GM vice chairman Bob Lutz visited Hollywood for the unveiling of the 2011 Buick Regal. Car & Driver had the rare opportunity to sit down with him and ask what else GM has in mind for its new Euro-tuned sedan. Being studied, he said, are a manual-transmission model and all-wheel drive (which is pretty much a given), as well as a 335-hp, all-wheel-drive range-topper, all of which would complement the front-wheel-drive four-cylinder models that have been announced.
Vaunted Regals include the Grand National and GNX and later the GS and SLP-tuned GSX. Lutz himself used the letters “GS” in the same breath as “335 hp” and “AWD.” Such a variant (rendered above for your viewing pleasure) makes perfect sense given that Opel sells a pretty hot Insignia OPC with a 325-hp turbocharged 2.8-lilter V-6, a six-speed manual, and all-wheel drive.
Lutz confirmed that not only was a Regal Sport Wagon under consideration, but that a Buick version of the Insignia Sports Tourer had been part of the American product plan from the beginning—until, that is, the financial crisis prompted GM to divert the cash required for re-engineering and federalizing the wagon away to other, more pressing programs.
SOURCE:
GM Execs In Hollywood: Bob Lutz-Susan Docherty-Ed Welburn
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