2011 Buick Regal

The new Regal, which makes its formal debut in early December at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show, is slated to go on sale in spring 2010. It is based heavily on the German-engineered Opel Insignia sedan, with design cues pulled from the new Buick Regal that was launched last December in China.

While Buick is referring to the car as a "sport sedan," it will be available initially only with a 182-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift capability. Late next summer, Buick plans to add a smaller, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 220 hp, but so far there appear to be no plans to offer an optional V6 engine in the Regal. The normally aspirated four is expected to return 30 mpg in EPA highway driving, while the turbo four is estimated at 29 highway.

Buick said the 2011 Regal will be marketed in a single premium trim level (CXL), and that it plans to offer additional trim levels in model-year 2012.

Standard equipment for 2011 includes 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.

Among the options will be 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.

Buick hasn't priced the new Regal yet, but indicated it will be slotted below the LaCrosse, which starts at $27,835.