Tag: turbo

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Regal Turbo Edges Competition in Highway Fuel Economy

New Manual, 6-Speed Delivers 32 MPG – Better than VW CC Sport and Acura TSX

DETROIT – Brad and Cathy French of Chicago have always driven cars with manual transmissions, including imports from Audi and BMW. Now the clothing industry sales and marketing reps drive a six-speed manual 2011 Buick Regal Turbo.

For the Frenchs, driving a “stick” is all about fun, fuel-efficiency and being alert in traffic.

“When you look at the Regal Turbo it just screams manual,” said Brad French, a fitness and fashion devotee for whom personal appearance factors into vehicle purchase decisions. “A few years ago I would’ve never considered Buick, but the Regal Turbo is a very sharp-looking car that is a thrill to drive. I can’t wait to show it off.”

Not only is the six-speed manual Regal Turbo a thrill to drive, it gets an EPA-rated 32 mpg on the highway, which is better than its closest competitors, Acura TSX and Volkswagen CC Sport. On the open road, Regal Turbo’s 2.0-liter direct-injection four-cylinder engine delivers 220 hp and 258 lbs-ft of torque – also better than its rivals.

Buick Regal Turbo Acura TSX Volkswagen CC Sport
MPG 20 city / 32 highway 21 city / 29 highway 21 city / 31 highway
Horsepower 220 hp 201 hp 200 hp
Torque 258 lbs-ft 172 lbs-ft 207 lbs-ft

 

“Not only is the Regal Turbo fun to drive and fuel efficient, it is the first direct-injected turbocharged production car capable of running on any blend of gasoline or E85 ethanol,” said Robert Casparian, Regal product manager.

Like the Regal Turbo with automatic transmission, which starts at $28,745, the manual offers three unique driving modes – standard, tour and sport – each selectable by a push of a button. The available Interactive Drive Control System changes the Regal Turbo’s driving dynamics by altering suspension, shift pattern and steering sensitivity through the variable effort steering system. Tour mode offers a comfortable, relaxed driving experience for long journeys. Sport mode enhances road-holding capability. And the standard, or default, mode is optimized for all driving situations.

“By enabling drivers to tune their vehicle to their driving preference and even their mood, we’re better able to exceed their expectations and provide a more satisfying driving experience,” Casparian said.

As much as driving enjoyment factored in the French’s decision to purchase the granite gray metallic Regal Turbo, so did its sweeping silhouette and streamlined, coupe-like profile that suggest motion from all angles – from its waterfall grille to its spoiler-enhanced tail end.

“All of our friends love our sexy new car,” said Cathy French.  “Of course, I’m telling them that it’s really my car and that I’m only letting Brad drive it.”

 

 

 

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Buick Retail Sales Swell 90 Percent in February

Regal Posts Best Month since Launch as Fuel-Efficient Turbo Attracts New Buyers

DETROIT – Buick, the fastest growing major automotive brand in the United States in 2010, delivered its 17th straight month of retail sales gains with a 90 percent increase over last February. The brand’s total February sales also improved 73 percent year-over-year, thanks in part to the increased availability of the new fuel-efficient Regal CXL Turbo.

“Buick is gaining great traction in the midsize sedan, full-size car and crossover segments, thanks in part to very positive word of mouth,” said Brian Sweeney, U.S. vice president of Buick & GMC Sales and Service. “We fully expect the arrival of the fuel-efficient LaCrosse with eAssist and all-new Verano luxury compact to attract even more new customers to the brand.”

Approximately 38 percent of Buick buyers come from non-GM brands, including nearly 18 percent come from imports, calendar year-to-date.

Regal, which has the highest conquest rate of any Buick calendar year to date at 46 percent, enjoyed its strongest sales month since its launch last spring. Regal’s retail sales in February were 55 percent higher than in January.  Regal’s total sales were up 59 percent compared to the same period – 21 percent higher than its previous highest month (December).

Regal’s recent sales gains are fueled in part by the increased availability of the all-new Regal CXL Turbo, which accounted for approximately 25 percent of Regal’s sales in February. On the open road, Regal Turbo’s 2.0-liter direct-injection four-cylinder engine delivers 220 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, better than Acura TSX. Regal Turbo, which is now available with manual six-speed transmission, also delivers better fuel economy, with an EPA-rated 32 mpg highway.

“Regal sales are expected to grow even more with the arrival of the new Regal with eAssist and high performance Regal GS later this year,” Sweeney said.

After enjoying its strongest sales in history in 2010, Enclave is on its way to having another strong year, with retail sales up 45 percent in February compared to the same period in 2010. Total sales for the luxury crossover were up by 38 percent for the month.

LaCrosse, which Car & Driver magazine recently honored with a 2011 Editor’s Choice Award, also had a strong February, with a 28 percent increase in retail sales and a 7 percent increase in total sales.

 

 

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Buick Regal Turbo Gets Industry-First Turbo Direct-Injected Engine with Flex-Fuel Capability

PONTIAC, Mich – The 2011 Buick Regal Turbo is the first direct-injected turbocharged production car capable of running on any blend of gasoline or E85 ethanol, joining more than 5 million flex-fuel models General Motors has produced over the last 15 years.

The turbocharged Ecotec 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine that powers the Regal will help GM reach its goal of offering more than 50 percent of its production in flex-fuel models by the end of 2012.

Attendees at the National Ethanol Conference in Phoenix will have the opportunity to drive the Regaland the flex-fuel GMC Terrain during conference breaks today.

Compared to earlier versions of the 2.0-liter Ecotec turbo, GM powertrain engineers have significantly upgraded the new engine to accommodate both E85 and to incorporate refinements.

Since ethanol requires a richer air-fuel mixture than gasoline, flex-fuel engines need higher flow-rate injectors.  However, a flex-fuel engine can potentially have any combination of gasoline or up to 85 percent ethanol in the tank, so a sensor in the fuel system measures the blend in real-time.  This allows the engine management system to automatically adjust the mixture to provide improved performance and reduced emissions and fuel consumption.  Stainless steel fuel lines provide extra corrosion resistance to ensure that the Regal Turbo meets GM’s stringent durability requirements.

In the past, improving power output and reducing fuel consumption and emissions were often conflicting goals. By delivering fuel directly to the combustion chamber, the high-pressure injectors can now provide a more precise mixture for optimum combustion.

Turbochargers use the energy in the hot exhaust gas flow to drive a compressor that forces more air into the combustion chamber for on-demand power delivery. The twin-scroll turbocharger on the Ecotec engine provides two inlet paths to the turbine to maximize the kinetic and thermal energy delivered to the turbine.

“Lag and reduced vehicle launch response is one of the age-old concerns with previous turbo engines” said Ecotec chief engineer Mike Anderson.

“Drivers would step on the gas to accelerate and then have to wait for boost and power to be generated,” he said. “The twin-scroll turbocharger helps the engine generate power and torque when the driver needs it for passing maneuvers or merging onto a highway even at low engine speeds.”

The 2.0-liter Ecotec turbo produces 258 pound-feet of torque from 2,000 to 5,500 rpm making it feel like a much-larger V6 engine while still delivering four-cylinder efficiency.”

Other changes to the turbo engine for 2011 go well beyond the addition of flex-fuel capability.  The 2.0-liter Ecotec turbo has a new precision sand cast aluminum cylinder block that provides better durability while transmitting less noise and vibration than lost foam casting used previously.

The end result is a quieter and more refined power plant that helps the Regal achieve best-in-class levels of noise, vibration and harshness while delivering the performance expected of the best import sport sedans and the ability to operate on current and next-generation renewable biofuels.