Leave it to GM to take out all the fun even when it comes to re-badging its own vehicles... See, while the General took the decision to reveal a North American version of the Opel Insignia OPC in the form of the Buick Regal GS showcar in Detroit, unfortunately, the European model's 325HP 2.8-liter twin-scroll turbo V6 has been replaced with a lighter but more puny 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing an estimated 255HP.
Officially, the Detroit automaker says that the Regal GS was designed "to explore the appeal of a high-performance variant of the Regal", but chances are that it will make it into production in the very near future.
"We designed the Regal GS to explore the appeal of a high-performance variant of the Regal," said Craig Bierley, product marketing director for Buick. "Like the Regal, the Regal GS is based on the award-winning Opel Insignia, and we believe it will reinvigorate Buick's storied Gran Sport legacy."
The Regal GS showcar uses a modified version of the 220HP 2.0-liter turbocharged four-pot that will be offered on Regal CXL models later this summer tuned to deliver greater boost pressure. The engine's output is estimated at 255 horsepower (190 kW) and 295 lb.-ft. of torque (400 Nm).
Furthermore, whereas the Regal CXL comes with a six-speed automatic transmission, the Regal GS's engine is linked to a six-speed manual gearbox that directs torque to an adaptive all-wheel-drive system.
As with its German counterpart, the GS is equipped with an electronic, limited-slip rear differential to reduce wheelspin.
General Motors says that the 255HP Buick Regal GS is expected to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds, which sounds a bit optimistic considering the fact that the 325HP Opel Insignia OPC reaches 60mph in 5.8 seconds.
The Regal GS also benefits from a tuned four-wheel-independent suspension, a revised steering wheel system and a high-performance Brembo brake system with 14 x 1.2-inch (355 x 32 mm) cross-drilled rotors; four-piston, high-strength aluminum calipers, and high-performance pads.
There's also Opel's Interactive Drive Control System (IDCS) chassis technology that allows the driver to chose from three different operating modes (normal, sport and GS) for the suspension settings, throttle response and steering sensitivity.
Other than that, the Buick Regal GS gets the same tasty bodykit, sexy 20-inch alloy wheels and interior upgrades including a pair of Recaro front seats and flat-bottom steering wheel as its European counterpart.
30 Comments:
I see no point in re-badging. I guess Americans' are just too stupid to discern that it's a bloody Opel? And don't forget Buick's new hallmark of fender ports in the hood. Stupid. Desperate days for GM.
So what. Opels aren't sold here. You have your bloody Opel based Vaxhall,so why can't we Yanks have our Opel based Buick.
About time we get some of the good stuff GM produces overseas!
i think the sub-6 time isnt fantasy as the 2.8L european variant often did better than the quoted figures when independently tested and also the torque of the highly strung 2.0L could be helping out. the 2.8 is a less highly stressed engine, in fact, a non-turbo variant just installed in the holden commodore (albeit 3L, not 2.8L) has about the same horsepower as this turboed one. i think its tuned more for top end speed for the autobahns where many will see work as a low cost alternative to the merc/bmw/audi norm. the 2.0 will do for america i think and should have been put in the emissions and engine size conscious UK market version. Magazines would have complained that they had less power than the continental europeans but they would sell a hell of a lot more of them i think.
You rant as if Americans would care that this was an Opel. Just what other alternatives are there, to spend more money and time on bringing the Opel brand to America? You call it re-badging, and you're correct, but there's hardly anything wrong in bringing such a damn good car to America, despite the re-badge. There's no other practical alternative to bring the Insignia OPC stateside, and your purist attitude comes to show how narrow-minded you really are.
i was on another site and they had the "live" pictures of the new regal gs concept and they had an under the hood shot and it was the v6 turbo
more blackout trim instead of chrome would give this car a sportier look... and the bloody Brit in the previous post is just too stupid to know who owns Opel.
Better to have a re-badged Insignia than another cheap 'n nasty american sedan. Someone finally decided that they need to make good cars in order to survive. Finally.
That's quite the disgrace to the mighty GS marque. Oh how hath the mighty fallen!
LOL
you´re right american cars are shit!!! give americans european engineerd/designed cars because they can´t do it on their own
Isn't Opel/Vauxhall owned by an American company?
And isn't it because it wasn't able to survive under European ownership?
Hmm, so if it weren't for American POWER, there really wouldn't be the chance for you to have made such good cars to send to us.
Now bow down and kiss our feet.
Also, gas (petrol) is super cheap here; we can drive for hours and hours with no regrets.
It sounds like the same little British twit keeps writing every comment here.
Go brush your teeth and stop commenting.
Opel is a Euro brand of GM equivalent to Buick. So why is there any argument that Buick can bring the equivalent version over to the states? it's their car either way, we have Buicks and Europe has Opel, who cares?!
The GS version is hot. Sad no fog lights and no V6, otherwise, very nice.
Maybe they'll produce a Grand National version with a turbo 6 in a few years. Yes, many of these re-badged vehicles are from GM, Ford etc subsidiaries or partially owned subsidiaries. Holden, who brought us the great performing Pontiac G8 GT variant, is GM's Australian division. It's becoming a global market; you better get used to it.
YES YES YES BUICK WITH A 6 SPEED MANUAL!!!!!!!!!!!
Didn't GM buy Vauxhall in the 1930's and Opel soon after? I'm not sure they were 'rescued'...taken over more likely!
255HP is enough for me...
My last Opel a 1973 Opel Manta 'Blue Max' special, had a smog equipment choked 74HP. My previous Opel a 1971 with it's 'Dual-carbed' 1100cc engine could out run it and hold it's own against my brothers 1973 Vega GT. Never the less, I had a hell of a lot of fun with that 74HP, so 220HP or 255HP is plenty.
Malcolm Ward and crew's beautifully designed Opel Insignia is a winner with any engine offered. and the real news is that the US is going to be enjoy an Opel once again.
Now ...Where is a Coupe version?
3Deuce27
I dont see a problem with switching the V6 for the 2.0T. You have to remember that for Opel, the Insignia is thier flagship sedan so they need the big V6T to show premium status. In the US, the Regal will be Buicks entry level sedan, (at least until the "Delta" sedan arrives), so an all 4cyl line-up (for the average American) puts it in line behind the Lacrosse (All V6). Plus, in this day and age, providing good performance and fuel ecomonmy is a win, win for any marque, and this 4cyl engine strategy might bring more Euro-inclined buyers to Buick showrooms.
If this perfomance thing works for Buick it would be nice to see a small block V8 powered Lacrosse Super AWD.
rebadging: all the comments against it here are silly. Nissan rebadges, so does Toyota, Honda, VWW/Audi/Porsche, etc. The problem has traditionally been when you end up with cookie-cutter cars of poor quality to begin with either competing for the same market share or, worse, passing one of them as a premium model when it can't really be justified. Opel does not come to America, so rebadging Opels causes no problems.
V6: It would be nice to have the sportier more powerful version here as well. Offering the GS version as a 2.0T in such a large/heavy car and trying to pass it as American performance may not be ideal.
The US market has traditionally not responded very well to 4-cylinder luxury cars, especially American ones. European ones have been an exception, although even then Merc and BMW don't offer any, Audi still does, and SAAB well we all know how that went. Lexus offers V6 and V8. Infiniti tried 4-pots with the G20 and has never done so again. Only Acura was successful with the Integra but only because it was a lighter and very affordable sporty car aimed at young people, not business professionals.
I think a V6 would do well even if it is at another trim level and price.
--JORGE
and that too, when VW or Toyota rebadges, nobody complains, but when GM does, everyone has a hissy fit and puts their balls in a vice grip!
The rear end looks similar to the current Acura TL except it looks more accepting to this design.
The front end looks a bit Volvoish, but with the photos taken as is, it seems just as fitting.
Overall it actually looks appealing. It is sad to see that they dropped the Twin Scroll V6.
Being a past Buick Regal GS owner, when at the time there was a Regal LS, in which many people felt it was the same a Buick Century, this I4 should've been the ~ Regal LS and the GS should still obtain the more powerful of the two.
I will say this is definitely not the design of your "Father's Buick". It's definitely aimed at a lower age bracket, but will younger than 40 buyers buy it? It's not like Buick in the last 20 years has been known to be a Generation X or pre-X vehicle. It's more of a baby boomers car.
I'll say in general, this is a better direction for GM to make more attractive vehicles. While I understand the I4 is intended for fuel economy along with power, something they must've finally learned from the rest of the world, especially Japan, I just wished they would've retained the twin scroll and given the GS it's proper meaning.
To the dudes far up:"american POWER" is the reason why GM remembered suddenly that someone under their ownership made an exception and made good cars. This "POWER" caused the CEOs to cry for help in the government, after years of idiotic management and terrible cars. To think they wanted to sell the Opel branch for money's sake and then suddenly understand that this was a huge mistake, still makes me laugh. Yes, you have cheap gas, thanks Iraq for that. War-freaks
That's right idea for right time,as ecological solution to junior-muscle car demand,in parallel with the VW Golf R.
On the other hand,the designation "GS" is not quite suitable for this new offering from Buick. So "Buick Regal Ultra" represents her character more directly,in my notion.
Her 4-cylinders,2.0-litres turbo motor includes two rotating balancers just like VW Golf R's case,thus smoothness would be respectable compared with the likes of Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X and Subaru Impreza WRX.
I do anticipate the debut of "Buick LaCrosse GS" using the de-tuned version of 2.8 turbocharged Opel motor,making about 300bhp!
like the car or not, it is good to see even buick bring concepts to the autoshow floor. i cannot wait to attend! if enough people express pleasure, gm may bring this sedan to market.
I have heard comparisons to new Audi S4...give me a break, who was writting that spin? While they were de-tuning the car with a four banger. They bring the six, they will have a chance...de-tuned it will be but a brochure or second glance.
Ive been hoping this car would make its way across the pond. Im not a GM fan but really like the styling of this car, I have to wonder if they will bring over the estate verion?
But what a horrible idea to bring it over as a Buick!!!! Typical GM, take a great European car water it down and feed it to the Canadian's and American's. They must think that none of us read magazines or look at the internet and know whats going on over there.
This is some of whats wrong with this company they just dont know what the public wants. The recent decision of some of the car companies to stop working on small displacement diesel engines for cars and trucks is another nail in the coffin for domestic automakers. Im not saying hybrid technology is the wrong choice but the excuse they are using to not put more research into diesels is fuel cost!!! so the fuel is 2-5% more per liter but the mileage gain is up to 50%.
...we struggled to get an insignia...oops regal regal out of the snow on the pier in Newark. GM needs to bring the sh-awd version to compete with Acura...definitely must have...great vehicle.
Ive been hoping this car would make its way across the pond. Im not a GM fan but really like the styling of this car, I have to wonder if they will bring over the estate verion?
But what a horrible idea to bring it over as a Buick!!!! Typical GM, take a great European car water it down and feed it to the Canadian's and American's. They must think that none of us read magazines or look at the internet and know whats going on over there.
This is some of whats wrong with this company they just dont know what the public wants. The recent decision of some of the car companies to stop working on small displacement diesel engines for cars and trucks is another nail in the coffin for domestic automakers. Im not saying hybrid technology is the wrong choice but the excuse they are using to not put more research into diesels is fuel cost!!! so the fuel is 2-5% more per liter but the mileage gain is up to 50%.
and that too, when VW or Toyota rebadges, nobody complains, but when GM does, everyone has a hissy fit and puts their balls in a vice grip!
Well, chances are good that just simply replacing the front grille of an Opel Insignia and smacking the Buick badge wasn't enough; I think they should have tried making the headlights of this Insignia-based Regal somewhat similar to the 2011 Lacrosse's headlights.
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