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Poll: Does The 2012 Buick Regal GS Meet Your Expectations?

 
22 3,510 views Nov 8, 2010
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2010 Buick Regal GS Concept

HI-RES GALLERY: 2010 Buick Regal GS Concept

Last week Buick showed off the production version of the 2012 Regal GS to some very mixed reactions. The interwebz went ablaze with enthusiasts and non-enthusiasts both commenting on the looks and powertrain of the Regal GS.

Making 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet to only the front wheels, many screamed that there will be too much torque steer. GM feels they have cured that issue with their (quite impressive) HiPerStrut system in the front. When asked why the all-wheel drive system from the Regal GS's European sister was taken out, the answer had to do with weight and necessity. Engineers claimed that the car did not have the power to really warrant the extra weight of the all-wheel drive system. It's worth noting that this is the same answer given by the Ford engineering gurus to similar questions about the Focus RS and its beastly brother, the RS500. Both of those cars offer more power to the front wheels and have been praised for their handling. The Mazdaspeed3 is a similar solution, also noted for its performance.

The exterior looks remain the same as the concept, from the aggressive front clip to the terrific looking rear clip. The stance is on par with a German performance car and the interior looks the part. There lies another issue, the interior looks the part. Many seemed quite disappointed in the lack of Recaro seats that both the Regal GS concept and the Opel Insignia OPC feature. Instead, the seats are normal Regal seats with extra bolstering. For more on the standard Regal, check out TheCarConnection's review.

Positive and negative feedback spread like wild fire on social media regarding the Regal GS. The controversy was quickly dubbed #GSFail on Twitter. Buick's Facebook fan page had fans on both sides of the argument. Many love the look but are disappointed in the lack of all-wheel drive and power. Some feel the power is more then adequate for what they need. GMInside News is one of the larger GM related forums, their fans seems split as well, with many on both sides of the argument. We are even a bit divided here at the Motor Authority offices, some feel it has enough power and does not need the sophisticated all-wheel drive. Others feel that while it's good enough, it is comprimised and could have been better.

Let your voice be heard.





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Comments (22)

  1. By dan aka 64chevyman Posted: 11/8/2010 8:33am PST

    Why does GM demand so many critics? Cause they have been a lumbering giant so long! They made the decision and so they have proven their is a method here. Possibly an improvement on the system is in the works! Nice work GM! The best is yet to come!
     
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  2. By SoSad Posted: 11/8/2010 8:58am PST

    I was hoping for something special here in this new Buick -- AWD would have been a huge step in that direction. I'll look at either the CTS AWD or the Audi A4 or perhaps even the Infiniti G37X -- this is a huge let down.
     
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  3. By  Limo Services CA Posted: 11/8/2010 9:59am PST

    I can't believe how cool these Buick's look. They have finally kicked the old man car reputation.
     
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  4. By william Posted: 11/8/2010 11:22am PST

    Same old GM! Watering down a good Opel and rebadging.
     
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  5. By NoNameDenton Posted: 11/8/2010 12:15pm PST

    I did not mind them using the turbo 4, but dropping the awd was a huge mistake
     
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  6. By Michman Posted: 11/8/2010 12:54pm PST

    Why not a hatch or sportwagon version, or the AWD that is available on the Insignia versions? Rebadging the RWD G8 as a Grand National would have been a nice touch, too.
     
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  7. By mark Posted: 11/8/2010 2:00pm PST

    What happened to the Opel Insignia OPC's turbo 3.0L V-6?
    Why not bring that car over? The turbo 6, with AWD, and a 6-speed manual would be awesome!!
     
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  8. fb_33701777 avatar Will Cheval Jr. Posted: 11/8/2010 2:16pm PST

    Buick should've went out with Pontiac...Chevy should've been able to handle this influx of almost luxury vehicles that Buick is churning out...
     
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  9. themishmosh avatar themishmosh Posted: 11/8/2010 2:31pm PST

    the styling is fine. The rest of the car is not. Start out with a RWD platform with option for AWD. Turbo4 is fine but have option for V6. Must have 6MT as an option. Must have curb weight reduced to 3500lb. Must lose the ghetto chrome wheels. Must come in under $32k.
     
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  10. By john m Posted: 11/8/2010 3:54pm PST

    I am sooo disappointed with this car. I was seriously going to buy this car. REALLY. GM said it would go 0-60 in less than 6 seconds. It does NOT! Even WITHOUT all wheel drive, it DOES'NT do it under 6 seconds. GM said it would have all wheel drive. It DOES NOT! If you look at buick.com and go to future vehicles, as of today, Buick STILL says how the GS WILL have all wheel drive and go UNDER 6 seconds 0-60. Now, I do think that this car is of good quality. And it DOES look AWESOME inside and out. But from a performance standpoint it's a HUGE let down! I can live with the slower 0-60 times but NO ALL WHEEL DRIVE, NO SALE!!!!
     
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  11. By adamk Posted: 11/8/2010 3:58pm PST

    The styling is OK, with the notable exception of the hood-top portholes, which are mercifully absent on the Euro Opel version, I think. Also, wasn't the Regal GS originally going to be on sale by Spring 2011? Seems like there's been a schedule slip.
     
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  12. By john m Posted: 11/8/2010 4:11pm PST

    And another thing! How does this car go so freakin' slow with 295 lb/ft of torque at twothousand something rpm's. That's A LOT of low end torque!!! And under 7 seconds 0-60 is all it can do? REALLY?!?!? If cost is the factor like GM would have us believe then, how can the Europeans get the car they want? I have an idea! You want to reduce costs??? Pay the top management less and let us have the oportunity to get what we want!!! GM...HOW HARD IS THIS?!?!?!
     
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  13. By dan aka 64chevyman Posted: 11/8/2010 5:02pm PST

    I stand corrected the masses have spoken! The AWD is so critical to this segment as well as styling cues! It sounds to me like GM could really have front runner here if the listen to this forum! Take some styling cues from the G-8's front end and give more options making it a leader of the pack! GM can and will do this! The economy and price of gas at the time may affected the option packages! Watch for steady upgrades to this baby!!
     
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  14. By Brian Posted: 11/8/2010 6:26pm PST

    Let's face it...you schmucks would P&M no matter what GM does. So now AWD is mandatory...Two years ago it was push button ignition. Gm already has a kick butt V-6 RWD car. It's called the Camaro. Here's something different. If Mazda built this, you guys would fall all over yourselves to complement it.
     
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  15. By Miradart Posted: 11/9/2010 2:34am PST

    Like others have said here, this is more typical GM of years gone by. De-content. Make a car that is only good "enough". What happened to being the best in every segment? I think the AWD should be available, and the Recarro seats should DEFINITELY be available. (The seat thing is just crazy to not include.)
    The GS isn't aimed at the rental fleet market so why equip it like it is?
     
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  16. fb_768069541 avatar Wayne Kile Posted: 11/9/2010 3:42am PST

    Ok, so I'm usually not a huge GM fan, but I will say that I like the new Regal, and I LOVE the new GS. Sign me up...
     
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  17. By Rick Posted: 11/9/2010 6:41am PST

    It's easy to rant online about specs. How many folks would be willing to pony up $46K for their own AWD, V6 German-built Buick GS? Not many, I'll wager. GM has to pick their shots very carefully and generate maximum sales with every vehicle they intro these days. I have a feeling that after production moves over here in 2012, we may yet see a GSX version with all of the above. It will sell for just under $50K and be the best they can build and all 2,000 people who want one and can afford it will realize their dream. Am I dissappointed in the GS? You bet. But that is the reality whether we like it or not.
     
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  18. By jason Posted: 11/9/2010 7:34am PST

    with a NON gs turbo available and the GS not having BIG TICKET features IE recaro seats and AWD what is the POINT of the GS unless a GNX or other higher spec is coming out OR they are protecting Caddy which smells of old GM!!!!!
     
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  19. suzannekane avatar Suzanne Kane Posted: 11/9/2010 9:29am PST

    Interesting comments. It seems there's no shortage of opinions on both sides: love it or missed the boat. I'm reminded of many a fine new car intro from GM from the recent reincarnation of the Chevy Camaro -- which got a horsepower boost for 2011 -- all the way back to the early days of Corvette, and many in-between. When a new model is introduced, there's always some Monday-morning quarterbacking about what should have been, what would make it better, etc. The truth of the matter is that automakers (and GM is a prime example) can't put everything out all at once. As a former GM employee who saw some of the inner workings of the corporation, I know that the debut car is always a matter of balancing what you can deliver for the cost. Remember that incremental gains always ensue. I agree with others in this forum who say changes will come.
     
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  20. By Dan Posted: 11/9/2010 11:21pm PST

    Actually, the new Camaro is an example of what GM can do when they're willing to take a risk. It's definitely a love-it or hate-it car, and I applaud the decision to make it.
    The delay between the current Regals and the upcoming GS makes the "can't put everything out all at once" moot. The GS *should* be where Buick takes the car to a whole new level--one already established with the Opel and Vauxhall versions of the same car. GM has a history of exciting US customers with what look to be performance cars but are gimped at their introduction. The Fiero and SSR, for example. By the time someone decides to up the ante, the buying public has lost interest.
    I grew up in a GM household and I'm on the other side of the fence--this is typical over-economizing of what would win with a small, but significant buying segment. If changes do come, I'll likely have bought something else by then.
     
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  21. By JeremyK Posted: 11/12/2010 7:57am PST

    Love the engine and the looks of the car. I'm in my 30s and was ready to step up to a Buick, but lack of AWD is a deal breaker for me. I can get a FWD sedan anywhere. After years of driving AWD cars, I will not give it up. Nothing like jumping out into traffic on a slick road and KNOWING everything is going to be OK. The hp means nothing if you can't get it to the ground and in rain, snow, and ice, this is exactly what is going to happen in this car. Not interested.
     
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  22. By Cody Posted: 11/12/2010 8:08am PST

    Really AWD is all it needed for a sale at least make it an option.
     
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