2012 Buick Regal GS Rated at 270 HP

The 2012 Buick Regal GS has been certified by the Society of Automotive Engineers at 270 horsepower and 295 pounds-feet of torque. That makes the GS’ turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder the most power-dense engine SAE has ever certified, at 135 hp per liter. The figure is also an improvement from the 255 hp GM taunted to us back in November. 

Despite delivering more torque than the Acura TSX V-6, Audi A4 Sport and Lexus IS 350, the Regal is slower than all those vehicles, with a zero-to-60-mph time of just 6.7 seconds. But it is a hair faster than the 2012 Volvo S60 T5, which does the job in 6.8 seconds.

The Regal GS will be offered with a standard six-speed manual transmission, with an automatic transmission available later. The sedan will deliver up to 28 mpg on the highway with the manual, GM says.

The GS comes with a number of high-performance features, such as 19-inch wheels, Brembo brakes, adjustable drive settings and a four-wheel sport suspension. Twenty-inch wheels will be available as an option. On the inside, there’s a flat-bottom steering wheel, metal pedals and unique leather seats.

GM hasn’t given a specific launch date for the GS, but expect it at showrooms before the end of the year. 

Comments

Only a non-car person would drive this over an Acura, Audi, or Lexus. Only the price puts it in the same class. Just another GM disappointment.

Thanks for your affirmation of ignorance.

@steve
Its buyer's choice what to buy and what not to buy. By the way buick sells more cars than audi,lexus and acura, that shows that actual buyers don't agree with bigots. Its new models are better equipped and redesigned and costs less too. Be open minded do some research.

Are you serious? It doesn't even match the power of the Sonata and Optima 2.0T... 28 MPG hwy only? Those two models get 34 hwy. GM is such a disappointment.

You would choose a Solara, excuse me, Sonata over this? Sure you would.

I actually test-drove the turbo version of this car over the weekend at a "Main Street in Motion" event, by GM. It's an OK car, nothing special. Then again, maybe it's because I also test drove a bunch of other higher end models from GM and its competitors (Acura and Lexus) prior to putting the Regal through the course. The Regal turbo has a slight turbo lag. However, I was impressed with the Enclave. It's not exactly up there in terms of performance with the MDX, but it really moves.

The car comes out this fall and it looks good. Those who are biased can stick to camry se models with plastic ground effects and 17" wheels. This is for a more discerning buyer.

A missed opportunity to bring back the "Wildcat" name, to be sure. This is a slick little machine, and somehow "Regal" just doesn't fit. And for those of us who are old enough, "Regal" only conjures up memories of 1970s "landau" vinyl roofs and opera windows...YIKES!

I would think the target buyers for this car have little memory of old regals with landau tops in the 70s. That's kind of the point.

Pathetic performance numbers, really small back seat, and bland styling. Yeah I can see how this car is going to be popular. With Avis.

I like the look but the fact that a Camry V6 would smoke it tells me GM has got to do a better job. No one is impressed with a small turbo car if it's slow.

The Camry also has a 0-60 faster than a Mazdaspeed3, but does that actually make it a faster car? Uh, absolutely not. Perhaps we should wait until some real figures are produced before we get silly.

Jackass quote of the day:
"The Camry also has a 0-60 faster than a Mazdaspeed3, but does that actually make it a faster car? Uh, absolutely not."

Yeah and five is more than four only when it's not.

Camry V6 is faster than the following cars:

328, C300, IS1250, G25, S60 T5, A4, TL.

Must be better than all those cars. People dont do a lot of drag racing and any car with well over 200hp has ample passing power. This car is about total chassis balance and braking. Camry is fast but the handling is mediocre at best. On top of that this car has real performance hardware like Brembos and wide tires. Camry is fast in a straight line and little else.

I think skankzillas point is that a car faster in a straight line isnt necessarily faster on a mountain road or road course. And he is correct. If you want to drag race the camry is your car. If you want a sedan that is comfortable going fast in the corners it's not going to compare to this one.

Yes Sheth, that was exactly my point. I didn't think I would have to map out such details. Oh well!

If that was 'exactly' your point then why didn't you just write that? Perhaps it's because you didn't mean that and/or you're not that articulate.

Hey, just so you'll all know...I'm not the same "Steve" who labeled this car a "disappointment." I'm the one who thinks the "Regal" name is too stodgy for a sporty car. And thankyaverahmuch, as we say here in Memphis...

Talley,

I thought shankzilla was perfectly clear.

If his statement was 'perfectly' clear as you say then Sheth wouldn't have felt the need to clarify it. I may not agree with everything Sheth says but I know he's intelligent. You on the other hand...

This car is much to heavy and it desperately needs the promised Haldex awd system. Or was that just another General Motors lie?

Whether or not skank was clear the bottom line is claiming one car is superior to another strictly based on 0-60 is ridiculous. We live in a country of 65mph speed limits and any car with 250+ hp has ample passing power under any circumstances. The chassis, brakes and tires will separate this car from lesser fwd cars like camry.

As C&D noted the Camry SE V6 is faster, handles better, is more reliable, and retains better resale value. Other than that Buick has another rental car winner on it's hands.

How much will the Landua roof cost? What about white wall tires? The Hyundai Sonata Turbo is a way better car all around.

Talley,

No reason to be childish.

The Buick is a better looking car than the Sonata and Camry, imo. I do think the Landua roof needs to be brought back.

That makes the GS’ turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder the most power-dense engine SAE has ever certified, at 135 hp per liter.

Thanks for clarifying. SAE has ever certified, that key term.
Because I am so darn sure the SSC Aero does so much more than that.

Just the fact that so many of you are comparing the Buick Regal to a Camry, Sonata, and others, goes to show how far up the luxury totem a Buick is in the eyes of car shoppers.

Motor Trend tested the Buick Regal Turbo and found it to be SLOWER 0-60 than the Honda Odyssey (7.5 vs 7.2). The Buick Regal is a pathetic car.

Matt C,
Enjoy the dope slap.

Cheers,
Talley

Talley,

I don't understand the said, "dope slap" you gave Matt C. You've so far failed to bring anything constructive to the topic at hand and your insults are laughable. Give up.

Casey,

We are talking about the Regal GS, not the Regal CXL. The CXL is the vehicle which Motor Trend covered. The GS has 50 more horsepower and a significant gain in torque.

Sheth clarified my points with only focusing on 0-60 times, so I need not elaborate. I don't see the failure in waiting to see what this vehicle can ACTUALLY do instead of making ridiculous assumptions.

I drove this car at a GM event in NY. It's built nice but the car rides to hard and there's to much turbo lag. The 19 inch wheels are the most unimpressive I've ever seen so they need to redesign them. The dealer had an Audi A4 to test drive for a comparison. I drove that car through the same course and it was a much, much better car. I don't know what Buick was thinking. I love my Silverado but can't imagine who would buy this car over the Audi, BMW, or Infiniti G. The dealer said the car would sell for $40K. My wife and I practically laughed our way back to my truck.

"As C&D noted the Camry SE V6 is faster, handles better, is more reliable, and retains better resale value. Other than that Buick has another rental car winner on it's hands."

Please offer some support to this comment. This is nonsense. C&D has never even compared the Regal to the camry and C&D doesnt even rate cars on resale value. Desperate attempt by a Toyota fan to dismiss an excellent vehicle.

KemL:

To be honest what people say here about the regal GS' competition means little. This car is no more a camry competitor than a TL or Maxima or G25. To compare the two cars is ridiculous. Buick is doing better than Infiniti, Acura and Lincoln- by a significant margin so the argument that they have a long way to go to be taken seriously as a competitor is off base. I can compare a 5 series to an avalon if I so chose just because they have similar dimensions but that doesn't make them direct competitors. I dont think anyone considering this car would even look at a camry.

@casey:

When did MT test THIS version of the car? Also, if a 0-60 of 7 secs or more is pathetic than you better note the IS250 and G25 are indeed pathetic cars.

@T7:

Well we know you arent telling the truth because a)no current regal costs $40k (turbo tops out at $35k) and b) GM has never had this car available for a drive at ANY event. It hasn't been priced and it hasnt been driven by even the press so far.

I've watched several test drive reviews of the 2012 Buick Regal GS on You Tube. As several of the video's note the car is impressive but to heavy.

At what point did any journalist drive the gs? I think you are talking about the turbo which has 50 less hp.

I wrote 'GS' not 'CXL turbo'. Reading comprehension anyone?

The 2012 GS does not exist yet so what are they reviewing or what are you watching?

Like I said, no journalists have driven the gs. If you can prove otherwise tell us where to read about it. There has been no pricing and no reviews at this point.

Video reviews for the 2012 Buick Regal GS are all over the internet. Then again you'd have to know how to type and work a computer to find them.

I'll save you the time. The car is a bust because it can't put the power to the pavement because it's FWD and to heavy.

Save us more time and use your great typing and computer skills to post a link.

I think this trim level will have disappointing sales just like the CXL and CXL turbo. Buick is already offering Regal leases for next to nothing just to move them. For $35K I'd much rather have an Infiniti, BMW, or Audi.

I love this back and forth banter.

VWCC:

Regal is currently outselling cars like CC and TSX and TL. Not sure who told you that its struggling to move off dealer lots. You cant even get a 3 series for $35k in 2011 and the 328i in base form has FAR less kit and power than the GS.

You are obviously a paid troll for Buick.