The Mondrian, Miami, FL – It used to be just the high-end manufacturers that had exclusive parties for their customers, or would-be customers. Buick is following in the likes of Rolls-Royce, Mercedes-Benz, and Aston Martin to name a few.
Watch the video as Buick unveils the 2012 Buick Regal GS. Want to go to a party? go to thrillist.com search for Buick. There are more parties to attend around the nation, and Buick has teamed up with Wired for a party in New York next month.
The celebration is for the four-door, five-passenger, front-engine transaxle. front-wheel drive midsize sedan that Buick hopes will capture the hearts of the forty somethings the way the Regal has done in China and is starting to do in the United. States.
The star of the party is the 2012 Buick Regal GS and the Plain White Ts.
With the GS version of the Regal you get the Ecotec 2.0-liter DOHC VVT turbo engine with 255 horsepower @ 5300 rpm and 295 lb-ft @ 2500-4000 rpm of torque. Add in the direct injection technology for more power while maintaining fuel economy and lowering emissions.
Mike Anderson, Ecotec global chief engineer and program manager, likens the Ecotec engine to another Buick engine, “Weve been combining direct injection and variable valve timing with boosted engines since 2006, and there’s no question the Regal GS turbo has the responsiveness and acceleration of a 3.5L V6, while delivering the fuel economy of a 2.0L four.”
Buick says the fuel economy will be 19 city/ 29 highway on their six-speed speed manual and 18 city/ 28 highway six-speed transverse, electronically controlled, overdrive automatic with torque converter clutch
Technology is a staple in the Regal. The Interactive Drive Control System (IDCS) is available on the 2.0 turbo. There are three modes“ standard, sport and GS “ that change the suspension settings, and steering sensitivity through the variable-effort steering system. The IDCS personalizes the driver characteristics, utilizing the transmission shift points, braking, and suspension.
Standard amenities for the Regal GS include:
Passive keyless entry with push-button start
Standard XM Satellite Radio with three-month trial service
Harmon/Kardon premium 320-watt sound system with nine speakers
Bluetooth phone connectivity
Leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel with audio controls
Leather-appointed sport seating
Heated driver and front passenger seats, with 12-way adjustable driver and front passenger seats “ including four-way lumbar adjustment
120-volt accessory power outlet
Power windows with express up/down feature in the front and express down in the rear.
Front and rear ultrasonic parking assist
Bi-xenon HID headlamps.
The exterior of the GS is sportier
The exterior design features unique front and rear fascias, with the front fascia incorporating prominent, vertical air intake slots and specific grille treatment “ with the vertical elements accented in a satin-metallic finish. The rear fascia has a pair of integrated, satin-metallic trapezoidal exhaust outlets. Rocker panel extensions and an integrated rear spoiler are also woven into the design. The GS cuts a sportier stance, too, with a slightly lower ride height than other models and aggressive 19-inch, 5-Twin Spoke alloy wheels and all-season tires
The interior used racing as an inspiration
Inside is a racing-inspired, flat-bottom sport steering wheel and metal sport pedals, along with leather-appointed 12-way power-adjustable sport driver and front passenger heated seats, which include four-way power lumbar. The GS-specific black interior is accented with satin-finish elements on the instrument panel, steering wheel and console, while the instrument panel glows white when the driver engages the GS mode of the Interactive Drive Control System (IDCS).
The Regal GS goes on sale in the second half of 2011. Pricing has not yet been announced.
The party has already started.
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