The Mercedes Benz C63 AMG, Audi S4->ke1088, BMW M3->ke2366, Lexus IS-F->ke500, and the Cadillac CTS-V are all wonderful machines, but a tad expensive for those of us that don't make that sort of cash. We're more in the mid-level range and there isn't a whole lot of performance sedans on offer. Buick has apparently seen this market gap and decided to exploit it with the new Regal GS.

We have already heard that the GS will be made, but we haven't had an article go in depth to really examine what it will feature and what it will be like to drive. Let's just say it should be good, as the normal Regal was pretty special.

It won't be easy for Buick->ke17 to create the GS. The base Regal was so good, that anything but perfection would be a bit of a let down. General Motors has been on a roll lately, but can they keep it up?

Hit the jump to find out.

The question is no longer if they will make it; the question now becomes how good will it be when they do. Those of you who have read our review of the normal Buick Regal CXL are undoubtedly aware that we really like the new sedan. We found it to be a new and better direction for the company, not only in terms of style and road performance, but this new car could have the potential to change the way we think about Buick.

That brings us on to the new Regal GS. It’s been years since Buick has had a performance car and we believe they have suffered for it. If you want to know what Buick used to be, and sort of still is, drive the Lucerne. Retirees in Florida will love it, but the rest of us simply won’t. We hope this new sports sedan puts a spark in the company.

Under the hood of the new Regal GS will be a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Older folks might be shocked at what lives in this car, as a four-cylinder is unheard of in a Buick, but it only gets better. Attached to this motor will be a manual transmission. You’ll have to get out the encyclopedia to find a Buick with a stick shift.

“In recent decades, manual transmissions were usually associated with either entry models or sports cars, neither of which fit the Buick image of those times,” Lawrence Gustin, co-author of the book, The Buick: A Complete History, said in an interview with the New York Times. The Skyhawk had a 2-liter, 4-cylinder engine with a 5-speed manual.

That motor will be powering an all-wheel drive system that will keep the car glued to the road. The 255 horsepower motor will help the car hit 60 miles per hour in six seconds, maybe a tad less. Cornering will be a breeze, as the GS will get a four-wheel independent suspension, something most American sports cars have never heard of before.

To help the keep the car planted around the bends, the GS will use a HiPerStrut system that will reduce torque steer and help maintain negative camber during cornering. GM hopes that this system will keep the tires on the road and eliminate undesirable feedback.

It’s very obvious that this car is targeted towards the performance enthusiast, and honestly, we can’t wait. The car will also feature 20-inch wheels, four-pot Brembo brakes, and a rear electronic limited slip differential. On top of that, it will use Buick’s new Interactive Drive Control. This is sort of like the system that you get in the German cars. Drivers will be able to select from various modes that will adjust throttle response, suspension stetting, and steering sensitivity. Those three modes will be: Normal, Sport and, GS.

The car will use a performance-oriented drivetrain, a lowered body, and lower center of gravity. Those exterior looks won’t just be for show, as those large air-intakes will be sucking up air to keep the motor cool. Driver and passenger will be seating in Recaro high-performance front seats that will also feature four-way lumber support.

“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 look of the car is stunning. We loved the design of the base model and the GS ramps up the excitement. The wheels, intakes, lower profile, unique rocker panels, and integrated rear spoiler all add to the performance look.

“The idea behind the Regal GS was taking the production model in a more aggressive direction to appeal to performance enthusiasts,” said John Cafaro, Buick design director. “But along with its aggressive stance, there’s sophisticated style in the design that complements the driving experience.”

The numbers and fancy automotive lingo speak for themselves; this will be one hot Buick. It might be time to find a new car of choice retirees, Buick is moving up in the world.