If you had your hopes up for a performance focused, 2017 Buick LaCrosse, we’re here to report it’s not going to happen. Buick is saving its performance credibilities for the Regal sedan, and we have some insight on where it may be heading.
Buick LaCrosse chief engineer Jeff Yansenns dropped a hint on what could power a new 2018 Buick Regal GS. He commented if Buick were to use the 3.6-liter twin-turbo V6 (also found in the Cadillac XTS V-Sport), it would be a much better fit in the Regal. In the XTS V-Sport, the engine is good for 410 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. This was in response to a hopped up LaCrosse GS.
Currently, the 2016 Buick Regal GS soldiers on with the 2.0-liter LTG turbocharged four-cylinder. It’s a good package, but we’ve found the engine to run out of breath after 4,000 RPM. A twin-turbo V6 on reworked E2XX bones, though? Now we’re talking.
Just don’t expect a manual gearbox option to return. Various Buick engineers felt the days of the manual gearbox are behind the tri-shield brand.
Comments
This could be reality if Cadillac decides to abandon their LF3 and keep the LF4 for the ATS-V and CTS-Vsport as the LF3 would be ideal for other Buick models like the new 2017 LaCrosse AWD.
This is indeed quite compelling, but Buick doesn’t really have a choice. With the new Lincoln MKZ getting a 400 hp twin turbo v6, they can’t let Lincoln get all the performance entry-level luxury action. I always felt that a turbo 4 wasn’t enough for the current GS.
For Europe Insignia OPC will definitely get 3.0 V6 with one turbine (it will be LGW but with one turbine), because of cooling difficulties with cars which have transverse engine mounting it could not be with two turbines or just LGW with less power. Engines with that displacement have around 320-350 PS. Buick version of GS could get some LTG with 260-280 PS.
I am not sure twin but it will get a Turbo this round on a V6 option.
Buick will embrace their turbo Heritage moving forward.
The only reason we never got the OPC version is it was too expensive and never designed for here.
germany media talk that new opc 400 horses or +
With this new gen Regal, the wagon Regal GS would be a nice option (at least, for me, personally) – family fit, being a wagon, and high-performance, being GS – somewhat similar to previously manufactured CTS-V Wagon (Regal GS won’t be as fast as CTS-V, of course, but still a pretty high performance offering).
what would really be nice is if Buick made the Regal GS and a Regal GSX. The GSX should be a top of the line performer with the 464hp 3.6L Twin turbo engine from the ATS-V with a 9-speed automatic AWD setup with an optional 6-speed manual gearbox still AWD with six-piston Brembo brakes with 14.5″ front rotors, Magnetic ride, 20″ Avista wheel and tire package with 275/35R20 ultra high performance all season tires and a dual mode exhaust system. The exterior should take styling cues from the Avista such as the headlights, grille, fender vents and a smoked set of the Avista-style tail lamps along with an aggressive Aero-package, a 4″ tall rear lip spoiler, a heat extractor power dome hood like the ATS-V, a fully blacked out grille and exterior trim pieces. The interior should only come in black with comfortable leather and alcantara Recaro seats, an alcantara and leather flat bottom steering wheel, premium leather and alcantara door panels, dash, and center console, alcantara headliner, Navigation, Kicker stereo and “Camaro” style gauge cluster come standard. Colors should come in black, dark grey and a dark red color. The Regal GS should come in with the 400hp 3.0L twin turbo auto-only FWD with a optional AWD setup, sport tuned suspension, Brembo 4-piston brakes with 13″ rotors an 18″ wheel and 245/45R18 tire combo a sporty appearance package without the fender vents and a smaller trunk mounted spoiler bright red tail lamps and a normal hood but still with a blacked out grille but chrome on the rest of the trim. Inside, sport seats and a medium charcoal interior should be standard with choices of stereo options should be available. Both models should be available in sedan and wagon configuration.
the seats in the current Regal are awful…there are too stiff and I hope the 2018 Regal will have more plush seats.
Unfortunately you guys are going to be very disappointed. The 2018 Regal GS will not have a turbocharged 3.6L. It will only have the normally aspirated LGX 3.6L and there will not be a GS wagon. Sorry to say.
Buick has had the quickest cars in all the GM line up 2 times. Once in the Buick GS 70-72 Skylark models with the 455s. Next in 86-87 with the G Body Turbo Regals which slayed all in their path and are still doing so today with mostly bolt on performance parts. But I am calling Buick Motor Company out on this. Buick, you keep claiming that you want to shed the old fogie image from the brand. Well just to put it bluntly, you are going to have to “grow a set” and make another Regal GS that has the torque to shred the REAR tires at will and wrinkle the asphalt with torque that only Buick could provide in these 2 eras! Make another Regal GS that makes enough torque to pull a tree and do it with the REAR tires and in style. The 70 Buick GS would eat Hemis, destroy a Chevelle LS6 and make a Mustang nothing more than a light snack. But I think you have forgotten to do it. That is sad! In the name of a gentleman by the name of David Dunbar Buick, show people what Buick used to be capable of and can be again if you would only wake up and do it! But unfortunately that will never happen because the bean counters and higher ups say it does not make sense. Now that is really pathetic. Buick needs another car that looks as mean as it runs. Then and only then will you have a chance at shedding the rest home imagine! Thank You!