Buick has been a leaky faucet with regards to the next-generation Regal GS. First, Buick Canada may have accidentally leaked the fact a 3.6-liter V6 engine will be under the hood. Now, the brand’s own publication may have spoiled its power figure.
The Summer 2017 issue of Buick’s “B” owner magazine features a section dedicated to the all-new 2018 Buick Regal Sportback. In print, though, a section titled “Regal GS Amps The Performance” notes a “high-feature” V6 engine with 310 horsepower. Displacement and torque figures are not mentioned, however.
We checked the magazine out online, and curiously, the section is missing from the digital print. Physical copies of the magazine may have been mailed out with the information, though.
Additionally, the magazine states the new Buick Regal GS will boast an “aggressive” exterior design with a textured grille and exclusive design cues. A continuously variable dampening control system, and “Interactive Drive Control” also build on the GS’ sporting intentions. The control mode is tipped to feature three driving modes: Sport, Touring and GS. It could be a variation (or carbon copy) of Opel’s FlexRide chassis management system, which also employs torque vectoring all-wheel drive.
Photo: Car News China
Previously, photos of what is presumed to be the new Buick Regal GS were leaked by a Chinese publication, as seen above. The car was supposedly slated for a 2017 Shanghai Auto Show reveal, but the car was absent. Â Whenever it does show face, it seems almost certain there will be a V6 engine under the hood this time around.
Hat tip: Keith
Comments
The 3.6 non-turbo? How quaint.
I’m not sure which is more exciting, a regal GS with a naturally aspirated 3.6L @ 310 hp or watching paint dry….
Casual search, and the 3.6 is already irrelevant.
http://www.rpm-motorsports.com/store/p23/2016-chevy-camaro-ltg-stage-1-performance-tune
It says it’s emissions compliant. Somebody asked 4 months ago if it has A carb EO number. There was no reply. So when they say it’s a emissions compliant it sounds like bull feces.
Well, whether or not it’s that particular tune, we know the 2.0 turbo will have more tuning potential than an NA engine.
No watching paint dry is driving the most popular sedan in America. The 2.5 Camry in all of it 8.6-9.0 second 0-60 glory.
Just want to know if there will be a hybrid-version based on he latest Volt, just like the forthcoming Buick’s cousin – Chevy Malibu – has? Seems fairly trivial, and I do like the Malibu hybrid, but would clearly want a more upscale lux version of it.
Looks like for 2018 hybrid won’t be an option. Perhaps GM is waiting to see how the Regal is accepted before making such a plunge?…
More than likely i would say.
There is a Hybrid Regal for the Chinese market.
They also get a sedan bodystyle, which we do not.
Yet again, GM dares to answer a question nobody is asking with mind numbing mediocrity.
Their is nothing mediocre about this Regal. Nothing
Ex stock holder – go away, troll.
I’m pretty excited about the NA 3.6 in the GS. Turbos are overrated. Just hoping that head-up display will be included, or at least offered.
A properly tuned 2.0L turbo would have a better torque curve and would be quicker in everyday driving situations. The 3.6 would need to be driven hard to extract the power to be quick. The turbo would be easier to tune for more power.
Although somewhat subjective, most people would say the 3.6 sounds a lot better than any 2.0T engine. And it’s fast enough for everyday driving. Who’s actually going to tune and track their Regal? This isn’t the same customer base as Camaro. I guess they could offer us the choice, just as they do with Camaro. While they’re at it, it would be nice to offer a manual transmission.
the Mercedes A45 2.0t makes 375 hp. i dont see why GM couldn’t pump up the turbo numbers to 330-350.
I happen to already have a 3.6, and it is pretty quick for everyday driving, and will likely perform even better in the lighter Regal. I have yet to meet a 4-cyl that can come close to the refinement that a V6 provides. Furthermore, there is no cost savings from a fuel prospective. Even though the 2.0T has better numbers on paper, if you’re actually driving it hard enough to engage the turbo regularly, the mileage takes a hit. On top of that, it requires (ok, recommended) premium fuel, which is running about 30 cents per gallon above regular gas in my area. I ran the numbers a few years ago on a 3.6 Impala vs. a 2.0T Malibu, and the V6 Impala actually cost less in fuel than the 2.0T. Also, a turbo is another part to break. I’m sounding like my grandfather here, but it happens. — It just so happens that my wife’s car is a turbo, and hers has stopped working and the check engine light came on. It goes in for service tomorrow… hopefully covered by powertrain warranty, but I have heard of these things crapping out before and I wouldn’t be surprised if it happens again in the future (hopefully in the hands of a subsequent owner). So, while the 2.0T might be slightly faster in certain situations, the 3.6 is an excellent engine with plenty of power for passing, merging and for squealing tire and burning people off the line. For what I expect out of a car, the 3.6 provides a way more livable package.
On a recent 1300 mile trip my 305 hp v6 2013 Impala averaged 34 mpg,with one tankful at 36 mpg and I am a slightly aggressive driver {75-80 mph entire trip). It does have nice power but needs to be up in the pm range to really be fun.
I’ve driven 2.0t cars and 3.6 cars and you couldn’t be further from the truth. Most people don’t mod and the 2.0t sedans are turds, but the 3.6 (last gen, this is only better) are very spunky and fun.
With the right gearing in a fast shifting 9 speed auto, this will be fun. Not legit fast, but probably similar to a much much heavier SHO taurus.
Well they gotta at least leave some room for ATS-V right?
I am not sure why Buick even tries. People Bi#ch If they offer a V6 and they Bi#ch if they offer a Turbo 4.
While I agree the Trubo has more ability ,its to be be tuned as I had over 300 hp in my own Eco but the reality is the average buyer may respond better to the V6.
Most people in this class are not tuners, As it was the GS sales were a major disappointment. Peopke in this segment see more value in the V6.
My questions is how well a hatch will do here. I see it as bold but a risk.
The reality is till Cadillac gets their new product in place the there will be little room to operate at Buick.
The key to GMs future is not to repeat the past with divisions competing with each other. We all know where this went in 09.
The delay at Cadillac has not only effected them but also Buick to fill the Void they will leave.
Why couldn’t they put in a mildly tuned boosted 6? The CTS-Vsport engine detuned to about 330- 350 hp would have been great. The leaked figures are barely trying. I would love to know what Buick’s goals are for the GS.
Because Cadillac should have a turbo 4 as a non v series at 320-350 Hp. I get the feeling we will see more power in the coming Cadillsc models that are non v series.
Also this car now is going to be over $43k and could be pushing close to $50k as a GS. They all ready had a hell of a time selling the GS as it was being a very good car. Adding two cylinders and a turbo would only add to the cost and price.
Besides if you are going to do it don’t be modest and do it right.
The deal with running divisions like this the trick of fitting all the puzzle parts of price, model timing, profits, customer demands and expectations into a formula that people will really buy.
You can no longer just build on a whim any more where billions of dollars are needed to build a brand and stock prices are on thin ice as it is. One major model mistake can sink any mfg anymore. Just look how even VW staggered under a Dieselgate and they got off easy.
If only it was as easy to build cars in the real world as it is on the web.
Look, if there were no Opel, we’d have a slightly less expensive La Crosse that handled like a bathtub. I don’t a V-6 is the way to go in 2017 in what is supposed to be a sport sedan. The four is adequate and can be “powered up” even more. I just wish GM had Mazda’s vectoring control.
I’m anxious to drive the 2018 Sportback. I have a 2011 Oshawa assembled Regal that has given me zero problems. The only negative for me is the torque steer under moderate to heavy acceleration. Thanks, Opel, we’ll miss you.
I’ve got a 3.5 NA V6 and a turbo 4 2.0T, both make almost the exact same power. One has an auto the other has a DCT. The V6 is definitely more responsive, but not as instantaneous because it’s got an auto. However, the V6 has zero turbo lag and just explodes from idle at ~800rpm. V6 + auto is a way simpler design and is likely more robust. However, I will note the main beauty of having a tiny four banger up front is the lack of weight. V6’s can be way more nose-heavy. If GM puts the V6 behind the wheels and gives the car RWD as in a camaro, it’s way better than a turbo 4. If it’s transverse and up front, turbo 4 all the way. Unless you’re driving on ice.
I daily drove a eco turbo with 300 hp And 23 psi of boost. The reality is lag is minimal. The torque curve is flat as Kansas and more tha makes up for any lag.
The electronics negate any winter issues. You learn how to use the power and it is very linier.
I also have a 3.6 vs in my Malibu and it compared to the Turbo is not even in the same league.
The torque and the flat torque curve is what it is all about.
Both are good engines and both have positives and negatives but the Turbo was a lot more fun to drive. Got much better mpg and to be honest was wasted in the FWD.
I assume your 2.0t was in a Cobalt? It’s a good setup for a light car, but the 2.0t is really a boring package in the heavier Regal I drove (2015). It wasn’t enough in the automatic Verano either. Last gen it took a tune to match the 3.6 and the 3.6 has now seen some small improvements.
I had a 1995 Regal with a NA 3.8 V6, and it was very powerful, developing a huge amount of torque. It was running at 55 MPH at only 1700 RPM. Its idle was so low (below 600) that during an annual emission test, the tech thought that his equipment was wrong for such a low idle. After 21 years, I sold it, and its new owner loves it because it still holds that torque.
You’ll notice that most 0-60 times nowadays involve a launch mode to get the turbos spooling. Not as much an issue for NA engines. If you want to compare power of engines, look at their 45-65 acceleration times. NA V6’s smoke turbo 4s because the torque is ready down low. A 2.0T engine at 1200 rpm is basically a NA inline 4. Very few turbos make full torque until 2000rpm. There’s an online review comparing the Honda Accord V6 coupe to the Ford Mustang Ecoboost and it smokes it in 45-65.
Also, @scott, I disagree with your premise that electronics “negate any winter issues”. I’m in Canada, and electronics aren’t worth much when you’re accelerating up a ramp that’s frozen. Weight on the tires is very much of real importance. Electronics can mitigate a slide when losing control, but they can’t improve traction from a standstill in a foot of snow.
Why not 335hp like camaro6?
Different exhaust packaging, probably different intake manifold, tune possibly held back by rear cylinder bank temps in a transverse layout vs longitudinal.
The LGX engine is the new LS1.
Still a front wheel drive junk gm will never ever figure it out
It has AWD with torque vectoring…
It’s not meant to be a sports car; 300+bhp is plenty for a daily driver with FWD. I don’t see what the issue is. NA is a less complicated set up, so that means less can go wrong…logically it’s cheaper to service too.
Don’t forget this vehicle has substantially dropped in weight (depending on the comparo) so power to weight should be up.
So the Regal GS now matches a 2008 Cadillac CTS that you can buy for $4500.
So amazingly innovative. I think I’ll not open the next article talking about the Regal GS.
Well you have the option of not looking at it at all or go see the new CTS
Would you expect the nine-speed transmission be the other part of the powertrain?
Yes it will have 9 speed. It will be the only awd regal with the 9 speed.
What do you mean it’s not a “sports car”. In the traditional sense, no, but GS means Gran Sport and there’s nothing Gran nor Sporty about a run of the mill corporate engine offering that can be found in 2017 Equinoxs with 9 less HP. This is the standard power that comes with any GM V6 from 2018 Traverses to yesterday’s Terrain and it will likely be available on the standard Regal as an option. Last gen GS was close to being just right if it wasn’t for the sad power. Before the price drop they were had in the $40k range. They will likely go for $40+ again. For that in something called GS, with that sinister look, a buyer should get more than just a run of the mill engine Mom-mobiles get.
The LGX engine is not in the 17 Equinox, any traverse, terrain, not even the 18 impala. Regal gs is the only regal with a V6. What is wrong with a corporate engine? LS6 LS3 LS7 LS9 LT1 and LT4 are all corporate engines.
All non-GM sycophant wierdos dont give a crap what three letter code you give the engine. Its a V6 with 300-315 HP. The same engine style and power range that all those vehicles have. 300hp was cool in the late 80s. Welcome to 2017 where something called “GS” that attempts to take from the history of “Gran Sport” for 40+k should be treated with a bit more pizzazz than the HP you can get in a last gen Mom-Nox.
Every comment in here not absolutely thrilled that the sport version big dollar Buick gets 300 snoozer HP gets down voted. Go buy your sleepy Buick then and enjoy getting yanked by non sport version base ars all around town.
* triggered
Hey gran you got voted down. It’s like you can see the future.
You know there is an option of looking at Cadillac right?
This will not be a typical big dollar 300 snoozer HP Buick. The designers have dared to add “a black textured grill” and “jet black interior”. That should bring new customers into the showroom!
Curious, what do you drive? I also am betting early to mid 20s.
I’ve got a over 600hp G8 and am interested in hearing more about this. Not everything needs to be an 11 second car. You need to understand what this car is and the segment it will compete in. It’s a sporty sedan with decent power and some unique features. It won’t be the fastest in it’s class, but certainly not the slowest.
Given the choice, I would take the V6.
I think they should go further and offer at least the TT3.0 if not the 3.6 TT.