doesn't really have that strong of a heritage anyways. Frankly this is probably a great move, this way all the strutting posers who walk into dealerships and say "give me the top of the line, sportiest versions of ..." will have something they will actually know how to operate.
stovt001 says:
11:40 AM, 02/ 7/12
"or even as fast as the new BMW 328i, which has about the same base price. (Yeah, yeah-- the options, I know. But which would you rather have?"
Well, I assume the GS has automatic climate control that isn't completely negated by some random manual wheel with no true automatic mode, so point to the GS there.
rl5 says:
01:01 PM, 02/ 7/12
Equip a 328 like a Regal GS and you're talking about $48k. The BMW is indeed faster, but those extra tenths in 0-60 dont come cheap at all. Or you can get a base 328i for the price of the relatively loaded standard GS. If you dont want the HIDs, Brembos, heated seats, push button start, etc. I suppose a $37k 328i is a sweet ride.
There is a new 2.5L coming out for Malibu and other products, but it looks like Regal will stick with eAssist standard.
jm1212 says:
03:31 PM, 02/ 7/12
this is a good car and a great value. this automatic option is not news, though. when the GS builder first went live, the automatic was first available as a no-cost option but was quickly taken down. it has been back for a little while now.
those e-Assist numbers are pretty impressive, too.
now, if only they could get some weight out of the car...oh yeah, and offer a Super trimline with either a tuned-up, modernized, and smoothed-out 2.8L V6 from Opel, or a version of that new 3.0T engine; both with AWD, of course.
teampenske3 says:
06:19 PM, 02/ 7/12
For the price the Regal GS is a pretty good car. A 328i is faster but also far more expensive when priced similarly. And the new 3er front end is just fugly. Credit where credit is due for this car. Even Alex Roy enjoyed it, and I'm liking it more and more. I wasn't a huge fan of the regular Regal, but this is actually really cool. Especially considering that its TMV is like 35k.
ptcdawg says:
07:43 PM, 02/ 7/12
Is the Regal FWD? I believe it is. Not comparable to RWD sedans at all, IMHO.
roadburner says:
08:53 PM, 02/ 7/12
Yawn. Overpriced and slow.
blueguydotcom says:
05:59 AM, 02/ 8/12
Good grief people, so compare the GS to the Infiniti G37. Suddenly the GS looks rather sad. The G37 slaps the GS around and leaves it in a cloud of dust.
transpower says:
09:38 AM, 02/ 8/12
I agree with blueguydotcom; the Buick has its work cut out for itself to compete with the G37....
Also, a 6-speed automatic is now rather ho-hum. How about a CVT with paddle shifters? Nissan has these....
chadrad3 says:
05:01 PM, 02/14/12
Really people? Try to equip a G37 like the Regal GS and see where that puts you. I can tell you that your going to need another 5K.