Buick Regal – Automobiles Review

GM issues six recalls

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The US automobile giant GM has issued six recalls that affect vehicles sold in the United States and that cover 717,949 cars sold recently. Here’s a list of the recalled vehicles:

414,333 2011-2012 model year Chevrolet Camaro; 2010-2012 model year Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain; 2011-2012 Buick Regal and LaCrosse; and 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX models in the U.S. equipped with power height adjustable driver or front passenger seat structures. In these cars there is a problem with a bolt that secures the height adjuster actuator. The bolt may become loose or even fall out. If the bolt falls out the seat will move up and down freely because it is no longer attached to the height adjuster. The vehicles are safe to be driven but there have been reports of injuries and one crash.

124,007 model year 2014 Chevrolet Caprice, 2014 Chevrolet SS, 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado LD and HD, 2013-2014 Cadillac ATS, 2014 Cadillac CTS, 2014 Cadillac ELR; 2013-2014 Buick Encore; and 2014-2015 GMC Sierra LD and HD vehicles. Some of these vehicles may have an incomplete weld on the seat hook bracket assembly. If there’s such a weld, dealers will replace the lower seat track at no cost. There are no reports of crashes or injuries.

120,426 2011-2013 model year Buick Regal and 2013 model year Chevrolet Malibu equipped with front turn signals that use two bulbs in each front turn signal. If one bulb is burnt out the driver inside will not get a turn signal in the instrument cluster; if both bulbs burn out the driver will get a rapidly flashing turn signal arrow in the instrument cluster. The body control module has to be reprogrammed to solve this issue – something that dealers can do. There are no reports of crashes or injuries related to the issue.

57,242 2014 Chevrolet Impalas equipped with belt-drive electric power steering. On some vehicles, customers may experience reduced or no power steering assist at start-up or while driving. The reason is a poor electrical ground connection to the Power Steering Control Module. Steering control will be maintained because the vehicle will revert to manual steering mode but greater driver effort will be required, especially when driving at lower speeds. The issue can be resolved at your local dealer. So far there has been one crash but there are no reports of injuries or fatalities.

1,919 2014-2015 Chevrolet Sparks imported from Korea. In these cars there is a lower control arm bolt that is not fastened to specification. This issue may create noise coming from the front suspension and separation of the lower control arm from the steering knuckle while driving, which will result in loss of steering control. The issue can be resolved at your local dealer. There are no reports of crashes, fatalities or injuries.

22 2015 model year Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali vehicles. Here the roof carriers may have been attached with the wrong retaining nuts, which will result in holes or tears in the roof rail air bags if they deploy. Eight of these vehicles are in dealer stock and will be repaired before being sold.

If you own one of these vehicles you are strongly advised to get it checked at a dealer near you.

Source: GM

July 24, 2014

2014 Buick Regal – US Price $30,615

Buick has announced the pricing of the 2014 Regal. The car was presented earlier this year at the 2013 New York Auto Show. The entry level model is priced from $30,615.

Standard equipment includes next-generation IntelliLink connectivity with an eight-inch color touch display, 18” alloy wheels, rear vision camera, leather-appointed seating surfaces, heated front seats and a new 2.0L I-4 Turbo delivering better power, refinement and fuel economy. The engine delivers 259HP (193 kW) and 400Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque. It is connected to a 6-speed automatic gearbox and is able to return 21 mpg US city / 30 mpg on the highway.

Also new for 2014 is an advanced all-wheel-drive system that incorporates electronic limited-slip differential to help make the most of traction in all driving conditions and comes standard with HiPer Strut front suspension. Regal AWD is available starting at $32,790.

A new Regal GS also goes on sale later this year with a suggested retail price of $37,830, including a $925 destination charge. In addition to standard Regal content, GS includes high- intensity discharge head lamps; sport seats with leather seating surfaces; eight-inch full color reconfigurable driver information cluster and display; navigation; Bose premium audio; HiPer Strut front suspension; Computer Damping Control; Interactive Drive Control with Sport and GS modes; Brembo four-piston front brake calipers; and 19-inch aluminum wheels with all-season tires. Also available are 20” polished aluminum wheels with summer rated tires.

Source: Buick

September 9, 2013

Updated: Buick Lineup Equipped With Active Safety Suite

Buick models Verano, Regal, LaCrosse, Encore and Enclave are going to be offered with a range of available active safety systems. They are designed with the aim to watch the front, side and rear of the vehicle in order to prevent crashes.

In addition, Buick is the only brand in industry which offers Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Side Blind Zone Warning, and a Rear Vision Camera on every vehicle.

To go further into details, Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning utilize a single forward-looking camera to read traffic and lane markers on the road ahead. Here visual warnings and audible tones alert are used to inform the driver about the lane changes or a slowed vehicle.

In addition, the Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Side Blind Zone Warning use radar thus observing the spots the driver may not see. Of course, they also utilize visible and audible warnings to “catch” the attention of the driver.

In the cases when the car is in reverse and the Rear Vision Camera is active, then the Rear Cross Traffic Alert will flash a red icon and directional arrow if another vehicle is approaching from either side.

Furthermore, the Side Blind Zone Alert is the technology which detects when other vehicles are in Buick’s blind spot. If there is a vehicle in the blind spot, then the system alerts the driver with a yellow icon on the glass of either side view mirror. And in the cases when a turn signal is engaged and at the same time another vehicle is detected in the next lane, the system delivers an audible alert.

All of the current Buick models are created with high strength steel and additionally, the Verano compact luxury sedan and Encore luxury small crossover offer 10 standard air bags. On the other hand, the Enclave luxury crossover comes as a standard with front center air bag. The latter helps protect drivers and front passengers in far-side impact crashes.

Source: Buick

June 10, 2013

First teaser for “BLACK AIR: The Buick Grand National Documentary” released

If you haven’t heard already about the “Black Air: The Buick Grand National Documentary“, well it is a 60-minute film about Buick’s premier but paradoxical mid 80’s performance car. The film is to be released soon; nevertheless the teaser for it has just been released.

The director of the awaited movie is Andrew Filippone Jr., who had the inspiration to create the documentary about the Buick Regal Grand National. It was a strange and peculiar misfit.

Although it carried the name Buick, the Grand National was too quick and too rough to stay under this name. There was something about it which made it stand out among other cars.

"Black Air: The Buick Grand National Documentary" — “Black Air: The Buick Grand National Documentary”

Despite the fact that it had roots of the Buick Regal, it was able to have an astonishing straight-line 0-60 mph acceleration. Nothing in the mid 80s could match it. However, the same roots didn’t give the vehicle a chance to be accepted seriously.

Its emblematic boxy design was something very typical for example. Other shortcomings were its mediocre chassis, an undersized engine, an electronically limited top speed, and an unremarkable pedigree.

On the other hand its six cylinders and an intercooled turbo made the vehicle remarkable. Remembered with its fierce black paint, the Grand National became a legend. In fact, in the fineal year of the production of the Buick, outfitted in GNX trim, it was the quickest production car in the U.S. It was able to reach the acceleration sprint from 0 to 60 mph in only 4.7 seconds.

Although no one believed that it could achieve this acceleration, test after test proved it. But there remained the question, how could a Buick achieve this. Where did it come from? Where did it fit?

The documentary answers those questions and even more. The people who built the car, who wrote about the car, and who own the car, speak about and about their experience with the Grand National.

Some of the included voices are Lloyd Reuss, the Buick General Manager who launched the Grand National project; Tony Assenza, the “Car and Driver” Editor who dubbed the GNX an “ax-wielding barbarian”; and Richard Clark, the renowned owner, enthusiast, and collector.

The last example of the Grand National was built on 11th of December 1987, and twenty-five years later, Black Air arrives to commemorate this landmark car.

httpv://vimeo.com/27452222

News and Video Source: Vimeo

July 20, 2012

2013 Buick Verano Turbo Debut

The 2013 Buick Verano Turbo is going on sale later this year as a representative of the company’s efforts to downsize it’s engine fleet without sacrificing power output. The Verano will get 250 hp from a 2.0-liter engine.

“The 2.0L turbo engine was designed for refinement, higher output capabilities and reduced noise,” said Amy Joss, Ecotec 2.0L assistant chief engineer. “The way it sounds, the power delivery and the refined character are all fitting of a luxury sedan with a fun side.”

The power plant inside is no stranger to fame and acclaim. It’s a Buick 2.0 liter turbocharged Ecotec engine which last year, was named one of WardsAuto World’s 2012 10 Best Engines for North America. It’s sort of clever because of the eAssist tech used along side it, which helps boost performance and fuel-economy through the use of an electric motor and a battery. The Buick Regal luxury sport sedan will also get the same engine bits as standard.

The popularity of 4-cylinder engine in the US is not widespread to say the least, but with car makers struggling to deal with emission restrictions etc. change might be on the way. According to his Automotive, their use in North America will grow by 74 percent from 6.9 million to 12.2 million over the next 10 years.

The transmission choice is between a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. The fuel figures however have not been disclosed yet nor the price.

Source: Buick

June 12, 2012

Buick Regal Lineup with Drivetrain Changes

On the new Buick Regal GS will be new automatic transmission and eAssist as a standard, thus making the evolution of Buicks’ Sport Sedan happening. More importantly, the vehicle with the new automatic transmission is already in dealerships. The famous eAssist fuel efficiency technology is also included and as you already understood, it also comes as a standard. The Regal was recently named by the U.S. News and World Report as the “Best Upscale Midsize Car for Families” and as the “Best Car for the Money”.

But what about the other changes included in the 2013 Regal GS Model. The 270 hp (198 kW) of the car come from the powerful turbocharged 2.0L Ecotec engine, which was by the way one of WardsAuto World’s 2012 “10 Best Engines” for North America. More importantly, it now can be controlled through a second transmission, which is a six-speed automatic with Driver Shift Control. It also comes as a standard choice.

In addition the new Aisin AF40 automatic is calibrated specifically for the model. It includes the car’s Interactive Drive Control System set to “GS” mode. Hence, the transmission delivers firmer shifts and aids performance. The acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is in only 6.7 seconds. Furthermore the EPA-estimated fuel economy is 19 mpg city and 27 mpg on the highway. This is due to the standard performance components like Buick’s innovative HiPer Strut front suspension and Brembo front brake calipers.

What is more, the eAssist will be a standard on all 2013 Regal vehicles. More importantly the eAssist uses a compact lithium-ion battery pack and a small electric motor to aid the performance of a fuel-efficient 2.4-liter gas engine. The system provides an electrical boost to aid the engine at low speeds and on inclines where fuel efficiency can suffer most. Therefore it is possible for the Regal with eAssist to achieve the EPA-estimated 36 highway mpg, which is equal to the performance of some hybrid vehicles. In addition, the eAssist became standard for the larger LaCrosse luxury sedan and at the same price as the V6, thus gathering even more popularity.

Pricing and an on-sale date for the 2013 Regal with eAssist will be announced later this year.

Source: Buick

February 8, 2012

2012 Buick Regal with eAssist

From this fall Buick is expanding its staggering Regal range with the addition of a new, ultra efficient member, the 2012 Buick Regal with eAssist fuel-saving technology. (more…)

February 8, 2011

Buick Regal GS goes in production

At the 2010 North American International Auto Show, which took place in Detroit in January, Buick has stunned the crowd with its high-performance Buick Regal GS show vehicle. (more…)

May 28, 2010

2011 Buick Regal sport sedan

Buick becomes more European than ever. The car gets specially tuned chassis to go round the corners, which is something very unusual for American cars, which are designed to go only in straight line. The car also features a driver-selectable suspension system and a firm and has efficient four-cylinder engines, again very unusual.

“The 2011 Buick Regal is like nothing you’ve ever experienced from this brand,” said Susan Docherty, general manager of Buick GMC. “The Regal is the next chapter in Buick’s transformation and will expand the portfolio to include a sport sedan.”

The new Buick Regal will be released in the second quarter of 2010. The direct competitors of Regal will be Acura TSX and Volvo S60. Buick GMC will bet on the longer wheelbase and greater trunk volume than those vehicles. Regal also features six-speed automatic transmission, 18-inch wheels and OnStar, which aren’t available as standard either on TSX or S60.

The development of Regal is rooted in Germany, where the globally led engineering team created the award-winning Opel Insignia – the 2009 European Car of the Year. Insignia has more than 31 awards and it is best-selling midsize sedan in Europe. All design, technology and features of Insignia will be brought to the American market through new Buick Regal.

In China, Buick Regal went on sale in December 2008 and since then more than 64,000 have been sold. Buick GMC hope that the car will have the same or even greater success in USA.

The 2011 Buick Regal will be available in CXL trim only. The other two levels of equipment will be added for the 2012 model year. CXL package includes:

Standard 2.4L Ecotec direct injected engine rated at an estimated 182 horsepower (136 kW)
Available 2.0L Ecotec turbocharged and direct injected engine rated at an estimated 220 horsepower (164 kW) – available late-summer 2010
Both engines have a six-speed automatic transmission standard with driver-shifting control
Estimated 30 mpg on the highway with the 2.4L and 29 mpg highway with the 2.0L turbo engine
MacPherson strut front suspension and four-link independent rear suspension
All-new Interactive Drive Control System (IDCS) available with the 2.0L turbo, offering driver-selectable suspension settings and automatic driver suspension setting adaptability
Four-wheel disc brakes with four-channel anti-lock braking system, brake assist and electronic parking brake
Standard StabiliTrak stability control system and full-function traction control
Standard dual-stage frontal air bags, side-curtain air bags and pedal-release system; rear-seat thorax air bags available
Available navigation system, Harmon Kardon sound system, internal flash drive (1GB), hard drive with 10GB for music and USB port
Standard 18-inch wheels (19-inch wheels standard with IDCS)
Standard 12-way power, leather and heated driver seat; leather and heated passenger front seat; Bluetooth capability; XM Satellite Radio and OnStar.

2011 BUICK REGAL VS. ACURA TSX AND VOLVO S60*

	2011 BUICK REGAL CXL	ACURA TSX	VOLVO S60
Standard engine horsepower (hp / kW):	182 / 136 (2.4L I4)	201 / 150 (2.4L I4)	208 / 155 (2.5L I5)
Standard six-speed automatic:	Yes	No	No
Fuel economy with standard engine (city / hwy, estimated):	20 / 30 (2.4L I4)	21 / 30 (2.4L)	19 / 28 (2.5L I5)
Wheelbase (in / mm):	107.8 / 2738	106.5 / 2705	106.9 / 2715
Headroom – front (in / mm):	38.8 / 985	37.6 / 955	38.7 / 983
Headroom – rear (in / mm):	36.8 / 935	37.0 / 940	37.9 / 962
Legroom – front ( in / mm):	42.1 / 1069	42.4 / 1077	42.6 / 1082
Legroom – rear (in / mm):	37.3 / 947	34.3 / 871	33.3 / 846
Trunk volume (cu ft / L):	14.25 / 403	12.6 / 357	13.9 / 393
Rear seat thorax air bags:	Available	Not available	Not available
Heated front leather seats:	Standard	Standard	Available
Satellite radio	Standard	Standard	Available
Bluetooth capability	Standard	Standard	Available
Navigation system	Available	Available	Available
OnStar	Standard	Not available	Not available
Standard alloy wheel:	18-inch	17-inch	17-inch

*2009 models of the TSX and S60 cited.

Bold denotes category advantage.

2011 Buick Regal Preliminary Specifications

Overview

Models:	2011 Buick Regal Premium Sport Sedan
Body style / driveline:	four-door, 5-passenger front engine transaxle. Front-wheel-drive midsize vehicle
Construction:	steel body frame integral (unibody) with front and rear crumple zones; galvanized steel front fenders, hood, roof, door panels, one-piece bodyside outer panel, thermal plastic olefin (TPO) bumper fascias
EPA vehicle class:	Midsize
Manufacturing location:	Russelsheim, Germany
Key competitors:	Acura TSX, Volvo S60, Mazda 6 and Volkswagen Passat

Engines

	2.4L DOHC I-4	2.0L DOHC I-4 Turbo
Displacement (cu in / cc):	145.4 / 2384	122 / 1998
Bore and stroke (in / mm):	3.46 x 3.85 / 88 x 98	3.39 x 3.39 / 86 x 86
Block material:	precision sand cast aluminum	cast aluminum
Cylinder head material:	SPM cast aluminum	cast aluminum
Valvetrain:	overhead camshafts, four-valves per cylinder, continuous variable valve timing intake and exhaust	overhead camshafts, four-valves per cylinder, continuous variable valve timing for intake and exhaust
Ignition System:	individual coil-on-plug	individual coil-on-plug
Fuel delivery:	high-pressure direct injection and electronic throttle control	direct injection with variable high-pressure rail and electronic throttle control
Compression ratio:	11.2:1	9.2:1
Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm):	182 / 136 @ 6700 rpm (est)	220 / 164 @ 5300 (est)
Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm)	172 / 233 @ 4900 rpm (est)	258 / 349 @ 2000 (est)
Recommended fuel:	regular unleaded	premium recommended but not required
Max engine speed:	7000 rpm	6350 rpm
Emissions controls:	close-coupled, catalytic converter; variable valve timing; positive crankcase ventilation evaporative system	close-coupled catalytic converter; variable valve timing; 58x ignition system; returnless fuel rail; wide-range O₂ sensor
Estimated fuel economy (city / hwy)	20 / 30	18 / 29

Transmissions

	Hydra-Matic 6T45	Aisin AF40
Type:	six-speed transverse, electronically controlled, automatic overdrive	six-speed transverse, electronically controlled, automatic overdrive
Application:	2.4L	2.0L turbo
Gear ratios (:1):
First	4.58	4.14
Second	2.96	2.37
Third	1.91	1.55
Fourth	1.44	1.15
Fifth	1.00	0.86
Sixth	0.74	0.68
Reverse	2.94	3.39
Final Drive	3.23	3.33

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) available on models equipped with 2.0L turbo
Rear:	four-link independent rear; hollow stabilizer bar; continuous damping control (IDCS available on models equipped with 2.0L turbo
Traction control:	all-speed using engine torque reduction and brake intervention
Steering type:	hydraulic, specifically calibrated rack-and-pinion power steering; variable-effort with 2.0L turbo
Steering wheel turns lock-to-lock:	2.68 (18- and 19-inch wheels)
Turning circle, curb-to-curb (feet / meters):	37.4 / 11.4 (18- and 19-inch wheels)
Steering ratio:	15.2:1

Brakes

Type:	four-wheel disc w/ABS (w/ESC)
Brake rotor diameter – front (in / mm):	2.4L: 11.7 / 296 vented; single-piston, cast iron caliper2.0L: 12.6 / 321 vented; single-piston, cast iron caliper
Brake rotor diameter – rear (in / mm):	2.4L: 11.5 / 292 solid; single-piston, aluminum caliper2.0L: 12.4 / 315 vented; single-piston, aluminum caliper

Wheels / Tires

Wheel size and type:	18-inch aluminum (std on all models)19-inch aluminum (opt with 2.0L turbo
Tires:	Michelin Pilot MXM4 P235/50R18Goodyear Eagle RSA P245/40R19

Dimensions

Exterior

Wheelbase (in / mm) :	107.8 / 2738
Overall length (in / mm):	190.2 / 4831
Overall width (in / mm):	73.1 / 1811
Overall height (in / mm):	58.4 / 1483
Front track (in / mm):	62.4 / 1585
Rear track (in / mm):	62.5 / 1587

Interior

Seating capacity (front / rear):	2 / 3
Headroom (in / mm):	38.8 / 985 (front)36.8 / 935 (rear)
Legroom (in / mm):	42.1 / 1069 (front)37.3 / 947 (rear)
Shoulder room (in / mm):	56.7 / 1440 (front)54.4 / 1382 (rear)
Hip room (in / mm):	55.4 / 1407 (front)52.3 / 1328 (rear)
EPA Passenger Volume (cu ft / L) :	96.81 / 2741
EPA Interior Volume (cu ft / L):	111.1 / 3146
Cargo Volume (cu ft / L):	14.25 / 403

Capacities

Fuel tank (gal / L):	18.5 / 70
Engine oil (qt / L):	2.4L: 5.0 / 4.72.0L: 6.3 / 6.0
Curb weight (lbs / kg):	3600 /1633 (2.4L)

November 16, 2009

Buick plans new Regal

General Motors Company announced that the new name of Buick’s next mid-size sport sedan will be Buick Regal. The first Regal came on the market in 1991. The company made a facelift version of it in 1997 and the Regal came of stage in 2004. However, Buick GMC is planning to bring Buick Regal in production. (more…)

October 15, 2009

Buick New Regal 2.0 Turbo Premieres at Auto Shanghai 2009

The Buick New Regal 2.0 Turbo, GM’s first product built in China that will be available with a turbocharged engine, is making its world premiere at Auto Shanghai 2009. The new powertrain gives New Regal buyers a choice of three engines. (more…)

April 22, 2009

Tag: Buick Regal

2011 BUICK REGAL VS. ACURA TSX AND VOLVO S60*

2011 Buick Regal Preliminary Specifications

Overview

Engines

Transmissions

Chassis/Suspension

Brakes

Wheels / Tires

Dimensions

Exterior

Interior

Capacities