The Buick division of GM is planning on unveiling a new version of their Regal model GS. The new model will come with a turbocharged 4 banger with a 6 speed manual tranny. The new ride is said to put out 255 HP with some 295 lb-ft of torque. I must admit that the specifications are impressive. Here is what the new Buick may look like:
There’s no automatic in this five-passenger sedan; a six-speed manual transmission routes power to four wheels via an adaptive all-wheel drive system with an electronic limited-slip rear differential. The Regal GS Concept incorporates four-wheel independent suspension with a so-called HiPerStrut system at the front wheels, in order to reduce torque steer and maintain negative camber during cornering. Buick claims the system improves grip and cornering abilities, while heightening steering precision and feedback. The Regal GS Concept is also blessed with 14 inch, four-piston cross-drilled Brembos and high-performance pads. And as one might imagine, the GS sits lower than stock and wears two extra front air intakes as well as forged aluminum 20 inch wheels.
Folks, Buick is your grandfather’s car. It always has been and always will be a car for old folks. How many people will buy a sedan with a six speed manual tranny for what I am sure will be a car selling for $30k or more?
GM is a lost puppy dog and needs to get back on track with a new mission statement and a new game plan. Bringing back these old ideas from the ’80s is not going to make the American public flock to their nearest GM dealership.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
It looks like a newer Audi. I can’ say I dislike what I see, and I am not an old man just yet.
I think you’re missing the point – that the many Pontiac and Oldsmobile faithful still want something other than a plain-jane Chevy, and Cadillac has offerings that look as though they were designed by Picasso on acid.
So that leaves Buick. Still, the average buyer today has no clue how to shift a manual transmission – I see lots of transmission work over the horizon. Not good, because it is no longer cheap to throw in a new clutch and pressure plate, and even then, finding something that will last through a few powershifts (or missed downshifts) is difficult to impossible.
But if you use an automatic, you suck up 30-50 horsepower immediately, and those cars can’t be nimble and lose that much to parasitic loss – they don’t have that much horsepower or torque to begin with. Plus a manual driven well will always produce better mileage.
Interesting. “It always has been and always will be a car for old folks.” Primarily because it has four doors. There is NEVER any need for more than two. Worst (or should I say best) case scenario: You have two chics – you assign the driving duty to one, and the other sits in your lap. Any more than that, and they can drive separate. All in all though, I must admit, it doesn’t look bad – for a Buick.
Fully agree – even if this cars from the sou8nd of it has been built on a SaaB 9-5 or 9-3 platform (before they dumped one of their best brands)
With some distant family having worked for GM, it really is no wonder they are building such crappy cars
Buffet-
” I must admit, it doesn’t look bad – for a Buick.” Agree, but it’s still a Buick! LOL
Heh Marc,
GM should of kept the Pontiac and dumped Buick.
Per-Ola,
When the government took a look at how GM was being operated they couldn’t believe how backwards the company was. They couldn’t let it go belly up since too many jobs would of been lost.
If GM thinks I’m going to rush on down to a Chevy dealership just because Howie Long says Honda builds lawnmowers, I’ll buy the lawnmower before a Malibu! LOL
uh, yeah, turbocharged 4-bangers, awd, 6-speeds, that’s not what people want. that’s why you hardly ever see any audi a4s, subaru imprezas or mitsubishi lancers on the road. Not to mention sti’s and evos.
this is precisely what some people want (and need), good fuel economy with decent power, awd (esp. in the snow belt), the option to row your own gears. For the enthusiast crowd, this is it.
Who cares what kind of badge it has? The problem is, I think they’re making them in China, which is a nice kick to the groin of American workers, and will prevent me from ever owning one.
I think it looks like any other Buick.
All Buicks look the same to me.
Why couldn’t they offer both motors?
No wonder why GM went Bankrupt.
GM is my fave auto maker.
They should have cut Buick and kept Pontiac.
The decision to sell Saab or shut it all down was supposed to be annoucned today.
I’m not sure what happened.
I’m going to look on FaceBook.
Totally agree with the article. This kind of thinking won’t bring GM back.
burninate, I agree that you see a lot of those cars but I think the point is that the people buying those cars would never consider buying a Buick. My next car will likely be a WRX or Audi A4 but I can guarantee it will NOT be a Buick. Maybe when I’m 80 I’ll consider a Buick but I’m guessing that at that point I won’t be interested in a manual transmission or the bumpy ride that a sport tuned suspension would provide.
Something you overlook is the popularity of Buicks in Japan. I don’t think the GS will sell as many in US as Japan but they are trying. Buick is a growing brand for GM both foreign and domestic. That’s why they dropped Pontiac vs Buick in the economic downturn.
As burninate said there are a lot of cars that fit the GS mold. While I doubt you will ever buy a Buick I’m sure if you drove this model you would be surprised how far they have come over the years. If they want to attack the market they have to start somewhere. Imagine what this car would have been 10 years ago. Another sh!tty Sunfire or something like that.
I’ve never owned one myself, but I ran the hell out of my father’s 2600 LeSabre in the late 80′s.
Here’s another concept Buick for Japan.
http://tinyurl.com/24hdct
That is a good introduction… Diesel model is also available?
Well, I’m not an old man either,but…I remember when gas went from 59 centa gallon to a buck-plus and we waited in lines.
My grandfather sold Datsuns… called Nissans now,Mercurys and Buicks. I’ve owned several Buicks. I like comfort. Skinny girls don’t turn me on. GM has built some very comfortable cars.. So is Ford and I like to buy American. The LeSabre Buick made in the 90′s was a nice car. I put 240K on one- and I sold it to a guy 2 years ago and he’s still styling ’round in it.
I wouldn’t call the undertaker yet. GM & Ford aren’t gasping. And while we’re at it- I don’t like Chineese clothes,Arab oil and
Korean cars. I’ll pay more if it keep YOU in an American job in America.
Are you really that narrow minded, or don’t you get out much? I’m 55, autocross, and hang out with the youth segment that runs around in 4 door, turbocharged, manual transmissioned Jap cars and I’m sure a good number of them would by a GM car if those options were offered. WHich up to this concept being announced, GM had NOTHING TO OFFER. THAT is why GM went through bankruptcy. No product that up and coming money spenders were willing to spend their cash on. No one will buy a high performance sedan? You really are out of the loop. I am seriously thingking about selling/trading in my ION Red Line, which I love imensley, on this Buick if it comes to market. Forced induction, high performance 4 cylinder vehicles ARE sought after by more people than you give credit for, and if GM throws their hat into the ring, the numbers will go up.
burninate,
Due to the Chinese love for everything Buick, this will no doubt be made in China and do well, but if GM decides to market it in the USA, it will not be sourced from China. GM is already following this stradegy with current Buick builds. Europe, Middle East and Asia gets Chinese made Buicks while the US gets US or Canadian sourced Buicks.GM realizes that even their own workers would shun Chinese made Buicks sold in the US, they are not totally stupid.
ohiojohn,
Go for it and buy a Buick!
Regards, Ron
from a design perspective, understanding what is trying to be accomplished from a brand that was embarrassing to be seen in for those of us born in the 70′s, i would have to say it’s very appealing.
I struggle with the horsepower because it could have been easily increased, but the interior and exterior design & quality impresses me.
I’m in my late 30′s, live in so cal and because i’m so sick of the common Audi, BMW, MBZ’s i see by the 1000′s, I’m buying a Buick GS.