Buick becomes more European than ever. The car gets specially tuned chassis to go round the corners, which is something very unusual for American cars, which are designed to go only in straight line. The car also features a driver-selectable suspension system and a firm and has efficient four-cylinder engines, again very unusual.
"The 2011 Buick Regal is like nothing you've ever experienced from this brand," said Susan Docherty, general manager of Buick GMC. "The Regal is the next chapter in Buick's transformation and will expand the portfolio to include a sport sedan."
The new Buick Regal will be released in the second quarter of 2010. The direct competitors of Regal will be Acura TSX and Volvo S60. Buick GMC will bet on the longer wheelbase and greater trunk volume than those vehicles. Regal also features six-speed automatic transmission, 18-inch wheels and OnStar, which aren't available as standard either on TSX or S60.
The development of Regal is rooted in Germany, where the globally led engineering team created the award-winning Opel Insignia – the 2009 European Car of the Year. Insignia has more than 31 awards and it is best-selling midsize sedan in Europe. All design, technology and features of Insignia will be brought to the American market through new Buick Regal.
In China, Buick Regal went on sale in December 2008 and since then more than 64,000 have been sold. Buick GMC hope that the car will have the same or even greater success in USA.
The 2011 Buick Regal will be available in CXL trim only. The other two levels of equipment will be added for the 2012 model year. CXL package includes:
- Standard 2.4L Ecotec direct injected engine rated at an estimated 182 horsepower (136 kW)
- Available 2.0L Ecotec turbocharged and direct injected engine rated at an estimated 220 horsepower (164 kW) – available late-summer 2010
- Both engines have a six-speed automatic transmission standard with driver-shifting control
- Estimated 30 mpg on the highway with the 2.4L and 29 mpg highway with the 2.0L turbo engine
- MacPherson strut front suspension and four-link independent rear suspension
- All-new Interactive Drive Control System (IDCS) available with the 2.0L turbo, offering driver-selectable suspension settings and automatic driver suspension setting adaptability
- Four-wheel disc brakes with four-channel anti-lock braking system, brake assist and electronic parking brake
- Standard StabiliTrak stability control system and full-function traction control
- Standard dual-stage frontal air bags, side-curtain air bags and pedal-release system; rear-seat thorax air bags available
- Available navigation system, Harmon Kardon sound system, internal flash drive (1GB), hard drive with 10GB for music and USB port
- Standard 18-inch wheels (19-inch wheels standard with IDCS)
- Standard 12-way power, leather and heated driver seat; leather and heated passenger front seat; Bluetooth capability; XM Satellite Radio and OnStar.
2011 BUICK REGAL VS. ACURA TSX AND VOLVO S60*
|
2011 BUICK REGAL CXL |
ACURA TSX |
VOLVO S60 |
| Standard engine horsepower (hp / kW): |
182 / 136 (2.4L I4) |
201 / 150 (2.4L I4) |
208 / 155 (2.5L I5) |
| Standard six-speed automatic: |
Yes |
No |
No |
| Fuel economy with standard engine (city / hwy, estimated): |
20 / 30 (2.4L I4) |
21 / 30 (2.4L) |
19 / 28 (2.5L I5) |
| Wheelbase (in / mm): |
107.8 / 2738 |
106.5 / 2705 |
106.9 / 2715 |
| Headroom – front (in / mm): |
38.8 / 985 |
37.6 / 955 |
38.7 / 983 |
| Headroom – rear (in / mm): |
36.8 / 935 |
37.0 / 940 |
37.9 / 962 |
| Legroom – front ( in / mm): |
42.1 / 1069 |
42.4 / 1077 |
42.6 / 1082 |
| Legroom – rear (in / mm): |
37.3 / 947 |
34.3 / 871 |
33.3 / 846 |
| Trunk volume (cu ft / L): |
14.25 / 403 |
12.6 / 357 |
13.9 / 393 |
| Rear seat thorax air bags: |
Available |
Not available |
Not available |
| Heated front leather seats: |
Standard |
Standard |
Available |
| Satellite radio |
Standard |
Standard |
Available |
| Bluetooth capability |
Standard |
Standard |
Available |
| Navigation system |
Available |
Available |
Available |
| OnStar |
Standard |
Not available |
Not available |
| Standard alloy wheel: |
18-inch |
17-inch |
17-inch |
*2009 models of the TSX and S60 cited.
Bold denotes category advantage.
2011 Buick Regal Preliminary Specifications
Overview
| Models: |
2011 Buick Regal Premium Sport Sedan |
| Body style / driveline: |
four-door, 5-passenger front engine transaxle. Front-wheel-drive midsize vehicle |
| Construction: |
steel body frame integral (unibody) with front and rear crumple zones; galvanized steel front fenders, hood, roof, door panels, one-piece bodyside outer panel, thermal plastic olefin (TPO) bumper fascias |
| EPA vehicle class: |
Midsize |
| Manufacturing location: |
Russelsheim, Germany |
| Key competitors: |
Acura TSX, Volvo S60, Mazda 6 and Volkswagen Passat |
Engines
|
2.4L DOHC I-4 |
2.0L DOHC I-4 Turbo |
| Displacement (cu in / cc): |
145.4 / 2384 |
122 / 1998 |
| Bore and stroke (in / mm): |
3.46 x 3.85 / 88 x 98 |
3.39 x 3.39 / 86 x 86 |
| Block material: |
precision sand cast aluminum |
cast aluminum |
| Cylinder head material: |
SPM cast aluminum |
cast aluminum |
| Valvetrain: |
overhead camshafts, four-valves per cylinder, continuous variable valve timing intake and exhaust |
overhead camshafts, four-valves per cylinder, continuous variable valve timing for intake and exhaust |
| Ignition System: |
individual coil-on-plug |
individual coil-on-plug |
| Fuel delivery: |
high-pressure direct injection and electronic throttle control |
direct injection with variable high-pressure rail and electronic throttle control |
| Compression ratio: |
11.2:1 |
9.2:1 |
| Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm): |
182 / 136 @ 6700 rpm (est) |
220 / 164 @ 5300 (est) |
| Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm) |
172 / 233 @ 4900 rpm (est) |
258 / 349 @ 2000 (est) |
| Recommended fuel: |
regular unleaded |
premium recommended but not required |
| Max engine speed: |
7000 rpm |
6350 rpm |
| Emissions controls: |
close-coupled, catalytic converter; variable valve timing; positive crankcase ventilation evaporative system |
close-coupled catalytic converter; variable valve timing; 58x ignition system; returnless fuel rail; wide-range O2 sensor |
| Estimated fuel economy (city / hwy) |
20 / 30 |
18 / 29 |
Transmissions
|
Hydra-Matic 6T45 |
Aisin AF40 |
| Type: |
six-speed transverse, electronically controlled, automatic overdrive |
six-speed transverse, electronically controlled, automatic overdrive |
| Application: |
2.4L |
2.0L turbo |
| Gear ratios (:1): |
|
|
| First |
4.58 |
4.14 |
| Second |
2.96 |
2.37 |
| Third |
1.91 |
1.55 |
| Fourth |
1.44 |
1.15 |
| Fifth |
1.00 |
0.86 |
| Sixth |
0.74 |
0.68 |
| Reverse |
2.94 |
3.39 |
| Final Drive |
3.23 |
3.33 |
Chassis/Suspension
| Front: |
independent, MacPherson strut-type with dual-path mountings, specifically tuned coil springs, direct-acting stabilizer bar (hollow); hydraulic ride bushings; continuous damping control (Interactive Drive Control System) available on models equipped with 2.0L turbo |
| Rear: |
four-link independent rear; hollow stabilizer bar; continuous damping control (IDCS available on models equipped with 2.0L turbo |
| Traction control: |
all-speed using engine torque reduction and brake intervention |
| Steering type: |
hydraulic, specifically calibrated rack-and-pinion power steering; variable-effort with 2.0L turbo |
| Steering wheel turns lock-to-lock: |
2.68 (18- and 19-inch wheels) |
| Turning circle, curb-to-curb (feet / meters): |
37.4 / 11.4 (18- and 19-inch wheels) |
| Steering ratio: |
15.2:1 |
Brakes
| Type: |
four-wheel disc w/ABS (w/ESC) |
| Brake rotor diameter – front (in / mm): |
2.4L: 11.7 / 296 vented; single-piston, cast iron caliper2.0L: 12.6 / 321 vented; single-piston, cast iron caliper |
| Brake rotor diameter – rear (in / mm): |
2.4L: 11.5 / 292 solid; single-piston, aluminum caliper2.0L: 12.4 / 315 vented; single-piston, aluminum caliper |
Wheels / Tires
| Wheel size and type: |
18-inch aluminum (std on all models)19-inch aluminum (opt with 2.0L turbo |
| Tires: |
Michelin Pilot MXM4 P235/50R18Goodyear Eagle RSA P245/40R19 |
Dimensions
Exterior
| Wheelbase (in / mm) : |
107.8 / 2738 |
| Overall length (in / mm): |
190.2 / 4831 |
| Overall width (in / mm): |
73.1 / 1811 |
| Overall height (in / mm): |
58.4 / 1483 |
| Front track (in / mm): |
62.4 / 1585 |
| Rear track (in / mm): |
62.5 / 1587 |
Interior
| Seating capacity (front / rear): |
2 / 3 |
| Headroom (in / mm): |
38.8 / 985 (front)36.8 / 935 (rear) |
| Legroom (in / mm): |
42.1 / 1069 (front)37.3 / 947 (rear) |
| Shoulder room (in / mm): |
56.7 / 1440 (front)54.4 / 1382 (rear) |
| Hip room (in / mm): |
55.4 / 1407 (front)52.3 / 1328 (rear) |
| EPA Passenger Volume (cu ft / L) : |
96.81 / 2741 |
| EPA Interior Volume (cu ft / L): |
111.1 / 3146 |
| Cargo Volume (cu ft / L): |
14.25 / 403 |
Capacities
| Fuel tank (gal / L): |
18.5 / 70 |
| Engine oil (qt / L): |
2.4L: 5.0 / 4.72.0L: 6.3 / 6.0 |
| Curb weight (lbs / kg): |
3600 /1633 (2.4L) |
