Report: No Plans for 325-hp Buick Regal GS Says Brand's GM

Colum Wood
by Colum Wood

When and if the Buick Regal GS makes it to market, we’re not going to see a 325-hp turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 under the hood. Rumors that the Regal GS would get such a motor started almost immediately after the Regal was unveiled, with the Opel Insignia on which it’s based offering that very powerplant and GM announcing a high-performance GS model was in the works. Those rumors seemed to come true when the Regal GS Show Car, unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show, had that very same turbo V6.

Yet, despite what was there, GM said the Regal Show car had a high-boost version of the turbocharged 2.0-liter Ecotec 4-cylinder found in the CXL model. Instead of 220-hp an 258 ft-lbs f torque, however, the GS has 255-hp and 295 ft-lbs of torque, ensuring a 0-60 mph time of roughly 6.0 seconds.

According to Buick/GMC General Manager Brian Sweeney in a conversation on GM’s Fastlane blog, the 325-hp motor is not in the plans. “At 255hp with 0-60 in less than 6 seconds we think we’re in good shape if we bring this to production.”

Buick has yet to confirm a production model GS, but at this point it’s essentially a done deal.

[Source: GMFastLane]

Colum Wood
Colum Wood

With AutoGuide from its launch, Colum previously acted as Editor-in-Chief of Modified Luxury & Exotics magazine where he became a certifiable car snob driving supercars like the Koenigsegg CCX and racing down the autobahn in anything over 500 hp. He has won numerous automotive journalism awards including the Best Video Journalism Award in 2014 and 2015 from the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). Colum founded Geared Content Studios, VerticalScope's in-house branded content division and works to find ways to integrate brands organically into content.

More by Colum Wood

Comments
Join the conversation
2 of 12 comments
  • Bob Bob on Jan 28, 2010

    Shub, perhaps you should read my entire sentence, "cruise elegantly with some punch in the throttle". Reading comprehension is a bit of a skill, eh? Perhaps you aren't so smart yourself, or perhaps just leave the name calling out of your repertoire. Do you really believe that people driving Lexus automobiles are performance nuts? Heck no, those people are in Bimmers. The base IS has a unimpressive V6, something the base Regal will easily be able to compete with, and the GS will blow away. People really need to see the light, horsepower is going to keep decreasing over the next 5 years, mpg is going to be the focus of all automakers.

  • SHub SHub on Jan 28, 2010

    First off, Bob, YOU started the name calling. Ogg is apparently enthusiastic about performance automobiles. I also am. You called Ogg stupid, and in another post a moron. I saw a kindred spirit and see the point he/she was making. I also saw your whole sentence - "cruise elegantly with some punch." The Regal with 255 HP will be out-matched by it's competition right out of the box. I am a target buyer for this automobile. I want the 325 HP version. Comparable cars to me are the Lexus IS 350 (306 HP), Acura TL (280 HP), Infinity G37 (328 HP). The base Regal will be on par with a base Camry, and the turbo will be on par with a Camry V6 (268 HP). With GM stating Lexus is the target - I am saying "some punch" isn't going to cut it. Yes, MPG has center stage. I am not saying every Regal they sell needs to be an Autobahn burner. I am saying the top sport model should at least match it's competetion. People see Buick as exactly what you stated - "elegant cruisers" first with "some punch" as (hopefully) an afterthought. As a result, their current North American clientele is at or near retirment age. If they wish to change this, they have an excellent start with the new Regal. Make it outstanding and generate some buzz. Ho-hum performance will not do this. 255 HP in a 3500 lb car that prices out in the mid- $30ks will be ho-hum.

Next