Spied: Updated Opel Insignia OPC/Buick Regal GS Caught Testing
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First introduced in Europe in 2008, the Opel Insignia is ripe for a freshening of sorts. And while the Buick Regal has not been around for that long, it should still enjoy the updates received by its European cousin.
As evidenced by the vertical intakes in the front fascia, larger wheels, and twin exhaust surrounds in the rear fascia, what we see here are the high-performance variants of the Opel and Buick Epsilon-based midsize sedans — or OPC and GS, respectively — undergoing testing. And judging from the pieces that are covered up, it would seem that most of the updates will take place in the areas of the bumpers, lights, and grille.
In addition, the interiors of the Insignia and Regal will also get some tweaks in the form of improved materials, LED-based ambient lighting, capacitive touch controls on a redone center stack, and maybe even the inclusion of GM’s industry-first center airbag that protects the driver and front-seat passenger in far-side impacts. The airbag will make its debut in the updated Lambda-based crossovers including the Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave, and GMC Acadia.
Engines for both the Insignia OPC and Regal GS will most likely remain untouched, with the Opel keeping its turbocharged 2.8 liter V6 that good for 325 hp and the Buick retaining the turbocharged 2.0 liter 4-banger (LHU) that makes 270 ponies.
Look for both models to hit their respective markets sometime in 2013, with the Insignia likely arriving at dealers at the beginning of next year and the Regal making an appearance during the summer of 2013 as a 2014 model-year vehicle. Perhaps that’s also when we will see the non-GS Regal Turbo get a much-needed power boost to keep it inline with the Verano Turbo as well as a freshened LaCrosse.
The interior has looked fine, but an upgrade is always a good thing. They do need to do something about the power and fuel economy though, as both numbers need to improve. I hope they will switch to the new 2.0L turbo, as I believe it should give better fuel economy and more power for the basic turbo models. The Regal GS needs more than its current 270hp to justify its price, though. Even having it as a handling package does not justify that price. Maybe the 2.0L can take on a second turbocharger, or maybe there is another solution coming.