Buick Regal

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Buick Century shelf / shelf
Production period: 1973–2004
since 2009
Class : Upper middle class (1973-2004)
Middle class (since 2009)
Body versions : Sedan , station wagon , coupé
Previous model: Buick Century
Successor: Buick LaCrosse

The Buick Regal is a mid-range car that Buick produced from 1973 to 2004, initially as a luxury version of the Century . In many respects, it also had the body and drive system in common with it.

At the Chinese auto show Auto Shanghai in autumn 2009, a new model of the Buick Regal was presented for the Chinese market, which is identical to the Opel Insignia, which appeared in autumn 2008, except for the name .

Series

Century shelf / shelf (1973–1977)

1st generation
Buick Regal 1973.JPG
Production period: 1973-1977
Body versions : Limousine , coupe
Engines:
Petrol engines : 3.8–7.5 liters
(77–165 kW)
Length: 5321-5423 mm
Width: 2000 mm
Height: 1340-1400 mm
Wheelbase : 2845-2946 mm
Empty weight : 1608-1859 kg

Buick was the first GM division to introduce a personal luxury car in 1963 , the Riviera in the upper mid-range . When developing such vehicles for the middle class , Pontiac brought out the Grand Prix before Buick in 1969 and Chevrolet brought out the Monte Carlo the following year . At the same time, Oldsmobile added the two-door Supreme coupe to their midsize Cutlass model , which became the brand's best-selling midsize car.

In 1973 Buick introduced the Regal as a competitor to the Cutlass Supreme, Grand Prix and Monte Carlo. It was the top model of the Century series based on the GM-A platform . In the same year, the GM-A platform was redesigned for the first time since 1968, as was the GM-G platform on which Monte Carlo and Grand Prix were built.

As a well-equipped hardtop coupé of the Century series, the first shelf had the same vehicle front and the same rear - but not the radiator grille and taillights - as the Century. In addition, like the Grand Prix, Monte Carlo, Cutlass Supreme and the cheaper Century Luxus models, the shelf had the “Colonade” hardtop roofline (a hardtop with a B-pillar, but doors with frameless windows). Like their parallel models within the GM group, the Regal and Century Luxus had newfangled “Opera Windows” - small fixed side windows framed with sheet metal instead of the usual crank windows.

In the 1973 model year there was only the two-door hardtop coupe, but in 1974 a four-door hardtop sedan in the same style was added. Both body styles were offered until 1977.

The shelf interiors have always been more luxurious than the cheaper Century models; they had wooden surfaces on the dashboard and door panels and rear seats with center armrests in fabric, velor or vinyl. For the entire duration of the model, there was a rear bench seat with a center armrest that could be divided in a 40/60 ratio. In the model years 1976 and 1977 there was the shelf with an S / R equipment, the reclining seats with Codoroy upholstery. The model was produced for five years without any major changes.

In the autumn of 1975 there was a facelift for the coupé, the sedan remained unchanged until the end of 1977, in which newly approved rectangular headlights were used (horizontally installed in the coupés and vertically in the sedans - as with Pontiac in the mid-1960s).

The shelf has conventionally been of a V8 engine with 5735 cm 3 driven displacement and 150 hp. This was part of the basic equipment in 1973 and 1974. From 1975 it was also available on request for the coupé, while it continued to be the basic engine for the sedans. The larger V8 with 7456 cm 3 displacement and 225 hp (1974: 210 hp) was available in model years 1973 and 1974 on request.

From 1975 the V6 engines with 3785 cm 3 displacement and an output of initially 110 hp (from 1976: 105 hp) offered in the Skylark from 1964 to 1967 represented the basic engine. Buick had sold the tool kits for this to Kaiser Motors for the Jeep ( Kaiser was bought by AMC in 1970 , who continued to build the Jeep under their own name). In 1974 these were bought back by Buick. In the 1975 and 1976 model years, the Buick Century and Regal were the only midsize cars in the United States for which a V6 engine was available.

In the course of 1975 the name Century quietly disappeared from the shelf models.

A prominent driver of such a Buick was Telly Savalas in the series Kojak - Operation in Manhattan . Furthermore, the "Metropolitan Police" cars in the earlier Superman films were of the Buick Regal type.

Regal (1977-1987)

2nd generation
Buick Regal Sport Coupé (1977-1981)

Buick Regal Sport Coupé (1977-1981)
Production period: 1977-1987
Body versions : Sedan , station wagon , coupé
Engines:
Petrol engines : 3.2-5.7 liters
(62.5-180 kW)
Length: 4978-5095 mm
Width:
Height:
Wheelbase : 2746 mm
Empty weight : 1355-1542 kg

At the end of 1977, the shelf was presented with reduced external dimensions and a new version of the well-known 3.8-liter V6 engine. This model was produced for nine years and earned the Regal a reputation for being a high-performance vehicle. However, success was hampered by a suspension that was too soft, wheels that were too small and a lack of manual transmission, especially because Buick was not targeting the sports car market with this vehicle, but the personal luxury car segment.

The 1978 model year shelf is remarkable in that it was offered with a 3.8 liter V6 turbo engine . There were versions with double or quadruple carburetors. The LeSabre was also available with this machine. In addition, in this model year only vehicles like the Saab 99 and the Porsche 930 had turbo engines. The turbo shelf also featured stiffer suspension, wider tires and sports bikes.

A facelift in the summer of 1981 gave the shelf a more aerodynamic profile, so that it also successfully participated in NASCAR races. In 1981 and 1982 the model even reached the NASCAR constructors' championship. V8 engines were available to continue, but the capacity was on 4343 cm 3 (output: 119-120 hp) has been reduced and V6 engines have become increasingly popular.

In 1982 a new Century was introduced based on the GM-A platform with front-wheel drive, the earlier Century station wagons with rear-wheel drive remained on offer. These models received a shelf emblem, and so the shelf model range consisted for the first time of a complete series with sedan, hardtop coupé and station wagon.

The station wagon was no longer offered from 1984 and the sedan was taken out of the range in 1985. In the 1986 and 1987 model years, the V8 with 5030 cm 3 displacement and 140 hp was available from Oldsmobile as an option. The 3.8-liter V6 with twin carburettors was the basic engine. The 200 4-R gearbox with overdrive was available for every engine.

Grand National and GNX

Regal T-Type coupes designed for the pony car market also appeared around this time. In 1982 the Regal Grand National debuted , the name of which was derived from the NASCAR Grand National series; it had a 4.1-liter V6 with 125 hp or, on request, the 3.8-l V6 turbo with 180 hp. In 1983 there was no Grand National version, but in 1984 the model was back on the market with a pitch black paint job. The 3.8-liter V6 turbo was now the basic engine and was upgraded in the following years with charge air cooling and sequential injection. In 1987 this engine achieved an output of 245 hp and a torque of 481 Nm.

In 1987 a lightweight WE4 (Turbo T) version was also offered. Only 1,457 vehicles were produced in this variant. They were painted black and had the same matt black surfaces as the Grand National, as far as the bumpers, the grille and the chrome strips on the headlights and taillights were concerned.

The differences between a WE4 and a Grand-National in the basic version related to the interior, the wheels, the nameplates attached to the outside, the aluminum bumper mounts and the aluminum brake drums at the rear (in contrast to the cast-iron brake drums in the normal Grand National). A rear spoiler was only available as an extra that had to be installed at the dealer. 1987 was the only model year in which the Turbo-LC2 was available for the Regal, so a Regal Limited with a vinyl roof in conjunction with a turbo hood on the bonnet was possible.

In its final year of production, 1987, Buick introduced the GNX for $ 29,000. It was manufactured by McLaren / ASC and Buick specified an output of 276 hp (203 kW) and a torque of 488 Nm. This vehicle was to end the tradition of all previous Grand National models, as a front-wheel drive chassis was to be introduced the following year, which even Buick engineers admitted that it would not be able to bring a corresponding performance onto the road.

The changes included a new Garrett charger with a ceramic impeller, which was connected to more effective charge air cooling and a specially coated pipe system. Other performance-enhancing changes were a special computer chip for engine control, an exhaust system with low back pressure and double pipe, a differently programmed Turbo-Hydramatic 200-4R transmission with a special torque converter and an oil cooler, and a new Panhard rod . From the outside, the vehicles could be recognized by the ventilation openings in the front fenders, 16 ″ rims with a mesh structure and speed class VR tires, as well as the absence of trademarks on the bonnet and fenders. Inside, the GNX models had a serial number on the dashboard and were distinguished by instruments with analog Stuart-Warner displays including an analog boost gauge.

The GNX is said to have been the fastest series sedan ever produced. This statement is a bit contradicting itself, as the car only had two doors, but the interior was more like a sedan. Only 547 copies of this version were made.

The No. 001 GNX copy is currently owned by Buick and is occasionally shown at US auto shows. The GNX had a ladder subframe from the center of the vehicle to the rear axle to get better traction. This is also the reason why the rear of a GNX straightens up when the vehicle accelerates strongly.

  • Buick Regal (1977-1981)

  • Buick Regal Grand National (1987)

  • Buick Turbo Regal "WE4 package" (1987)

  • Buick Regal on GM-G platform

The furtive appearance of the all-black GNX and Grand National models, coupled with the fact that the Grand National was released during the heyday of Star Wars fever, led to the car being given the title “Darth Vader Car “Received. Car and Driver presented the GNX under the heading “Darth Vader, your car is ready”, a sentence that has recently also been attributed to the Maybach Exelero . This heading was also applied to the 1994 Chevrolet Impala SS years after the GNX was discontinued.

The Grand National briefly made headlines in 2003 when Sean Penn's car of that brand with firearms in it was stolen. Actress Carmen Electra bought her then husband, rock star Dave Navarro, a 1987 Grand National as a gift.

Regal (1988–1996)

3rd generation
Buick Regal Coupe (1988-1989)

Buick Regal Coupe (1988-1989)
Production period: 1988-1996
Body versions : Limousine , coupe
Engines:
Petrol engines : 2.8–3.8 liters
(96–151 kW)
Length: 4882-4948 mm
Width: 1842-1852 mm
Height: 1346-1430 mm
Wheelbase : 2731 mm
Empty weight : 1337-1573 kg
Buick Regal GS Sedan (1990–1994)
Buick Regal Sedan (1995–1996)
Buick Regal Coupé (1995-1996)

A new shelf appeared in 1988 based on the GM-W platform . This version said goodbye to the shelf tradition and at the same time returned to it: It was a farewell because it was the first front-wheel drive model and there was no longer any serious high-performance model or package; V6 turbo and V8 units were no longer available.

But they also returned to earlier traditions, as they only offered a hardtop coupé, which in turn was tailored to the specific group of buyers of Personal Luxury Cars. A decline in demand in this segment was noticeable for all automakers, and in 1990 the Buick Regal range was supplemented by a four-door sedan (as was the case with the Cutlass Supreme and Grand Prix models in the same year). This generation was produced for nine years without major changes.

The shelf was available in the basic Custom version, the more luxurious Limited version and the sporty Gran Sport version . The Gran Sport appeared in 1991 and was delivered as standard with the 3.8-liter V6 with 170 hp, with aluminum wheels, decorations on the sides of the vehicle, a complete set of instruments and a reliable four-speed GM automatic with selector lever on the center console.

The 3.8-liter V6 was only available on the shelf, where it helped the car to perform well, which set it apart from its sister models Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme and Pontiac Grand Prix , with which it had many components in common. ABS was standard on all custom models from 1992, and in 1993 the vehicles received a new grille. With this overhaul, the vehicles also got a new, electronic automatic transmission, as well as modified taillights and rear bumpers that looked similar to those on the LeSabre .

A driver airbag was installed from 1994. In addition, production of the Limited Coupé was discontinued, and ABS became standard equipment on all models. Electric windows were also fitted as standard, and the base engine received 20 hp more power.

In 1995 the models received passenger airbags and a new interior. The large V6 received 35 hp more power, the coupé models were now only available in the Custom and Gran Sport versions.

1996 was the last year of production of this vehicle generation. However, vehicles were still built by her in the 1997 model year, as the replacement of the model was delayed.

Regal (1997-2004)

4th generation
Buick Regal (1997-2004)

Buick Regal (1997-2004)
Production period: 1997-2004
Body versions : limousine
Engines:
Petrol engines : 3.1-3.8 liters
(118-176 kW)
Length: 4981-4983 mm
Width: 1847 mm
Height: 1438 mm
Wheelbase : 2731-2769 mm
Empty weight : 1509-1614 kg

At the beginning of 1997, Century and Regal again offered versions of the same car as a four-door sedan based on a revised GM-W platform, which was also used for the Oldsmobile Intrigue , Pontiac Grand Prix and Chevrolet Impala models .

The shelf was a little longer than the Century, the other differences were mostly cosmetic. As a luxury version, the Regal offered bigger engines and better equipment, and it featured a newer version of the 3.8-liter V6. While the Century was mainly a reliable average American vehicle, the Regal had amenities such as heated leather seats, a sound system with eight Monsoon speakers, separate climate controls for driver and front passenger, and more interior space. There have been few changes over the seven-year term of this model.

During this period, the fastest Buick since the days of the Grand National was the Regal GS . This car had no turbo engine, but the engine was supercharged and made 240 nhp with a torque of 380 Nm. The car gained a good reputation among drivers who prefer so-called "sleepers" as cars; Vehicles that have a higher performance than the external appearance suggests.

When the car was introduced in early 1997, Buick touted it as a vehicle for the “supercharged family”. Buick offered two other versions, the LSE and the GSE . The LSE had the 200 hp engine with some improvements and the GSE had the 240 hp supercharged engine and also some changes. In 2000, Buick brought out a concept vehicle called the GNX with a 3.8-liter V6 engine with intercooler, and this car also had a compressor instead of a turbocharger. It had 300  nhp instead of the 276 hp of the original.

Regal LS and GS Performance

The standard Regal LS covered the quarter mile in 15.8 s and accelerated from 0 to 100 km / h in 8 s. The charged Regal GS needed 14.7 s for the quarter mile and accelerated from 0 to 100 km / h in 6.6 s. The Regal GS with the 3.8-liter V6 compressor machine (L67) delivered 240 hp and a torque of 380 Nm. The drive of the Regal GS was programmed in such a way that a torque limiter was activated in order to reduce the spinning of the wheels when moving off. If this program was copied with the appropriate chips from the accessories trade, the torque rose to 410 Nm.

Shelf GSX (SLP Performance)

The GSX-SLP Performance Package for the Regal GS was available from Buick dealers. This package contained new "GSX" emblems that could be exchanged for the "GS" emblems, a double exhaust, an improved cold air intake system, a smaller pulley for the compressor, a power chip and wider rims and tires. This enabled an output of up to 270 hp and a torque of 423 Nm to be achieved.

Assembly in China

All Buick Regal were in Oshawa assembly plant in Canada's Ontario built. The shelf was the fourth GM model to be assembled by GM Shanghai in the People's Republic of China . Assembly began on December 26, 2002, after assembly of the Century, the GL8 Van and the Sail had already started there.

As a large, relatively luxurious model, the shelf achieved decent sales in this market, although it was more expensive than the US version. It replaced the Century in Buick's Chinese model range and differs from the US model in that the front section is slightly different. The engine range also differs from the American model: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder or a 2.5-liter V6 power the Chinese shelf model.

The last Buick Regal of the 2004 model year left the assembly lines in the USA on June 1, 2004. The US version was replaced by the Buick LaCrosse in mid-2004 , even if the LaCrosse is also based on the GM-W platform.

Epsilon (2009-2017)

Epsilon I
Buick Regal CXL (2011)

Buick Regal CXL (2011)
Production period: 2009-2017
Body versions : limousine
Engines:
Petrol engines : 1.6–2.4 liters
(113–201 kW)
Length: 4831-4843 mm
Width: 1857 mm
Height: 1483-1494 mm
Wheelbase : 2738 mm
Empty weight : 1585-1660 kg

In addition to the LaCrosse, Buick has been offering the Opel Insignia as another mid-range model in North America since spring 2010 , which is sold there as the Buick Regal. This model has been around in China since the end of 2009.

The first copies were made at Opel in Rüsselsheim , with production taking place in Oshawa , Canada , since 2011 . The car is equipped with a 2-liter turbo engine with 164 kW (223 hp) or with a 2.4-liter engine with 136 kW (185 hp).

At the end of 2011, the Regal GS followed, which is the US counterpart of the Opel Insignia OPC. However, instead of a V6 engine, only a more powerful version of the 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo is used. In addition, the American model differs from the Opel Insignia in its radiator grille, which was adapted to the “American taste” on the Buick and provided with the Buick emblem.

Technical specifications

model 2.0 1.6 turbo 2.4 2.4 hybrid 2.0 turbo GS 2.0 turbo GS 2.0 turbo
market China United States China United States
Engine type R4
Cubic capacity in cm³ 1998 1598 2384 1998
Max. Power in kW (hp) at min -1 113 (154) at 6200 135 (184) at 5800 136 (185) at 6700 147 (200) at 6700 164 (220) at 5300 187 (254) at 5300 201 (270) at 5300
Max. Torque Nm at min -1 190 at 4600 235 at 2200-5600 233 at 4900 280 at 3500 349 at 2000 350 at 2000-5000 400 at 2400
Maximum speed in km / h 197 205 220 226 238 (235) 240 255 (253)
Gearbox, as standard 6-speed manual transmission 6-speed manual transmission 6-stage automatic 6-stage automatic 6-speed manual transmission or 6-speed automatic 6-speed manual transmission 6-speed manual transmission or 6-speed automatic
Acceleration, 0–100 km / h in s 11.7 9.8 9.3 8.3 7.3 (7.6) 7.3 6.6 (6.7)
Combined fuel consumption in l / 100 km 8.2 8.2 k. A. 9.2 k. A.
Fuel type great k. A. great k. A.
Tank capacity in l 70 70 70 59 70 70 70

Epsilon II (since 2017)

Epsilon II
Sportback shelf

Sportback shelf
Production period: since 2017
Body versions : Limousine , station wagon
Engines:
Otto engines : 1.5–3.6 liters
(125–231 kW) Otto
engine :
1.8 liters (94 kW)
+ 2 electric motors : 60 + 54 kW
Length: 4902-4913 mm
Width: 1863 mm
Height: 1456-1462 mm
Wheelbase : 2829 mm
Empty weight : 1430-1535 kg
Rear view
Buick Regal GS (since 2019)
Buick Regal TourX (since 2017)

In early April 2017, the new Buick Regal was presented at the New York International Auto Show . Like the previous model, this is again based on the Opel Insignia and is built together with it in Rüsselsheim , but the Regal Tour X, which is based on the Insignia Country Tourer, is another body variant in addition to the Regal Sportback sedan . The classic station wagon Insignia Sports Tourer has no counterpart in the Buick model range.

Technical specifications

Two gasoline engines (from the Opel Insignia B) and a gasoline hybrid (from the Chevrolet Malibu ) will be available for the market launch in China . The most powerful petrol engine is also available in a sporty GS version. This represents the counterpart to the Insignia GSi. In North America, the Regal GS is powered by a 231 kW (314 hp) 3.6-liter V6 gasoline engine.

30H (China) 20T (China) 28T (China) 2.0 (USA) 2.0 AWD (USA) 3.6 GS (USA)
Construction period 07/2017 - 12/2018 since 07/2017 since 04/2020 since 07/2017
Motor type Otto engine + 2  electric motors Gasoline engine
Engine type R4 + 2  electric motors R4 V6
Displacement 1796 cc 1490 cc 1998 cc 3564 cc
Max.
Internal combustion engine output at 1 / min 		94 kW (128 PS) /
5000 		125 kW (170 PS) /
5600 		174 kW (237 PS) /
5000 		192 kW (261 PS) /
5400 		186 kW (253 PS) /
5400 		231 kW (314 PS) /
6800
Max.
Electric motor power at 1 / min 		60 kW (82 PS) / 4000 +
54 kW (73 PS) / 4000 		-
Max. System performance 136 kW (185 hp) -
Max. Torque
combustion engine at 1 / min 		175 Nm /
4750 		252 Nm /
2000-4000 		350 Nm /
1500-4000 		350 Nm /
2000-5000 		353 Nm /
2000-5200 		382 Nm /
5200
Max.
Electric motor torque at 1 / min 		275 Nm / 0-4000 +
140 / 0-4000 		-
Max. System torque 380 Nm -
Gearbox, as standard Stepless transmission 9- speed automatic transmission 8-speed automatic transmission 9-speed automatic transmission
Drive type all wheel drive Front wheel drive all wheel drive Front wheel drive all wheel drive
Top speed k. A. 205 km / h 240 km / h k. A. k. A. k. A.
Acceleration,
0-100 km / h 		8.8 s 9.5 s 7.2 s k. A. k. A. k. A.
Fuel consumption
over 100 km (combined) 		4.3 l super 6.3 l super 6.6 l super 7.4 l super 9.0 l super 9.8 l super 10.7 l super
Tank capacity 49 l 55 l 60 l 62 l

Web links

Commons : Buick Regal  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files

swell

  • John Gunnell (Ed.): Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975. Krause Publications Inc., Iola 2002, ISBN 0-87349-461-X .
  • James M. Flammang, Ron Kowalke: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1976-1999. Krause Publications, Iola 1999, ISBN 0-87341-755-0 .

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Auto China Shanghai: Where the world is still in order: http://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/fotostrecke-41681-9.html#backToArticle=619921 . As of April 20, 2009.
  2. ↑ Archive link ( Memento of the original dated June 30, 2007 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. GNX performance  @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / home.att.net
  3. ↑ Ride With Funkmaster Flex (US TV show).
  4. ↑ Archive link ( Memento of the original from April 10, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.albeedigital.com
  5. ↑ Archive link ( Memento of the original from January 8, 2009 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.zzperformance.com
  6. ↑ Archive link ( Memento of the original from July 10, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.fabini.com
  7. ↑ News from October 14, 2009: Regal Named as Next Buick Sedan. ( Memento of the original from May 14, 2010 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. media.gm.com (accessed February 25, 2010) @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / media.gm.com
  8. ↑ News from January 23, 2010: Opel is building the first Buick Regal.  ( Page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. motorzeitung.de (accessed on February 3, 2010)@1@ 2Template: Toter Link / motorzeitung.de  
  9. ↑ GM bosses are planning great careers for the Insignia. Spiegel Online (accessed June 22, 2010)
  10. ↑ So comes the US insignia auto-motor-und-sport.de (accessed on July 21, 2017)
  11. ↑ Of Course The New Buick Regal GS Will Be Hot http://jalopnik.com (accessed July 21, 2017)