Rumormill: High-performance Buick Regal GS may be coming

Opel Insignia OPC (with a Buick grille photoshopped on for fun) – Click above for high-res image gallery

Earlier this week General Motors showed its dealers the new Regal and confirmed that the name and car would be coming back to Buick's lineup soon. GM Inside News has been keeping close tabs on what the dealers are being told, which reportedly includes that two four-cylinder engines will be available at launch, the base a 2.4-liter direct injected engine producing 180 horsepower and up-level turbocharged and direct injected 2.0-liter producing about 220 hp.

The most interesting tid bit of info reportedly told to dealers is that the new Regal will also eventually have a sport model. Rumored to be named the GS, the sport model would reportedly feature the same direct injected 3.6-liter V6 as the LaCrosse. It will also reportedly include 19-inch wheels, Brembo brakes and be available with all-wheel drive like the rest of the Regal lineup. Unlike those other Regals, however, the GS may also be offered with a six-speed manual transmission.

Based on the Euro-market Opel Insignia, the new Regal GS will have a nice precedent already in the Insignia OPC. The OPC features a turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 producing 325 hp, a six-speed manual transmission and a Haldex-based all-wheel-drive system borrowed from the Saab Turbo X. In fact, the Opel Insignia OPC Sport Tourer (wagon) unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show this past September was one of the most lust-worthy production cars we came across.

Posted in: Rumormill