New Buick Regal GS: GM Rebadges Opel Insignia OPC But Replaces 325HP V6 Biturbo with 255HP 2.0-liter Four-Pot

Leave it to GM to take out all the fun even when it comes to re-badging its own vehicles… See, while the General took the decision to reveal a North American version of the Opel Insignia OPC in the form of the Buick Regal GS showcar in Detroit, unfortunately, the European model’s 325HP 2.8-liter twin-scroll turbo V6 has been replaced with a lighter but more puny 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing an estimated 255HP.

Officially, the Detroit automaker says that the Regal GS was designed “to explore the appeal of a high-performance variant of the Regal”, but chances are that it will make it into production in the very near future.

“We designed the Regal GS to explore the appeal of a high-performance variant of the Regal,” said Craig Bierley, product marketing director for Buick. “Like the Regal, the Regal GS is based on the award-winning Opel Insignia, and we believe it will reinvigorate Buick’s storied Gran Sport legacy.”

The Regal GS showcar uses a modified version of the 220HP 2.0-liter turbocharged four-pot that will be offered on Regal CXL models later this summer tuned to deliver greater boost pressure. The engine’s output is estimated at 255 horsepower (190 kW) and 295 lb.-ft. of torque (400 Nm).

Furthermore, whereas the Regal CXL comes with a six-speed automatic transmission, the Regal GS’s engine is linked to a six-speed manual gearbox that directs torque to an adaptive all-wheel-drive system.

As with its German counterpart, the GS is equipped with an electronic, limited-slip rear differential to reduce wheelspin.

General Motors says that the 255HP Buick Regal GS is expected to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds, which sounds a bit optimistic considering the fact that the 325HP Opel Insignia OPC reaches 60mph in 5.8 seconds.

The Regal GS also benefits from a tuned four-wheel-independent suspension, a revised steering wheel system and a high-performance Brembo brake system with 14 x 1.2-inch (355 x 32 mm) cross-drilled rotors; four-piston, high-strength aluminum calipers, and high-performance pads.

There’s also Opel’s Interactive Drive Control System (IDCS) chassis technology that allows the driver to chose from three different operating modes (normal, sport and GS) for the suspension settings, throttle response and steering sensitivity.

Other than that, the Buick Regal GS gets the same tasty bodykit, sexy 20-inch alloy wheels and interior upgrades including a pair of Recaro front seats and flat-bottom steering wheel as its European counterpart.

New Opel Meriva: First Official Photos and Details on GM's Mini MPV with Suicide Rear Doors

While GM’s U.S. division was unveiling the new Cadillac CTS-V Coupe, on the other side of the pond, the automaker’s UK arm Vauxhall, and consequently Opel, pulled the covers off or shall we say, opened up the doors, to the all-new Meriva. Critically, the new mini-MPV is the first Opel to feature GM’s FlexDoor technology, showcased on the 2008 Meriva concept model.

And by FlexDoors we mean the rear-hinged back doors that swing open towards the back of the car at an angle of nearly 90 degree. Even though the Meriva still uses a central B-pillar, the company said that the Flexdoors “vastly improve the ease with which occupants enter and leave the cabin”.

Opel also highlighted the fact that, unlike other suicide-door applications such as on the Mazda RX-8 and Rolls Royce Phantom and Ghost, the Meriva’s front and rear doors can open independently.

The Meriva’s exterior styling has remained relatively close to the concept model keeping many features like the unique glasshouse design that incorporates a downward kink at the back doors just behind the B-pillar, unchanged, while it also shares many styling cues with both the Insignia and Astra.

While Opel did not release any pictures of the interior, the company said that the cabin will be heavily influenced by the Insignia and Astra both in terms of styling and perceived quality of the materials.

The mini-MPV’s interior versatility will be boosted by the improved FlexSpace system that allows easier fold-down of the three individual rear seats that can also be mounted back independently to create more boot, leg or shoulder room.

A new feature for the 2010 Meriva is the FlexRail system that incorporates a dual-rail base on the lower center console allowing owners to attach a variety of modular storage bins.

The second-generation model of Opel’s mini-MPV rides on a new platform with a longer wheelbase and wider front and rear tracks, thus promising to improve the car’s ride and handling qualities.

Power will come from a lineup of six turbocharged diesel and gasoline units with outputs ranging from 75 to 140PS. Opel said that average fuel consumption and CO2 emissions will be down 15 per cent across the range while a high mpg/low CO2 ecoFLEX model will also be offered.

The new Meriva, which will compete against other mini-MPVs like the Citroen C3 Picasso, the Kia Venga as well as the Honda Jazz (Fit in the States), will be formally introduced at the Geneva Motor Show next March.

Astras Hit the Road Today in Britain

General Motors’ UK arm Vauxhall is celebrating the retail launch of the all-new 2010 Astra today as the first customers who placed their orders soon after the model went on sale in September received the keys to their cars.

In Britain, the new Astra hatchback is available with five petrol engines ranging from an 87PS1.4-litre to a 1.6-litre turbocharged unit producing 180PS, while diesels span from 110 to 160PS in either 1.7 CDTi or 2.0 CDTi form. Prices start from £15,675.

The company said that initially, Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port plant will build the new Astra for all European markets. The UK will take the biggest share with around 25 per cent of all production headed to British buyers.

It is believed that the still under development four-door sedan version of the new Astra will come to North America as a Buick within the next two years.

Opel / Vauxhall Corsa gains More Powerful and Fuel Efficient Engines and Chassis Improvements

General Motors’ European division Opel and its sister company Vauxhall have revealed the revised 2010 Corsa that’s scheduled to go on sale in mainland Europe early next year and in the UK, from April. If you’re looking at the photos to discover what’s new about the 2010 Corsa, you’d better stop because Opel/Vauxhall didn’t change a thing on the vehicle’s exterior and interior design. Instead, the firm’s engineers focused on improving the subcompact hatch’s powertrains and handling characteristics.

The company claims the it has managed to reduce average consumption by 13.2 per cent across the range (excluding the OPC / VXR model) with 5 out of 6 engines emitting less than 125g/km.

The most fuel efficient model of the range is the new 1.3 CDTI 95HP diesel ecoFLEX model, which achieves 76.3mpg UK (63.5mpg US or 3.7lt /100km) on the combined cycle and 88.3mpg (73.5mpg US or 3.2lt /100km) on the extra urban cycle).

The diesel range also comprises of a 75HP version of the same 1.3 CDTi that emits 114g/km of CO2, and a more powerful 1.7 CDTi which now produces 130HP, yet drops 12g/km in CO2 emissions.

The tweaked 1.0-litre petrol engine gains an additional 5HP for a total of 65HP while CO2 emissions drop to 117g/km. The 1.2-litre petrol also gets a 5HP boost to 85HP while the 1.4-litre petrol now produces 100HP instead of 90HP and returns 51.4mpg (42.8mpg US or 5.4lt /100km), up from the current model’s 46.3mpg.

In addition, most models in the range get a new eco gearshift indicator housed within the instrument cluster.

Complementing the powertrain upgrades is a revised chassis with new set-ups for the steering and suspension systems.

The automaker’s engineers added softer springs in the front suspension, mated to an anti-roll bar with new bushes and an increased diameter to improve ride and control characteristics. Furthermore, the 2010 Corsa also gets revised damper settings all round, an optional re-tuned ESP system and enhanced steering geometry.

As far as the Vauxhall-badged version of the Corsa is concerned, the new model gains additional standard features such as cruise control and an on-board computer on the SE, SXi and SRi trim levels while the SRi, which starts at a lower price point, gets revised suspension settings, air conditioning, 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, and a VXR styling kit fitted as standard.

On-the-road prices for the 2010 Corsa in the UK start from £10,285 for the 1.0-liter 65HP ecoFLEX model and top off at £17,155 for the sporty 1.6-liter Turbo VXR.

2011 New Eral: Official Photos and Details of U.S.-Spec Model, gets 182HP 2.4L and 220HP 2.0 Turbo Engines

The wait for the all-new 2011 Buick Regal is over as General Motors has released official photos and information on its new mid-size sedan ahead of the car’s first public appearance to customers in the L.A. area on Thursday, November 12. As predicted, the U.S. market Regal is virtually a rebadged Opel Insignia with the only visible differences concerning the integration of Buick’s waterfall-style grille on the outside and some trim variations such as the specific leather seats on the inside.

General Motors avoids the German competition pitting the new 2011 Regal against the likes of Acura TSX and the soon-to-be-replaced, Volvo S60.

In the States, the initial range will include two gasoline units, a 2.4-liter Ecotec direct injected engine rated at a 182 horsepower with an estimated highway fuel economy of 30mpg and a 2.0-liter turbocharged Ecotec rated at 220 horsepower with an estimated highway fuel economy of 30mpg.

Both engines will be combined with a standard six-speed automatic transmission with driver-shifting control. The automaker said that the 2.4L engine will return an estimated

The new Regal will initially be offered in the States in premium CXL trim only, with additional trim levels to be made available in the 2012 model year. Sales of the 2.4-liter model are scheduled to start in the second quarter of 2010, with the 2.0-liter Turbo model following in the summer of the same year.

No word if GM will also market a five-door liftback and station-wagon versions of the Regal in the future as it does with the European Insignia, nor if it is considering the introduction an sportier model based on the European Insignia OPC that gets a 325HP turbocharged V6 and all-wheel drive.

More details about the 2011 Buick Regal sedan in the press release below.

Carl-Peter Forster Leaves Opel, Bob Lutz Rumored to Chair the German firm's Board

GM Group vice president and CEO of Opel, Carl-Peter Forster has left his post as the head of the company’s European operations only three days after GM’s decision to terminate a deal to sell its Opel unit to Magna. While neither side gave a reason for Forester’s departure, the fact that the former BMW executive was an outspoken supporter of the Magna deal pretty much explains it all..

“The past few years building the Opel brand has been a tremendous personal opportunity,” said Forster. “We’ve seen great strides in design, quality and technology and the launch of truly world-class products. It’s been an honor to be part of the history of Opel, and I wish all the people with the organization only the best in what I’m certain will be a great future.”

GM President and CEO Fritz Henderson said: “The Opel brand has made tremendous progress under Carl-Peter’s tenure and leadership over the past several years.” In an official release, Henderson stated that the company has already begun a search for new CEO for Opel Europe.

According to a news report from Reuters, an unnamed GM source said that Nick Reilly, current head of the automaker’s international operations, is a prime candidate to take Forster’s position as the head of Opel.

A second source told the newsite that Bob Lutz, who already sits on the German firm’s board, will become chairman of the Opel supervisory board. General Motors declined to comment on both these moves.

GM Decides to Keep Opel After All, Cancels Sale with Magna

In a strange turn of events (though some might rightfully disagree….), GM today announced that the company’s Board of Directors decided to terminate the sale process of Opel to a Russian-backed group led by Magna and keep the European unit under its control. The U.S. automaker said that it took this decision because of an “improving business environment for GM over the past few months” as well as the importance of the Opel/Vauxhall brands to the firm’s global strategy.

GM’s president and CEO Fritz Henderson said in a prepared statement that the company will present its restructuring plan for its European division to Germany and other governments and hopes for its favorable consideration. The U.S. automaker anticipates that the restructuring of Opel will cost around €3 billion, or about $4.4 billion at today’s exchange rates.

“While strained, the business environment in Europe has improved.” Henderson said. “At the same time, GM’s overall financial health and stability have improved significantly over the past few months, giving us confidence that the European business can be successfully restructured. We are grateful for the hard work of the German and other EU governments in navigating this difficult economic period. We’re also appreciative of the effort put forward by Magna and its partners in Russia in trying to reach an equitable agreement.”

Siegfried Wolf, Magna’s Co-Chief Executive Officer stated: “We understand that the Board concluded that it was in GM’s best interests to retain Opel, which plays an important role within GM’s global organization. We will continue to support Opel and GM in the challenges ahead and wish to thank everyone who supported the Opel restructuring process for their tireless efforts and dedication over the past several months.”

So, what do you think about GM’s decision to retain Opel and ditch Magna and it’s Russian financers, will it be beneficial for both parties in the long run? Let us know what you think by leaving us a comment after the jump.

New Opel Corsa ecoFLEX Returns 3.7lt/100km or 63.6MPG and 99g/km CO2

GM’s Opel and Vauxhall divisions have revealed the new fuel-efficient and green Corsa ecoFLEX that will go on sale across Europe in January 2010. Available in both three- and five-door versions, the new Corsa ecoFLEX is powered by a 1.3-liter CDTi diesel engine with a variable geometry turbo for a total output of 95HP, or 28 per cent more power than the existing 75HP Corsa ecoFLEX.

In spite of the power increase, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are slashed by some 10 percent over the outgoing model at 3.7 lt/100 km (63.3 mpg US or 76.3 mpg UK) and 98 g/km of CO2 for the three-door or 99g/km for the five door model respectively.

To help achieve these figures, Opel tweaked the Corsa’s aerodynamics by lowering the car by 20mm and optimizing the air flows via the air intakes. Furthermore, the new 175/70 tires that are roll-resistance-optimized and fitted to lighter, 14-inch steel wheels, feature newly designed and more efficient wheel caps.

The new 95HP model comes equipped with a five-speed manual transmission featuring a longer gear ratio. According to Opel, it has a top speed of 177 km/h (110mph) and needs 12.3 seconds to reach 100 km/h (62mph) from a standstill.

Official: Opel Insignia Heading to the USA as the Buick Regal

General Motors officially announced today that the name of Buick’s next mid-size sport sedan will be the Regal. Even though the Detroit automaker did not hand out any photos other than a cropped image of the sedan, chances are that the US-spec model will be identical to the Chinese market Buick Regal which in turn is based on the European Opel Insignia. These two models differ only in some details such as the styling of the front grille, the shape of the front fog lights and the exterior mirrors.

“The transformation of Buick began with our luxury crossover, the Buick Enclave and continued this year with the launch of the 2010 LaCrosse premium sedan,” said Susan Docherty, Buick GMC General Manager. “We’re thrilled to announce that the Regal will be the next member of the Buick family.”

GM said that even though the Regal name has been out of the market for the past six years it continues to be one of the top Buick nameplates recalled by consumers.

Before entering bankruptcy and the decision to either sell or close its Saturn business (GM recently announced the death of the brand after negotiations broke down with Penske Automotive), the Detroit automaker had planned to replace the Aura with the Insignia.

General Motors did not say when the Regal will go on sale in the States, but buyers should expect to see the sleek sedan arriving at dealerships sometime towards the end of 2010 or early 2011. Engine options will most likely include 4-cylinder turbocharged units as well as a V6.

And what’s that we hear you say about a Buick Regal GNX? Well, your guess is as good as ours, but the recent introduction of the European Opel Insignia OPC that packs an all-wheel drive system and a 325HP 2.8-liter turbocharged V6 means that a sporty GNX model is completely feasible.

The Opel Insignia is also offered in Europe as a five-door liftback and a sleek-looking station wagon called Sports Tourer, but we wouldn’t hold our breath for an American release for neither model.

Offbeat: Vauxhall Corsa Roller Skates

Following in the… footsteps of its sister company Opel and its Agila high-heel shoes that were shown at an event in Amsterdam last year, Vauxhall unit has presented its own take on the car-theme shoe thingy with the release of the specially commissioned, Corsa roller boots. If you’re wondering why, GM’s UK division is planning some sort of promotional event at London’s Shoreditch area that is said to “transport” visitors to a late 20th Century vision of the future, in a 70′s disco meets Knight Rider on roller skates kind of way, whatever that means.

2010 Buick Astra Spied in Germany – Could it Make it to the US?

Bolstering previous rumors that General Motors may expand Buick’s lineup with new models from its European Opel division, our spy photographers bagged these shots of a prototype Astra model fitted with Buick’s trademark waterfall-style grille. The test mule that was spotted in Germany also featured slightly larger fog lights on the front bumper but other than that, we did not detect any other styling changes compared to the Opel – Vauxhall Astra that is scheduled to make its first public appearance at this fall’s Frankfurt show.

We do know that GM’s Buick unit is preparing to add the Astra to its Chinese market portfolio selling it alongside the Regal sedan that is nothing more than an Opel Insignia with a new grille and different set of badges.

But what about the U.S.? Prior to General Motors’ decision to sell off its Saturn unit, it was believed that the new generation Astra would be built in North America and sold in the States under the Saturn brand.

Just before General Motors entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, several news agencies reported that the Opel Insignia as well as the Astra were being considered for Buick’s North American range.

So what’s the deal now with the Astra at post-bankruptcy GM? Well, to be completely frank, your guess is as good as ours. When GM’s CEO Fritz Henderson says in June that the Pontiac G8 won’t be rebadged as another model in the US and a month later, Bob Lutz says the opposite, stating in a magazine interview that the G8 will be reincarnated as the Chevy Caprice in North America, there’s so much credibility that you can you give to any rumors or/and reports that surface.

But whatever the deal is, we reckon that a North American built Astra with a Buick badge accompanied by some serious marketing efforts could provide GM with a credible contender to the Mazda3 and its ilk.