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" The Specs  Regal shares its &amp;quot;global midsize architecture&amp;quot; with Lacrosse, but where the latter is built in North America (Fairfax, Kan.) on a 4-inch-longer wheelbase than the Insignia, the first Regals will come directly from Germany with dimensions identical to the Opel. At 190 inches long overall, Regal is nearly 7 inches shorter than Lacrosse and about 0.75 inches narrower. But the track remains the same; so it has a more aggressive stance, with its wheels pushed out closer to the corners under flared arches. Initially, all cars will be CXL models with heated leather seats and other amenities. Bluetooth, satellite radio and OnStar are standard, while navigation and upgraded audio systems are optional. Lower-priced CX and sportier CXS models come later. The base engine on all trim levels is a 2.4-liter direct-injection four-cylinder making 182 hp and mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. This flex-fuel capable Ecotec Four is used in the Lacrosse too, but yields better performance and real-world fuel economy in the smaller Regal. GM estimates 0-to-60 mph in the middle 8-second range and highway fuel economy at 30 mpg. The prototypes we drove (with a Lacrosse and an Insignia alongside for comparison) both had the optional engine, a 220-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged Four with variable-valve timing that should pare more than a second off that 0-to-60 dash and still hit 29 mpg highway. One car we drove had the standard six-speed automatic (a different unit than the base car&amp;#039;s); the other had the six-speed manual transmission. The 2.0 turbo will be offered in the second quarter of 2010 and the manual is coming later. A new &amp;quot;Interactive Drive Control System&amp;quot; with electronically adaptive suspension and steering settings will be optional, allowing drivers to select between sport and touring calibrations or adapting automatically in response to the way you drive. Lead engineer Jim Federico, an American who spent four years overseas managing GM&amp;#039;s global program, said that shifting from Saturn to Buick late in the game changed nothing when it came to tuning the ride and handling. After adapting the exterior package from the Chinese model with different lights and mirror glass to meet U.S. requirements and upgrading the interior materials, the changes center on making the Buick version quieter--a task that went quickly because of experience with the Lacrosse--and then calibrating the suspension and steering to get the same handling and feel from all-weather tires (Michelins on 18-inch alloy wheels, or Goodyears on optional 19-inchers) as the Opel has on more aggressive, summer-only Bridgestones. The Drive The test route through exurban and rural areas included no freeway miles and only brief periods on twisting roads. Back-to-back with the entertaining Insignia, we actually preferred driving the Buick for its quieter ride combined with the same responsive handling as the Opel. Compared with a Lacrosse, the Regal is the sharper, nimbler, more entertaining car on two-lane roads. Turbo lag and torque steer were not evident and the manual shifter was up to VW/Audi standards if not as slick as an Acura&amp;#039;s. Handling and performance of the European and U.S. versions were indistinguishable aside the Buick&amp;#039;s diminished road roar and thump from the U.S.-spec tires--a tradeoff for a little less ultimate grip in hard cornering. In the automatic, some shifts seemed sharp, even abrupt, and the ride control is on the firm side--if traditional Buick customers want a soft, floaty ride, they won&amp;#039;t find it here. The Regal is right on target for the sport sedan buyer Buick seeks, though.  We haven&amp;#039;t had a chance yet to drive the Regal with the base engine, only with the most powerful offering available. And we didn&amp;#039;t have a chance to test an IDCS-equipped car in circumstances where its variable steering and suspension would truly matter. The Bottom Line The Regal appears to be an even sportier, more fuel-efficient sedan than the Acura TSX, and while pricing isn&amp;#039;t set, we expect base MSRP will undercut the $29,000 Acura. Buick has a good reputation for quality, even among those who thought cars like the Buick LeSabre were only for grandparents. Some might be enticed by the Regal&amp;#039;s European breeding too, though plans are to move production to an undetermined North American site. Regal is evidence that a smaller, nimbler GM is probably a good thing. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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