2012 Regal eAssist & Regal GS

2012 Regal eAssist & Regal GS

I have been an admirer of Regals for decades, but many of the last platform models made me feel slightly cheated. I base my judgement on having owned a couple of amazing Buick Grand Nationals but as with any make of vehicle you can't be at the top of your game all the time. But at last the Buick Regal is right back where it was and more, now not only do they have a performance version the GS, but they are catering to those who look for more of an economical version with the eAssist. That's right, they are playing both ends of the rink, and might I add doing a fine job of it.

First they developed a great defence line with the Regal eAssist. That's right this is the car that is designed to keep the team alive and shut out the competitors from scoring, and in this class they are doing it up right with a 2.4l engine and backed it up with a mild hybrid system. A 15 kW motor-generator is connected to the engine instead of an alternator, with a 0.5 kWh battery all tucked neatly behind the back seat. Start stop technology is added so this car seems like it is running silent when you stop, and technically, it is! Add to that a silky smooth 6 speed automatic transmission and the ability to generate its own power to recharge the battery while braking, you have the makings of what seems like a real winning combination.

The fuel consumption for this full size car rang in at an average of 6.5l/110km and made me do a double take, that's something you do not expect from it when you get in.

When you get in is another story. This is what I have always loved about Buick's, they make you feel like royalty when you climb inside, I guess that is why they call it a Regal! You enter into a very well appointed  cockpit surrounded by all the bells and whistles you would expect, and wrapped in a comfy leather lounger...this was fit for a king. With the Harmon Kardon 9 speaker Intellilink system in here, it makes you want to take the long way home every day.

To look at this vehicle on the exterior is very pleasing to the eyes, not extreme, and yet not understated, it all seems so practical and it is. Designed to deliver everything Buick customers have enjoyed for years, easy entry to both front and rear seats, great visibility for the driver, and enough cargo room to haul groceries or luggage around.

Now that we know Buick has a great defensive player, they are going to need a hard hitting fast moving forward to get them some goals...In comes the Buick Regal GS...the offense they needed. This car was built for speed right from it's 270hp 2.0l engine, that's right 270 hp, that equals 135 hp/ l quite a feat. And for doing this the engine was awarded one of the top ten engines of the year from Ward's Auto.

With all that nastiness going on under the hood, they needed to back it up and they chose to do so with an incredibly smooth six speed manual transmission, and althugh they have added the option of an automatic transmission, the real fun is in the manual. Add in a great suspension and a cool set of  Brembo brakes and you have the makings of a real street fighter. This car was purpose built to compete with some of the heavy weights that have been playing the game for many years...mission accomplished.

For this predator, they have fitted the cockpit with all of the usual amenities, and then a few extras. There is a cute little button on the dash that says GS...press that to make the magic happen. Throw the car into some corners and feel what an incredible hold the car has on the road, and how well you are held into the slightly bolstered seats. Feel free to grab the gears with the nicely appointed leather shifter and the aluminium racing pedals to make you feel like a true race car driver. The brushed aluminium trim inside completes that look and you may just want to find a track to show off. After all this car is as beautiful on the outside as it is on the inside, Right from the 20inch wheels to the hood portholes to the tastefully done rear spoiler...this says drivers car all over it
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The sum of these two talented and different players on the same team equals a narrowing of any preexisting short comings. This team now has it all, and leaves the choice up to you as to what position you want to play, quite smart in my opinion. I did find a couple shortcomings in both but it was mostly because I like to hover my arm over the console resting on the shifter, when I did this sometimes the stereo would change stations, after I figured out that I just needed to keep my arm away from the console mounted stereo control all was fine. My love for Regals has been reignited, I can't see how you can make a wrong choice here...in the end it is up to you!




 Both of these vehicles were provided thanks to GM Canada