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In Europe it is known as the Opel Insignia, but for the North American market General Motors decided to revive a name first used back in 1973: Regal. Sales of the new Buick Regal sport sedan will begin in the second quarter of 2010, and its main competitors will be the Japanese Acura TSX and Swedish Volvo S60. The new Regal will be offered in two different trim levels: CXL and CXL Turbo, with prices starting at $26,995 and $29,495 respectively. In 2012 it will get two new versions. The 2011 Regal will be offered only in the CXL trim (additional ones will be added for the 2012 model year). The Regal CXL will be offered standard with a 2.4 Liter Ecotec direct injected four cylinder engine that delivers a maximum output of 182 HP, however a 2.0 Liter direct gasoline injected turbocharged Ecotec cranking out 220 HP will be offered as an option. Both engines will come mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with driver-shift control. There is nothing much to say about the new Regal’s design, anyone can recognize the Insignia underneath the Buick badge. With its aggressive styling and tailored applications of Buick’s signature design cues, such as the waterfall grill, select use of chrome trim and superior fit and finish of the exterior panels. While the interior consists of all the latest technologies to keep it up to date in the 21st century: navigation, Harmon Kardon sound system, internal flash drive (1GB), hard drive with 10GB for music and USB port. UPDATE 09/03/2010: Check out our review of the Buick Regal by clicking here! Full details in the press release after the jump. Press release On Thursday Buick will reveal the 2011 Regal sport sedan to customers in the L.A. area. Armed with turbocharged horsepower, a driver-selectable suspension system and a firm, European-tuned chassis, it delivers a driving experience that rivals the best import sport sedans in the segment. 2.4L DOHC I-4, 182 hp @ 6700 rpm and 172 lbs-ft @ 4900 rpm The Regal’s development is rooted in Germany, where the globally led engineering team created the award-winning Opel Insignia – the 2009 European Car of the Year. The Insignia has garnered more than 31 prestigious awards and is the best-selling midsize sedan in Europe. Regal will bring all of Insignia’s award-winning design, technology and European-inspired performance capabilities to the American market. Regal at a glance  Regal will initially be offered in premium CXL trim only, with additional trim levels to be offered in the 2012 model year. The well-equipped Regal CXL includes the following as standard or available equipment:
Design story The Regal’s sleek design blends the sweeping silhouette and proportions of a coupe in a progressive package that suggests motion from all angles. Great attention to detail complements that aggressive styling, with tailored applications of Buick’s signature design cues, such as the waterfall grille, select use of chrome trim and superior fit and finish of the exterior panels. A breakthrough interior The Regal’s finely crafted, sporty and well-appointed interior builds on the exceptional attention to detail found in the Enclave and LaCrosse, blending signature styling cues with contemporary sport sedan aesthetics. Under the hood Unique with its all-four-cylinder powertrain, the Regal relies on the excellent horsepower-per-liter ratio of the Ecotec engine family to deliver smart, on-demand performance that is also very efficient. Driving experience The chassis and structural systems were developed in Germany and give the Regal the handling and dynamics of a premium European sport sedan, as well as the quiet, refined ride and road manners expected of a Buick. The body structure is one of the most rigid in the segment, which is approximately 25-percent stiffer than the previous Regal. This solid structure supports more precise suspension tuning and a quieter ride. 2.0L DOHC I-4 Turbo , 220 hp @ 5300 rpm, 258 lbs-ft @ 2000 rpm A relatively long wheelbase of 107.8 inches (2738 mm) gives the Regal refined, well-balanced vehicle dynamics and supports comfortable ride tuning. Additionally, an independent MacPherson strut-type front suspension with single-path mountings and hydraulic ride bushings; a four-link independent rear suspension; hydraulic rack-and-pinion steering; and optimized four-wheel disc brakes are optimized to the capability of the individual powertrains and tailored to the expected use by drivers. Models equipped with the 2.0L turbo engine, for example, feature larger brakes. Interactive Drive Control System Regal’s Interactive Drive Control System chassis technology (available on models with the available 2.0L turbo engine) offers enhanced vehicle stability and greater driving safety. It is designed to change the personality of the car based on the personality of the driver. A sophisticated driving mode control module continually monitors driving style utilizing yaw rate, lateral and longitudinal acceleration, steering wheel, throttle and vehicle speed. It defines the dynamic vehicle state, including acceleration, braking and cornering, to optimize chassis reactions. It also executes all of the IDCS driver selections.
Selecting “Sport” mode optimizes the car for dynamic driving, tightening the suspension and steering response and speeding up the reaction of the automatic transmission. The “Tour” mode is optimal for long-distance cruising or rough road conditions, providing an increase in comfort. “Normal” or Default Mode is the perfect all-around setting for daily commuting and city traffic. The other major benefit of Interactive Drive Control is that it automatically adapts Regal’s performance settings to individual driving styles. When a driver begins to drive more aggressively it will tighten the suspension and increase steering effort and change to a more aggressive throttle response. When the vehicle senses that the driver is doing relaxed cruising, it adjusts settings for rolling smoothness and comfort.  ---- SpecificationsOverview
Engines
Transmissions
Chassis/Suspension
Brakes
Exterior dimensions
 ---- Prices and Options
Options are to be announced. ---- Competitors and press reviews"We actually preferred the two Insignias that we drove later in the day that used U.S.-market Regal suspension tuning. The rear dampers are a little softer to improve ride comfort and the improvement is obvious and welcome. The recalibration is relatively minor, intended to make the U.S. car on its all-season Michelin tires feel essentially like the Euro-market model, which comes with summer tires. A more compelling adjustment is the addition of a more aggressive sound-deadening package which not only reduces some tire sizzle but also quells the road impacts. It’s easy to forget how much of your perception of a vehicle’s attributes are contributed by what your ears detect. Our early impression of the "Regal’s" comportment is that it will likely make current Lucerne drivers call it "too bumpy," but would feel familiar to those who’ve driven an Acura." (InsideLine)  "The front-drive Regal will arrive next spring carrying a normally aspirated 2.4-liter four-cylinder packing 182 horsepower (at 6,700 RPM) and 172 pound-feet of torque (at 4,900 RPM) paired with a six-speed automatic that offers a +/– manual shift gate but no paddles. Soon thereafter, the 2.0-liter turbocharged, direct-injection Ecotec we drove will come on stream, delivering 220 hp (at 5,300 RPM) and a healthy 258 lb-ft. of torque from just 2,000 RPM. If that’s not enough, GM officials pledge that a six-speed manual transmission will eventually be offered as well. During our brief drive, we found that the 2.0T delivers plenty of muscle with minimal torque steer, spooling up quickly and offering good passing power. GM says the combination should be good for a 0-60 mph time in the mid seven-second range (a couple of tenths quicker than a TSX), a claim that strikes us as totally believable – if not a mote pessimistic." (AutoBlog) "The transmissions are pretty respectable too, the manual shifts crisply and the engagement point is smooth, gears are well placed to work with the slightly heady engine and spirited driving is downright fun. The six speed auto isn’t anything to sneeze at either, passing is a remarkably swift endeavor, it kicks down and away you go, pulling like a mule all the way. Steering under normal and spirited driving has an excellent on-center feel the thick-rimmed tiller has just the right weighty feel under turn-in and the car stays flat through hard sweepers. Potholes and heaves are soaked up though don’t completely disappear, the car is tuned fairly stiff for a sporty communicative feel. If there’s one thing we can fault in the Regal, it’s the steering under hard acceleration, there is a tendency for the wheel to get light and darty, while it’s not nightmarish vintage Saab-like torque steer, it’s the one thing that could use improvement in the car." (Jalopnik) Competitors The Acura TSX is offered with a choice of two different engines: a 3.5L SOHC V-6 that develops 280 hp and 254 lb-ft of torque or a 2,4 liter four-cylinder engine that develops a total of 201 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque. Prices will range from $29,310 for the TSX to $32,410 for the TSX with Technology Package. The new 2011 Volvo S60 will be available with a variety of diesel and gas burning power plants spanning the range from an economical 115 HP DRIVe version to a high performance T6 turbocharged mill producing a maximum output of 304 HP and 324.5 lb-ft of torque, the S60 can sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in just 6.5 seconds and reach a top speed limited to 155 MPH. The 2010 Mazda6 is offered in two different versions: i and s, with prices ranging from $18,450 to $28,390. Under the hood Mazda placed a range of two engines: a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with 170 hp at 6,000 rpm and 167 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm, and a 3.7-liter V6 engine with 272 hp at 6,250 rpm and 269 lb-ft of torque at 4,250 rpm. 14 comments: Buick Regal Buick Regal is so awesome on its decent appearance! It doesn’t really have lots of style and accessories, but it still looks very noticeable and appealing on its aesthetic design.
 In most of cars I’ve know made by Buick, are all exceptional and on character meaning some look or fit best for most corporate people, I like it too because of its efficient car performance regardless of price I still go for Buick.
 If you are looking for a safe and relaxing driving experience. You don’t have to doubt if Buick is a one good ride because it surely is. If Sedan cars will be ranked, I bet this one will be ranked within the top 10.
 Well, I think the most important thing on a car is the driving experience for this is the measurement of the satisfaction of the driver on a certain car. And I think talking about it, I bet Buick offers a lot of it!
 What I like about the Buick is that it doesn’t have the same look though it always comes up with a round bonnet. However, the interior of this car is quite impressive its really breakthrough!
 There is nothing much to say about the new Regal’s design, anyone can recognize the Insignia underneath the Buick badge.
 A sophisticated driving mode control module continually monitors driving style utilizing yaw rate, lateral and longitudinal acceleration, steering wheel, throttle and vehicle speed.
 I like the concept but its kinda look like a toyota altis, but I’ve notice that there are still differences, though I still like the style its a little bit arrogant.
 Is it possible that the non-turbo variant will lack these exhaust tips? As someone who might purchase the non-turbo version, that would be a major disappointment. I hope that Buick doesn’t make the mistake of cost-cutting out these tips.
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Posted on
01.27.2012 @ 01:27