Buick announced pricing for the new fuel efficient Regal eAssist and the high-performance GS, cars that are ought to broaden Buick’s customer base.
According to Buick, Regal with eAssist will start at $29,530, and Regal GS will start at $35,310; both prices include $860 in destination charges. The eAssist system is a $2,000 option on the Regal base model, mated to a 2.4L Ecotec engine. Buick will continue to offer the base model without eAssist as well as the 2.0L turbo.
The eAssist option might be a bit expensive, but it results in an excellent 25 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway fuel economy. In the Regal this system adds a state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery system and electric motor-generator to the direct-injected 2.4L four-cylinder, that enables regenerative braking capability.
Standard features with the eAssist system include : driver-selectable, fuel economy-optimizing mode for the air conditioning system, enabling more frequent and longer-duration engine stop periods; ECO gauge on the instrument panel that continuously responds to driving behavior, enabling the driver to drive with greater efficiency; and powerflow readout in the color infotainment or driver information center that shows the flow of energy through the electric assist system, such as battery charging from regeneration and electric power directed to the engine.
As for the GS, it’s got a 270 horsepower (201kW) and 295 lb.-ft. of torque (400Nm) Ecotec 2.0L direct-injected turbocharged four-cylinder engine, mated to a standard six-speed manual transmission, and gets an estimated fuel economy of 27 mpg on the highway. A six-speed automatic transmission will be available later in the model year.
Regal GS also features push-button start; a leather-wrapped, flat-bottom sport steering wheel with audio controls; metal sport pedals; and leather-appointed, heated and 12-way adjustable sport seating. A Harman Kardon premium 336-watt, 5.1 Matrix Surround Sound system with nine speakers is also standard.
