The Buick Regal, which is underpinned by GM’s Epsilon II platform, has just been introduced to the U.S. auto market and currently comes with a naturally aspirated 2.4 liter four cylinder engine that offers 184 hp. A turbocharged 2.0 liter Ecotec four cylinder developing 220 hp is scheduled to be offered starting from late summer.
After the forced induction powerplant is introduced, GM will make both units available with gasoline and E85 ethanol, making the turbo unit its first series production E85 turbocharged and direct injected engine.
Jim Frederico, vehicle line director for the global midsize platfrom, explained that using direct injection and turbocharging will allow the fresh powerplant to post an ethanol efficiency that is close to that registered while in the gasoline operating mode. This is an important achievement, as most previous naturally aspirated flex-fuel units register a 15 percent drop in efficiency when using ethanol (compared to gasoline).
The Buick Regal (initially only available with the premium CXL equipment level) powered by the 2.4 liter normally aspirated engine starts at $26,995, while the upcoming model, which will use the 2.0 liter turbocharged powerplant, will start from $29,495, with both prices including a $750 destination charge. The first engine will offer a highway fuel consumption of 30 mpg, with the second unit posting a figure of 29 mpg.
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