The old-school GM performance connoisseurs reading this article are certainly exuberant to read that General Motors has trademarked both the Grand National and GNX names as of May 30, 2012. Recalling the 1980s period of power and performance from Buick, the Regal Grand National and GNX coupes continue to be coveted models with their sinister looks and turbocharged V6 engines. Yes, people, not every GM performance car ever built uses a small block V8.
Looking at today, Buick’s performance lineup begins and ends with the Regal GS, which moves surprisingly well while maintaining the unassuming and casual looks reflective of the brand. But that was Buick’s plan all along. The GS was not meant to be some sort of visceral BMW M3 fighter, and we’re not convinced Buick will ever plan on such things going down that road. But perhaps outside the obvious reclaiming of the Grand National and GNX trademarks means another thing: the possible return of a Buick coupe.
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I don’t know if I’d read too much into this. After what happened with Ford and the GT40 name about a decade ago, the automakers have been a lot better with trademarking names. This is probably just GM covering its bases with trademarks.
The Grand National and GNX names are too valuable to let them lapse into public sphere. Best for GM to renew and retain them for the benefits of licensing merch and stuff.
In other words, a 1987 GNX in Forza 5 is more likely than a 2014 Buick Regal GN or GNX.
Opel Enigma = Buick GNX??
MIND BLOWN
Wishful thinking people………wishful thinking!!!!
i’d like to see a buick with the alpha platform sorta like the code
What would be the purpose of that? Who would be the target market?
Buick needs to focus on serving the soft luxury market effectively… And it can do so very well with FWD architectures that are modified for refinement, isolation, and silence. A RWD platform can’t do any of those any better…
I don’t think it would hurt Buick to have one high HP, RWD car. Here’s why. If Buick is targetting Lexus and Acura, well those two brands have RWD cars in their line up. Not to mention Supercars like the LFA and NSX. I’m not saying a new GN would be a super car, but I am saying that powermonger like a GN would get some attention. I also believe it would attract some newcomers and old school gear heads alike. I’d be in line to trade in my GS for a newly revived GN!! It’s just wishful thinking though.
True, but Buick isn’t really competing with Lexus right now. GM seems to have positioned them as an entry level luxury brand, competing with Lincoln and Acura, as well as the FWD stuff from Lexus and Infiniti. They already have Cadillac to go after the performance/premium luxury, why try to compete with yourself?
I have a related question concerning the last rear wheel drive Buick Gran National. I remember a magazine article that a person inquired what would happen to the last one. GM wasn’t sure but invited person and family to watch last one built and also a film crew was there. The story goes as the last one went down the line computers would say last, building lights would be turn off after car passed, parts was painted on car that normally are not painted, castings would have the word end or last cast into them. After all done car left in building, building shut and locked. A few weeks later person was told he had car and it went to a dealership in- Arkansas ? I think. My question any know what ever became of this car, is it in a museum ? Thanks.
That sounds like one of those automotive urban legends you hear about that can’t be proven or disproven. I do know that there is a GM dealer somewhere in the U.S. that has a new, never titled Regal GN (might be a GNX) that they ended up with and have now stated that they never plan to sell, but other than that, I can’t think of anything that matches that description.
I’ve been predicting the resurgence of these names for the past two years. The GN and GNX should never be rear drive. Back in the 80s these cars represented the need at the time. Rear drive, live axles and single-digit fuel economy figures were fine. But these days we’re after dynamic efficiency, fuel economy and a bit of style. An AWD twin turbo V6 model would be what we want. Even if an I4 is used (like Mitsubishi and Subaru use to stratospheric levels of performance), that would be fine too…as long as we get more than 300hp to turn those four wheels convincingly, we’ll be fine.
My friends 2010 Camaro SS gets better highway mileage than my 2012 GS. Bigger cars with bigger engines can get good gas mileage. So, there’s no reason that there can’t be a RWD GN. Again, I believe it would be a great seller, but it’s just me wishing for a Buick Musclecar.
Nobody said they couldn’t, but Buick’s position in the market doesn’t really support such a vehcle, plus Iseem to recall the dealers vetoing a Zeta for Buick a few years ago (admittedly, before the bankruptcy).
the buick gn got 25 mpg on highway any car will get bad gas mileage flooring it all the time