2011 Buick Regal

The 2011 Buick Regal’s sleek design blends the sweeping silhouette and proportions of a coupe in a progressive package that suggests motion from all angles. Great attention to detail complements that aggressive styling, with tailored applications of Buick’s signature design cues, such as the waterfall grille, select use of chrome trim and superior fit and finish of the exterior panels.

Regal will initially be offered in premium CXL trim only, with additional trim levels to be offered in the 2012 model year. The well-equipped Regal CXL includes the following as standard or available equipment:

  • Standard 2.4L Ecotec direct injected engine rated at an estimated 182 horsepower
  • Available 2.0L Ecotec turbocharged and direct injected engine rated at an estimated 220 horsepower – available late-summer 2010
  • Both engines have a six-speed automatic transmission standard with driver-shifting control
  • A six-speed manual transmission will be available following the introduction of the turbocharged model
  • Estimated 30 mpg on the highway with the 2.4L and 29 mpg highway with the 2.0L turbo engine
  • MacPherson strut front suspension and four-link independent rear suspension
  • All-new Interactive Drive Control System (IDCS) available with the 2.0L turbo, offering driver-selectable suspension settings and automatic driver suspension setting adaptability
  • Four-wheel disc brakes with four-channel anti-lock braking system, brake assist and electronic parking brake
  • Standard StabiliTrak stability control system and full-function traction control
  • Standard dual-stage frontal air bags, side-curtain air bags and pedal-release system; rear-seat thorax air bags available
  • Available navigation system, Harmon Kardon sound system, internal flash drive (1GB), hard drive with 10GB for music and USB port
  • Standard 18-inch wheels (19-inch wheels standard with IDCS)
  • Standard 12-way power, leather and heated driver seat; leather and heated passenger front seat; Bluetooth capability; XM Satellite Radio and OnStar.

2011 Ford Explorer - What We Know So Far...
Code-named “U502,” the all-new 2011 Ford Explorer is in for a big change. While Ford’s iconic SUV has always ridden on a body-on-frame chassis, the 2011 model will switch to the D4 unibody platform. Ford’s D4 platform, a moderately updated version of the D3, currently underpins the Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT. Ford is hoping for a significant weight drop, and in turn, 20-25% better fuel mileage, by switching the Explorer to a unibody setup.

The two powertrains that will be available for the Explorer are the 2.0-liter four-cylinder Ecoboost and the regular non-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6. While the twin-turbo direct-injected Ecoboost V6 could still find its way into the Explorer sometime after launch, it may only be part of a future performance model.

The 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder will provide 230 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque, while maintaining excellent fuel economy compared to the outgoing model’s slightly less powerful 4.0-liter V6. The premium engine, the 3.5-liter V6, will share new Ti-VCT technology for increased output and efficiency with horsepower rated at 285.

On the inside, expect three rows of seats, with the third row being jump seats.

Production is scheduled to begin in November at the Torrence Avenue plant in Chicago. As more information becomes available, we will update information in a future issue of Hot Flashes.

Fleeting Tidbits
This month's Featured Vehicle is the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Grand Cherokee is built on the same platform as the new Mercedes ML (this was the last project between Mercedes and Chrysler) and will be the first Chrysler Group vehicle to feature the new 3.6 liter flex-fuel PentaStar V6. Production of the 2011 Grand Cherokee begins this month. Check it out on our Featured Vehicle page!

Chevrolet announced pricing for the 2011 Silverado HD, and the base pricing starts at $27,965, which excludes a $995 destination charge. An upgrade to the proven Duramax diesel engine and Allison transmission combination runs $8,395 – the same amount as in 2010, offering significant improvements in fuel economy, including a highway cruising range of up to 680 miles; increases in performance; and new B20 biodiesel capability. Read more here: http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/news/news_detail.brand_chevrolet.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2010/Apr/0409_silveradopricing

Additionally, GMC announced that the all-new 2011 Sierra HD will have a starting price of $27,965, which excludes a $995 destination charge for the 2500 regular cab 2WD model. The Sierra Denali HD, the first offering of the exclusive Denali line on a heavy-duty GMC pickup, will start at $45,865, excluding destination. The new Sierra HDs produced at the Flint Assembly Facility will begin arriving in dealerships in June. Read more here:

http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/news/news_detail.brand_gmc.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2010/Apr/0409_sierrapricing

We have updated our 2011 MY Start of Production Dates page to reflect when you can place 2011 orders and when production will begin for all manufacturers.

Upcoming Final Fleet Order Dates:
Ford Motor Company
Ford Econoline - 5/7/10
Ford Fusion - 5/13/10
Ford Escape - 5/14/10
Mercury Milan - 5/28/10
Mercury Grand Marquis - 5/28/10
Lincoln MKZ - 5/28/10
Lincoln Town Car - 5/28/10

General Motors Company
Chevrolet Express (gas) - 5/21/10
GMC Savana (gas) - 5/21/10

Mazda USA
Mazda5 - 5/28/10
Mazda CX9 - 5/28/10

Subaru USA
Subaru Forester - 5/28/10

Please note - although the Nissan Sentra and Nissan Altima Sedan have published Final Fleet Order Dates that are in the future (Sentra - 7/1 and Altima Sedan - 8/1), I would not wait until the last minute to place orders. I have a suspicion that both dates will be brought forward in the next few weeks.

Taillights


5/4/2010


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