2012 Buick Regal GS is a sporty turbo sedan

Buick Regal has a unique grille, decklid spoiler and integrated, trapezoidal exhaust outlets.
Buick Regal has a unique grille, decklid spoiler and integrated, trapezoidal exhaust outlets.

Buick fans, rejoice! There’s a new turbocharged stick-shift model available that’s sporty, smaller and really fun to drive. The 2012 Buick Regal GS is a midsize four-door sedan that’s built in Germany and based on the award-winning Opel Insignia platform.

You would have to go back to 1987 to find the last turbocharged Buick Regal. But the new 2012 version is even more exciting with its double-overhead-cam, four-valve 255-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with direct fuel injection and variable valve timing, and six-speed manual gearbox, the first Buick for sale with a manual transmission since the popular 1991 Skylark. A six-speed automatic with manual paddle shifters will be available later in the year.

The new Buick Regal GS has a sport-tuned chassis and rides slightly lower to the ground for better handling. It clocks 0-60 mph in under seven seconds, and that’s not too shabby. Italian Brembo front disc brakes give the Regal good stopping power and a three-position adjustable steering and ride system, called Interactive Driver Control, features Standard, Sport and GS modes for high-performance driving, complemented by continuously adjustable shock absorbers, a high-performance front strut suspension and a four-link rear suspension. StabiliTrak chassis control, traction control and ABS are standard. Regal GS models come with 19-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels and all-season tires, with optional 20-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels and high-performance tires also available.

The Regal GS exterior has a unique front and rear fascia, unique front air intakes and grille elements finished in satin metallic. The rear end has a decklid spoiler and integrated, trapezoidal exhaust outlets to distinguish it from the CXL.

On the inside, the Regal GS is comfortably appointed with a leather-wrapped steering wheel with a flat bottom, perforated metal floor pedals, leather sport bucket seats with 12-way adjustment and power lumbar adjustment. All GS interiors are black in the first year of production, with satin metallic trim on the console, steering wheel and instrument panel. When the IDCS system is placed in the GS mode, the instrument panel will glow with white light instead of the normal blue light.

The GS also has such features as passive keyless entry, XM satellite radio, a Harman/Kardon 320-watt, nine-speaker sound system, Bluetooth, bi-xenon headlights, front and rear ultrasonic park assist, and a 120-volt power point for on-the-go computing and charging.

Pricing on the Buick Regal ranges from $29,000 to $32,000.

Ron Beasley is the automotive editor for Miami’s Community Newspapers. He may be contacted by calling 305-662-2277, ext. 261, or by addressing email correspondence to LetsTalkCars@aol.com.


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3 COMMENTS

  1. It's a nice car, handles well, but needs a little more omph in my opinion. The biggest negative to me is the brand name Buick. Could you imagine a young guy picking up a date in a Buick. The woman would ask if he was borrowing daddy's car. After the GNX, Buick became the old mans car and has suffered since. It's going to be awhile for people to change their perceptions, just like Hyundai.

  2. I keep reading comparisons to Audi A4, Accura TSX, Lexus 250, Volvo T60, Volkswagon CC and how for the cost this isn't enough car. If you actually compare feature to feature and realize that this car has more horsepower, more torque, Brembo brakes, and had very few optional add ons, 35,000 is about tops if you know how to deal on a car.That leaves you with nothing else to order and you have everything the previously mentioned cars are still lacking for that price. Then compare their performance. For me there is no comparison. I definitely don't have a problem with it having a Buick badge attached.

  3. I drove one of these bad boys (with the slaesman present) so I didn't get to really wind it up but it was still enough to convince me to buy one. I ordered one from the factory which will arrive next week. I can't wait to get it broke in and check it out. I was impressed that they maintained a Buick ride. I own a LaCrosse now and the regal GS can match the ride. When I put it into GS mode it stiffened up noticeably but still the ride was smooth. The shifter was smooth and predictable but I wasn't trying to jam gears with the salesman along. When I get mine I will be a little more aggressive with it. The seats are VERY comfortable. I didn't get to listen to the stereo as I wanted to hear the road noise, which was minimal. Good trunk room and very nice finish inside and out. One thing I don't like is the odd shaped center console access door. Built around the cup holders like it was an afterthought.

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