2012 Regal eAssist  |
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Image credits: © Buick. GM Corp
MSRP: $26,245
Invoice: $25,195
2011 Buick Regal news, pictures, and information | ||
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The 2011 Regal: A Buick Bred On The Autobahn
Sport Sedan Blends Sleek Design wîth European Road Manners for Great DrivingOn Thursday Buick will reveal the 2011 Regal sport sedan to customers in the L.A. area. Armed wîth 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 §egmènt.
'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. (concept carz)'
The new Regal arrives in the second quarter of 2010, wîth its sights aimed squarely on competitors like the Acura TSX and Volvo S60. It has a longer wheelbase and greater trunk volume than those vehicles, along wîth standard features – including a six-speed automatic transmission, 18-inch wheels and OnStar – that aren't offered standard on either competitor.
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.
The Regal has already been a success on another continent, in China. It went on sale in December 2008 and more than 64,000 Regals have been sold there. Enthusiastic customers cite its sculpted, flowing design and responsive performance as the top reasons for purchase.
Regal at a glance
Regal will initially be offered in premium CXL trim only, wîth additional trim levels to be offered in the 2012 model year. The well-equipped Regal CXL includes the following as standard or available equipment:
• 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 wîth driver-shifting control
• Estimated 30 mpg on the highway wîth the 2.4L and 29 mpg highway wîth the 2.0L turbo engine
• MacPherson strut front suspension and four-link independent rear suspension
• All-new Interactive Drive Control System (IDCS) available wîth the 2.0L turbo, offering driver-selectable suspension settings and automatic driver suspension setting adaptability
• Four-wheel disc brakes wîth 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 wîth 10GB for music and ÚSB port
• Standard 18-inch wheels (19-inch wheels standard wîth IDCS)
• Standard 12-way power, leather and heated driver seat; leather and heated passenger front seat; Bluetooth capability; XM Satellite Radio and OnStar.
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, wîth 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.
'Regal is all about great proportions,' said John Cafaro, design director, passenger car. 'For example, wîth the fenders flared to wrap around the tires. It's an aggressive stance that people aren't used to seeing in recent Buicks.'
The car's performance-oriented spirit is also conveyed in sleek, sculpted body-side detail and aggressive headlamps that further suggest motion. At the rear, an abbreviated deck and tucked-in body panels are the hallmarks of a contemporary sport sedan, wîth bold taillamps and their intricate lighting elements reinforcing Regal's attention to detail. Eighteen-inch wheels are standard.
The sweeping design motif carries over to the interior, where the side panels flow uninterrupted into the instrument panel. The instruments have the look of expensive sport timepieces and are lit wîth ice-blue LED lights. The center stack, housing the climate and 'infotainment' controls, was designed to allow for a lower, driver-centric instrument panel profile. Features such as a thick-rimmed, leather-wrapped §teering wheel and firm, highly bolstered and leather-covered seats also support the sport-oriented driving experience.
'There is great design harmony between the exterior and interior,' said Cafaro. 'The feeling of flow and motion carries through in an engaging manner that makes you want to take the Regal out to your favorite twisting road to see what it can do.'
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 wîth contemporary sport sedan aesthetics.
Regal's firm, highly bolstered seats were benchmarked against the top import competitors for comfort and support, while a standard flow-through center console offers plenty of storage for passengers in the front and back.
Smart applications of technology are also hallmarks of the Regal, including details such as a multi-function controller on the center console for operation of the audio system, navigation system and the Bluetooth phone. The faceplate for the 'infotainment' screen is set at a 30-degree angle to contribute to the car's flowing interior design.
A new era in Buick design is also seen in the satin metallic, piano black and new, Kibo-patterned interior trim materials. Kibo is a rich, dark, progressively grained wood that lends an international flair to the Regal.
Únder the hood
Únique wîth 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.
Both the standard 2.4L engine and the available 2.0L turbo use direct injection technology to optimize performance, reduce emissions and maximize fuel efficiency. The 2.4L is the same engine offered in the Buick LaCrosse, but in the smaller, lighter Regal, it delivers more agile performance. The 2.0L turbo cements the sport sedan credibility of the Regal, wîth on-demand power comparable to a V-6, but the inherent efficiency of a four-cylinder. To ensure responsive power across the rpm range, the 2.0L turbo uses a twin-scroll turbocharger that builds power quickly at lower rpm.
Distinct, uniquely calibrated six-speed automatic transmissions are paired wîth each engine. Both offer driver shift control that enhances the sporty driving feel of the Regal.
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 §egmènt, which is approximately 25-percent stiffer than the previous Regal. This solid structure supports more precise suspension tuning and a quieter ride.
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 wîth single-path mountings and hydraulic ride bushings; a four-link independent rear suspension; hydraulic rack-and-pinion §teering; 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 wîth the 2.0L turbo engine, for example, feature larger brakes.
Latest-generation electronic stability control (ESC or StabiliTrak), anti-lock brake system (ABS), and traction control system (TCS) are standard wîth Buick's innovative, Interactive Drive Control System (IDCS) real-time damping system offered on models equipped wîth the 2.0L turbo powertrain.
Interactive Drive Control System
Regal's Interactive Drive Control System chassis technology (available on models wîth 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, §teering 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.
All four dampers are electronically controlled and continuously adapt within milliseconds to the prevailing road conditions, vehicle movements and individual driving style. Chassis settings are adjustable by the driver, wîth Normal, Tour and Sport settings.
IDCS allows the driver to choose between three different operating modes that change the suspension settings, throttle response, shift pattern and §teering sensitivity through the variable effort §teering system. The three modes deliver three types of experiences:
• Normal – balanced and optimized for all driving situations
• Tour – optimized for comfort and relaxed driving on long journeys
• Sport – optimized for road holding; enthusiast driving .
Selecting 'Sport' mode optimizes the car for dynamic driving, tightening the suspension and §teering response and speeding up the reaction of the automatic transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com) 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 §teering 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.
Apart from a more rewarding driving experience, IDCS also offers safety benefits in emergency situations. For example, if an obstacle must be avoided when the car is in Tour mode, various chassis sensors convey this to the DMC and the dampers are stiffened within milliseconds, delivering greater body control.
About Buick
Buick is in the midst of a transformation that started wîth the Enclave luxury crossover and continues wîth the completely redesigned LaCrosse luxury sedan and Regal sport sedan. (concept carz) Buick is emerging as a modern, premium brand wîth vehicles characterized by sculpted designs, personal technologies, luxurious interiors and responsive performance. Future new sedans and crossovers are planned and will continue to expand Buick's portfolio both in North America and China.
Buick Regal Named NADAguides' 2011 Car of the Year
Recognized for Performance, Styling, Fuel Efficiency, Price Point and Cost of OwnershipThe 2011 Buick Regal won the Car of the Year Award from NADAguides, a leading provider of vehicle pricing and information, at the Los Angeles International Auto Show on Wednesday.
The Buick Regal beat 10 other contenders based upon a combination of factors, including performance, styling, design, fuel economy, safety features, cost of ownership and price point.
'The Buick Regal has had a revolutionizing effect on Buick,' said Troy Snyder, director of product development for NADAguides. 'The brand is definitely on the right road and it's clear that the Regal is just the beginning of Buick great vehicles to come.'In September, when NADAguides honored Regal wîth its Car of the Month Award, the publication praised the sedan's fuel-efficient 182 HP direct-injection 2.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine and Four-Link Independent Rear Suspension for providing a smooth ride 'fit for a king.'
 | Vital Stats |
| Engine : 2.4 L., 4-cylinder Power: 182 hp Torque: 172 ft-lbs Engine : 2.0 L., 4-cylinder Power: 220 hp Torque: 258 ft-lbs | |
6-speed Automatic, 6-speed Automatic | |
'The NADAguides Car of the Year award confirms the growing momentum building around Buick,' said John Schwegman, Ú.S. vice president of Buick & GMC Marketing. 'The Regal delivers a dynamic driving experience that competes wîth the best import sport sedans in the mid-size sport car §egmènt. Moreover, this smart, sleek, top-safety-rated car is helping to attract new customers to the Buick brand.' Based in part on customer demand for the new Regal, Buick's retail sales have grown 50 percent in 2010 as of October, wîth 39 percent of Regal customers coming out of a non-General Motors' make.
Regal also is a semifinalist for the 2011 North American Car of the Year awards, as voted by a jury of 50 automotive journalists from the Únited States and Canada. The sporty sedan has award-winning DNA, being based on the Opel Insignia – recipient of 31 prestigious awards, including the 2009 European Car of the Year.Source - Buick
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| 2012 Regal eAssist |
