Buick revealed details and specs of the production Regal GS before its official debut at the Los Angeles Autoshow. This American version of Vauxhall Insignia VXR, or Opel Insignia OPC if you like that, gets an Ecotec 2.0L turbo engine with 255 hp and 295 lb.-ft. of torque, special visual features over standard Regals and Buick’s Interactive Drive Control System for changing suspension and steering settings.
This Interactive Drive Control System allows drivers to customize the driving experience by changing the suspension settings and steering sensitivity between three modes: standard, sport and GS. They also reckon the car will have under 7 second 0-60 acceleration time! Apparently it was hard to test it already.
For those who have seen the European version, the changes over the normal model are familiar. The Regal GS comes with unique front and rear fascias, with the front fascia incorporating prominent, vertical air intake slots and specific grille treatment – with the vertical elements accented in a satin-metallic finish. The rear fascia has a pair of integrated, satin-metallic trapezoidal exhaust outlets. Rocker panel extensions and an integrated rear spoiler are also woven into the design.
The car rides on 19-inch, 5-Twin Spoke alloy wheels and all-season tires (20-inch, 5-Twin Spoke polished alloy wheels with performance tires are optional).
Special features of the interior bespoke to the GS models include a racing-inspired, flat-bottom sport steering wheel and metal sport pedals, along with leather-appointed 12-way power-adjustable sport driver and front passenger heated seats, which include four-way power lumbar. The GS-specific black interior is accented with satin-finish elements on the instrument panel, steering wheel and console, while the instrument panel glows white when the driver engages the GS mode of the Interactive Drive Control System (IDCS).
Product highlights include:
• Exclusive Ecotec 2.0L turbocharged and intercooled engine rated at an estimated 255 horsepower (190 kW) and 295 lb-ft of torque (400 Nm)
• Six-speed manual transmission, with six-speed automatic with Driver Shift Control to be offered later
• Interactive Drive Control System with GS mode
• Four-wheel independent system with HiPerStrut front suspension
• High-performance four-wheel disc brake system with Brembo front calipers
• Standard 19-inch, 5-Twin Spoke alloy wheels and all-season tire and optional 20-inch, 5-Twin Spoke polished alloy wheels with performance tires
Standard amenities for the Regal GS include:
• Passive keyless entry with push-button start
• Standard XM Satellite Radio with three-month trial service
• Harmon/Kardon premium 320-watt sound system with nine speakers
• Bluetooth phone connectivity
• Leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel with audio controls
• Leather-appointed sport seating
• Heated driver and front passenger seats, with 12-way adjustable driver and front passenger seats – including four-way lumbar adjustment
• 120-volt accessory power outlet
• Power windows with express up/down feature in the front and express down in the rear.
• Front and rear ultrasonic parking assist
• Bi-xenon HID headlamps.
Tech Specs:
Engines
| 2.0L DOHC VVT I-4 ECOTEC Turbo High Output | |
| Displacement (cu in / cc): | 122 / 1998 |
| Bore and stroke (in / mm): | 3.39 x 3.39 / 86 x 86 |
| Block material: | cast aluminum |
| Cylinder head material: | cast aluminum |
| Valvetrain: | overhead camshafts, four-valves per cylinder, continuous variable valve timing for intake and exhaust |
| Ignition system: | individual coil-on-plug |
| Fuel delivery: | direct injection with variable high-pressure rail and electronic throttle control |
| Compression ratio: | 9.2:1 |
| Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm): | 255 / 190 @ 5300 (est.) |
| Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm) | 295 / 400 @ 2500-4000 (est.) |
| Recommended fuel: | premium recommended but not required |
| Max engine speed: | 6350 rpm |
| Emissions controls: | close-coupled catalytic converter; variable valve timing; 58x ignition system; returnless fuel rail; wide-range O2 sensor |
| Estimated fuel economy (city / hwy) |
19 / 29 (manual)
18 / 28 (automatic) |
Transmission
| 2.0L DOHC VVT I-4 ECOTEC Turbo High Output | |
| Displacement (cu in / cc): | 122 / 1998 |
| Bore and stroke (in / mm): | 3.39 x 3.39 / 86 x 86 |
| Block material: | cast aluminum |
| Cylinder head material: | cast aluminum |
| Valvetrain: | overhead camshafts, four-valves per cylinder, continuous variable valve timing for intake and exhaust |
| Ignition system: | individual coil-on-plug |
| Fuel delivery: | direct injection with variable high-pressure rail and electronic throttle control |
| Compression ratio: | 9.2:1 |
| Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm): | 255 / 190 @ 5300 (est.) |
| Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm) | 295 / 400 @ 2500-4000 (est.) |
| Recommended fuel: | premium recommended but not required |
| Max engine speed: | 6350 rpm |
| Emissions controls: | close-coupled catalytic converter; variable valve timing; 58x ignition system; returnless fuel rail; wide-range O2 sensor |
| Estimated fuel economy (city / hwy) |
19 / 29 (manual)
18 / 28 (automatic) |
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) |
| Rear: | four-link independent rear; hollow stabilizer bar; continuous damping control (IDCS) |
| Traction control: | all-speed using engine torque reduction and brake intervention |
| Steering type: | hydraulic, variable-effort |
| Steering wheel turns lock-to-lock: | 2.68 |
| Turning circle, curb-to-curb (feet / meters): | 37.4 / 11.4 (19-inch wheels) |
| Steering ratio: | 15.2:1 |
Brakes
| Type: | four-wheel disc w/ABS (w/ESC) |
| Brake rotor diameter – front (in / mm): | 14.0 / 355 vented; four-piston aluminum Brembo caliper |
| Brake rotor diameter – rear (in / mm): | 12.4 / 315 vented; single-piston, aluminum caliper |
