Buick GL8 is an executive express for China

Buick has released an all-new version of its popular GL8 in China. Developed by Shanghai GM, the executive people-mover wears a freshly redesigned exterior with sculpted body lines and a new front fascia. Inside, GM has thrown the luxury book at the van with tricks like blue ambient lighting, a 10-speaker sound system and two-tone leather seats. An attractive seven-inch touch dominates the dash, though it looks like Buick has managed to hold on to the excessive amount of buttons on the center stack that have become the brand’s trademark as of late. Rear passengers, meanwhile, get the benefit of a 10.2-inch HD display for movies and the like.

Under the hood, GM has fitted a 3.0-liter V6 as the GX8 flagship mill, though a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is also available for the fuel-conscious buyers of the People’s Republic. A six-speed automatic gearbox takes care of cog-swapping duties. Hit the jump for the full press release after checking out the gallery below.

2012 Buick Regal GS mildy impresses, majorly disappoints

Alright, so the 2012 Buick Regal GS isn’t the Americanized version of the 325-horsepower, all-wheel-driveOpel Insignia OPC we were once promised. Still, this sports sedan has a turbocharged and direct injected 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission and has enough visual flare to certainly give the impression of fast. It even sports Buick’s trick HiPerStrut front suspension to reduce torque steer through the front wheels.

It might not be exactly the car we were hoping for, but it should still prove to be a welcome addition to theBuick lineup when it goes on sale next year. Pricing has yet to be announced, but considering the Regal itself is priced as an entry-level luxury sedan, we expect the GS model to cost closer to $40,000 than $30,000.

The Regal GS made its official debut today at the LA Auto Show, and we’ve got a full gallery of high-res shots live from the show floor for you. Curb your disappointment and click through the gallery below.

2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist achieves up to 37 mpg highway

Think of this as a Buick LaCrosse Hybrid. General Motors’ new eAssist technology employs a 115-volt lithium-ion battery and 15-kilowatt electric motor to increase fuel economy by 25 percent compared to today’s four-cylinder LaCrosse. This means the Buick sedan will achieve an estimated 25/37 miles per gallon (city/highway).

During initial acceleration, the electric motor delivers 15 horsepower and 79 pound-feet of torque to get the LaCrosse moving. A torque-smoothing function is activated as the gasoline engine is turned on, and the eAssist system kicks back on during deceleration, using a fuel shut-off feature and regenerative braking, combined with a start/stop system for the 2.4-liter gasoline engine. At full tilt, the gas engine produces 182 hp and 172 lb-ft of twist to keep things moving along at speed, and is mated to GM’s Hydra-Matic 6T40 six-speed automatic transmission.

GM claims Buick Regal sports most powerful processor

General Motors is boasting that the new microcontroller in the ECM behind the Ecotec 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder in the 2011 Buick Regal is the ultimate power in the automotive universe. According to the company, the computer packs the quickest processing power of any microcontroller in any vehicle on the market right now. The ECU uses three megabytes of flash memory to handle a host of adjustments for things like air intake and “spark optimization.” The tech plays a big part in the amount of horsepower and fuel economy that GM has managed to squeeze out of the tiny 2.0-liter.

All told, the ECM is good for 125 million operations per second. Compare that to the 1 million operations per second of the company’s first powertrain control module, and you can see just how far on board computers have come since the 1980s. Of courses, given how quickly technology advances, something tells us the Regal’s brain won’t hold onto its title for long. Hit the jump for the press release.

Review: 2011 Buick Regal CXL

Haven’t we seen this play called before? Take a well-regarded European model, tweak it for the U.S. market, slap on a badge from a beleaguered North American brand, and hope for a touchdown. Indeed, the Buick Regal conforms to what has become General Motors’ version of the spread offense. Never mind that this wasn’t a winning strategy for Saturn, which tried selling various derivatives of Opel models from The General’s European operations before its demise – GM is back at it with the Regal.

Dredging up a name from the past is a curious move for a brand that wants to reinvent itself to appeal to a younger audience. (Even more curious is that the Regal moniker has dubious value, having been hung on all manner of mediocre and mostly badge-engineered cars over the past four decades.) Yet for all the skepticism inherent in the “new” GM going back to its old playbook, the Regal might actually be the car that makes this offense click.

Buick GL8 minivan for China will debut on November 28

General Motors has announced that it will launch its next generation Buick GL8 van in China on November 28. While minivans on this side of the globe are relegated to ferrying screaming broods from school to soccer practice, Buick is marketing the GL8 directly toward business people as a more spacious, comfortable alternative to executive limousines. Fittingly enough, the Buick marketing department has decided to call the van an “executive wagon.” Play time is officially over.

Under the hood, buyers can expect to find one of two engine options. The GL8 will be available with either a 2.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine or a more powerful 3.0-liter V6, though both will be paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.

What say you? Would Buick be wise to offer a minivan in the U.S. again like the GL8, or is it still too soon since the Terraza?

Hit the jump for a look at GM’s brief press release.

2010-11 Buick Lucerne and Cadillac DTS recalled over electrical issues

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced a recall for 2010 and 2011 model yearBuick Lucerne and Cadillac DTS models. A total of 13,780 vehicles, all equipped with V8 engines, are subject to this recall which effects power steering return lines.

According to NHTSA, the starter or alternator cable can wear through these lines, causing a power steering fluid leak. This can not only result in the loss of power steering, but the liquid could drip onto hot engine parts, resulting in a fire.

Owners can bring their cars to General Motors dealers to have the problem fixed free of charge. Technicians will either secure or reroute the power steering return lines in order to prevent contact with these cables. The recall is expected to begin later this month, and the full details are available at NHTSA’s website.

Officially Official: 2012 Buick Regal GS unveiled ahead of LA debut

General Motors left us on the edge of our seats at this year’s Detroit Auto Show when its Buick Regal GS show car was unveiled. A few months later, GM confirmed that the sportier Regal was headed for production, and now, just a short time before the sedan’s official debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show, we have official information and photos of the production-ready car. Ladies and gentlemen, the 2012 Buick Regal GS has arrived.

GM has, of late, made great strides to rework Buick’s image here in the United States, trying to inject some youth and enthusiasm in a brand that has long been associated with a much older crowd of buyers. This top-rung Regal is based heavily on the performance-oriented Opel Insignia OPC, one of Europe’s most praised sport sedans, and while the U.S.-spec car you see here certainly looks like it’s fresh off the boat, it has been toned-down in its transoceanic journey. We get the Opel’s beefed-up visuals with large, fang-like air intakes up front, big exhaust-work out back and optional 20-inch satin chrome wheels (19s are standard, if that’s more your style), but where the Regal GS begins to separate itself from the Insignia OPC isn’t visible from outside.

Review: 2010 Buick Enclave CXL AWD

There was a time when Buick was the brand of choice for doctors, lawyers and politicians. Its cars were elegant enough to show success without being overt signals of wealth, they were the epitome of inconspicuous consumption. But that was a long, long time ago. Buicks of the last 30 years look like slightly disguised versions of a run-of-the-mill Chevrolet, with a bit more chrome and better seat fabrics.

Buick design went from purposely understated to flat-out dull, and the average age of the brand’s buyers shot up to over 70 in the mid-2000s. If it weren’t for Buick’s success in China, the Trishield would have likely followed Oldsmobile into retirement. But instead of mothballing Buick for good, General Motors decided to finally give the brand what it really needed: new and exciting products. Former Vice Chairman Bob Lutz went as far as to say that Buick’s new products were going to compete against Lexus. We were all a bit skeptical, but one vehicle began making believers.

The Buick Enclave took many by surprise when it debuted in early 2007 with attractive styling and a well-appointed cabin. And since production started, the Enclave has proven to be a strong seller. In fact, the Enclave continually beats the combined sales of its crosstown rivals, the Ford Flex and the Lincoln MKT.

Report: Buick Verano compact coming in 2012

As July’s By The Numbers showed us, American buyers are quick to forget the pain of having to fill up a full-size pickup or SUV when gas prices are in the $4-per-gallon range. Without the guiding hand of Uncle Sam pushing the car-buying public towards smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles, consumers are all about being large and in charge in the passing lane. But According to Automotive News, General Motors is keen to the fact that fuel won’t stay cheap forever, and to prepare for a returning tide of buyers rushing to small cars when oil goes sky high again, the company is planning a more diminutive product lineup.

If the Automotive News article is on its mark, we can expect to see a new compact Buick called the Verano as well as a hybrid version of the Lacrosse. There’s no telling exactly which architecture the baby Buick will use for its bones, but the Chevrolet Cruze wouldn’t be a bad bet in our eyes. Likewise, GMC will see the introduction of a production version of the Granite concept and Chevrolet should have the all-new Aveo join its ranks along with the Spark city car. Automotive News even says that The General is planning to shrink theImpala. Sounds good to us, but when it comes to Buick, these small-car rumors crop up nearly every year.

Buick to expand line with coupe, convertible and wagon?

Buick conducted another in its series of webchats and this time product marketing director Roger McCormack attended the party. One of the first real signs of the brand’s rebirth came three years ago with the debut of the Riviera concept. Since then, Buick has focused on launching its mainstream, higher volume products like the LaCrosse and Regal, and the Riviera coupe has languished on the sidelines.

However, McCormack says the coupe concept could live on as a production model. He acknowledged that acoupe is receiving “very strong consideration” and admitted that a convertible would help excite customers, but wasn’t prepared to make any announcements. Even a wagon was not ruled out and could be among the first to join the lineup. A be-hatched version of the Insignia already exists in Europe and a prototype withRegal badges has been spotted in Michigan in the past. No doubt Buick will be watching the sales of theAcura TSX Sportswagon when it arrives this fall in deciding what to do with the Regal. The full transcript of the chat is available here.

Third Drive: 2011 Buick Regal makes even more sense on American soil

It was cold and rainy last November when we first drove an early prototype of the 2011 Buick Regal in Michigan. The weather was lousy, but our short time with the car intrigued us. There were far fewer complaints about conditions last month when we spent time with the sport sedan on the famed Nürburgring in Germany – its home turf. As it moves closer to arrival, Buick’s newest family member once again showed us its moves in the mountains of Southern California.

We spent the better part of a sunny spring day driving both the normally-aspirated and turbocharged models – each with automatic transmissions – in an attempt to see how the imported European challenger runs on clean and dry domestic pavement. How does the four-door sedan perform in this new arena? Is it tough enough to compete in the mid-size segment? Most importantly, is the Buick Regal good enough to accomplish its goal?

Rumormill: Buick wagons, hatchbacks and diesels, oh my!

A fresh batch of rumors kicking around the web are claiming that General Motors is seriously mulling bringing hatchback and wagon versions of the all-new Buick Regal to the States. In the brand’s ongoing quest to shed its status as a synonym for all things elderly, the Tri-Crest has raided the Opel parts bin, slipped a waterfall grille on the nose of the Insignia and called it a day. We were simply glad to hear that the car would be available with a turbo mill and a third pedal, but according to Car and Driver, things are about to get even more interesting.

It turns out the Insignia is available as a hatchback and a wagon in more civilized portions of the world. Jim Federico, the man who led the Regal to the fountain of youth, told C/D that the U.S. will be getting at least one of the other body styles within a few short years, and that there’s a good chance that both of them will show up on dealer lots at some point in the near future. Chances are that’s not exactly ground-breaking news by anyone’s standards, but it gets better. Federico has said that since American wagon buyers are suddenly smitten with the likes of the Jetta TDI Sportwagen, the Regal long-roof will boast an oil-burning powerplant.

Needless to say, our eyes are dish-plate sized at the news. Could Buick possibly offer an all-wheel drive diesel wagon with a six-speed manual transmission? We want to believe, but our skeptical side is in full go-mode on this one.

Officially Official: Buick adds three new models

As it turns out, the rumors swirling around both the new Buick CUV and small sedan have turned out to be true. The company confirmed that by 2012, it will boast a total of three new vehicles in its lineup, including the new Regal. That leaves the remaining two slots to be filled by the likes of a small crossover built on the bones of the all-new Chevrolet Aveo as well as a small four-door based on the upcoming Chevrolet Cruze.

According to The Detroit News, you can also expect a range of other changes to hit Buick soon. General Motors is bent on reworking the brand, and as a result, it has asked dealers to refresh the exterior of dealerships and retrain sales people at the same time. Don’t expect to see too many more ads to pop up during the PGA, either. Buick says that it’s moving away from the golf set in order to focus advertising at places like Whole Foods, Starbucks and Ikea.

GM is hoping that the new models will allow the brand to compete in 47 percent of the current auto market. Combined with the change in advertising strategy, Buick just might be able to drop a generation or two when it comes to the average age of its customers at the same time.

All 2011 Buick Regals to be flex-fuel capable starting this fall

Starting this fall, all new 2011 Buick Regals will have flex-fuel capability. The first boatloads of Regals from Germany have begun rolling off the docks in New Jersey in the past week and are being sent out to dealers. The first several months of Regal production will all be powered by a gasoline-only version ofGeneral Motors’ normally aspirated 2.4-liter inline four.

Once the 2.0-liter direct injected turbo four starts arriving in late August, both engines will be able to run on either gasoline or E85 ethanol. The turbo will be GM’s first production E85-capable turbocharged and direct injected engine. The engine was originally developed for the new Saab 9-5, which rides on the same Epsilon II platform as the Regal, and GM decided to install it in the U.S.-spec Buick as well. The new Regal has been available in China since late 2008.

According Jim Federico, vehicle line executive for the global midsize platform, combining direct injection and turbocharging will allow the new engine to get much closer to the volumetric fuel efficiency of gasoline while running on ethanol. Until now, normally aspirated flex-fuel engines typically have gotten about 15 percent worse fuel efficiency on ethanol. The Regal engine should cut that deficit to the mid-single digits and future versions should be just about even.

First Drive: 2011 Buick LaCrosse CX gets four cylinders for fuel economy

For the foreseeable future, the LaCrosse will remain the flagship of the Buick lineup, so at first glance, it might seem peculiar that General Motors is adding a seemingly modest inline-four cylinder engine to the sedan’s powertrain list. However, at the time the LaCrosse was being developed in 2007-2008, gasoline prices in the United States had spiked to their highest levels ever, topping $4 per gallon. General Motors product planners were understandably working on the assumption that fuel prices would remain high and continue an upward trend in the coming years.

Although Buick officials won’t say so explicitly, another factor that likely played into the decision to offer the 2.4-liter EcoTec four-cylinder engine was the underwhelming response to the new 3.0-liter direct injected V6. While the new smaller V6 is a smooth runner and produces similar power to the company’s earlier 3.6-liter port injected V6, it was lacking in torque compared to its larger counterpart and actually got slightly inferior fuel economy. We recently had the chance to sample the new four-cylinder-powered LaCrosse CX in rural Virginia. Read on to find out if less is indeed more when it comes to Buick’s handsome sedan.

Buick's "Premium" Compact Sedan Spied with Less Camouflage in China

Last week at the Los Angeles Auto Show, General Motors gave us a sneak peek of its, as yet unnamed, baby Buick sedan through a teaser sketch. And while we’ve already shown you spy pictures of the new Buick, which is poised to take the role of the firm’s new entry-level model in the North American market, the compact-sized saloon has been caught again, this time with less camouflage in China.

The baby Buick is expected to be heavily based (if not just rebadged, remasked and retrimmed) on the next Opel Astra sedan which is also currently under development and shares its Delta II platform with the Chevy Cruze.

We suspect that the North American version of the Buick won’t differ much from its China market sibling seen in these photos. Hopefully, one of the cosmetic changes will concern the removal of those ridiculous chrome “eyebrows” on the tail lights…

New Buick Regal Sedan to be Built in Canada from 2011, Until Then it Will be 'Made in Germany'

General Motors confirmed today that it will assemble the North American-spec 2011 Buick Regal at its Oshawa Car Assembly plant in Canada with production set to commence in the first quarter 2011. The all-new Buick Regal is scheduled to go on sale in the States next Spring, with first year models to be built alongside its Opel Insignia twin at GM’s Opel plant in Russelsheim, Germany.

“The new Regal gives Buick a modern performance sedan and its production here in Oshawa is terrific news for our employees, the CAW, dealers and suppliers,” said Arturo Elias, president, General Motors of Canada.

“Combining Buick’s top position in the industry in terms of brand quality with the Oshawa Car Plant’s long-standing reputation for top quality assembly means customers’ highest expectations will be met with this midsize sport sedan.”

The new Buick Regal mid-size sedan joins the Chevy Camaro and Equinox, and the GMC Terrain as the fourth new vehicle in the production commitment that was part of the agreement with the Canadian and Ontario Governments. GM said that a fifth vehicle to be added in the near future.