General Motors offers multiple CNG-powered vehicles to fleet buyers, including the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra HD, Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans, Chevrolet Impala and multiple Opel models. It seems the automaker may now be looking to grow its already expansive line of bi-fuel products even further, however, with a CNG-powered Buick Regal undergoing tests somewhere in Michigan.
Car and Driver’s spy photographers caught the Regal CNG prototype out and about. It’s immediately clear this is no standard Regal, with a ‘CNG’ warning sticker slapped on the car’s trunk and a second CNG badge sitting just below the rear Buick nameplate. The Regal’s Opel platform-mate, the Insignia, is already offered in a bi-fuel configuration thanks to its 1.4-liter LPG-friendly ecoFLEX engine, so it’s a bit unsurprising to see GM is interested in offering the Buick in bi-fuel guise in North America.
Unlike the Insignia LPG, the bi-fuel Regal could use the standard 2.0-liter engine offered in gasoline versions of the car over Opel’s 1.4. As we’ve seen with other GM bi-fuel vehicles, the model will likely need reinforced valves and valve seats, a CNG tank and other small upgrades to accommodate the use of both CNG and gasoline.
Check out the spy photos here.
Comments
Would buy a bi-fuel Regal GS in a heartbeat… an AWD bi-fuel sport sedan could let people burn rubber at $2/gallon (effectively). As gas creeps back up in the short run, that’s quite attractive, and GM would have an exclusive on it.
Nice
Interesting, to say the least.