(August 5, 2011) DETROIT — Buick’s Regal offerings will double this fall, with the arrival of the new technologically advanced 2012 Regal with eAssist and the performance-oriented 2012 Regal GS, which are expected to broaden the appeal of the hot-selling midsize luxury sport sedan.

Regal with eAssist will start at $29,530, and Regal GS will start at $35,310; both prices include $860 in destination charges.

The eAssist system is a $2,000 option on the Regal base model, mated to a 2.4-liter Ecotec engine. Buick will continue to offer the base model without eAssist as well as the 2.0L turbo.


2012 Buick Regal GS

“Regal with eAssist and Regal GS offer distinct advantages to midsize luxury sport sedan customers,” said Tony DiSalle, U.S. vice president of Buick Marketing. “The eAssist’s advanced technology delivers the most fuel-efficient option, while the high-output GS is the sportiest expression of Regal to date.”

Regal with eAssist uses a variety of advanced technologies and body enhancements to deliver an EPA-rated 25 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway.

The fuel economy boost that Regal with eAssist offers comes from pairing the direct-injected 2.4-liter four-cylinder Ecotec engine with a state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery system and electric motor-generator that enables regenerative braking capability. This “light electrification” system also is available on the 2012 Buick LaCrosse.

Regal GS has been SAE-certified to deliver 270 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque. Its exclusive Ecotec 2.0-liter direct-injected turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivers more torque than Acura TSX V-6, Audi A4 Sport, Lexus IS 250 and Volvo S60 T5.

The GS’s engine is mated to a standard six-speed manual transmission, and gets an estimated fuel economy of 27 mpg on the highway. A six-speed automatic transmission will be available later in the model year. The GS powertrain is covered by a five-year, 100,000-mile warranty.