New Luxury Detroit 2010: six-speed manual gearbox and electronic LSD

One of the eye catching displays over at GM is the Buick Regal GS. The Regal is basically the European Opel/Vauxhall Insignia rebadged as a Buick for the US and Chinese market (Buick is a highly regarded marque in China). This GS showcar features a potent performance package – 255 bhp/400 Nm 2.0-litre Ecotec turbo engine with power going to all wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox and electronic LSD.

Acceleration from nought to 60 mph (96 km/h) is “less than six seconds”. The Vauxhall Insignia VXR, which has a 320 bhp 2.8-litre Ecotec V6 turbo does the same sprint in 5.8 seconds. The Regal GS features a lowered body and aggresive styling that mimics the VXR, except that it wears Buick’s signature “waterfall grille”. The show car wears 20-inch wheels.

That front HiPerStrut suspension helps reduce torque steer and maintain negative camber during cornering, improving grip and feel while isolating undesirable feedback. The GS features Brembo brakes with cross-drilled rotors, four-piston aluminum calipers and uprated pads. Interactive Drive Control System (IDCS) chassis technology allows the selection of three modes – normal, sport and GS – that change suspension settings, throttle response and steering sensitivity.

Inside, the Regal GS features a full black interior, sport shifter, a suede-covered, flat-bottom steering wheel and Recaro seats with four-way lumbar support and cushion extensions.

BUICK REGAL GS CONCEPT

BUICK REGAL GS CONCEPT PHOTO

BUICK REGAL GS CONCEPT IMAGE

BUICK REGAL GS CONCEPT WALLPAPER

Nurburgring Webcam Captures Prototype Models

The Nurburgring webcam (click here) is one of our favorite free-time activities as the fact that you never know what you're going to stumble upon makes it rather addicting. Just a few minutes ago, after a couple of bimmers, a Volkswagen Scirocco and a Ford Focus RS, we saw two camouflaged prototype models. We are not 100 percent sure, but we reckon that the first car up front is the 2010 Opel Astra followed closely behind by Buick's small-sized sedan. What's your guess?

2010 Buick LaCrosse: GM Adds 182HP 2.4-liter Four-Cylinder to the Mix

As predicted, General Motors has confirmed the availability of a more fuel-efficient four-cylinder power plant for its new 2010 Buick LaCrosse semi-luxury sedan. The engine of choice is none other than GM's direct injected 2.4-liter Ecotec unit that churns out 182 horsepower and 172 lb-ft. of torque (233 Nm), and is matched to a six speed automatic transmission. GM expects that its entry-level Buick LaCrosse will deliver a fuel economy rating of 30mpg highway (7.8lt/100km) and 20mpg city (11.8lt/100km).

Along with the Ecotec 2.4L, is also offered with a direct injected 3.0L V6 with 255HP and a 3.6L V6 producing an estimated 280HP. With the exception of the 3.0L V6 model that is also available with all-wheel drive, the rest of the range is strictly front-wheel-drive.

GM has not disclosed prices for the 2010 LaCrosse 2.4L model, but the company previously announced that prices for the V6 lineup start from $27,835 for the 3.0L V6 CX model and rise to $30,395 for CXL FWD 3.0L V6, $32,570 for the CXL AWD 3.0L V6 and $33,765 for the 3.6-liter V6 CXS -all prices include a $750 destination charge.

The 2010 LaCrosse that is based on the second-generation Epsilon platform shared with the Opel Insignia, targets the semi-luxury sedan segment rivaling cars such as the Lexus ES 350 and Lincoln MKZ.

2012 Buick Verano Sedan: China's Excelle GT finally Makes it to the States

If you've been following the news on Carscoop, the 2012 Buick Verano won't come as a surprise as the new compact sedan is the North American version of GM's China market Buick Excelle GT that was revealed in the first half of 2010. The two Buicks are identical in styling right up to the somewhat gaudy chrome eyebrows over the tail lamps.

The small Buick is essentially the sedan version of the European market Opel Astra, something that is visible from the profile styling as well as the interior, and is built on the same platform and shares basic engine architecture with the Chevrolet Cruze.

The VW Jetta-sized Verano measures 183.9 in. (4,671 mm) long, 71.4 in. (1,815 mm) wide and 58.4 in. (1,484 mm) tall, featuring a 105.7 in. (2,685 mm) long wheelbase.

Under the skin, the Verano's front suspension uses decoupled MacPherson struts and the rear a Watts Z-link design. Steering inputs are executed by an electric power steering system, featuring a dual-pinion rack, while stopping power is provided by a four-wheel disc brake system with standard anti-lock and electronic brake force distribution, as well as StabiliTrak electronic stability control with traction control.

At launch, the new Buick Verano will offered with a standard 2.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine delivering an estimated 177 horsepower (132 kW) and 170 lb.-ft. of peak torque (230 Nm), with a six-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. GM says the basic Verano will return a 0-60 mph [96 km/h] performance of 8.0 seconds and an estimated 31 mpg [7.6 lt/100km] on the highway.

The Detroit automaker said a more powerful 2.0-liter turbo engine will be offered in the future. In China, the Verano's twin sibling is available with a naturally-aspirated 1.8-liter producing 145HP and a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-pot delivering 181HP.

The 2012 Verano compact sedan will receive its world premiere at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next week and go on sale in the States in the fourth quarter of 2011. Pricing has yet to be released, though an allegedly official document that was leaked online suggests that the Verano will start at around $21,000.

GM Introduces Cell Phone Charging Mats at CES, Production Begins in 2012

Thanks to induction technology, mobile electronic devices, such as phones, can be wirelessly charged, just by placing them on special pads. At the 2011 CES in Las Vegas, General Motors announced plans to introduce the wireless charging technology in many future Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac products, beginning from the second half of 2012.

The Detroit automaker revealed that is has signed a commercial agreement with an Israeli company called Powermat that specializes on the new technology. GM Ventures, the company’s venture capital subsidiary, will invest a total of $5 million in Powermat to help accelerate its development and support efforts to grow Powermat’s business globally, the company said in a statement.

The new technology is said not only to eliminate the need for charging cords, but, according to Powermat CEO Ran Poliakine, it’s also safer and more efficient.

The Chevrolet Volt will be one of the first cars to benefit from the new equipment.

“Imagine a mat or shelf where you could put your iPhone, your Droid or other personal device and charge it automatically while you commute to work, run errands or as you’re driving on a family vacation”, said Micky Bly, GM’s lead electronics executive. “The Chevy Volt will be one of the first applications, but we intend to expand it across our vehicle portfolio”, Bly added.

2011 Buick Regal CXL Turbo Review & Test Drive

The first time I heard that the new Buick Regal was making a return to the American market I suspected something lumpy and sterile, nothing close to the category of cool. I was totally shocked when I first saw the new 2011 Regal in person. It reminded me once again that GM as reemerged as a ‘better’ and stronger car company and there is a particular GOOD reason for further developing vehicles for the Buick line.

The new 2011 Buick Regal is far from your grandparents Buick (or parents depending how old you are). Buick has had a tradition of being that car from GM that catered more towards the older crowd, but a few things have changed. The 2011 Regal further puts emphasis on a mainstream car make that could even have those in their mid 20’s perusing vehicles at your local Buick dealership.

The new Buick Regal is based off of the European Opel Insignia which has been a big seller for about one year overseas. The Regal and LaCrosse both benefit from the Insignia platform which brings German-bred characteristics to the forefront. Driving in the 2011 Regal is enjoyable, and the power that comes from my test vehicle’s 2.0-liter turbocharged 220 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque engine adds to that pleasure. The real relaxing part of the drive is the optional Interactive Drive Control, which is essentially GM’s active suspension dampening system with a fancy name.

Having an active dampening system, or what Buick calls the Interactive Drive Control, gives the driver three different suspension shock damping settings. The three settings (sport, normal, and touring), are all very distinctly different in order to optimize the feedback you get from different road surfaces. Sport mode will noticeably stiffen the shocks giving the Regal a subtle bouncy ride along with tightening the steering response for an over-all sporty feeling. Normal mode is activated by default when starting the vehicle offering a balanced feel for any driving situation. Touring mode optimizes the suspension for a relaxed feel and lightens the steering effort. Overall, the 2011 Regal CXL optioned with the Interactive Drive Control system gives you a competent sports sedan that can be toned down for comfy long trips.

On the road, my Buick Regal CXL Turbo has somewhat inconsistent power from its 2-liter Turbo 4 banger. Although it has adequate torque, the over-all power delivery comes on in clumps rather than in a smooth fashion. The steering feel is extremely over-sensitive by nudging the vehicle at the slightest turn of the wheel at slow cruising speeds and at highway speeds. Luckily the handling of the Regal is forgiving by understeer when pushed to the limit into a turn. The traction control and stability control is not overly intrusive to upset balance when going hot into a turn. That could be due in part to the bigger 19-inch wheels wrapped in 235/45 Goodyear Eagle RS-A rubber as part of the optional equipment package on my test car.

The Turbo engine is mated to a smooth 6-speed transmission. 0-60 times are not exactly quick, just over 8 seconds, which may have been hindered due to the 6-speed transmission not shifting as fast as I would have liked. Nevertheless, the Regal Turbo is able to move just over 3700 pounds without too much of a strain. I expected gas mileage to be exceptional but I could only muster out almost 24mpg on average during my 300 mile highway trip. The Regal CXL Turbo is rated for 18mpg city and 28mpg highway.

Outside of the new 2011 Regal you will find an attractive and somewhat sporty look. The large 19 inch wheels really blend well with the 107-inch wheel base and bubbly shaped silhouette. I am not sure if the look of the Regal CXL Turbo would draw the attention to young buyers. That may be something the new Regal GS will accomplish when it makes its debut in America as a 2012 model.

The interior as several soft touch accents and soft buttons that add a very nice quality feel to the Regal. This will do wonders for GM if they keep it up. Inside you will also find a brightly lit instrument cluster that has a subtle retro look to it with a fine point needle indicator for the speedometer and tachometer. The dashboard somewhat fades into the background due to all of the black. Just about everything on the dash is black until nighttime falls and you get to read the brightly illuminated buttons.

Some notable options found on my Regal tester, part of the T06 Optional Equipment package, was an excellent Harmon Kardon premium 9 speaker sound system, Interactive Drive Control (active dampening system), HID headlights and a power sunroof. With these options it brings the Regal CXL Turbo to an as-tested price of $32.440. A base Buick Regal CXL with a 2.4-liter 4-cyl engine starts at $26,245 which comes with a long list of standard features.

Buick is obviously chasing after vehicles such as the Acura TSX, Lincoln MKZ, Volvo S60, VW CC and even the Lexus IS250 without losing its combined German and American heritage. So far I would say the 2011 Regal CXL Turbo is a justifiable contender that could take the crown.