Modern Buick Regal GNX Rendered
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Nothing can change the demeanor of a vehicle quite like a heaping dose of horsepower. Just take the last Buick Regal GNX.
Originally, the Buick Regal Grand National was offered as a nod to the NASCAR Winston Cup Grand National Series, in which Buick managed to take home the Manufacturers Cup in 1981 and 1982 (with a little help from Darrell Waltrip, of course). In response, the Regal Grand National debuted in 1982, and was eventually transformed into the GNX, or Grand National Experimental, in the late ’80s.
1987 Buick Regal GNX
Highlights of the 1987 Buick Regal GNX included a number of speed upgrades, as executed by McLaren Performance Technologies/ASC, with output upped to a stout 276 horsepower and 360 pound-feet of torque. However, those claims were actually underrated, with final output actually singing to a tune of 300 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque.
With the murdered-out aesthetic and a surprising amount of go, the Buick Regal GNX is a true enthusiast classic. But what if Buick applied a similar formula to the modern Regal?
To answer that question, we broke out our digital pens and got to work. We recently rendered a few other versions of the Buick Regal, including a Buick Regal Coupe and a Buick Regal Convertible. Like those two renderings, there’s currently no indication that General Motors will produce a new Buick Regal GNX, which means this latest rendering is just for fun.
To note, rumors persisted that Buick was prepping a new Regal GNX back in 2015, but those rumors never actually came to fruition.
Inspired by the Buick Regals of the past, we’ve actually created a few different versions here, including a rendering with a GS grille that keeps the horizontal trim bits (as seen above), plus a blacked-out grille with vertical slats that pays tribute to the previous GNX (as seen below).
As for the greasy bits under the skin, we think a modern Regal GNX would have plenty to draw from with regard to the GM parts bin. For motivation, we’re thinking the twin-turbo 3.6L LF4 V6 engine would fit the bill. This is the same lump as the Cadillac ATS-V, and paired with AWD (the current Regal is front-drive-based), we could definitely see this thing performing to the standards set by its predecessor.
What do you think, dear reader? Are you a fan of our modern Buick Regal GNX rendering? Make sure to post your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe to GM Authority for more Buick Regal news, Buick news and 24/7 GM news coverage.
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GM is strategically shrinking in the U.S. and Europe while it grows globally in Asia. Especially in China where Buick is alive and well and outselling Audi, BMW, Cadillac and Mercedes-Benz combined.
The 2020 mid-engine Corvette is proof positive Chevrolet’s (and GM’s) flagship and corporate strategies are making quantum leaps into the 2020’s. Always the upward design vs. breakthrough innovation.
Consider the transition in The early 1940’s when major motor companies like Cadillac and Maybach produced track vehicles in the form of main battle tanks. GM already has running prototypes of the next generation of wheeled vehicles for military use.
All I can say is I’m glad I can go in my garage and sit in a REAL Grand national.
Talk about Fake news. Any car, pretending to be high performance and having only 300 HP is a joke. Render this into the round file beside your digital desk. This is an insult not to have a twin turbo 3.0 liter V6 or even a twin turbo 3.6 liter V6. Both of those engines have over 400 HP as ANY high performance car should have. Render the editors of this website to the recycle bin and stop insulting us. Santa is going to bring your editors a whole bag of coal, for all the useless stuff you have tried to pretend is worthwhile reading.
Thanks but no thanks – most of GM’s best design comes from the cars that never make it to production. The Buick Avista would have been the PERFECT take on a modern Grand National/GNX.
If you want to see another car a Buick Grand National/GNX should be (currently on the road), then google/look no further than the ‘2020 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400’ and pretend the Infiniti badges were GNX badges. Specs and all. There it is.
A new Grand National 4door would slot just below the Corvette in performance. More classy than the Camaro with more attitude than the CT5-V and higher sales than both. The GNX would be AWD.
Nothing! Absolutely nothing would bring the excitement of the original 87 GNX!!!!
In a normal world us car enthusiasts could have this. We don’t live in a normal world anymore. I never in a million years could have imagined Buick’s entire lineup consisting of 5 dull frumpy FWD based CUV’s, one with only 3 cylinder engines. Just sad!
Wont mean anything. Buick sedans are dead after 2020…
Buick division is already DEAD…..
After 2020 Buick will be dead to me too!
GNX as a concept in our modern world is nothing more than mental masturbation.
It’s not going to happen.
GM has become a dull company.
Since they are a publicly traded they are extremely risk-averse.
It’s a tough reality to swallow but it’s true.
Real grand Nationals and gnx models didn’t even have 300 hp so to whoever talked that kind of shit shut your fuckin mouth. At peak 245 hp. My stock 2013 2.0 t has more at 275 stock, mine currently 305.
That would be truly awesome to see and would like to give you serious credit for taking the time to give the Buick Grand National some modern day love NOBODY has brought it to the spotlight and with all these other older legendary cars making there way back this one deserves the time and effort that some of the other cars dont. Great Job! You got my vote
Slap a Riviera rear boat tail window in the rear , all wheel drive , 10 speed auto, with that ,3.6 T.T. would be a Beast ! They should have some Balls, and go ahead and Build it.. last Buick Sedan, a Car to Remember..F..k SUV’s,
While we in the United States may not be seeing anything like a Buick Regal GNX, the folks in China may as they get access to the best of General Motors.
Well we can all kiss this fantasy goodbye!
CNBC: GM axes Buick Regal as consumer demand continues shift to SUVs, crossovers.
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/04/gm-axes-buick-regal-as-consumer-demand-continues-shift-to-suvs.html
alpha coupe rwd/awd
GN= 370hp 3.6 upstroked to 4.3 with cold air and performance exaust
GNX= 580hp 4.3tt
calculation for 370hp=
(3.6hp/3.6)x4.3= 4.3hp
4.3hp= aprox.358.3hp
cold air intake/exaust about +10
calculation for 580hp=
(3.6tthp/3.6hp)x4.3hp=4.3tthp
4.3tthp= aprox.579.7hp
whew!
Buy a new Cadillac with a v-10 in it if you want something with some Umph .
This is just a complete ripoff of the holden zb commodore which is already in production, not even a render
Some goon Gregg said that real GNs and real GNXs don’t even make 300 hp and whoever said that is stupid. Umm, you do realize Gregg, that Buick was forced to post fake numbers, far lower than what they REALLY were because of GMs fear of making its own Corvette look bad…right? You do know this…. don’t you? Hence the saying we GN owners have “I brake for vettes “. The GN and especially the GNX were SMOKING the corvette (along with 95% of all other cars) in the 1/4 mile and was the fastest American production car of 1987. It’s not just about the power or number of cylinders my friend. It’s about how it ….ALL….WORKS….TOGETHER! I’ve owned many a street Rod, muscle car, drag car, whatever you want to call them in my days, and I will never…. EVER get rid of my GN
my gocart faster than that…