The current Buick Regal is a surprisingly competent and comfortable sedan that’s General Motors’ best-kept secret. And the company would really like to change that last part.
Being essentially a rebadged version of the Opel Insignia that’s a sedan staple in Europe, Buick has a pool of configurations to pick and choose from for the next model. And GM would undoubtedly like to sell more Regals in North America and China to offset the still-slumping large sedan sector the Insignia occupies. This could mean interesting things for Americans.
The latest insights from Autonews suggest GM is still considering bringing a long-rumored wagon over with the next-generation Regal, due sometime during 2017. The Insignia Tourer has been one of the sharpest-looking wagons we don’t get in the States, but a Regal wagon could add some incremental sales to get more buyers into Buick showrooms. Crucially, it could help Buick’s visibility on the coasts where wagons are slightly more popular.
But another development could create a diesel Regal for the first time since the ’80s. GM is pushing more diesels in the U.S. and Buick’s close ties to Opel may lead to many of its models being offered in both gas and diesel variants. Such a move would also put the Regal on par with vehicles such as the new Audi A4 TDI and BMW 328d. Some sources indicate it’ll be a 1.6-liter unit also destined for the Verano, as well as the Chevy Cruze and Malibu.
The Regal is already the most European car GM offers in the U.S. I see no reason they shouldn’t embrace that more when the next generation goes on sale in the next couple of years.
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