Regal GS spec confirmed

Buick has confirmed some technical specifications for its forthcoming 2012 Regal GS - and the big news is that it’s going to have slightly more power than originally thought.

When first announced in November last year, it was estimated that the 2.0 litre Ecotec turbocharged, four-cylinder, direct injection engine would produce 255 bhp (190 kW / 258 PS).

However, the GS has now been SAE certified at 270 bhp (201 kW / 273 PS). Peak torque, which is achieved at 2,400 rpm, remains at the previous figure of 400 Nm (295 lb/ft).

Buick Regal GS (2012) Front Side 2
Buick Regal GS (2012) Interior
Buick Regal GS (2012) Rear Side

That’s plenty for a front-wheel drive car, and it adds up to a 0-60 mph (96 km/h) acceleration time of just 6.7 seconds. Anticipated Highway fuel economy is a fairly respectable 28 mpg US (33.6 mpg imperial / 8.4 l/100km), vindicating the decision to use a small capacity turbo engine rather than a normally aspirated six-cylinder unit.

Anticipating that torque steer could be an issue, Buick has fitted the GS with its High Performance Strut front suspension system. This is also engineered to maintain a negative camber during cornering, thereby helping the tyres grip better.

Other chassis elements include the Interactive Drive Control System, which allows the driver to choose from three modes that control suspension settings and steering response. ‘Standard’ is for everyday use, ‘GS’ is for press-on hard driving, and ‘Sport’ is somewhere in the middle of those two. Computer Damping Control meanwhile constantly adjusts the damping in response to changing road conditions.

Sales of the Buick Regal GS are due to begin this autumn.

Related post:
2012 Buick Regal GS

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts:

Saab 9-3 Aero Carlsson

Image
Saab has got experience of producing special editions in honour of rally driver Erik Carlsson, having previously named versions of the 900 and 9000 after him during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Now it has decided to do it again, this time to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Swedish driver’s first win in Britain’s RAC Rally, which was achieved at the wheel of a Saab 96. Thankfully, the company has resisted the urge to just bung some fancy alloys and a few other extra bits onto something like a mid-range diesel model. Instead, it appears to have resurrected the limited edition Turbo X from a couple of years ago, as the new edition similarly features a turbocharged 2.8 litre petrol V6, Saab’s XWD all-wheel drive system and a six-speed automatic gearbox. The result is the 9-3 Aero Carlsson saloon, which turns out to be a very rapid car. With 276 bhp (205 kW / 280 PS) and a healthy 400 Nm of torque, the 0-60 mph (96 km/h) dash takes just 6.9 seconds. But it’s in the mid-range t...
Read more

American spec Fiat 500

Image
Fiat has released the first details and images of the North American specification 500. The tiny city car will be available in Pop, Lounge and Sport trim levels, and is distinguished from the European version by its more aggressive front and rear bumpers, bigger grille and flared sills. Another unique feature is the engine. Fiat has decided to use the 1.4 MultiAir unit currently found in models such as the Fiat Punto Evo and Alfa Romeo MiTo. Perhaps it felt that using the forthcoming two-cylinder TwinAir in the American 500 would have been too much for markets there to take? There’s no word yet on what power output the MultiAir will have, although in its current applications it comes with either 103 bhp (77 kW / 105 PS), 133 bhp (99 kW / 135 PS) or 167 bhp (125 kW / 170 PS). Similarly, prices have yet to be confirmed, but hopefully both details will have been sorted out by the time the order book for the 500 hatch opens later this year. For convertible fans, the 500C is due ...
Read more

i10 N Line versus the Up! GTI

Image
Hyundai has confirmed specifications and pricing for its sporty i10 N Line. This new variant – which arrives at dealers later this month – benefits from some cosmetic tweaks, unique suspension components and a more powerful 1.0 litre T-GDi turbocharged petrol engine.
Read more