Today GM officially announced that for the 2012 model year, both the efficient Regal eAssist and performance Regal GS will add to the already impressive Buick lineup and will go on sale in a few months time.
“Regal with eAssist and Regal GS offer distinct advantages to midsize luxury sport sedan customers,” said Tony DiSalle, U.S. vice president of Buick Marketing. “The eAssist’s advanced technology delivers the most fuel-efficient option, while the high-output GS is the sportiest expression of Regal to date.”
The 2012 Buick Regal eAssist, which sails into showrooms this fall, will be priced from $29,530 (including destination). The company says the eAssist system is a $2,000 option on the Regal base model, mated to a 2.4L Ecotec engine. However, Buick will continue to offer the base model without eAssist as well as the 2.0L turbo.
The 2012 Buick Regal eAssist is powered by a 2.4L Ecotec direct-injected 4-cylinder engine and a next-generation Hydra-Matic 6T40 6-speed automatic transmission. The system is mated to GM’s eAssist system, which uses power stored in a 115V lithium-ion battery battery to provide some electrified boost in different driving situations. This car will be capable to deliver an EPA-rated fuel consumption of 25 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. This means that the 2012 Regal with eAssist is more fuel-efficient than the higher-priced Lexus HS Hybrid and Lincoln MKZ Hybrid.
The eAssist’s standard features include driver-selectable, fuel economy-optimizing mode for the air conditioning system, enabling more frequent and longer-duration engine stop periods; ECO gauge on the instrument panel that continuously responds to driving behavior, enabling the driver to drive with greater efficiency; and powerflow readout in the color infotainment or driver information center that shows the flow of energy through the electric assist system, such as battery charging from regeneration and electric power directed to the engine.
Also, later in the year, the Regal with eAssist will also come with standard Buick IntelliLink, which uses Bluetooth or USB to connect the driver’s smartphone to a new 7-inch, high-resolution, full-color touch screen display radio.
The 2012 Buick Regal GS will be priced from $35,310 (including destination) when it goes on sale this fall.
This is the most powerful model in the Regal lineup and it is powered by an Ecotec 2.0L direct-injected turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 270 horsepower (201kW) and 295 lb.-ft. of torque (400Nm). This means that the engine delivers more torque than Acura TSX V-6, Audi A4 Sport, Lexus IS 250 and Volvo S60 T5.
The new Regal GS , later in 2012, will receive a six-speed automatic transmission. Some of its standard features includes the five-year, 100,000-mile warranty of the powertrain, push-button start; a leather-wrapped, flat-bottom sport steering wheel with audio controls; metal sport pedals; and leather-appointed, heated and 12-way adjustable sport seating. Beside this , fuel economy should come in at around 28 mpg on the highway.
Source: Buick
