Buick Regal Ecotec Engine Is Flex-Fuel Capable

The successful Buick Regal lineup is currently on a roll, and the fact that one of its power plants is designed to meet the latest fuel economy and emission standards can only add to the value of the model. At least, this is what GM says about the turbocharged Ecotec 2.0l inline four-cylinder engine, capable of running of both regular fuel and E85 ethanol.

The unit has become the first direct-injected turbocharged production car able to run on flex-fuel. This special Regal will be on hand for test drives at the National Ethanol Conference in Phoenix, alongside the GMC Terrain flex-fuel.

Fitted into the Regal, the unit is capable of developing 258 lb.-ft of torque from 2,000 to 5,500 rpm. GM says that these figures are comparable with those provided by a V6 engine, without sacrificing any of the attributes of such an engine.

“Lag and reduced vehicle launch response is one of the age-old concerns with previous turbo engines,” said Ecotec chief engineer Mike Anderson.

“Drivers would step on the gas to accelerate and then have to wait for boost and power to be generated. The twin-scroll turbocharger helps the engine generate power and torque when the driver needs it for passing maneuvers or merging onto a highway even at low engine speeds.”

The addition of this engine to the Regal range (no word yet on when the model is launched onto the market) is part of GM's push to convert 50 percent of its production models into flex-fuel capable ones. From 15 years ago to date, the American auto maker produced more than 5 million flex-fuel models.