GM Reveals 2011 Buick Regal!

[manimsoblack]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

GM's way ahead of you.

Sport model in the works, potentially named GS, 3.6L SIDI V6, 280 HP, 19" wheels, Brembo brakes, optional 6-speed manual, optional AWD.

[syr74]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Not even close. Lexus, Infiniti, and Acura are all in a tier below BMW, Mercedes, and Audi. Cadillac is quickly moving upmarket to BMW's tier, and Buick is competing in Lexus's tier.

I'm going to have to disagree here. BMW and Mercedes have both stated publically that they consider Lexus an outright, premium class competitor...BMW even mentioned Lexus in a list of direct rivals that left out Audi.

Lexus and BMW absolutely get crossed shopped if not as much as Mercedes and Lexus do, and buyers in this segment take Lexus very seriously, as they should. Unfortunately for Lexus, they lost their way when they stopped trying to be Lexus and started trying to be a Japanese BMW. Ironic.

As for Cadillac, I am not in this thread to bust anybones balls, but Cadillac is arguably further away from being a legit BMW comeptitor today than it was four years ago, and with a fwd based XTS waiting in the wings and the likelihood that all Caddy branded suv's will be based on fwd platforms before the next three years are done I would argue that it will be some time before they can make a run at genuinely threatening BMW again. CTS is well done, but it will be the only premium luxury player they have in the lineup after Escalade moves down to the Lambda platform.....at that point Caddy will be a lot like the current Lincoln brand with a premium grade CTS thrown in for good measure.

Of course we have rumors that ATS is coming, but even if that shows up sooner rather than later Caddy still wont have a car that truly rivals even the E Class or 5 Series in terms of usable, mid size sedans since the CTS is still something of a tweener and doesn't really offer the kind of passenger space those German rivals do. I think Buick will be properly fleshed out long before Cadillac is, and there in nothing wrong with that since Buick stands to profit more anyway.

Ultimately, I guess what I am trying to say is that GM looks to have placed Cadillac into something of a holding pattern somewhat like the one Ford has placed Lincoln into. I think the main difference between the two right now would be that Cadillac obviously wants to make sure that they at least keep the CTS in the game until they can focus their attention back on the rest of Cadillac while Ford gave up on the LS years ago.

[Camarorss350]

wow uber-slow uber-lowpower

[Ninjak]

Not sure about this one. Interior though is very nice. Exterior I am not so sure about. Especially the rear end. I think the deviated a little to much from what a Regal looks like and should be. This seems to fit into a accord class or something...

I'll have to wait and see on this one.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by syr74

Caddy still wont have a car that truly rivals even the E Class or 5 Series in terms of usable, mid size sedans

CTS = 5 series, ATS = 3 series...unless I've been asleep for the past 2 years...

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by syr74

I'm going to have to disagree here. BMW and Mercedes have both stated publically that they consider Lexus an outright, premium class competitor...BMW even mentioned Lexus in a list of direct rivals that left out Audi.

Lexus and BMW absolutely get crossed shopped if not as much as Mercedes and Lexus do, and buyers in this segment take Lexus very seriously, as they should. Unfortunately for Lexus, they lost their way when they stopped trying to be Lexus and started trying to be a Japanese BMW. Ironic.

As for Cadillac, I am not in this thread to bust anybones balls, but Cadillac is arguably further away from being a legit BMW comeptitor today than it was four years ago, and with a fwd based XTS waiting in the wings and the likelihood that all Caddy branded suv's will be based on fwd platforms before the next three years are done I would argue that it will be some time before they can make a run at genuinely threatening BMW again. CTS is well done, but it will be the only premium luxury player they have in the lineup after Escalade moves down to the Lambda platform.....at that point Caddy will be a lot like the current Lincoln brand with a premium grade CTS thrown in for good measure.

Of course we have rumors that ATS is coming, but even if that shows up sooner rather than later Caddy still wont have a car that truly rivals even the E Class or 5 Series in terms of usable, mid size sedans since the CTS is still something of a tweener and doesn't really offer the kind of passenger space those German rivals do. I think Buick will be properly fleshed out long before Cadillac is, and there in nothing wrong with that since Buick stands to profit more anyway.

Ultimately, I guess what I am trying to say is that GM looks to have placed Cadillac into something of a holding pattern somewhat like the one Ford has placed Lincoln into. I think the main difference between the two right now would be that Cadillac obviously wants to make sure that they at least keep the CTS in the game until they can focus their attention back on the rest of Cadillac while Ford gave up on the LS years ago.

You do have a point, although the rumors are no longer rumors, ATS is in development and on the way. ATS will go up against 3-series and CTS will grow in size (it's already grown in price) to go up against the 5-series.

I am disappointed in the decision for the XTS's drivetrain, and do believe that Zeta would've been a better choice (Lutz does too...), but it would appear as though it will remain on EpII for at least one generation.

It would also appear as though GM is fleshing out Buick in order to pull in enough profit to work on Cadillac.

[TFord]

Originally Posted by syr74

I'm going to have to disagree here. BMW and Mercedes have both stated publically that they consider Lexus an outright, premium class competitor...BMW even mentioned Lexus in a list of direct rivals that left out Audi.

Lexus and BMW absolutely get crossed shopped if not as much as Mercedes and Lexus do, and buyers in this segment take Lexus very seriously, as they should. Unfortunately for Lexus, they lost their way when they stopped trying to be Lexus and started trying to be a Japanese BMW. Ironic.

As for Cadillac, I am not in this thread to bust anybones balls, but Cadillac is arguably further away from being a legit BMW comeptitor today than it was four years ago, and with a fwd based XTS waiting in the wings and the likelihood that all Caddy branded suv's will be based on fwd platforms before the next three years are done I would argue that it will be some time before they can make a run at genuinely threatening BMW again. CTS is well done, but it will be the only premium luxury player they have in the lineup after Escalade moves down to the Lambda platform.....at that point Caddy will be a lot like the current Lincoln brand with a premium grade CTS thrown in for good measure.

Of course we have rumors that ATS is coming, but even if that shows up sooner rather than later Caddy still wont have a car that truly rivals even the E Class or 5 Series in terms of usable, mid size sedans since the CTS is still something of a tweener and doesn't really offer the kind of passenger space those German rivals do. I think Buick will be properly fleshed out long before Cadillac is, and there in nothing wrong with that since Buick stands to profit more anyway.

Ultimately, I guess what I am trying to say is that GM looks to have placed Cadillac into something of a holding pattern somewhat like the one Ford has placed Lincoln into. I think the main difference between the two right now would be that Cadillac obviously wants to make sure that they at least keep the CTS in the game until they can focus their attention back on the rest of Cadillac while Ford gave up on the LS years ago.

best post thus far. My only gripe with this car is the exterior styling...Its just not attractive IMHO

[KarFan]

GM is raising the bar with each car and Buick now has a great lineup the question is will anyone notice?

[Revo1]

It sure is lookin alot less "Driving Miss Daisy"...

[SleepWarz]

Originally Posted by TFord

best post thus far. My only gripe with this car is the exterior styling...Its just not attractive IMHO

By a long long long shot.

Another bubble car with no exterior personallity.

[TaylorRyanSS]

so is this one under or above the LaCrosse?

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by TaylorRyan74

so is this one under or above the LaCrosse?

Below. It basically replaces the last-gen LaCrosse with the 2nd gen LaCrosse replacing the Lucerne.

[returnofcc]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

Not BMW. Buick is being focused to compete against low-teir luxury brands like Lexus, Mercury...etc.

Caddy is meant to take on the big boys like BMW, Audi, etc.


Dammit, Fen!!

Lol, wut? Lexus is a "low-tier" luxury brand? Lexus and Mercury should not even be mentioned in the came breath, first of all. Second of all, I don't think Buick is aiming for mercury anyways, they aimed for the lexus es with the lacrosse, along with the genesis, 300, Taurus.
You are cutting Lexus way short, Lexus is just as much of a luxury brand as BMW, Audi, and Mercedes

EDIT: Ok, I read through more posts, and I completely agree with syr here. Lexus is in no ways a "low-tier" luxury brand," if anything, even cadillac is lower than Lexus. Buick is meant for hyundai, lincoln, VW, and acura. Not really for Infiniti, because Infiniti is still a competitor with BMW for sports sedan and SUV's.
And I think all the Buick hate comes from the fact that it's always been an old man's car. Seriously, what is GM trying to do, make a medium between Chevy and Cadillac? Doesn't that just take away sales from itself.
And as for this specific Regal, compare it to the VW CC. That car is sportier and sexier, what is Buick aiming for?

[DGthe3]

Something with this car just doesn't click with me. I really like the LaCrosse but I can't say the same about this car. It looks alright. Interior seems nice enough. Engine choices seem a bit confusing to me, particularly the detuned 2.0L turbo. Fuel economy isn't that impressive for an I4 lineup. I don't dislike it, but I don't like it either.

I don't look at luxury brands in terms of tiers, but rather what sort of traits the car has. Cadillacs are bolder, decent better handling, and generally have a stronger performance orientation. This is similar german brands like BMW, who is defined by cars like the M3. Buick on the other hand is going towards refinement, quality, smoothness, etc. These traits are common in Lexus, which gets defined by cars such as the LS350.

Is this car boring and uninspired? Arguably. But how many Lexus's stir the soul, compared those that are bought because they are tame and non-offensive.