The Transformation Continues

Until this year, the two-tone, 1955 Buick convertible Randy Newman drives in his 1983 music video “I Love L.A.” might have been the last non-rented Buick to cruise Century Boulevard. But now that Buick can claim to be outselling Audi, Acura, and Infiniti with 42 percent conquest sales (mostly Enclave), it’s taking on the town of Lexus and BMW. Buick will introduce two new submodels at the Los Angeles International Auto Show in November: the much-anticipated Regal GS and the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid-fighting LaCrosse with eAssist.

Buick estimates a sub-7-second 0-60 mph time for the ’12 Regal GS, courtesy of a high-output Ecotec 2.0-liter turbo four making 255 horses and 295 pound-feet of torque, with a six-speed manual gearbox. A six-speed automatic with Driver Shift Control launches later.

Other GS exclusives include high-performance four-wheel discs with Brembo front calipers and standard 19-inch five-spoke alloy wheels with all-season tires. Five-spoke 20-inch-polished alloys with performance tires are optional. Computer Damping Control and the Interactive Drive Control System are standard in the GS.
The car gets unique front and rear fascias, rocker panel extensions, an integrated rear spoiler, a flat-bottomed sport steering wheel, metal sport pedals, and 12-way front heated seats with four-way power lumbar control. The GS-specific black interior comes with satin-finish elements.
Buick is adding its eAssist fuel-saving technology as standard equipment on four-cylinder versions of the 2012 LaCrosse. For about $30,000 base, you get a 2.4-liter direct-injection engine with a 15-kilowatt motor/generator connected to a small (0.5 kW-hr) lithium-ion battery pack. You get 25/37-mpg (compared with 41/36 mpg for the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid), automatic stop-start with no interruption in the air conditioning, and aggressive fuel shutoff when coasting. The eAssist model replaces the conventional four-cylinder LaCrosse, creating a clear price difference between the LaCrosse and Regal ranges.
If that isn’t enough gas-sipping, semi-premium driving for you, GM has also announced it will invest $145 million in a Michigan assembly plant to build the 2012 Buick Verano, the upmarket Chevy Cruze with Opel Astra sheetmetal. GM is also said to be working on a baby Buick crossover that will get its innovative intelligent hybrid powertrain from the Chevy Volt.