2012 Buick Regal Summary
2012 Buick Regal Overview
Based on the European Opel Insignia midsize sedan, Buick has refined details in making a sporting Regal midsize sedan for North America. Starting with an increased level of noise, more luxury equipment, and a suspension setup exclusively for Buick, the premium four-door has become a focal point for the direction of the brand: Sporty, sophisticated and luxurious.
Also joined the American style of larger engines for a family of fuel-efficient four-cylinder engines. The base 2.4-liter four-cylinder in the Regal CXL sends 182 horsepower to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. Choosing the next higher CXL Turbo gives buyers a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 220 horsepower. With that engine, six-speed manual is available.
Then there are two new models for 2012: The Regal GS and the Regal eAssist. The Regal GS is an all-out sports sedan with an adjustable suspension and 270 hp, routing power through a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. The Regal eAssist, is based on the non-turbo model, coupling the motor with a small electric motor to assist with the highway 36 miles per gallon.
2012 Buick Regal The Range
Bodystyle: Sedan
Engines: 2.4-liter inline-4, 2.4-liter inline-4 with electric motor, 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
Transmissions: Six-speed automatic, six-speed manual
Models: CXL, eAssist, CXL Turbo, GS
2012 Buick Regal What's New
Moving production from Germany to Oshawa, Canada halfway through the 2011 model year, the Buick Regal has continuously undergone mild tweaks to improve it for the North American market. Among them, the Buick Regal now features a revised center console for greater storage capacity and the base 2.4-liter engine can now run on E85 gasoline.
In addition to various other minor changes, the high-performance Regal GS and fuel-miser Regal eAssist join Buick’s lineup for 2012. Sitting at opposite ends of the spectrum, the Regal GS will initially only come with a six-speed manual transmission for its turbocharged 2.0-liter engine. The eAssist comes with a small 65-pound lithium-ion battery pack that can produce an extra 15 horsepower at peak performance. With aerodynamic enhancements and driveline settings that can turn off the engine while coasting, the Regal eAssist can post a 6 mpg improvement in the city and 4 mpg on the highway over the standard Regal.
2012 Buick Regal Overview
Based on the European Opel Insignia midsize sedan, Buick has refined details in making a sporting Regal midsize sedan for North America. Starting with an increased level of noise, more luxury equipment, and a suspension setup exclusively for Buick, the premium four-door has become a focal point for the direction of the brand: Sporty, sophisticated and luxurious.
Also joined the American style of larger engines for a family of fuel-efficient four-cylinder engines. The base 2.4-liter four-cylinder in the Regal CXL sends 182 horsepower to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. Choosing the next higher CXL Turbo gives buyers a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 220 horsepower. With that engine, six-speed manual is available.
Then there are two new models for 2012: The Regal GS and the Regal eAssist. The Regal GS is an all-out sports sedan with an adjustable suspension and 270 hp, routing power through a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. The Regal eAssist, is based on the non-turbo model, coupling the motor with a small electric motor to assist with the highway 36 miles per gallon.
2012 Buick Regal The Range
Bodystyle: Sedan
Engines: 2.4-liter inline-4, 2.4-liter inline-4 with electric motor, 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
Transmissions: Six-speed automatic, six-speed manual
Models: CXL, eAssist, CXL Turbo, GS
2012 Buick Regal What's New
Moving production from Germany to Oshawa, Canada halfway through the 2011 model year, the Buick Regal has continuously undergone mild tweaks to improve it for the North American market. Among them, the Buick Regal now features a revised center console for greater storage capacity and the base 2.4-liter engine can now run on E85 gasoline.
In addition to various other minor changes, the high-performance Regal GS and fuel-miser Regal eAssist join Buick’s lineup for 2012. Sitting at opposite ends of the spectrum, the Regal GS will initially only come with a six-speed manual transmission for its turbocharged 2.0-liter engine. The eAssist comes with a small 65-pound lithium-ion battery pack that can produce an extra 15 horsepower at peak performance. With aerodynamic enhancements and driveline settings that can turn off the engine while coasting, the Regal eAssist can post a 6 mpg improvement in the city and 4 mpg on the highway over the standard Regal.
2012 Buick Regal Exterior
Already a sleek and fluidic design, Buick added some chrome brightwork and its signature waterfall grille to the midsize sedan when translating it from the Opel Insignia to the Regal. Buick has reworked its porthole design from the fenders to the grille, cutting the number of holes from three per side to two to recognize the fact that it only comes with four-cylinder engines (back in the 1950s, four portholes per side were reserved for eight-cylinder models). Still, the sedan carries a very modern design language with sculpted lines and an aggressive rake to the rear window to give it a coupe-like appearance.
Already a sleek and fluidic design, Buick added some chrome brightwork and its signature waterfall grille to the midsize sedan when translating it from the Opel Insignia to the Regal. Buick has reworked its porthole design from the fenders to the grille, cutting the number of holes from three per side to two to recognize the fact that it only comes with four-cylinder engines (back in the 1950s, four portholes per side were reserved for eight-cylinder models). Still, the sedan carries a very modern design language with sculpted lines and an aggressive rake to the rear window to give it a coupe-like appearance.
2012 Buick Regal Interior
Heated leather front seats, XM Satellite radio, a USB port, MP3 auxiliary jack, and phone and OnStar Bluetooth are standard with the CXL. Harmon/Kardon audio, internal flash drive and hard drive are options. New for 2012 is an in-dash navigation system with a seven-inch screen with what Buick calls IntelliLink, a system that allows for owners to pair their smartphones into the Regal’s interface. A remote starter and universal garage door opener are now optional on all but the Turbo and GS models, on which they come as standard.
Heated leather front seats, XM Satellite radio, a USB port, MP3 auxiliary jack, and phone and OnStar Bluetooth are standard with the CXL. Harmon/Kardon audio, internal flash drive and hard drive are options. New for 2012 is an in-dash navigation system with a seven-inch screen with what Buick calls IntelliLink, a system that allows for owners to pair their smartphones into the Regal’s interface. A remote starter and universal garage door opener are now optional on all but the Turbo and GS models, on which they come as standard.
2012 Buick Regal Performance & Handling
The Regal's base 182-horsepower 2.4-liter four is adequate for most buyers, while the 2.0-liter, 220-horsepower Regal Turbo starts whetting the appetite for those looking for a quicker entry-level premium midsize. Those looking for even more should opt for the Regal GS, which turns up performance beyond most alternatives in its class. The Regal's optional Interactive Drive Control System, a must for enthusiasts, lets the driver choose from Touring, Normal and Sport modes. In the GS, performance driving settings include Normal, Sport, and GS, an aggressive mode that should allow for drivers to get the most out of any road. It will surprise drivers just how drastic Buick engineers have made the settings through the different performance modes.
The Regal's base 182-horsepower 2.4-liter four is adequate for most buyers, while the 2.0-liter, 220-horsepower Regal Turbo starts whetting the appetite for those looking for a quicker entry-level premium midsize. Those looking for even more should opt for the Regal GS, which turns up performance beyond most alternatives in its class. The Regal's optional Interactive Drive Control System, a must for enthusiasts, lets the driver choose from Touring, Normal and Sport modes. In the GS, performance driving settings include Normal, Sport, and GS, an aggressive mode that should allow for drivers to get the most out of any road. It will surprise drivers just how drastic Buick engineers have made the settings through the different performance modes.
2012 Buick Regal Safety
GM's StabiliTrak stability control and full-function traction control comes standard on the Regal. Four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with brake assist, dual-stage front airbags, side-curtain airbags and a pedal-release system also are standard. Rear-seat thorax airbags are an extra-cost option.
GM's StabiliTrak stability control and full-function traction control comes standard on the Regal. Four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with brake assist, dual-stage front airbags, side-curtain airbags and a pedal-release system also are standard. Rear-seat thorax airbags are an extra-cost option.
2012 Buick Regal EPA Fuel Economy
CXL: 19 mpg city/31 mpg highway
CXL Turbo: 20 mpg city/32 mpg highway (manual); 18 mpg city/29 mpg highway (automatic)
GS: 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway; automatic model not yet tested
eAssist: 25 mpg city/36 mpg highway
CXL: 19 mpg city/31 mpg highway
CXL Turbo: 20 mpg city/32 mpg highway (manual); 18 mpg city/29 mpg highway (automatic)
GS: 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway; automatic model not yet tested
eAssist: 25 mpg city/36 mpg highway
2012 Buick Regal 2012 Buick Regal PricesBase Sedan
Sticker Price: $26,670
GS Sedan
Sticker Price: $34,450
Premium 1 Sedan
Sticker Price: $28,105
Premium 1 Turbo Sedan
Sticker Price: $29,875
Premium 2 Sedan
Sticker Price: $29,515
Premium 2 Turbo Sedan
Sticker Price: $31,285
Premium 3 Turbo Sedan
Sticker Price: $32,535
May 8, 2013 at 6:36 AM
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