GM performance enthusiasts of the 1980s all remember the rear-wheel-drive, jet-black turbocharged bruiser that was the Buick Regal Grand National riding on the sturdy G-Body. Will such a hell-raiser of a car ever exist in today’s modern times, with the current Regal being front-wheel-drive? Probably not, but we all dare to dream. Edmunds.com certainly did with the rendering above.
Thoughts?
Comments
Whoever thinks that a murdered out loud ass “scare” of a car belongs in the modern Buick lineup needs a prescription for intro to branding 101 stat!
How about putting LFX, AWD, 6 spd manual on Grand National?
Swapped my Audi S5 for the Buick GS – I just miss the AWD because I wanted a manual transmission. Otherwise, although there is no way in power and handling that the GS can compare with an Audi S5 in power and handling, I prefer it to the A6 – it’s a far better car, more agile, more attractive and it ‘packaged’ correctly, sexier!
I once said that that if I owned a ‘Buick’, it would be obvious that I had a brain tumor, but the Regal GS/Vauxhall VXR/OPEL Insignia variant that is sold now just needs a more powerful engine and better handling capability. The front wheel drive Regal GS is sloshly on turns, and is great for everyday. However the trim package is a bit disappointing and it’s not so easy to find variations packages for the exterior. The Vauxhall/Opel variants are far more attractive. Overall, I love the car for everyday driving, but long for the suspension and power of my S5. It would be nice to see some ‘competition’ again.
Bring over the Opel OPC put Buick badges on it paint it black with black rims and gunmetal grey trim instead of chrome and call it a GNX. II
the euro spec OPC has all wheel drive and (325 PS; 321 hp) and 435 newton metres (321 lb·ft). Of this 435, 400 newton metres (300 lb·ft) is available from 2,000 rpm.
Looks pretty good to me, I don’t think they needed to make it a 2 door, this treatment in 4 door would look just fine.
My GS is starting to get the black out treatment. The front grill and bottom fang inlets are blacked out now along with the rear trunk trim. To all those saying a car like this doesn’t belong in a Buick lineup are crazy. I have more people ask me about my car everyday, and of course, no one believes it’s a Buick.
There is no reason why the front drive Regal can’t have over 300hp. The days when there were issues with traction can be handled with clever suspension geometry, axle length, and traction control. If there must be rear drive this isn’t a problem either. Ford did a study with the Escort in the European market back in the 90s. The AWD drivetrain was modified to only put torque to the rear wheels and the front drive mechanism was disconnected. A transverse engine driving the rear wheels. It is possible.
@ Richard yes and they could update the software to limit the torque in first gear to reduce torque steer. Something they should’ve done on the impala SS Monte Carlo SS Grand Prix GXP with the LS4.
>FWD based Grand National
No, just no.
If Gm is going to make a Grand National/turbo regal They need to MAKE A GRAND NATIONAL these cars were to0 great in their time (and still great today i should know i have 2) to do a slap together rebadged phony edittion aka GTO esp fwd…It needs to remind us of the original it should strike fear into all that come across it!!! It needs to a$$ whoop the base vette ,camaro and gt mustang,Single or twin turbo v6 It needs a stout shortblock (preferrably one that will work in the old car as well) Meat left on the bone for upgrades more boost etc….Make the base regal all wheel drive for everyone else, It needs to be the evil big brother and black sheep of the buick family just like it was back in the day..and then make a regal t type thats sneaky fast just like before….GM PLEASE DO THIS RIGHT OR DONT DO IT AT ALL technology now will allow you to bring out a truely groundbreaking cool car sell a buch of cars and GMPP shortblocks /parts too…
No need to re-engineer anything. Just like Arcangel said, just bring the real twin turbo V6 AWD OPEL OPC version of the Insignia over, not the neutered FWD Buick GS version. Opel has excess capacity because their labor costs runs the price of their cars up and GM’s constant wavering on selling the brand instead of strongly supporting OPEL.
Bring all of the OPC versions to Buick unaltered as a performance line and see what they do to Buicks stodgy old folks image. Give us an alternative to all the chrome and that clown nose of a grill they insist on sticking on every Buick. It’s not iconic, itls UGLY
Very well said John. The problem is and I believe Alex and I said this on another thread, Buick has an identity crisis and GM wants to do what GM wants to do to try and fix it, versus using logical reasoning like what you just posted. If GM brought all the OPCs over and sold them as performance Buicks, they’d sell like hot cakes.
Like Corey87GN stated, GM do this right or don’t do it at all. There is still a great Grand National/GNX/ Turbo Regal following and it would be a shame if these name badges were just slapped onto to any car. The cars should be 2 doors or at least some 2 door and some 4 door and they need to be SINISTER! GM, if u want to sell cars, then spend some $ in R & D and produce another Vette killer! There are many technologies since 1987 so use them. Stick with the original design- all black, comfortable and FAST! If the car is not extraordinary, it will not sell. It should have some European design with American powerplants. And offer nice options like AWD, manual transmissions with a clutch, etc. This can make or break GM and Buick!
Frankie, I agree with you overall, but doubt a low-volume, low-margin model like the GN will make or break GM or Buick.
What will make or break a brand is its core vehicle lineup… how many units do we think the GN & company will sell monthly or annually?
There’s no need to re-imagine anything, I think that iswhat continues to be so frustrating about GM and it’s troubles with Opel. The cars have existed for going on 4 years now. Call them Buicks if you must, or BuickOpels if we need another dose from the way back machine, or call them what they are, OPELS,but bring them here. They already have a two factorys producing the car. Look at thiese, all from 2009!. Dead ringer for what corey wants.
http://images.thecarconnection.com/med/2009-opel-vauxhall-insignia-opc-vxr-spy-shots-005_100206609_m.jpg
http://www.autotribute.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/MR-Car-Design-Opel-Insignia-OPC-AutoTribute.jpg
http://autoworld.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/opel-gtc-concept-car-live-unveiling-img_2.jpg
I sure wish Edmunds would do a better job on their photos/pictures depicting the BGN.
I always loved the Buick Grand National from day one. I was never in a position where I could consider owning one, until now that is. I can only hope I live long enough to have an opportunity to buy one and that they don’t package it like they did the new Chevy SS Performance Sedan.