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Having driven one, I’ve gotta say that the power is indeed a bit underwhelming. Its turbocharged four would be much more appropriate powering a compact model rather than the midsize GS, but still, it’s not exactly a bad thing. While it won’t win many drag races, it also will not scare anybody behind the wheel that would otherwise avoid higher-output models. The vehicle is quite approachable, accompanied by great performance in the bends. The six-speed manual? So what. The shifting is so smooth, anybody can learn in it.
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The WRX is a compact, whereas the Regal is a midsize. Other than that, the Regal is much heavier (3,671 lbs) vs. WRX (3,100) and is itself luxury vehicle whereas the WRX is an econobox with more power. Have you seen one of them wonderful WRX interiors? All the luxury amenities do add weight…
@Loud_R Have you ever driven a vehicle with the 2.8? It’s not a good engine. Besides being old, it’s rough, loud (not in a good way), and doesn’t deliver the power of a V8 or the fuel economy of a V6. If they were to put a V6 in a Regal (which isn’t in the plans), it should be the 3.6 DI LFX making 323 horses. No turbos needed. -
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@Loud_R The 2.8 twin turbo unit in the Insignia OPC is fine for an Opel. But it’s not where Buick is going as a brand.
Buick is quiet, soft-spoken luxury. The Regal, in fact, was destined to be a Saturn in the first place.
Other than that, the 2.8 doesn’t result in a much faster car…
@Pontiac_Rulz have you driven the Regal GS with its high-output 4?
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Well the Regal GS will out-handle the W-body-based GTP while outclassing it in terms of luxury amenities, refinement, noise levels, materials, and design. It’s also shorter than the Gran Prix by 8 inches, even though the wheelbase is shorter by only 2.7 inches.
Its high-output 2.0 turbo ECOTEC makes more power than the GTP ever did, at 275 horses and 295 lb.-ft. of torque.
That said, the Regal doesn’t need to compare to the Grand Prix (or any Pontiac model). It was never designed to do so and is going after a totally different set of buyers. What I’m wondering about in the original post is whether it’s underpowered as a vehicle, rather than compared to any kind of vehicle — past or present.
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Wow, can’t believe my eyes. Is it possible that @PontiacRulz is… like… 15?
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@Alex, Yes Regal is a bit underpowered.
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Holding a Candle? Does your car have Intelilink? does it have direct injection, stock navigation, high quality interior, top fit and finish, heated seats, steering wheel controls, electronic climate control, bluetooth, iPod connection, does your car have top safety ratings? and the list goes on. 0-60 don’t do justice.
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@Lex My point exactly! And I guarantee you that the 0-60 and quarter mile time will be more pleasant and enjoyable in a brand new Regal. But hey, Pontiacs are like… the best! :((
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I’m interested in the new regal gs. Do you think it could compare to a 06′ bmw 330i ( my possible choice of a newer car) ?
I would like to get an american car bc of the cost of repairs but is it going to handle anything like a bmw? Right now I drive an 99′ bmw 323i and I love her but I know soon enough I will need a new car. If anyone has any insight that would be great. thanks -
The Regal handles amazingly! It won’t to power slides like a rear-wheel drive vehicle (such as your 330) would, but if you’re not into that kind of stuff, you’ll be very pleased with the way it handles.
Here’s our first drive of the GS:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2011/08/first-drive-2012-buick-regal-gs/ -
I drove a new Regal last month. Completely gutless. We pulled away from a stop sign in first, revved it up, shifted into second, and stood on the gas. No torque, No thrill of acceleration, no being thrown back in the seat. The car just felt neutered. We turned around and drove it back to the dealership. Ended up with a Cadillac
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@Cactus I’m assuming it was the 2.4 under the hood… Right?
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If I may. The Regal GS is not underpowered in the least. It’s the fact it’s FWD and can’t get the power to the ground. Yes, we all wish the GS would have a turbo 6, but it doesn’t. This is the new Buick which is trying to emulate the Europeans with high output, small displacement engines.
On another note. You may have test driven one, but unless you have been behind the wheel of one for 6,734 miles like my current ode meter is reading, you have no clue as to the potential of this car. And if you think that straight line speed is everything, you’re no enthusiast. Handling comes into play as well, and that’s where this car shines. Also note, bye bye warranty as I have just ordered the Trifecta tune for this car. I believe it is good 300hp and 330lb ft of torque.
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Right on the money there, @fatherdeth.
And the trifecta tune sounds exciting, too!
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@vic1212 i wasn’t talking about the turbo was i. i was talking about a high power v6 in a malibu something that doesnt exist yet but should.
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The only Pontiac platform that Buick should have taken was the 05 or 06 GTO/Holden. We dropped a magnason supercharger on it short shit kit willwood brakes JBA headers with high flow cats and cross over exhaust system. This was the 6.0 400 HP 400 tq stock. There were alot more things done to this thing. This car was an animal 1st gear was usless. We beat the living shit out of this thing. 2nd gear start drop squat and hold the fuck on. What impressed me the most was the fact there was not a rattle squeak or Nock from this thing. With the breaks tires and wheels you couldn’t believe how this car handle. It’s a shame we can’t still get the GOAT……..
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So I saw the issue for the Road and Track today on their testing betweeen the Sonata and the Regal GS but the GS numbers aren’t that far off from the Sonata. The Sonata is only .1 second faster than the GS in both 0-60 and 0-100(I believe) and the avg mpg are all the same (better than the Accord V6 coupe they tested). But then I’m kinda worried for the Turbo Malibu though since it doesn’t have a lot of horsepower compared to the Sonata. What do you guys think?
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Horsepower is only part of the game when it comes to sprints. Weight, power transfer efficiency, aerodynamics, and many other factors come into play. But forget all that… We’re talking about mainstream family sedans here, not compact performance machines.
For starters, the Toyota Camry outsells the Sonata and Malibu combined. It’s not the fastest, or the best-looking. Speed is not a priority in this segment and I think it’s ridiculous to even measure these cars in that respect.
Now, when it comes to Buick, the conversation gets even more ridiculously-silly. Buick is a luxury brand. Forget about the fact that Buicks are much quieter than any Hyundai can ever hope to be, or the fact that they are better appointed, or drive better. The Lexus ES costs twice as much as a Sonata, is slower to 60 than a Sonata turbo, but has no problem being the most popular Lexus sedan. Again, totally different priorities and entirely different factors.
If anything, Buick should raise its prices and add more features/content that one would never even dream to find in a Hyundai or a Chevy.
Lastly, back to the Malibu vs Sonata. The fact that the Bu will have less power doesn’t mean that it will necessarily be slower. Drive a Sonata and you’ll install feel the cheap components used throughout the entire car, especially in the powertrain. The Malibu may make less power, but through better drivetrain components, it’s likely to out-sprint the Sonata… If it were a major point of contention for buyers, which it’s not.
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well the thing is that GS is 4 grand more than the Sonata so I wouldn’t think it has a problem with that. But my main point is that I’m using this Regal GS to compare to Sonata in terms of 0-60. Of course the Camry will be faster with the less weight and it runs to 60 in about 5.8 seconds. But then again the Malibu is based on the Regal’s platform with less power and about the same weight with the Regal. But then if that will be the same or slower 0-60 time?
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If performace counts for nothing why did Buick offer so many V/8 engines in it’s cars? Nailheads from 264 to 425. Small blocks from 215 to 350, and thats not the all of them. Performance counts. GM has lost site of that. GM reads the numbers and has no idea of the passion of the world around them. Chevy Cruze for one, does GM believe that a bling, pozer, rice RS/SS body kit is going to bring youth to the CRUZE. Hell it’s not going to bring much of anyone to the CRUZE. Options will bring sales, options like a Coupe,Wagon,Hatch. Power options like 190hp non turbo, and a 230-260hp turbo or more. Buick has no soul, no passion, no power. Buick has a big grille.
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PS: Camaro and Corvette do nothing for most people. Never have and never will. Buick needs performance, not COPO performace, just good clean drivable power. Other then the Camaro and Vette …. Chevy brings nothing to the party. That means GM has nothing I want at this point.
OPTIONS GM … PEOPLE WANT OPTIONS.
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@RjION Buick needs none of that power. Times have changed since the time the Tri Shield offered four V8s. And as much as gear heads like you and me would like to think that all cars to have a healthy dose of horses, there is a much larger collection of people who simply don’t care. All these people want is a silent ride, refinement, and a disconnected driving experience. Think Lexus, with the exception of the IS/IS-F and LF-A, which don’t account for as much as 5% of the brand’s sales.
Buick needs to continue on its path of making understated, silent, and comfortable luxury automobiles for those who don’t care about power, or handling for that matter. Want power and driver excitement? Look no further than Caddy. But leave Buick to take traditional Lexus buyers from Lexus.
Now when it comes to Chevy and the Cruze, a more powerful variant is needed, as are more body styles. Amen to that!
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And you think Buick should be forever trapped in the LB Johnson era (and seem to think cars from 50+ years ago should be used as a benchmark for cars of today).
Peformance doesn’t matter in volume sales.
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So I guess you guys are saying options are bad, and a Saturn ION sedan with a 2.4L is a “high performance” racing machine because the ION has a hp to weight of 1hp per 16.4 lbs and I’m asking that if I were to buy a Buick it to have min of 1hp per 16.5 lbs…. Keep that number in mind, I’ve said it over and over as to what I’d want in any size, brand, style daily driver I’d buy. 1hp per every 16.5lbs nothing less. That means a 200hp Verano
LBJ ………… thats special
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@RjION If I believe what? The fact that Buick should pursue the non-performance luxury market strategy? If you think that’s a mistake, then please do explain why.
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That Buick need to be a sloth, that Buick buyers only want to roll down the highway at 42mph hour looking for a Libby’s.
I never said once that BUICK should be the performance division, I did say Buicks needed more hp then thay have right now.
So I guess you guys are saying options are bad, and a Saturn ION sedan with a 2.4L is a “high performance” racing machine because the ION has a hp to weight of 1hp per 16.4 lbs and I’m asking that if I were to buy a Buick it to have min of 1hp per 16.5 lbs…. Keep that number in mind, I’ve said it over and over as to what I’d want in any size, brand, style daily driver I’d buy. 1hp per every 16.5lbs nothing less. That means a 200hp Verano. Believe what, what believe what. The average age of a Buick driver is what, down from the average age one year ago, and GM wants it to drop yet more. So I guess the way to get 45-50 year olds to buy a Buick is to make ir slower then it is now.
Seems the users of this site just like slow cars, hey your ready to defend every slug (as in slow) GM puts on the market, all in all.
When Chevy comes out with the “RS” CRUZE it should get a new horn thats fitting …… makes the sound ….. bling bling, bling bling.
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“Keep that number in mind, I’ve said it over and over as to what I’d want in any size, brand, style daily driver I’d buy. 1hp per every 16.5lbs nothing less.”
The automotive world does not revolve around you and your demands of a car, and it never will.
The automotive industry revolves around a billion other consumers who don’t care about hp/lb. They care about fuel economy, safety, affordability, and reliability.
If average Joe Foreigner lives in a country where cars are taxed by their displacement or their total specific output, then what good is a 2.0L performance Buick to him? Sure, it has appealing content, but the engine is makes too much power and puts him at an unfair tax disadvantage. HP/LB won’t mean a thing to him.
This whole ordeal has nothing to do with options; options are good.
The RIGHT OPTIONS that appeal to THE MOST NUMBER OF PEOPLE are what matters; not your individual tastes.
You can keep your pensioner rock.
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Did you figure that out all by yourself? Your correct bugsbunny, not everyone wants what I want. Some are happy with things just the way they are, and some want more, while others want much more in the way of HP ….. My personal options matter to me, and if GM does not want to make cars with 16.5 to 1 engine options I’ll not be buying. If your happy with a Verano at 18.3 to 1 thats fine with me. In fact that great for you.
I want options and I’ll guess other do also. 16.5 to 1 does not make a performance car, it makes a car that can get out of it’s own way
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“That Buick need to be a sloth, that Buick buyers only want to roll down the highway at 42mph hour looking for a Libby’s.
I never said once that BUICK should be the performance division, I did say Buicks needed more hp then thay have right now.”
No, Buick does not need more power in any of its vehicles. To address your personal wishes (and mine too, actually), all that’s needed are several engines in the Cruze line that are more powerful than the current 1.8 or 1.4T.
Lexus became the most popular AND profitable luxury brand in America by what you describe as “sloths”. There is a huge market for those kinds of luxury vehicles — much bigger than there are of folks like you and me who actually care about power/specs/numbers.
Ultimately, no Buick should be priced under $30,000 and have the equipment to reflect its base price. And all we need is a high-performance/higher-performance Cruze.
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Its not underpowered IMO (270 horses is plenty of oomph for most people) but it clearly needs more refinement and tweaks. And I also agree with RjION, I’ve been looking at a new GM as a possible replacement for my 2001 Malibu and other than the Camaro and the upcoming non hybrid version of the 13 bu there is pretty much nothing that is catching my interest in GM at the moment hopefully that will change in 2014 15
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i WANT a cruze ss!!! the 2.0l turbo and some other goodies. but keep the four door and hatch variants as well as a coupe for the ss. Then they could make the z24 and have it a productin version of the tru 140s but have it a stripped out track stormer and have it just a coupe with the 2l turbo and a 6speed manual.
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So what you’re saying @RjION is that if Z24 badge put on the Cruze will ruin the car??
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actually vic1212 i as thinking the other way around with the z-24 the ultimate Cruze. and RjION seriously just cause a car made over ten years ago had the z-24 badge on it an was pretty unreliable doesn’t mean the new one will be andanyone who knows about the cavy would understand that (with exceptions) but if the car proved itself performance wiseIi wouldn’t care if they named it the citation or chevette I’d still drool over it!
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@vic1212 not worth the effort. The G6’s chassis isn’t nearly as capable as that of the Regal. But that’s to say that the G6’s chassis is still superior to that of the Accord and Camry of the same generation.
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I purchased a 2012 GS with the new 6 speed automatic last week to replace a Trailblazer SS for my wife’s transportation. It has all the options including the 20″ wheels with Pirelli P-Zero tires. The GS in RED is an absolutely HOT looking set of wheels.
My wife’s other choice was a CTS Cadillac . She had a 2008 CTS 3.6 AWD two years ago. I feel that the GS has more than enough power. Come on guys ,none of the other cars I read about in this post will do 162 MPH and get 27 MPG. Just to give you some idea of my experience with performance cars, my other car is a C6 Corvette set up for track. My home track is The Glen. I just returned from the Katech Track Attach at the Autobahn Country Club with my Vette. I am a member of Trackmasters, CHIN, BMW CCA, NASA & PCA.
Granted the 0-60 et is not the GS’s forte . I do not think that is what the GS is all about. From my experience with performance cars the GS is one great road car. -
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b4black
I also had (2) GNs. I loved them both in the 1980s.The 2012 GS has about the same HP as the stock 1987 GN but there is no comparison in stock out of the show room performance. The GN is in the stone age compared to the GS. The GN made a great drag racer but do not ask it to corner or stop fast. -
@b4black There is no tradeoff for power. As @C6RAPTOR said, the 2012 GS has equal the power to the second generation GN.
Not only that, but the 2012 GS makes that power at a lower RPM and can apply it to the ground better. Overall, the new car is much more fun drive than the tin can of the 80s. Comparing the two is like comparing an Apple iPhone with Nokia’s first “banana phone”.
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@Vic1212 What do you mean?
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