2011 Buick Regal

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I am really loving this car. Business but beautiful and sensual inside and out (choice of no wood, woo-wee), trim but comfortably sized, a good choice of engines and equipment, and appealing price.

I'll challenge anyone to put this car next to the new TSX and tell me which you'd pick. Should be fairly comparable to the TSX and Passat/Passat CC for thousands less (coming from Europe, how to wonder how that can be, but good for the customer).

Negatives are: No 5dr hatch/wagon which has always been a requirement for me, no manual (I'd pick the 2.0L Turbo manual if it ever comes), would want HID headlamps. Those LED daytime running lamps are snazzy!

Buick won't even be considered by many people, and it's somewhat premium, but really hoping this car finds success. At least it's 4-cyl and FWD, which the G8 was not. At some point a Euro car needs to blaze a mainstream path here.

[PJungnitsch]

Very nice indeed!

It's unfortunate though that many won't consider it because of the nameplate. IMO Buick should have carried on as a China-only name, and Cadillac given the role of carrying all the premium/luxury models for GM North America.

[Ontariodriver]

I knew I had seen this before. It is Opel. I was racking my brain last night. But someone beat me too it. 

http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2009/11/2011-buick-regal-official-photos-and.html

[Leviathan]

I am really loving this car. Business but beautiful and sensual inside and out (choice of no wood, woo-wee), trim but comfortably sized, a good choice of engines and equipment, and appealing price.

I'll challenge anyone to put this car next to the new TSX and tell me which you'd pick. Should be fairly comparable to the TSX and Passat/Passat CC for thousands less.

Negatives are: No 5dr hatch/wagon which has always been a requirement for me, no manual (I'd pick the 2.0L Turbo manual if it ever comes), would want HID headlamps. Those LED daytime running lamps are snazzy!

Buick won't even be considered by many people, and it's somewhat premium, but really hoping this car finds success. At least it's 4-cyl and FWD, which the G8 was not. At some point a Euro car needs to blaze a mainstream path here.

Sounds about right ta me. 2.0L turbo + 5/6speed manual is the one to watch for 

[Thinking Out Loud]

It's unfortunate GM doesn't lease....even with financially viable residual and interest rates.

It would likely be the only way many people will 'commit' to a new GM vehicle is on a fixed-time duration, pending proof that the vehicles are reliable 24-36 months out.

Expecting people to BUY into the belief, even at 0% financing, may be tough when the car becomes a keeper and you are trying to convince an Accord or Camry owner to 'give you a shot', outside of GM hard cores.

I'd 'date' a new GM, but I'm not prepared for 'marriage' as yet. 

Buick is starting to look like a wise move as a 'keeper' brand though!

[Careener]

I definitely prefer the Buick grille to Opel/Vauxhall's.

To me it scream grampa-mobile

[Careener]

it would be nice if the grille from the Opel was a direct swap..it looks nicer than the Regal maw.

Doesn't the Opel grille remind you of a mini-Acura grille?  It does to me...

yes..but with emphasis on "mini"

[articsteve]

Very nice indeed!

It's unfortunate though that many won't consider it because of the nameplate. IMO Buick should have carried on as a China-only name, and Cadillac given the role of carrying all the premium/luxury models for GM North America.

 

Chevy and Cadillac .  Like Toyota and Lexus

[Mitlov]

Looks nice, though I could do without the lip on the back.

But don't they still have to market it to younger buyers somehow? Maybe the Riviera is required to bring sub 70 y/os into the showroom.

Take a loaded Camaro V6.  Throw on Riviera-concept bodywork and toss in an Opel-quality interior.  Charge a couple thousand more than you would for a loaded Camaro V6.  Kapow, you've got a new halo car for Buick, while also resolving the complaints of everyone who said "I'd love the Camaro if it weren't for the interior."  And at least half the people who come in to check out the new Riviera will drive out in Regal Turbos instead.

I don't see why this wouldn't work.

[Mitlov]

Very nice indeed!

It's unfortunate though that many won't consider it because of the nameplate. IMO Buick should have carried on as a China-only name, and Cadillac given the role of carrying all the premium/luxury models for GM North America.

 

Chevy and Cadillac .  Like Toyota and Lexus

You mean Toyota and Lexus and Scion and partial-ownership-of-Subaru? 

Very few companies are actually pure two-marque setups anymore.

[articsteve]

You mean Toyota and Lexus and Scion and partial-ownership-of-Subaru? 

No, I mean Toyota/Lexus.   It was such a brilliant strategy.  Sell loaded and sound isolated Toyotas in a stand a lone store and slap an awesome name on them.

GM ?    What do they do?    Confuse the buyer with a brand that says  "don't by a Chey - they are too entry level, don't buy a Cadillac because your paying too much for what you get, but rather buy a Buick which is a perfect mix of both:  upscale Chevy and downscale Cadillac.

Failure awaits. 

[Mitlov]

You mean Toyota and Lexus and Scion and partial-ownership-of-Subaru? 

No, I mean Toyota/Lexus.   It was such a brilliant strategy.  Sell loaded and sound isolated Toyotas in a stand a lone store and slap an awesome name on them.

GM ?    What do they do?    Confuse the buyer with a brand that says  "don't by a Chey - they are too entry level, don't buy a Cadillac because your paying too much for what you get, but rather buy a Buick which is a perfect mix of both:  upscale Chevy and downscale Cadillac.

Failure awaits. 

Meh.  There's more than one route to success.  Look at VWAG, the world's largest auto group, and its seven marques of passenger cars (not counting Porsche because I forget the status of that deal).  I think the real key to success is to sell good cars.  However many or few marques you use to sell those cars seems pretty immaterial to me.

And the new Regal looks like it's going to be a very, very good car.

[Turbo Bob]

But I wonder how heavy the Buick will be?  I can't imagine Buick went out of their way to make this somewhat light. (they complained the TSX felt "heavy" at 3400lbs. )

Let's see how it drives or if the 3600 lb curb weight is even accurate (I've seen other things that suggest it would be 3300-something).  This car beat the new Fiesta for the European Car of the Year award (click here), and according to Motor Trend, the North American version will only weigh about 13 lbs more than the European one (extra A-pillar strength).  Regardless of whatever the curb weight is on paper, I doubt it'd win European COTY if it felt heavy behind the wheel.

By the way, as to the people discussing a possible GNX, here you go:  The 325-horsepower, AWD turbocharged V6 Vauxhall Insignia VXR (aka Opel Insignia OPC):

That is soooooooooooooooooooooo much nicer than the Buick, sorry.

Does anyone know if the chassis/suspension tuning is different in the EU version vs the US?  These fast Vauxhalls/Opels are normally tuned pretty well, the only Buicks I have been in have had marshmallow for suspension.

[articsteve]

However many or few marques you use to sell those cars seems pretty immaterial to me.

To you perhaps, but overlapping and duplicate brands drove GM into bankruptcy and they are about to repeat the process.

[vdk]

Does anyone know if the chassis/suspension tuning is different in the EU version vs the US?  These fast Vauxhalls/Opels are normally tuned pretty well, the only Buicks I have been in have had marshmallow for suspension.

And this one will probably follow suit. EU cars are often given softer suspension this side of the pond.

[Mitlov]

By the way, as to the people discussing a possible GNX, here you go:  The 325-horsepower, AWD turbocharged V6 Vauxhall Insignia VXR (aka Opel Insignia OPC):

That is soooooooooooooooooooooo much nicer than the Buick, sorry.

You're comparing the Regal to the looking at the VXR/OPC model, not a comparable Opel trim level.  That's like comparing a rebadged 328i with an M3 instead of a BMW-badged 328i and saying "sorry, the Bimmer is sooooooooooooooo much nicer than the rebadge."  Apples and oranges.  As others have pointed out, the Regal appears to be identical to the Insignia except for the grille (when compared to a similar-trim-level Opel or Vauxhall) (edit: and the color of the cabin backlighting):








(Couldn't find an Insignia shot with the black leather interior, so this is as close as I could do).

Does anyone know if the chassis/suspension tuning is different in the EU version vs the US?  These fast Vauxhalls/Opels are normally tuned pretty well, the only Buicks I have been in have had marshmallow for suspension.

No one has tested the new Regal yet, so we don't have any first-hand reports.  Judging by previous Buick suspensions probably isn't a good predictor in this situation because there's never, to my knowledge, been a Buick that otherwise appeared to be an Opel rebadge with no recognizable differences.

Given that there's no V6 on the Regal, I think the Regal will be aimed at younger audiences, and will probably maintain the European suspension more or less.  The LaCrosse (edit: sorry, Allure) will deliver a softer, more geriatric-friendly ride.

[EV Dan]

Last night, General Motors publicly unveiled the 2011 Buick Regal that goes on sale in North America in the first half of next year. The Regal will be Buick's new mid-sized sedan entry and is essentially just a re-grilled version of the Opel Insignia that went on sale in Europe last year. The North American Regal will be built at the Oshawa Ontario assembly plant in Canada beginning in calendar 2011 and will only be offered with a choice of direct-injected four-cylinder engines. However, the Regal is actually slated to go on sale in calendar 2010, and some are suggesting that the sedan will be sourced from Germany for 12 to 15 months.

The base engine will be the 2.4-liter normally aspirated unit that debuted earlier this year in the Chevrolet Equinox, among other models. With a six-speed automatic transmission, the Regal should hit 30+ mpg on the highway. The optional unit will be a 220-hp version of the 2.0-liter turbo, but that powertrain likely won't come on-line right away.

Earlier this year, documents were leaked that listed the Oshawa plant as building a new mid-size hybrid sedan in 2011. It looks like the Regal will be that car with GM's new second generation mild hybrid system that was announced in 2008. The new system uses a more powerful motor/generator and a lithium ion battery. According to Ward's Auto World, the Regal could also get GM's plug-in two mode hybrid system, but that likely won't appear before late 2011 at the earliest.

http://green.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/buick-regal-likely-to-be-launch-platform-for-next-gm-hybrid-syst/

Looks like we'll have a year to grab the real thing. Then it becomes a proverbial grandpa Buick 

[Turbo Bob]

Mitlov I wasn't comparing the trim level, I was just comparing the look, including the grill, it's just personal preference. I can compare whatever I like, I don't need your permission.

[dougjp]

Does anyone know if the chassis/suspension tuning is different in the EU version vs the US?  These fast Vauxhalls/Opels are normally tuned pretty well, the only Buicks I have been in have had marshmallow for suspension.

And this one will probably follow suit. EU cars are often given softer suspension this side of the pond.

True, however with the Interactive Drive Control System, perhaps it will suit all tastes. Then again, its another thing to go wrong.

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/11/2011-buick-regal-returns-with-four-cylinder-only-engine-lineup/

[Mitlov]

Regal 2.0T 6MT CONFIRMED!!!

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/19/breaking-buick-confirms-2011-regal-2-0t-to-come-with-manual-tra/