2011 Buick Regal

GM America has officially released details & photos of the upcoming Buick Regal. It is basically a restyled Opel Insignia sedan with design cues pulled from the new Buick Regal that was launched last December in China. Buick calls it a "Sport Sedan" though it is very hard for me to see any sporty element on the Regal. Powering the Regal will be a 182-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift capability. There will be a smaller, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 220 hp added to the line-up late next summer. Fuel efficiency is rated at 30 mpg in EPA highway driving for the normally aspirated four while the turbo four is estimated at 29 highway.

The Buick Regal will come with a standard list of equipment like 18-inch wheels and tires, heated leather front seats, satellite radio, four-wheel disc brakes, all-independent suspension, stability and traction control, and Bluetooth capability. Optional upgrade list to your Regal includes rear-seat thorax bags, navigation, premium audio and an interactive drive control system offered only with the turbo engine, with driver-selectable suspension settings and 19-inch wheels and tires.

There are no indication of price yet with the official launching of the model taking place during the Los Angeles Motor Show. p.s. I will take the european Opel Insignia anytime over this.












Source : Insideline

Electric Cadillac Converj Simply Stunning

General Motors Co. will expand its electric vehicle lineup by building the Cadillac Converj, a luxury car some feared would never move beyond the concept stage because of GM's financial troubles. I have to say this is one extended-range electric car that is spared from design faux pas committed by most 'Green Vehicles' out there.

The concept which won accolades at the 2009 North American International Auto Show features solar panels on a glass roof, rear view cameras instead of exterior mirrors, 21-inch tires in the front and 22-inch in the rear. The Converj will have the technology developed for the Chevrolet Volt being assimilated into it. This move will help GM meet consumer demands appetite for electric vehicles & at the same time cut production cost through the spread of EV technology. The converj is also aimed at strengthening GM financially as The Caddy badge carries a premium over Chevrolet.

"Cadillac needs as much excitement in its portfolio as possible, so I think it's a good strategy for them," said Rebecca Lindland, director of auto industry research at IHS Global Insight in Lexington, Mass. Those of you that has already planned to have on in your garage have to wait for 2 years after the Volt is launched.


Source : Detnews