2012 BUICK REGAL GS: Regal, indeed

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/02/2012 (5201 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The 2012 Buick Regal GS blasted down the tight entry ramp — flat, stable and without a hint of torque steer — as I accelerated onto the I-65 in Tennessee.

The powerful 2.0-litre engine transferred its 295 pound-feet of torque smoothly to the road as I raced through the six-speed manual transmission’s tight shift pattern and marvelled at the car’s control.

Over the course of a long, fast drive from Detroit to New Orleans and back, the menacing-looking Regal GS was full of pleasant surprises. Thanks to a trick new front suspension and excellent drivetrain engineering, it was among the best sporty front-wheel sedans I’ve ever driven.

The 2012 Regal GS delivers a shot of adrenaline directly to the brand’s heart. Its direct-injected turbo produces all that tarmac-ripping torque at just 2,500 r.p.m. for effortless acceleration. An adjustable, performance-tuned suspension endows the front-wheel drive GS with exceptional handling and stability.

The car also features a good voice-recognition system for phones, audio and other systems. The Regal GS doesn’t have memory seats or blind-spot alert, features I expect in a mid-size sedan costing almost $45,000. Other than that, Buick’s fast and agile new sedan gets everything right.

The Regal GS gives Buick a performance car to run with comparable models from Acura, Audi and Volvo. The GS features a 270-horsepower turbocharged, direct-injection, four-cylinder engine. It’s built in Oshawa and just went on sale.

The GS’s 270-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine nearly matches the output of the 3.8-litre turbo V-6 in the magnificent 1987 Regal GNX, the last Buick that set enthusiasts’ pulses pounding.

Regal prices start at $30,085 for the base model with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder and a six-speed automatic transmission. The Turbo model, with an optional manual transmission and a 2.0-litre turbo engine cranking out 220 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, starts at $36,975.

The top-of-the-line GS with the ramped-up turbo is extremely well-equipped, but a six-speed manual is the only transmission available at the moment. A six-speed automatic arrives — at no additional cost — in the second quarter of 2012.

I tested a loaded GS with an optional power sunroof and power tilt ($1,395), navigation ($995) and 20-inchspoke alloy wheels ($270), which stickered for just over $45,000 plus transport and PDI ($1,450).

The car competes with other sporty front-wheel drive sedans like the Acura TL and TSX, Audi A4 2.0T, Lincoln MKZ and Volvo S60 T5. The Regal GS’s combination of power, price, comfort and performance compares very well to those models, though it lacks a few features that a premium sporty sedan should offer.

The Buick’s advanced little engine generates more torque than any of the competitors. GM’s HiPer strut — short for high-performance — front suspension eliminates the torque steer that frequently damages powerful front-drive cars’ handling. The steering and suspension can be adjusted for sporty feel and performance. Four-piston Brembo brakes complete the fast and capable package.

The result is that the Regal GS’ handling and steering are taut and responsive at high speeds and on twisty roads.

The attractive interior is trimmed in leather, soft-touch materials and satin-finish chrome. The front seats are comfortable and supportive. The 14.0-cubic-foot trunk is accommodating. Rear legroom is tight, and the front seat could use a bit more storage space for sunglasses, iPods, phones, etc.

The lack of memory for the driver’s seat and mirror settings is disappointing in an otherwise excellent car. Blind-spot alert should also be available in a $45,000-plus sporty mid-size sedan.

The GS I tested had an early version of Buick’s Intellilink infotainment system. It’s excellent, particularly the voice-recognition capability for phone calls. The touch screen that controls audio, phone and selected Internet sites like Pandora radio works well. The voice control of most audio sources is good, though I was frustrated by the cumbersome procedure to activate my iPod’s shuffle mode every time I started the car.

The GS I tested did not have the optional navigation system, which also responds to spoken commands.

The GS’s exterior features a lowered ride height, unique body-coloured front and rear fascias, 19- or 20-inch multispoke alloy wheels, fat tires and twin trapezoidal exhaust outlets.

It made an impression on the road. Other drivers slipped quickly out of the left lane when the GS loomed in their rearview mirrors.

The Regal GS’s fuel-economy rating of 11.0 L/100 km in the city and 7.4 on the highway trails the less-powerful TL, TSX, A4 and S60 T5 slightly.

Buick’s new sedan is a full-on performance machine that shows the brand has a wild side that’s worth getting to know.

— Detroit Free Press

THE SPECS

Type of vehicle: Front-wheel drive sports sedan

Engine: 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder

Power: 270 hp @ 5,300 rpm; 295 lb-ft of orque @2,500 rpm

Transmission: 6-speed manual

Brakes: Front disc/rear drum with ABS

Length: 4,831 mm

Wheelbase: 2,738 mm

Fuel consumption (L/100 km): 11.0 city / 7.4 hwy

Base price: $42,490