Oh, to be in the European design studios when someone high up at General Motors slapped his or her forehead and declared, "This would make a great Buick!" Remember, this was back in the days when GM planned to make the Opel Insignia Saturn's second-generation Aura.
That would have been a mistake.
That would have been a mistake.
While GM never got around to recasting Saturn as a Chevrolet-plus import-fighter, it somehow managed to make the Insignia the car that would recast Opel in its long-forgotten role as a mid-priced Audi-fighter. Since its late-2008 launch, the Insignia has nabbed a number of European awards and, Buick says, grabbed a number of conquest buyers from 1.) Audi A4, 2.) BMW 3 Series, and 3.) Mercedes-Benz C-Class. If Opel really has recaptured the upper-middle segment in Western Europe, then it's a perfect match for Buick, which is trying to go there here with new models like the Enclave and 2010 LaCrosse.
And it's hard to think of a better-looking front-wheel-drive GM model right now. The Insignia does make good sense as a Buick. The smooth, organic lines, graceful proportions, distinctive side surfacing, and tumblehome recall classic models without the need for the LaCrosse's sweepspear or the LaCrosse and Enclave's ventiports.
And it's hard to think of a better-looking front-wheel-drive GM model right now. The Insignia does make good sense as a Buick. The smooth, organic lines, graceful proportions, distinctive side surfacing, and tumblehome recall classic models without the need for the LaCrosse's sweepspear or the LaCrosse and Enclave's ventiports.
The Regal is being marketed as Buick's "sport sedan," riding on the LaCrosse's Epsilon II platform, but on the 107.8-inch wheelbase (minus 3.9 inches versus the LaCrosse). It's 6.8 inches shorter, at 192 inches, and 0.8 inches lower, at 58.4 inches. With its fast c-pillar -- vehicle line exec Jim Federico calls it "coupelike" -- the Regal sedan isn't designed to be capacious, like the LaCrosse. The back seat is roomy enough for kids, or adults on a night out, but headroom is a bit tight for six-footers on longer rides.
