General Motors officially announced today that the name of Buick's next mid-size sport sedan will be the Regal. Even though the Detroit automaker did not hand out any photos other than a cropped image of the sedan, chances are that the US-spec model will be identical to the Chinese market Buick Regal which in turn is based on the European Opel Insignia. These two models differ only in some details such as the styling of the front grille, the shape of the front fog lights and the exterior mirrors."The transformation of Buick began with our luxury crossover, the Buick Enclave and continued this year with the launch of the 2010 LaCrosse premium sedan," said Susan Docherty, Buick GMC General Manager. "We're thrilled to announce that the Regal will be the next member of the Buick family."
GM said that even though the Regal name has been out of the market for the past six years it continues to be one of the top Buick nameplates recalled by consumers.
Before entering bankruptcy and the decision to either sell or close its Saturn business (GM recently announced the death of the brand after negotiations broke down with Penske Automotive), the Detroit automaker had planned to replace the Aura with the Insignia.
General Motors did not say when the Regal will go on sale in the States, but buyers should expect to see the sleek sedan arriving at dealerships sometime towards the end of 2010 or early 2011. Engine options will most likely include 4-cylinder turbocharged units as well as a V6.
And what's that we hear you say about a Buick Regal GNX? Well, your guess is as good as ours, but the recent introduction of the European Opel Insignia OPC that packs an all-wheel drive system and a 325HP 2.8-liter turbocharged V6 means that a sporty GNX model is completely feasible.
The Opel Insignia is also offered in Europe as a five-door liftback and a sleek-looking station wagon called Sports Tourer, but we wouldn't hold our breath for an American release for neither model.
Chinese Market Buick Regal
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European Market Opel Insignia OPC Sedan and Sports Tourer
9 Comments:
that's one hell of a confusing gauge cluster!
looks good. I just dont like the grille in the front.
I think the badge on the steering wheel on the vauxhall version is too small, I'd get confused as to what I was driving.
Where does this stand next to the Lacrosse? Is this bigger because the Lacrosse seems massive.
Fantastic...! I'd buy one!
Bring us a tuner wagon version with about 400hp and AWD. GM could tone down the exterior and call it the Buick Estate. What a sleeper! Ah, dreams.
Oh no you won't get similar to the OPC ones.. Ofcourse you won't. Just like you don't get Focus MK2 RS and so much other stuff.
This Buick already looks 10 times less quality built and I'm sorry but the grill is ridiculous - just ruins the good design of the Insignia.
Oh god how much I love the OPC versions of this sweetster
This should really give the Camry and Accord some competition if GM prices it at the same level. It has better styling and a nicer interior. Very sensible dash and no quirky nonsense.
If Buick had the wagon , I'd buy one "Buick Estate GSX Tourer AWD " with the 2.4 Ecotec supercharged l4 putting at atleast 275 hp ...Man that would be a Buick this 33 year old would buy!
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