Rumor: 2012 Buick Regal GS might be offered without the all-wheel drive system

[NINETY EIGHT REGENCY]

Rumor: 2012 Buick Regal GS might be offered without the all-wheel drive system

As you may know already GM is woking hard on the 2012 Buick Regal GS, which will be based on the Regal GS Concept, unveiled back in January at the Detroit Auto Show but also on the all-wheel drive Opel Insignia OPC.

Now here is the bad news… Apparently, the upcoming car will be offered without the all-wheel drive system. This was confirmed by Bob Lutz, GM’s Vice Chairman who said that the product planners are debating whether all-wheel drive is worth the added weight and cost. Regarding the engine, we will see the same 2.0L Ecotec turbocharged engine with direct-injection technology found on the Regal GS Concept and capable to deliver 255 horsepower (190 kW) as well as 295 lb.-ft. of torque (400 Nm)

link:

http://www.4wheelsnews.com/rumor-2012-buick-regal-gs-might-be-offered-without-the-all-wheel-drive-system/

[loki]

just as long as it's offered at sometime, somehow..... come on GM, make vehicles that try not to compromise.

[RjION]

What ever Bob wants today is what Bob wants, and what ever Bob wants is what you should want no matter how many times he changes his mind.

Edited February 27, 2010 by RjION

[Intrepidation]

No AWD no sale. AWD would make this FWD based car handle better.

GM is just looking to cut costs...again.

The more things change the more they stay the same.

[NOS2006]

They've dumbed this model down so much. It started as an Opel with the turbo six and AWD with way more power (325 vs 255) and punch. Now it'll be 255 HP and FWD? Eff that, seriously. This bean counter BS pisses me off. You can get 255 HP and FWD standard out of any car in this class.

[frogger]

255hp FWD is so not interesting... Sounds like settling for mediocrity.

[ZL-1]

[sarcasm]

EXCITEMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[/sarcasm]

Edited February 27, 2010 by ZL-1

[Intrepidation]

255hp FWD is so not interesting... Sounds like settling for mediocrity.

It's about average for the midsize family sedan class.

[NOS2006]

Honestly, if I wanted to settle for 255 HP and FWD out of the "sporty" edition of this car, I could opt for any of the following...

• Charger/300 V6 model (250 HP)
  
• Fusion (263 HP)
  
• Taurus (263 HP)
  
• Accord (271 HP)
  
• Genesis V6 (290 HP)
  
• Sonata V6 (249 HP)
  
• Altima V6 (270 HP)
  
• Maxima (290 HP)
  
• Subaru Legacy (265 HP)
  
• Camry (268 HP)
  
• CC (280 HP)

That's eight different automakers. Oh, and you can get the Fusion, Taurus, Charger/300, and CC in AWD also. What the hell, GM?

[Intrepidation]

And of those listed, only the Maxima, CC, and Gensis are "premium" cars. Also, that list contains not one, but two RWD cars, via the Charger and the Genesis. Then there's the V8 engines both cars offer, and the Taurus SHO as well...

[Nick]

It's about average for the midsize family sedan class.

So that's what they should strive for? Average? I know what you are saying, but it is time GM starts shooting higher than average. They have accomplished this with some new models, and even the insignia has proven to be very "above average". Where is the sense in dumbing down cars for this market? I will never understand GM's logic in this regard, and I see it as a slap in the face more than anything else.

[NOS2006]

And of those listed, only the Maxima, CC, and Gensis are "premium" cars. Also, that list contains not one, but two RWD cars, via the Charger and the Genesis. Then there's the V8 engines both cars offer, and the Taurus SHO as well...

You're right, there are a couple RWD cars, but the point is that 250+ HP is now standard, not the high-end option, which you've too pointed out by saying that some of these listed aren't even the high-end, big motor options.

[frogger]

If it stays FWD they might as well make the regular version have the "sport" suspension (still wondering what that will entail for Buick) and forget about the power boost. This car should handle a heck of a lot better than a v6 FWD sedan if they don't suck.

Edited February 27, 2010 by frogger

[Intrepidation]

So that's what they should strive for? Average? I know what you are saying, but it is time GM starts shooting higher than average. They have accomplished this with some new models, and even the insignia has proven to be very "above average". Where is the sense in dumbing down cars for this market? I will never understand GM's logic in this regard, and I see it as a slap in the face more than anything else.

I completely agree and that's the point I'm making. The power the GS will be putting out is average for the family sedan (less expensive) class. It should make at least 300 horsepower, and then it should at AWD. If they're not going to give it more power beyond 255, it better be a damn good driving car, and IMHO a sophisticated AWD system will help a lot more than leaving the front wheels to do all the work.

[Z-06]

Dear GM it seems like Bumdai Sonata, not Acura TSX and Audi A4, is the main rival of the Regal.

[Robert Hall]

255 hp and FWD. Meh. I thought the GS was going to be a SHO competitor. So much for that. Avis will like it, though.

Edited February 28, 2010 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[smk4565]

255hp FWD is so not interesting... Sounds like settling for mediocrity.

Agreed, a Malibu has that. A Camry has 268 hp and front wheel drive, who thinks that is sporty. A 250 hp turbo four, FWD, euro looking car is what Saab was. We all know how well those sold.

[z28luvr01]

I think the wording of the article leaves open the possibility that AWD will be available as an option. That's not such a bad thing. I don't see how big a deal AWD is in a 255hp car anyway.

[Satty]

Awesome, the 2012 Regal is going to have 15 more horsepower than a '99 Park Avenue Ultra. Cant wait.

[Intrepidation]

It'll have 2 more horsepower than a `99 300M.

[Blake Noble]

inb4: TORQUE STEER!!!

I understand GM doesn't want the Regal to step on the LaCrosse's toes, but really. This is bullshit.

[regfootball]

go test drive the 260hp cobalt SS and tell me if you whine about it (the torque steer).

the regal GS will be fine with fwd and 260hp.. it will weigh more than the cobalt and should be even better behaved on the front wheels.

there will ALSO be a GSX or GNX regal, which will have the AWD and probably a next gen v6 with 325+hp. the current v6 is tough on fumes and doesn't have DI. Give GM some time.

basically GM decided that a four cylinder and AWD won't get enough msrp. they need the 6 to get the price high enough to bring it to showroom and i think its egg on their face if the SHO with its 365hp makes the regal 4 cyl AWD look paltry.

the 255hp fwd GS will be a nice mid price offering. the non turbo base 4 should not even be offered in the regal. it should be 220hp turbo standard. 255hp mid level. 325+ awd uplevel.

Edited February 28, 2010 by Dodgefan
Inappropriate comment removed

[Paolino]

It'll have 2 more horsepower than a `99 300M.

One could argue the 300M was rated under the old standards and it also has a lot more torque, but point taken.

[regfootball]

that chrysler v6 didn't have a lot of torque...LOL.........

[hyperv6]

you people are all schmucks. go test drive the 260hp cobalt SS and tell me if you whine about it (the torque steer).

the regal GS will be fine with fwd and 260hp.. it will weigh more than the cobalt and should be even better behaved on the front wheels.

there will ALSO be a GSX or GNX regal, which will have the AWD and probably a next gen v6 with 325+hp. the current v6 is tough on fumes and doesn't have DI. Give GM some time.

basically GM decided that a four cylinder and AWD won't get enough msrp. they need the 6 to get the price high enough to bring it to showroom and i think its egg on their face if the SHO with its 365hp makes the regal 4 cyl AWD look paltry.

the 255hp fwd GS will be a nice mid price offering. the non turbo base 4 should not even be offered in the regal. it should be 220hp turbo standard. 255hp mid level. 325+ awd uplevel.

I agree the GS will be fine.

Torque steer is not that big of an issue as stability control and other engneering solved most of it. My old SSEI was worse than my SS ever was.

AWD would be nice to have but lets face it how many would be sold in the big picture.

The Regal is a small car and should perform well. I too agee this is not the last stop for the GS. Too many here too often forget what they don't know what GM has waiting in the near future since they really don't tell us what to expect 5 years ahead anymore.

I suspect we will see upgrades to many of these cars as time goes on as they need to keep the price where people will buy them first and then lay on the expensive options later.

GM and Buicks aim right now is to win buyers on good quality with high value cars at a value price. A smart move in a sluggish dead economy. It may be kind of hard to get someone to shell out big bucks on a Turbo V6 AWD at $40K vs a 255 HP Turbo at $27K right now.