(continued from above)
The new Buick Regal Turbo takes on competitors such as the Acura TSX and
Volvo S60. It has a longer wheelbase and greater trunk volume than those
vehicles, along with standard features - including a six-speed automatic
transmission, 18-inch alloy wheels and OnStar - that aren't offered standard on
either competitor. And with an estimated 29 mpg on the highway, it delivers
excellent fuel economy, too.
The Buick Regal's development is rooted in
Germany, where the globally led engineering team created the award-winning Opel
Insignia - the 2009 European Car of the Year. The Insignia has garnered more
than 31 prestigious awards and is the best-selling midsize sedan in Europe.
Regal will bring all of Insignia's award-winning design, technology and
European-inspired performance capabilities to the American market.
For
2011, Buick Regal is offered in premium CXL trim only, with additional trim
levels to be offered in the 2012 model year.
Regal's Design Story
The Buick Regal's sleek body design blends the sweeping silhouette and
proportions of a coupe in a progressive package that suggests motion from all
angles. Great attention to detail complements that aggressive styling, with
tailored applications of Buick's signature design cues, such as the waterfall
grille, select use of chrome trim and superior fit and finish of the exterior
panels.
"Regal is all about great proportions," said John Cafaro, design
director, passenger car. "For example, the fenders are flared to wrap around the
tires, an aggressive stance that people aren't used to seeing in recent Buicks."
The car's performance-oriented spirit is also conveyed in sleek, sculpted
body-side detail and aggressive headlamps that further suggest motion. At the
rear, an abbreviated deck and tucked-in body panels are the hallmarks of a
contemporary sport sedan, with bold taillamps and their intricate lighting
elements reinforcing Regal's attention to detail. Eighteen-inch alloy wheels are
standard.
The sweeping design motif carries over to the interior, where the side panels
flow uninterrupted into the instrument panel. The instruments have the look of
expensive sport timepieces and are lit with ice-blue LED lights. The center
stack, housing the climate and "infotainment" controls, was designed to allow
for a lower, driver-centric instrument panel profile. Features such as a
thick-rimmed, leather-wrapped steering wheel and firm, highly bolstered and
leather-covered seats also support the sport-oriented driving experience.
"There is great design harmony between the exterior and interior," said
Cafaro. "The feeling of flow and motion carries through in an engaging manner
that makes you want to take the Regal out to your favorite twisting road to see
what it can do."
Buick Regal CXL Turbo: Review (2/2)