While those of us up here in the north of the country appreciate the extra traction and safety all-wheel drive provides in the snow, the AWD system on the 2014 Buick Regal and Regal GS isn’t just designed to combat harsh Michigan winters. Buick says their advanced system provides extra grip in all weather and road conditions, including on dry surfaces.
The Regal uses a system that can distribute power among the four-wheels by both front and rear and side to side. The Regal shifts torque to the different wheels based on driver input and vehicle data, providing better traction in snow and icy conditions.
The all-wheel drive system uses the same tactics when blasting down a curvy county road. With the ability to transfer power to its rear-wheels, the Regal AWD provides extra traction and reduces torque-steer when the driver needs it most, such as accelerating out of a corner.
“With power going to all four wheels and the ability to transfer power to the wheel with the most grip, we’ve helped enable the driver to have maximum control on all surfaces,” said James Walter, Regal AWD engineer. “This system is constantly monitoring several inputs and anticipating action. It can be very beneficial in keeping the rear of the car balanced during an emergency maneuver.”
When not in the bends, the all-wheel drive system splits torque 50/50 between the front and rear wheels. In the Regal GS, selecting sport or GS Interactive Drive Control modes enables the system to deliver 15 percent more torque to the rear wheels for improved traction and stability under spirited driving. A Haldex module uses a electronic limited slip differential to shift torque between the two rear-wheels, reducing torque steer and understeer and thus increasing grip.
All-wheel drive is available in conjunction with all 2014 Buick Regals equipped with the 2.0 liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
Comments
When are we going to have that in a Chevy.
It’s about time GM. This is the way it (the GS) should have been from day one.
I love this new Regal. Having AWD makes it even better! Although, I find it somewhat odd that the GS has the exact same engine as the other 3 trim levels. I think the Regal and Malibu should be powered by:
Hybrid- 1.4L Turbo I4 (VVT, SIDI and iVVL) with 175HP and 190FT-LBS
Base- 1.6L Turbo I4 (VVT, SIDI and iVVL) with 215HP and 230FT-LBS
GS- 2.0L Turbo I4 (VVT, SIDI and iVVL) with 280HP and 305FT-LBS
The issues for Chevy are two things.
Price point. If you add this system to a Malibu it will push the price up higher and will people pay it for a Chevy?
Second you need to find ways to give Buick options similar to a Cadillac but unavailable at Chevy to give them that middle ground market. If not you will be just back to what hurt Chevy and Pontiac buy generally offering the same cars with only a few body changes.
Were you replying to me? I wasn’t implying to add AWD to the Malibu. The Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, VW Jetta and Toyota Camry all have Hybrid variants. They sell very well and a Malibu Hybrid would make sense (considering the bazaar CAFE Standards for 2016). I have no doubt a Malibu Hybrid could see up to 50mpg numbers with a 1.4L Turbo VVT, SIDI and iVVL..
For more details on this computer-driven AWD system see the press kit (DOCX format) linked from this press release (click on DOWNLOAD on the right)
I’m one of the people who has been calling for the AWD in the Regal, so I’ll be very interested to see how well it sells. Were we right? Time will tell.
All Buick cars should be all wheel drive standard. I see Buick’s future as an Audi-lite rival aimed at the Japanese and Korean luxury offerings. Buick would be wise to position them selves as an alternative to uber luxury, and they do well when you look at the comparisons made between Encore and Benz products.
I really want to see GM with two very different luxury brands (Caddy as performance, edgy design; Buick as tuned precision, minus extreme need for speed, conservative yet sporty with innovative sculpted design). Within one decade, GM must earn 50 percent of profits from these two brands in order to truly compete with VW.
This also helps Opel if they can carve out a new market space for themselves with autos positioned between VW and Audi but at a VW or below price point. This entry as a disruptive force could transform Opel, and steal market share, as well as transform the mass market volume segment. This will have no effect on Caddy given the marque’s low EU sales.