Last week GM officially unveiled the 2011 Buick Regal, which many of you may easily recognize as the Opel Insignia with a Buick grille. Well it looks like GM has more in the works than just the front-wheel-drive four-cyl powered Regals that were unveiled.
Bob Lutz confirmed that GM is discussing the possibility of 335-hp all-wheel-drive model, which makes sense, since Opel offers the Insignia OPC with a 325-hp turbocharged engine and all-wheel-drive. In addition to a more powerful Regal, Lutz also stated that GM is considering a Regal Sport Wagon.
Full Story: Car and Driver
Related Stories:
2011 Buick Regal Officially Unveiled
Opel Insignia OPC and Vauxhall Insignia VXR Unveiled with 325 HP
| « Previous | Next » |
Around the Web:
Comments (7)
The AWD is just the type of product the General needs to bring in new blood to the dealers.
Posted by Kawi | November 16, 2009 12:19 PM
Posted on November 16, 2009 12:19
Well as long as it doesn't suck.
And what engine is in the Insignia OPC?
Posted by Brian | November 16, 2009 12:39 PM
Posted on November 16, 2009 12:39
Well this seems to make sense, but as such, I'll bet they can it for a green hybird that can suck more $3,500 a pop tax credits from the tax payers.
I haven't really looked at Buick pricing recently, but I wonder what this performance regal would cost. I really like what regal is designing these days but I'm not sure if their image can support a $45k+ regal.
Posted by thetruth | November 16, 2009 1:06 PM
Posted on November 16, 2009 13:06
@Brain: Its an LP9 running more boost then the SRX and 9-3 Aero. Gas mileage is gonna be bad...
SRX 2.8L AWD Est 15/21
Enclave AWD 16/22
And the Enclave is larger in every dimension as well as weighing about 400 lbs more, making just 12 less hp. It makes no sense not to use the LLT. If you want more power out of it, tune it to run on premium then. You will have less torque, but at least the gas mileage won't tank. This coming from someone who could care less about mileage, just thinking about what the average consumer will want.
@thetruth: Considering that a fully load LaCrosse tops out just over 40k and there currently is no 'Super' version, I can't imagine a Regal GS topping out at 45k. I would expect between 35-40k, base SHO territory. Being lighter, a lot lighter for that matter based on estimates, it should run all over it minus cargo and interior volumes. I wouldn't be surprised if that's the target.
Posted by Avatar | November 16, 2009 1:35 PM
Posted on November 16, 2009 13:35
Well, being that this is a rebadged Opel Insignia (a good thing btw), they should be able to bring this over without any issue. The wagon looks nice, but as stated above, they need to do this with AWD in mind.
Posted by VJ in Okinawa | November 16, 2009 1:37 PM
Posted on November 16, 2009 13:37
Though of course this won't be a volume leader (LoL), they really need this as a halo model for Buick in the states.
Posted by Noya | November 16, 2009 4:39 PM
Posted on November 16, 2009 16:39
No way... another American all-wheel-drive performance sedan? From Bu "Ick!" nontheless??? I mean I knew Chevy wouldn't let the Taurus SHO run the show without any competition, but really a Buick? This is where Pontiac would have played a role being that is WAS the power center out of the general motors' five overlapping companies. I hope the rest of America can get over the Buick badge and realize it is a rich Opel in disguise. It will be interesting to see this Regal develop. At least America is finally turning to all-wheel-drive applications. It starts with the sedans...I can't wait for the first American all-wheel-drive super car.
Posted by Blue Z34 | November 17, 2009 12:04 AM
Posted on November 17, 2009 00:04