There’s no need to be an expert to see the resemblance between the new Buick and its European sister. The link is not quite a revelation, after spy photos of the Buick Regal in China that were released in 2008 looked very similar.
Developed in Germany, the Insignia adopts the same platform as that found in GM’s LaCrosse. The Regal will be 18 centimetres smaller than its big sister.
It will therefore benefit from European expertise on the exterior, but the Regal will not reap the benefits in terms of the powertrain.
A V6 is not in the works for the moment, since Buick prefers that the Regal have a 4-cylinder 2.4-litre 182 horsepower engine. The top of the line Regal will gain a 2-litre turbo engine with 220 horsepower, reminiscent of that found in the Pontiac Solstice. As for transmission, only an automatic will be offered.
The 2.4-litre Buick Regal will be available starting this spring, and the 2-litre turbo will follow in the summer. The price will be less than the LaCrosse, which was tagged at 32 000 CAD.
