| 2012 Buick Regal GS |
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| Latest |
| Written by James Lewis, Publisher |
| Thursday, 14 June 2012 12:28 |
 With two recent sales successes in the form of the Buick Enclave SUV and the Buick LaCrosse Sedan, Buick is looking to go three for three with the release of its performance oriented Regal GS Sedan. The Regal GS comes on the heels of the release of the rather slow selling more economy targeted Regal Sedan mild-hybrid with eAssist.The Regal GS is targeted at the driving enthusiast sporting a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with variable-valve-timing that produces 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque with the choice of a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. Further signs of the Regal GS’s performance intentions is the presence of Brembo front brakes and an Interactive Drive Control system with Sport and GS modes. My tester even looked smart on the outside, thanks in part to polished 20” Alloy wheels ($700) and Crystal Red Paint ($325). I am a child of the Detroit muscle car era so my preference is always for a vehicle with rear wheel drive; however, I must admit with the exception of a few light jerks of the steering wheel on hard acceleration the Regal GS delivered outstanding acceleration and handling. The interior was quiet even at highway speeds and the cabin was loaded with helpful technology. As an asthmatic I especially appreciated the interior air filtration system. My only gripe was that I didn’t feel the seats were comfortable. They were covered in beautiful black leather with 8-way power adjustments for lumbar support and height, however, the seating surface seemed to be tight, a problem that kept me constantly adjusting my seat to find a comfortable spot. There are a number of comfort features which included Dual zone climate controls, cruise control, leather and chrome trim on the center console, simulated wood trim on the dash, dual illuminating vanity mirrors, turn signal in the mirrors, front and rear floor mats, compass and more. Entertainment features included a 336-watt Harman/Kardon premium audio system with nine speakers with two subwoofers and 5.1 surround sound with Sirius XM satellite radio, USB connection, Bluetooth wireless data link for hands-free phone, and my personal favorite OnStar telecommunications service. Base price on my test 2012 Buick Regal GS was $34,835. Adding the optional wheels, and paint along with destination charges of $885 the price rose to $36,745. Fuel numbers were 19 miles-per-gallon city and 27 miles-per-gallon of regular fuel on the highway. |
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