2011 Buick Regal Photos

2011 Buick Regal

2011 Buick Regal
2011 Buick Regal
2011 Buick Regal
2011 Buick Regal Photos

2011 Buick Regal doesn't live up to its name

The exterior is stylish, including the Bentley-esque grille and even the Buick insignia itself. But the interior, more pastiche than crafted, is something you wouldn't find anywhere near a palace.

The upside to being so out of fashion is that Buick could now be "in," if only the Regal lived up to the promise the manufacturer showed last year with its luxury sedan, the LaCrosse CXS. With its successor, the Regal, Buick is simply trying to do too much. In its efforts to be simultaneously elegant, sporty, fuel efficient, technologically tricked out and affordable it doesn't fully succeed.

What I liked most about this mid-size sport sedan was its exterior. There's a wind-swept stylishness to its profile that elevates it to the level of its competitors: the Acura TSX, Volvo S60, Volkswagen Passat and Mazda 6, each of which shares a kind of athletic voluptuousness. The Bentley-esque grille, even the Buick insignia itself, lends the car an upscale appearance that helps the Regal live up to its moniker. And the palette of sumptuous exterior colors, including the shade of deep, seafaring blue in the model I was testing, made me curious to open the doors and see what was inside this Autobahn-inspired beauty.

The experience was a little like biting into a See's chocolate and tasting a nougat you weren't expecting — and hadn't wanted. It was, in a word, disappointing.

Although the center stack was nicely arranged, it was trimmed in cheap-looking brown plastic and anchored with an equally chintzy chrome finish around the six-speed gear shift. The "pleather" dash was inlaid with a faux-wood grain. In fact, the whole cockpit was more pastiche than crafted.

If this is regal, then I'm Prince Harry.

Of course there's only so much bling Buick can pack into a car that starts at $26,995, especially a car that has as many performance and technology objectives as the Regal. I just wish the bling had been a bit more premium because there's a lot of competition at that price point. Buick would have been better off focusing on fewer features and ensuring that each was the highest quality.

2010 Buick Regal GS Concept

2010 Buick Regal GS Concept Picture

2010 Buick Regal GS Concept Wallpaper

2010 Buick Regal GS Concept Photo

2010 Buick Regal GS Concept Interior

2010 Buick Regal GS Concept Rear ViewWith an estimated 255 turbocharged horsepower (190 kW), a six-speed manual transmission and an advanced, adaptive all-wheel-drive system, the Buick Regal GS Concept is a high-tech, high-performance version of the brand's newest sport sedan. It was introduced at the 2010 North American International Auto Show.

The mechanical elements were developed with the aim of delivering a driving experience that is sporting, confidence-inspiring and refined. It has a performance-oriented drivetrain, a lowered body and lower center of gravity. Exterior and interior cues include two additional vertical front air intakes; large, forged aluminum 20-inch wheels and performance tires; a racing-inspired sport steering wheel and metal pedals. Recaro high-performance front seats feature four-way lumbar support and cushion extensions.

"We designed the Buick Regal GS to explore the appeal of a high-performance variant of the Regal," said Craig Bierley, product marketing director for Buick. "Like the Regal, the Regal GS is based on the award-winning Opel Insignia, and we believe it will reinvigorate Buick's storied Gran Sport legacy."

The Buick Regal GS exterior is distinguished by vertical air inlets in the front fascia, as well as unique rocker panels, an integrated rear spoiler, dual exhaust outlets, Olympic White paint and satin metallic accents.
"The idea behind the Buick Regal GS was taking the production model in a more aggressive direction to appeal to performance enthusiasts," said John Cafaro, Buick design director. "But along with its aggressive stance, there's sophisticated style in the design that complements the driving experience."

Inside, the Buick Regal GS varies from the standard Regal by featuring a completely jet black interior, including the pillars and headliner, sport shifter for the six-speed manual transmission and a suede-covered, flat-bottom steering wheel reminiscent of those used in international racing series. The instrument panel glows ice blue when the driver engages the sport mode of the Interactive Drive Control System (IDCS).

Turbocharged AWD performance

Power for the Buick Regal GS comes from a high-output 2.0L Ecotec turbocharged engine with direct-injection technology. It is based on the engine that will be offered on Regal CXL models later this summer, but the engine and turbocharger are tuned to deliver greater boost pressure in the GS. The output is estimated at 255 horsepower (190 kW) and 295 lb.-ft. of torque (400 Nm).

The engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission that directs torque to an adaptive all-wheel-drive system calibrated for performance driving. An electronic, limited-slip rear differential helps ensure the engine's power is distributed effectively during cornering.

The high-performance drivetrain is expected to enable the Buick Regal GS to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds. That performance is complemented by a four-wheel-independent suspension, with a unique High Performance Strut (HiPerStrut) design in front. The HiPerStrut system helps reduce torque steer and maintain negative camber during cornering. This improves ultimate grip levels in dry and wet conditions, as well as improves the direct feel of the road, while isolating undesirable feedback. Behind the wheel the driver experiences reduced torque steer, improved grip and increased cornering power, along with crisper handling, steering precision and feedback.

The Buick Regal GS features a high-performance Brembo brake system with 14 x 1.2-inch (355 x 32 mm) cross-drilled rotors; four-piston, high-strength aluminum calipers, and high-performance pads.

The Buick Regal GS is also equipped with Interactive Drive Control System (IDCS) chassis technology (also offered on Regal CXL models with the 2.0L turbo engine). It delivers enhanced vehicle stability and greater driving safety, while also adapting the driving characteristics of the car to the driver's preferences. The driver selects among three operating modes - normal, sport and GS - that change the suspension settings, throttle response and steering sensitivity through the variable-effort steering system.

2011 Buick Regal sports sedan targets younger buyers

few car-lengths back, you think you're sneaking up on the latest European or Asian luxury sedan.

Up close, though, the name on the trunk lid is as familiar as bell-bottom pants: Buick Regal.

Though it's not the hippest name in the automotive universe, General Motors hopes the new Regal will be viewed as an athletic, upscale sports sedan and will appeal to Gen X buyers.

It's a critical new vehicle as GM seeks to expand the Buick brand, post-bankruptcy and post-Tiger Woods. At present, Buick sells vehicles that cover about 14% of the overall automotive market. With Regal, that figure doubles.

Driving the 2011 Buick Regal Turbo

I had the arduous assignment of flying to San Diego to review the all-new 2011 Buick Regal sedan. The model just now reaching dealers is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder CXL, the base powerplant, which returns 20/30 mpg city/highway. A full review of that car is in the works, but Buick also let me test an early prototype of the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that joins the Regal lineup at the end of this year.

Besides a few steering tweaks and hammering out some engine noises, this is the turbocharged Regal you’ll be able to buy for less than $30,000, and it’s pretty darn good.

The 2.4-liter’s strength is its crisp handling and pleasing ride, which is not always a combination you’ll find in pseudo sport sedans. There is none of the float found in the redesigned LaCrosse, yet road imperfections are well-muted.

Moving to the turbo and the steering may be different, but the ride is just as superb despite standard 19-inch wheels versus the base's 18s. Buick engineers are still fooling with the steering, according to the automaker. While it's hydraulic like the 2.4-liter, it's also speed variable, which means at low speeds the steering isn’t as sharp as it is at high speeds. However, it’s still rather numb and loose even when pushing it hard. That’s definitely the feel Buick knows it doesn’t want, especially considering that the base model's steering wheel is highly sprung. The base CXL’s wheel reminds me of a Volkswagen in some ways but with more rubber band elasticity.


Once the steering issue is addressed, drivers will likely rave about the turbo. Pumping out 220 horsepower and 258 pounds-feet of torque, it’s a perfect complement to the Regal platform. On curvy mountain roads the turbo accelerated with ease on ascent. There was the tiniest of turbo whine intruding into the cabin. As with the steering issue, Buick noted that this was an area they were planning to tackle before the turbo goes on sale. Otherwise, both models are surprisingly quiet with little road or wind noise intruding on the cabin.


The base 2.4-liter feels competent in most situations, but it strained to accelerate uphill and made a hoarse groan on mountain roads. The turbo not only managed these situations, but at highway speeds it passed and ran through 60 to 70 mph with vigor.

It’s the type of fun driving experience you’d expect from a turbo powertrain, and it feels right fitted to the midsize Regal. It’s the opposite of the V-6 Acura shoehorned into the TSX, the Regal’s closest rival, I reviewed last year.


Buick expects this turbo to get 19/29 mpg, giving up just 1 mpg to the base model while delivering the added power. It will cost $28,745 before the destination fee. Buick mentioned the just-announced GS will top the range with even more power — the auto show car put out 255 hp — so this turbo doesn’t need to be the ultimate Regal driving machine.

LaCrosse: The Buick

A big comfortable sedan with ample power and nimble handling, a blow-away great interior and a price tag that seems about $8,000 less than you'd expect to pay.

That's the Buick LaCrosse, which Drive On finally took for a spin even though it's been out for months. Why haven't we paid much attention before? Because it's a Buick.

LaCrosse seems impressive because it comes from a brand that makes you think of your father, or your father's father. But it is getting discovered. LaCrosse sales were up 212% last month from a year ago on the strength of the new model. For Buick executives, the challenge is just to get potential customers in the car.

"The product is the great proof point," says Roger McCormick, Buick's chief marketing guy, adding, "once people spend time in the car."

2010 Buick Enclave

Luxury crossovers are all the rage these days as minivans and large SUVs fall out of favor with car shoppers, and with the 2010 Buick Enclave, Cars.com editor Kelsey Mays can kind of see why. The Enclave combines good utility with luxurious trappings at a competitive price. In his full review, Mays explains how the Enclave hits the sweet spot on entry-level luxury, and why you might not miss a minivan’s space.

Review: 2011 Buick Regal Turbo

Since the launch of the Enclave in 2007, Buick has repeatedly touted a decline in average buyer age that still has yet to push the brand’s demographics into the fat sections of America’s population pyramid. Though the year-old LaCrosse appears to be helping Buick’s central PR narrative, even it is, at best, not your grandfather’s Buick. Despite a brand heritage based on a traditional, suburban American image whose fading appeal is evidenced in Buick’s pre-Enclave demographics, the long-term health of GM’s entry-luxury (or “premium,” to use GM-speak) marque depends on continued progress away from the “blue hair” image it has earned over the past several decades.

It should come as no surprise then, that the 2011 Regal is the most substantive break from Buick’s past to date. And no wonder: born in Germany as the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia, the Regal is as traditionally American as a Kraftwerk album. In Europe, the Insignia is sold as fashion-forward competitor in the mass-market, midsized segment. In the context of a Buick that still offers a taste of the geriatric image it’s desperate to escape in the H-Body Lucerne, the Regal is unapolgetically marketed as a sports sedan. And until a recently-approved high-performance GS version arrives, the 220 horsepower Turbo version is the bellweather for both the Regal’s sporting pretensions and Buick’s desire to attract a new kind of buyer.

The decision to launch the Regal on 200 miles of twisting road east of San Diego, California is testament to just how much Buick believes in the Regal’s sporting credentials. And this was no mirror-smooth, touring course either. Tight hairpins, deep compressions, nasty potholes and impossibly narrow, rough roads left the Regal no opportunity to fake the funk. Nausea-control armbands left in each Regal’s center console weren’t just for show either: several of Buick’s reps were looking decidedly green around the gills at the stops between driving stages.

And no wonder. The Regal Turbo we tested proved not only to be the best-handling Buick ever (damning with faint praise, to be sure), but also an accomplished athlete by any standard. The Regal Turbo is by far the most enthusiast-oriented application of GM’s Epsilon II platform to date, and was, throughout the test, a poised and willing dance partner. The front-drive chassis provided considerable grip through fast sweepers, performed sharp direction changes with aplomb and carried its 3,600 pound claimed curb weight with unexpected grace. And though a far cry from the squishy, all-day touring comfort that previously defined Buick chassis and suspension setups, it never felt overly harsh or hard-core. Even fitted with optional 19 inch wheels (reminiscent of the Jaguar XF’s), the ride remained impressively smooth.

Of course, on the kind of roads that one finds in the hill country east of San Diego, a well-settled chassis alone isn’t enough to deliver true enthusiast performance. The loaded Turbo model we drove was equipped with an active damping system that will be optional on Turbo models when they arrive at dealer lots later this year. With this option comes the choice of three modes, Normal, Touring and Sport, selectable with buttons on the instrument panel. According to the engineers responsible for developing the Regal Turbo, the car itself will even choose between the different modes based on its analysis of real-time telemetric data. With Sport mode engaged, the difference in suspension, steering and drivetrain settings were immediately noticeable, and is clearly responsible for many of the superlatives in this review. Because Sport mode is self-activating, however, it’s hard to say how a Turbo model without active damping would perform, and its advantages are based on an imperfect comparison to the 2.4 liter, normally-aspirated base Regal with 18 inch rims.

The 2011 Buick Regal begins sales in the US

The first 2011 Buick Regal was sold just outside of Chicago. The car was not even on the Woody Buick GMC dealership lot for 24 hours yet. The proud new owner of the Regal is a 44 year old executive at a manufacturing company in the Chicago area.

“The Regal is a superb car to drive on the road, with more of a European feel than any other car we looked at,” said the new owner. “My 15 year-old daughter has already said she wants to take the car to college with her in a few years.”

The new Regal owner traded in a 2007 Saturn Outlook and stated that the Regal offered all the right features in the right size. He also looked at the Toyota Camry and Audi A4, but decided on the Regal because it had all the amenities of a premium vehicle without the costly price tag.

2012 Buick Compact Crossover Rendered

Last week, Buick confirmed that two new models will be joining its lineup next year, but while patent sketches were available for the new compact sedan, no pictures exist of the new 2012 Buick compact crossover. Using what little information there is to go off of, Autotropolis has come up with a best guess design for the upcoming crossover that may or may not go by the name Buick Encore. This rendering is based off previous reports, known facts and recent spy photos.

What is known about the new crossover is that it will use the same General Motors Theta platform as the GMC Terrain and Chevrolet Equinox and it will not resemble the now-extinct Saturn VUE. Instead of making the same rebadging mistakes it had in the past, GM will give the new crossover a styling that is said to resemble a baby Buick Enclave. The fastest and easiest way for GM to accommodate both of these is to use an existing design, so GM will likely turn to the Chevrolet Captiva body design which is a Theta-derived compact crossover available in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

For a styling to go up against luxury crossovers like the Lexus RX, the new Buick crossover will likely get a very distinguishable exterior design including Buick signature cues like the large waterfall grille and the hood-mounted portholes. Spy shots recently surfaced on the Internet showing what looks like a Captiva driving around with a camouflaged front end meaning that most of the changes will be made up front. One thing that is sure to be present on the new Buick crossover is plenty of exterior chrome.

Like the sister Theta platform vehicles, the new Buick crossover will likely be powered by the existing engines on the platform which include the 2.4-liter inline-four and the 3.0-liter direct-injected V-6 with both available in front- or all-wheel drive. The fuel-efficient inline-four is capable of 32 miles per gallon on the highway, while the V-6 delivers 264 horsepower and a respectable 25 mpg on the highway.

First Drive: 2011 Buick Regal

2011 Buick Regal. Yep, a Buick at the 'Ring. Who woulda thunk?

This was Automobile Magazine's first time behind the wheel of a production-spec version of the new Regal, which is now rolling off the assembly line at GM's Opel plant in Russelsheim, Germany, and goes on sale in May. The Regal is the product of a global vehicle-development program headed up by GM veteran engineer Jim Federico that already has produced the Buick LaCrosse for both the United States and China and the Regal for China, where it went on sale more than a year ago. The Regal is built on the latest version of the Epsilon platform that also underpins the Chevy Malibu and the Opel Insignia and was largely designed and engineered by GM's Opel unit, but the Detroit-based Federico orchestrated the entire development process, so this is nothing like the Opel Astra that was handed over to the now-defunct Saturn division with a batch of replacement badges that were to magically transform it into a Saturn. Nope, the 2011 Buick Regal is much more than that.

Buick New Regal gets Maximum 5-Star Safety Rating in China

The Buick New Regal sedan from Shanghai GM has received a maximum five-star safety rating from the China Automotive Technology and Research Center (CATARC), which recently released its China New Car Assessment Program ratings.

A U.S. version of the Regal will be in Buick showrooms in May.

The New Regal received 49.7 points overall and a maximum score of 16 points in side impact crash tests against a moving deformable barrier. In frontal crash tests it received a score of 15.03 out of 16 points, while in a 40 percent front offset crash test, it scored 15.65 out of 16 points. The New Regal received an additional three points for having a front seat seatbelt alert system, side air bags and side curtain air bags, and the ISOFIX anchoring system for child safety seats.

“We are pleased but not surprised by the results,” said GM China Group President and Managing Director Kevin Wale. “GM has made safety a priority in all of our vehicles built and sold in China. The New Regal’s design and occupant restraint systems are intended to meet all current and anticipated crash safety standards around the world.”

The New Regal has a strong passenger safety cell protected by front and rear crumple zones. Special attention was given to minimizing the risk of intrusion from the engine. For improved side-impact protection, steel door beams are mounted diagonally to help engage the side structure more effectively in spreading crash forces.

2011 Buick Regal specification and pricing

2011 Buick Regal

"This car's so quiet I'm falling asleep." That sentence has probably been uttered in a Buick before. But not in a Buick cruising along a German autobahn. At 130 mph.

"Hey, this feels pretty nice." Someone's probably said that before in a Buick, too. But not in a Buick hammering around the legendary Nurburgring Nordschliefe. That's because no Buick in history has had its chassis tuned on the same bit of road utilized by the likes of BMW, Porsche, Mercedes, and Audi to get their cars handling right.

More than the chic new LaCrosse or the glittery Enclave, the 2011 Buick Regal takes all your preconceptions about GM's old-fogey brand and drives them straight into the nearest dumpster. The $26,995 Regal CXL is sleek, stylish and comprehensively equipped, with suavely European road manners. The $29,495 Regal Turbo is a wonderfully subversive sport sedan whose punchy, 220-horsepower blown Ecotec four and supple, yet buttoned-down, chassis puts Acura's homely TSX on notice, and seriously makes you wonder whether an Audi A4 is really worth the money.

2011 Buick Regal Vehicle Overview

Mention the words Buick Regal and you're bound to get one of three responses. Some folks will give you blank stares. Others may remember a nice-riding but otherwise nondescript sedan with that name (that retired after 2004). And older folks may recall hood ornaments, pillowed velour bench seats and padded landau tops. With the all-new 2011 Buick Regal, the company is looking to change all that and give this nameplate a more modern and memorable persona.

The personality transplant comes by way of Europe – the donor being General Motors' Opel division. The 2011 Buick Regal is based on the current Opel Insignia and as such shares that smart sedan's precise, communicative steering and athletic handling. The Regal is a midsize sedan, but it rides on a 107.8-inch wheelbase, which is about 4 inches shorter than what you'll find on the recently introduced Buick LaCrosse. This means the Regal is a bit smaller, with a tighter backseat. Basically, you can consider this to be Buick's entry-level car.

Unfortunately, the 3,600-pound Regal will initially only be available with a 2.4-liter inline-4. Though it sports direct fuel-injection technology and makes respectable power (182 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque) and fuel economy (up to 30 mpg highway), this engine will have its work cut out. Later in the year, a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine sporting 220 hp and 258 lb-ft will debut. If our time behind the wheel of a prototype with the turbo-4 is any indicator, this is the go-to choice for its combination of ever-ready thrust and fuel-sipping appetite.

Buick is positioning the 2011 Regal against the likes of the Acura TSX and Lexus IS 250. In the past, cross-shopping a Buick against these two well-known luxury sport sedans might have seemed as odd as adding liverwurst along with pizza and a cheeseburger to lunchtime considerations. But things have certainly turned around recently for Buick. If you can set aside your preconceived notions and take a 2011 Regal for a spin, chances are you won't forget to add this Buick to your sporty midsize sedan consideration list.

2011 Buick Excelle Spied

2011 Buick Excelle

Buick has been making an attempt to revamp their image with a line of sportier and more luxurious new models scheduled to release over the next few years. We were all able to catch a glimpse of the Regal GS at this years Detroit Auto Show, now it seems that photos have been leaked from the streets of China of the 2011 Buick Excelle.

The 2011 Buick Excelle is a new small sized sedan based on the Opel Astra platform. The car is scheduled to debut at the Beijing Motor Show and will be available in the US some time in 2011. For now please enjoy the photo slide show of the 2011 Buick Excelle prowling the streets of China.

First Drive: 2010 Buick LaCrosse I-4

2010 Buick LaCrosse I-4
Buick's latest LaCrosse is one of the new General Motors' best success stories. Sales of the nameplate have increased dramatically, and more than one-third of all buyers are new to the General Motors family. Better yet, transaction prices are up by a whopping $8500, despite the fact that sticker prices haven't significantly increased.

In the days of the old GM, we wouldn't expect much in the way of changes so soon - the LaCrosse debuted in June 2009 - but the born-again automaker seems to think there's always room for improvement. The first major addition, a four-cylinder engine, is already in production.

Buick Regal Pictures

Buick Regal Pictures

2011 Buick Regal

2011 Buick Regal
2011 Buick Regal

Buick today announced pricing for the all-new 2011 Regal. Prices start at $26,995 for the premium CXL model, including a $750 destination charge.

2011 Buick Regal Pictures

2011 Buick Regal
2011 Buick Regal
2011 Buick Regal

2011 Buick Regal

Buick LaCrosse 2010: Best Luxury Sedan

Luxury Car News: The newly designed 2010 Buick LaCrosse added yet another award to its ever-increasing list of commendations from the industry. The LaCrosse was named MotorWeek’s Drivers’ Choice Award winner for Best Luxury Sedan at the recent held Chicago Auto Show.

The 2010 LaCrosse received high marks for its all-wheel-drive capability, deluxe interior, economic V-6 engines, technological and safety features. A new direct-inject Ecotec 2.4L four-cylinder engine will be available with the LaCrosse CX model this spring.

The editorial staff of MotorWeek puts the test to more than 150 vehicles yearly to determine winners in the various categories. Performance, technology, practicality and value are key criteria used in compiling ratings.

2010 Buick LaCrosse: A proper switch

America's seniors are getting less and less attention from Detroit these days. They've had their bench seats, station wagons, and most of the large rear-wheel-drive sedans taken away, not to mention the storied brands of Oldsmobile, Pontiac, and Plymouth. The "Greatest Generation" that led the American auto industry out of World War II and into its seemingly unstoppable dominance in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s has now been written off.

2010 Buick LaCrosse CXS

A Harman Kardon audio system makes music sound beautiful in the 2010 Buick LaCrosse, and the navigation system helps keep it out of traffic. A soft suspension and quality interior combine for a solid sense of luxury.

The Dream Buick Lineup

Feature Website: HERE

Welcome to a new Feature here at GMI; Revitalization In Action. Planned as a series of dream lineups possible for each of GM's brands, the first in this series, Revitalization in Action; The Dream Buick Lineup, has been a long time in the making, a collaboration of GMI Staff Member ChevroletRevived and GMI Chopper Fbodyrules. Our mission? To show, with a realistic feasibility factor, the great and focused lineups possible for each GM brand in North America. There has been talk of a brand cancellation, but with tight focus and a small, but effective vehicle lineup, divisions can become as one, as with the BPG collaboration. This Feature does this, showing what is possible in a focused line of Buick vehicles. The reason for the selection of the Buick brand as the first in our series is simple; Buick, along with the rest of BPG, is first in line for it's $3 billion revitalization. That, along with the shared belief that the Buick brand has much yet untapped potential were the driving factors in it's selection. The voice of the fans can make a difference. Some serious R&D and a brand with a lot of potential can spell success; if done right. And that's what we're here for. Thanks for viewing, and enjoy!

2010 Buick LaCrosse

Available: Spring 2009
Platform: EPII
Drive Wheels: Front
Engines: CXL: 2.8L HF V6 w/245 hp (FWD), CXS: 3.6L HF V6 w/295 hp (AWD)
Transmission: 6 speed Automatic (Standard)


This car is a proposal for the next LaCrosse, set on the versatile new EPII platform, currently under development. Our proposed LaCrosse, following the rumors of the next generations's move upwards in size and price, is larger then the current model, and is mirrored after it's larger and more expensive Roadmaster sibling. Not developed to be a sports performance BMW-esque sedan, the LaCrosse's mission is to take the ES head on. This car is not positioned as a ''cut rate'' ES, rather the LaCrosse not only matches, but exceeds the standards set for this class. It's aim? To take refinement, sophistication and technology to new levels, directly competing and winning it's Japanese peers. The LaCrosse is priced competitivley, with the uplevel CXS model priced squarely in ES territory. Moving downmarket, the CXL starts you out at a lower price point the the car's competitors, covering the smaller luxury segments with it's $29,995 introducutory price point. We believe that it's competitiveness in exceeding the set standards, combined with distinctive American style and boldness lacking in the ES, the LaCrosse will win over buyers as it changes perceptions and Buick shifts back into contention.

2010 Buick Wildcat

Available: February 2009
Platform: Zeta
Drive Wheels: Rear
Engines: CXL: 3.6L HF V6 w/300 hp, CXS: 4.6L Northstar V8 w/350 hp
Transmission: 6 Speed Automatic (Standard)

Starting out above standard LaCrosse CXS territory, the Wildcat RWD sedan is priced competitively, coming at around $42-55k. Positioned as a Buick alternative to the Lexus GS and aimed toward young professionals and businessmen, the Zeta based RWD Wildcat will be a Buick ''want'' vehicle, the sportiest in the sedan lineup. Inside and out, the styling of the Wildcat sedan copies cues from the successful Velite concept car, first shown in 2004. The interior of the Wildcat possesses subtle retro cues, like a retro-futuristic steering wheel, chromed vents and round instrument binnacle showcased in the Wildcat Gran Sport (shown below). Satin nickel trim abounds, and only a few sparse, yet ideally placed, pieces of wood round off the look of freshness and modern minimalist style inherent in the car's design. A favorite of enthusiasts and professionals alike, the Wildcat is a Buick like no other, a uniquely placed piece of automotive perfection, and the image leader of the sedan lineup.

2009 Buick Wildcat Gran Sport

Available: Fall 2008
Platform: GM Y-Body
Drive Wheels: Rear
Engines: 4.4L Supercharged Northstar V8 w/425 hp
Transmission: 6 speed automatic

Introducing the Buick Wildcat Gran Sport: the ultimate expression of Buick's renaissance and the ''Halo'' vehicle of the Buick lineup. Coming in at around $55-60k, the powerful and luxurious V8 Gran Sport takes cues from Buick's past, most noticeably in it's unmistakable Riviera boat tail liftback rear end. The Gran Sport is a styling stunner, oozing style and class with it's beautiful pilarless construction, Velite styling, and handleless doors. Truly the pinnacle of style and luxury in the Buick lineup, the Gran Sport, like the Corvette, offers value for the money, keeping company with exotics and luxury coupes much higher in price. The Gran Sport will be a real perception shatter, bringing a competitive dose of American style and luxury to the segment and spreading the positive new image across the entire lineup.

2009 Buick Roadmaster & 2010 Roadmaster Coupe (below)

Available: Spring 2008 (Sedan) and January 2009 (Coupe)
Platform: Zeta
Drive Wheels: RWD
Engines: CXL: 3.6L HF V6 w/275 hp, & Northstar 4.6L V8 w/350 hp
Transmission: 6 speed automatic (Standard)

The next generation Lucurne is currently under development by Buick. In our proposal, it will be getting a name change, to Roadmaster. Based on the Zeta RWD platform and built at the Oshawa plant in Ontario, Canada, the Roadmaster features the emotional styling language displayed on the Enclave luxury crossover, first introduced as a concept in January 2006. As the replacement for Buick's hot selling Lucurne, the Roadmaster carries on that car's strong points and builds on them. With even more power and bold American styling, the new Roadmaster offers RWD V8 power and a refined and upscale interior. Roadmaster will be in a class of it's own, offering comparable features and refinement of luxury sedans costing thousands more. Starting at the high end of the 300C's price point, the Roadmaster will handily surpass that car's refinement, luxury and features, all with a distinctive American style of it's own. Positioned as a low price American Lexus LS, Roadmaster will be the integral part of Buick's renaissance plan, an exellent selling, high profit model in the Buick lineup.

Buick Enclave:
NAIAS: Buick Enclave Concept

GMI Staffer Ming's Opinion:

It disappoints me that GM needs to spend huge sums of money to "revitalize" any of its brands. Revitalization means that for any number of reasons GM has let these brands decay or has led them astray. Either that, or it takes GM so long to come "full circle" back to infuse more money into its many brands that they become stale over the span of time it takes for GM to cycle through them completely.

For Buick the problem has been using "proven" technology as an excuse for not spending R&D dollars on keeping things up to date. The naturally aspirated 3800 engine, for instance - the Buick Workhorse, while great in 2000, hasn't changed a bit since then. The Lucerne's 3800 engine gets less than 200 horsepower, while Hyundai has since introduced its Azera 3.8L V6 producing 265 horsepower.

Buick needs two things for success. Technology and Style.

On the tech front, Buick should have the best possible, most competitive engines that still have a track record for reliability. The 3.6L DOHC engine should be standard on the Lucerne. If that means tweaking horsepower output a bit to improve smoothness, NVH and fuel economy then so be it. It also needs 6-speed automatics across the board. Nothing says "value" (read "cheap") these days more than a 4-speed.

Buick needs expressive styling that oozes luxury and harkens back to its glory days of the mid 20th century. Buick of China seems to have the right formula for looks. Detroit's CSV Terraza and to a lesser degree, the LaCrosse are examples of Detroit budget styling gone wrong. The examples of styling in the photos above would give Buick a great injection of life that is sorely needed. But the Beancounters at GM must not be allowed to saddle any of them with yesterday's technology, giving only pricey "Ultra" models the technology needed to compete. Looks alone will not win back respect for Buick.