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Thursday, March 28, 2013
The base powertrain, a direct-injection, 182-hp 2.4-liter four with eAssist mild hybridization, carries over for 2014. The big shakeup comes in the turbo-four department. The current Regal Turbo and Regal GS use the same 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, but in two different states of tune: 220 horsepower and 260 lb-ft in the Turbo and 270/295 in the GS. No more—the turbocharged four now will come in one strength, no matter which badge is on the booty of your Regal. Rated at 259 horsepower at 5300 rpm and 295 lb-ft at 3000 rpm, the new iteration bolsters Regal Turbos by 39 horses and 35 lb-ft, while the GS is neutered by 11 horsepower. The transmission rundown is as follows: GM's 6T40 six-speed auto is mandatory with the base powertrain, while all Regal Turbos will use the 6T70 six-speed auto (no more manual version). The latter 'box can be fitted to the GS, front-drive examples of which can be ordered with a six-speed manual.
In calling out front-drive models as distinct entries, we now can segue to what is perhaps the best new item for 2014: the Haldex all-wheel-drive system offered on models with the 2.0T and six-speed auto. The system shunts power to the front wheels by default, but can transfer as much as 90 percent of the torque to the rear wheels if needed. Out back, an electronic limited-slip diff can adjust the torque split from left to right between the rear wheels. Buick touts this as a device for both foul weather and improved performance, and, as such devices generally do, it likely will prove to mitigate understeer at turn-in. The AWD system is now also among the parameters affected by selecting the GS’s Sport and GS driving modes.
Outside, the 2014 Regal receives a slightly revised grille and standard LED daytime running lights, as well as more-aggressive LED taillights. As does the 2014 LaCrosse also debuting at the New York show, the Regal gets the latest-generation IntelliLink infotainment setup. That means an eight-inch color touch screen and—addressing one big complaint about the current car—fewer and more-logically arrayed buttons on the center stack. In most Regals, a new 4.2-inch screen is housed within the instrument panel, but the GS offers an eight-inch display that can be customized with Sport or Touring graphics. Also shared with the LaCrosse are myriad new electronic safety and alert systems: forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a following-distance indicator. The foregoing are all part of a Driver Confidence package, while collision preparation, which pre-loads the brake system ahead of an imminent collision, and adaptive cruise control are available separately.
Thanks to: Autocar
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