Opel Insignia 12

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Sedan, Performance, Buick, GM Buick Regal GS - Click above for high-res image gallery Is the Buick Regal GS the most important "maybe" of the 2010 Detroit Auto Show? It's been more than two decades since performance enthusiasts cared about Buick in any meaningful way. The car at that time was the now legendary Buick GNX. Even if the proposed Regal GS makes production - a big if - it's not going to be a GNX replacement, at least not in the hearts and minds of power-mad Buick enthusiasts. However, at this chapter in Buick's story, every little performance bit counts. That stated, here's what we might get: Power comes from a beefed-up version of the direct-injected 2.0-liter turbocharged Ecotec four-cylinder making 255 horsepower and a walloping 295 pound-feet or torque. Compare that to the regular 2.0-liter DI Ecotec that we know and love in cars like the Pontiac Solstice GXP and Chevrolet Cobalt SS: 260 hp, 260 lb-ft of twist. Five horsepower less, sure (your lawnmower makes five horsepower), but we'll gladly trade those ponies for the 35 extra torques. All that grunt gets routed through a six-speed manual before being kicked out to all four wheels. Speaking of wheels, the Regal GS rides on gorgeous 20-inch alloys that are hauled to a halt by big Brembos squeezing 14-inch cross-drilled and vented rotors. One of the more interesting aspects of the Regal GS is its traction control system that Buick has dubbed "Interactive Drive Control." There's a Normal mode, a Sport mode and most enticing, a GS mode. That final setting changes the default torque split, routing most of the power to the rear wheels. Color us curious, excitedly so. The Regal GS also sits 10mm lower than the standard car and is further visually differentiated by twin intakes on the front clip and two through-fascia tailpipes. It's even got sporty Recaros and a flat-bottomed steering wheel. Are they going to build it? Our gut says "yes," or something very close to it. As a brand, Buick needs a shot in the arm of something hot and bothered. Why not a hopped-up Regal? And will we eventually see an even more muscular version of the Regal GS, fitted with a 325-hp turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 from the Opel Insignia OPC, possibly called the Regal GSX? Maybe GNX fans will have something to look forward to after all. High-res shots below, official press release with full specs and video of the live reveal after the jump. Gallery: Detroit 2010: Buick Regal GS Gallery: Buick Regal GS Concept [Source: Buick]Continue reading Detroit 2010: Regal GS concept seeks to reignite Buick's performance fire [w/video]Detroit 2010: Regal GS concept seeks to reignite Buick's performance fire [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 11:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Sedan, Performance, Buick Buick Regal GS - Click above for high-res image gallery Buick has a long history of turbocharged Regals starting back in 1978 when the first example appeared. That "personal luxury" coupe was one of the first mainstream American products to adopt exhaust-driven turbocharging to recover some of the power lost to downsized engines. Unfortunately, in the era before electronic engine management and fuel injection, those Regals weren't very good. Over the next decade, however, Buick refined these technologies, which led to the formidable GNX, supposedly the quickest production car in the world when it was introduced in 1986. Fast forward to today and the Regal badge is back. Aside from four wheels and Buick's signature water fall grille, the new Regal has no relationship to the Regals of yore. Unlike the Eighties, when making an American car more "European" meant painting the chrome trim black and stiffening the springs, this sedan was originally developed by General Motors' European operation as the Opel Insignia. As such, it might actually appeal to those considering a BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 or Mercedes-Benz C-Class. But to really seal the deal, Buick is using the Detroit Auto Show to revive another one of its historic badges: the GS. Learn about the Regal GS after the jump. Gallery: Buick Regal GS Concept Photos by Sam Abuelsamid / Copyright (C)2009 Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading Buick Regal GS brings performance back to TriShield brandBuick Regal GS brings performance back to TriShield brand originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments