Even though General Motors used the term 'show car' to describe the sporty Buick Regal GS that made its world debut in Detroit, there's nothing conceptual about this model. The GS version of the new 2011 Regal sedan that's due to go on sale this summer is said to be identical to the Opel Insignia OPC in all but one element: the engine.
According to GM, whereas the OPC gets a 2.8-liter twin-scroll turbocharged with 325HP, the all-wheel drive GS is fitted with a tuned up version of the Regal CXL's 2.0-liter turbo four that makes 255HP.
However, if you pay attention to the second promotional video after the jump (pause at 52 seconds into the film), you'll see that the GS features a V6 Turbo...
During Buick's Los Angeles Auto Show press conference for the unveiling of the Opel Insignia-based 2011 Regal saloon, the company's product marketing director, Craig Bierly, showed a teaser sketch of the next addition to the Buick range, a premium compact sedan.
"And now, I have more exciting news to share with you; the first public showing of a rendering that includes our entire future sedan portfolio," Bierly said at the presentation.
"In addition to the new Regal, which you see on your right, you see our LaCrosse in the center and at the far left, an all-new premium compact sedan with the styling and craftsmanship of Enclave and LaCrosse plus the European-inspired driving dynamics of the Regal - and at a price that will make this Buick our new entry point to the brand.
"Is Buick's transformation complete? No … but we believe we're making steady progress," Bierly added.
While Bierly did not give out any specific details on the car, it's safe to assume that, like the Chinese market 2011 Buick Excelle hatchback, the four-door saloon will also be based on the new Opel Astra (sedan version), which shares the same Delta II platform with the new Chevrolet Cruze.
Our spies have already captured Buick's compact sedan testing in Germany, though at the time, it wasn't clear if GM was developing the car exclusively for China or also for the North American market.
In the States, the new Buick compact sedan will most likely be offered with a similar engine range to the Cruze including a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-pot, and quite possibly, the Astra's more powerful 1.6-liter turbo unit with 180 ponies.
General Motors is bringing back an old Buick name in a new package with the 2011 Regal sedan that was revealed to potential customers in Los Angeles on Thursday. The Regal is actually an Opel Insignia with a Buick waterfall-style grille and matching badges. In fact, it will be built alongside the Insignia at the GM Opel plant in Russelsheim, Germany. Power will come from GM's direct-injected 2.4-liter four-cylinder that makes 182 hp, and a 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder with 220 hp. U.S. sales will start next spring. Follow the jump to watch the first official videos of the Regal that include detailed shots of the interior and exterior as well as driving footage.
Downsizing seems to be the name of the game these days - or at least segment-wise and in theory if you consider the fact that, for example, at 3,721mm / 146.5'' in length, the first gen VW Golf is significantly smaller than today's 3,970mm / 156.3'' long VW Polo, let alone the Golf VI... But anyhow. GM released a bunch of design proposals for a small premium Buick model developed under the project name 'Avant'.
All-in-all, the automaker's designers came up with six different exterior themes ranging from a MINI-style three-door hatchback to a '350Z-esque' coupe as well as four interior concepts as proposals.
GM's team said that while the company hasn't arrived at a final solution yet for a small Buick, it hopes that "it's onto something".
Redesigned from the ground up, the 2010 LaCrosse is Buick's latest proposal in the near-luxury segment with rivals such as the Lexus ES350 and the Chrysler 300. The all-new LaCrosse that will make its premiere at the 2009 Detroit auto show will go on sale in the States this summer offered with the choice of two direct injection V6 engines and the option of all-wheel drive. Click here for more details and photos or follow the jump to check out the video.
According to GM, whereas the OPC gets a 2.8-liter twin-scroll turbocharged with 325HP, the all-wheel drive GS is fitted with a tuned up version of the Regal CXL's 2.0-liter turbo four that makes 255HP.
