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.
Full details in the press release after the jump.<
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The 2010 Buick LaCrosse comes in three trim level- CX, CXL and CXS and with a choice of two V6 engines. prices will range from $27,085 to $33,015. The CX is powered by a a new 3.0L direct injection V-6 that delivers 255 hp and and 211 lb.-ft. of torque and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The CXL gets the same engine as the CX, but adds leather-appointed heated seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, fog lamps, outside rearview mirror with LED turn indicators and puddle lamps, and 18-inch wheels. Intelligent AWD is available.
The CXS is equipped with a 3.6L direct injection V-6 that delivers 280 hp and 261 lb.-ft. of torque; the engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The CXS gets a real-time active-dampening suspension; perforated, leather-appointed, heated and cooled seats, and chrome-plated 18-inch wheels (19-inch optional).
Starting in the first quarter of 2010, Buick will offer a third engine choice for the LaCrosse CX model: a new direct injected Ecotec 2.4L four-cylinder with prices starting at $26,995.
The Ecotec 2.4L four-cylinder engine delivers a total of 182 hp) and 172 lb-ft. of torque. Mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, the new powertrain combination is expected to deliver fuel economy of 30 mpg highway and 20 mpg city.
Press release after the jump.
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While the European market has the Opel Insignia, we here in the U.S. have the Buick Regal. And just like they have the in house high performance version known as the OPC, we will be seeing something very similar with the Buick Regal GS concept that will debut next week at the Detroit Auto Show. The last Regal worth noting was the Regal T type, a toned down version of the Grand National with a turbocharged six cylinder under the hood. The lat time that Buick built a GS it was powered by a 3.8 Liter supercharged V6 in the late ’90s.
However the times they are a changing and consumers are asking for fuel economy along with their performance. The Regal GS Concept is powered by a 2.0 Liter Ecotec turbo four with direct injection technology delivering a total of 255 HP and 295 lb-ft of torque, quite a bit more then before, mated to a six speed manual transmission sending power to an adaptive all wheel drive system. This means that the Regal GS is a sport sedan that can sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in under 6 seconds. All capped off with a set of exotic Brembo brake calipers. All together the Buick Regal GS is a perfect example of the American automaker’s commitment to high performance.
Updated 12/01/10: Two new video added: Detroit unveiling and Buick GS presentation video. Check them out!
Press release after the jump.
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While Cadillac may be at the top of the heap as far as General Motors domestic sales are concerned, the Buick brand is surprisingly popular in a few far off markets. Keeping their other customers happy the other upscale arm of GM has just unveiled the all new Excelle XT at the Guangzhou Auto Show. The XT is an interesting vehicle due to its coupe like profile despite being a five door wagon. The new car is slated to go on sale in China in 2010 and is basically an Asian iteration of the European Opel Astra.
The Excelle XT will be offered with a choice of three engines. The top of the line model will be powered by a 1.6 Liter turbocharged four cylinder gasoline engine cranking out 180 HP. Aside from the boosted offering, there will also be a naturally aspirated version with the same displacement making 116 HP and a slightly larger 1.8 Liter DOHC inline four with lots of high tech working parts to manipulate the cam profiles and produce an impressive and at the same time efficient 138 HP. No matter which internal combustion option you choose, all engines will be mated to a fuel efficient six speed automatic transmission, putting the driver at ease when they are behind the wheel.
Press release after the jump.
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China is the most important market to Buick. It not only sells more cars in the Orient than here, but the unloved by the U.S. Terraza minivan was also a real hit over there. So at this year’s Shanghai Auto Show it revealed a special car with Chinese influence called the Buick Business Concept.
So why is a MPV shown as a business car? Unlike in the U.S. where minivans are the shame of the soccer field, their size is seen as something of prestige in China. As far as design goes, this is a relatively good looking for a minivan. The flowing lines are reminiscent of the Mazda Biante.
For all those minivan fans out there, this may be as close as most of you will get to this Buick. Although production plans and distribution areas have not yet been announced, it’s likely that this will not be a world car for GM.
More pics and info in the press release after the jump
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For 2009, Buick LaCrosse receives some minor upgrades and new additional features. This should be the last year before Buick redesigns the car for the 2010 model year.
A V6 and a V8 are the powertrains used for the 2009 Buick LaCrosse lineup. LaCrosse CX and CXL models are propelled by the 3.8L V-6. This proven industry stalwart is rated at 200 hp and 230 lb.-ft of torque. The 3.8L features electronic throttle control to improve engine response and optimize fuel efficiency. Recent upgrades to the 3.8L also result in quiet operation.
LaCrosse Super models are powered by the robust 5.3L V-8 small-block. Rated at 300 hp and 323-lb.ft of torque, it enables LaCrosse Super to reach 60 mph from a dead stop in just 5.9 seconds. The 5.3L small-block V-8 uses GM’s Active Fuel Management, an engine technology that seamlessly switches between four and eight cylinders to save fuel.
Press release after the jump.
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Buick unveiled the 2008 Invincta show car at the Auto China 2008. The four-door midsize sedan with a coupe-like roofline presents a bold direction for Buick’s new generation of vehicles in the world’s two largest vehicle markets – the United States and China.
Invicta has evolved from Buick concepts such as the 2004 Velite convertible and 2007 Riviera coupe, both of which received accolades for their thoroughly modern adaptation of classic Buick themes. Invicta was designed collaboratively by GM centers of expertise in Warren, Michigan, and Shanghai, China. The name, which is Latin for “invincible,” returns to Buick after a 45-year hiatus in the United States.
Invicta is powered by Buick’s first direct injection turbocharged engine, a four-cylinder powerplant that produces 250 hp and 220 lb-ft of torque. The engine is matched with a six-speed automatic transmission for maximum fuel efficiency.
Invicta’s designers drew inspiration from the Riviera concept. Invicta features modern and sleek proportions with exterior lines that flow uninterrupted around the vehicle. For example, Invicta’s cat-eye headlamps transition into the Buick heritage-inspired sweepspear design cue, which flows seamlessly along the body sides and merges into the taillamps. Similarly, one can trace the top of the headlamp casing to the roofline and the rear of the vehicle without interruptions.
Press release after jump.
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Starting 2009 GM will add a new E85 Ethanol-Capable model to its line-up: the Buick Lucerne. The Lucerne, the first flex-fuel capable Buick passenger car, will be among more than 15 GM models with flex-fuel capability in 2009, up from 11 offerings this year.
E85 ethanol is a cleaner-burning alternative fuel that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 23 percent compared with gasoline.
The Lucerne is the latest vehicle announced for the 2009 GM FlexFuel lineup. The four-cylinder Chevrolet HHR was revealed at the Chicago Auto Show in February and the Hummer H2 and H2 SUT were announced in March as part of the opening of the first public E85 pumps owned by a dealership, Classic Chevrolet-Hummer in Grapevine, Texas.
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Buick will increase its 2008 Lucerne lineup with two new models available at dealerships beginning in April. The Lucerne Super and Lucerne CXL Special Edition reflect Buick’s commitment to bringing a greater variety of premium products into its portfolio.
"Lucerne Super and Lucerne CXL Special Edition epitomize Buick’s new level of refinement and our effort to deliver the vehicles that today’s customers demand," said Jim Bunnell, Buick-Pontiac-GMC general manager.
Buick’s Lucerne CXL Special Edition offers either a V-6 or V-8 engine – making it the only Lucerne model to offer this choice. The 3.8L V-6 equipped Lucerne CXL Special Edition delivers 197 hp @ 5200 rpm and 227 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3800 rpm.
For a higher level of performance, Buick offers an uplevel Northstar 4.6L V-8. It delivers 275 hp @ 6000 rpm and 295 lb.-ft. of torque (400 Nm) @ 4400 rpm. This premium, aluminum 32-valve dual overhead cam V-8 – specifically tuned for Lucerne – is recognized for its technological refinement, precision and quick launch capability.
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Buick will unveil at the New York Auto Show the 2008 Invincta - Latin word for “invincible”. The Invincta evolves Buick’s global design direction from the Riviera concept introduced last year in Shanghai. The Invicta show car was co-developed by GM design centers in North America and China to meet customers’ expectations equally in the world’s two largest automotive markets.
Invicta draws inspiration from the Riviera concept with a modern and graceful exterior design matched by a sumptuous interior. Invicta pays homage to Buicks of the 1940s through the 1970s with its nostalgic sweepspear design cue, a curved line running the length of the car. The exterior also features Buick’s signature vertical chrome waterfall grille and a new look to its portholes. The Invicta interior will share Riviera’s ambient lighting feature and lavish design.
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