Buick Regal sedan looks assertive and behaves that way too
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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JEROME, Ariz. -- Scooting over Arizona's pine-covered Weaver Mountains on a winding route leading from Prescott to the cliff-hugging mining town of Jerome, a mid-size Regal LS sedan from Buick carves out a sure-footed course, cutting through hairpin curves in a taut line and bounding exuberantly up long grades at altitude.
Regal performs so well on this trek, in fact, that one driver must remind self that the wheels performing such deft maneuvers happens to be Buick's prime family car.
Spinning off a General Motors platform shared with Pontiac's Grand Prix and the Oldsmobile Intrigue, Buick's sedan emerged last year in a new expression which carried the familiar label of Regal but acted with spry moves unlike any previous Regal -- and no other Buick.
For the editions of 1999, Regal features a subdued yet sophisticated exterior fashioned from curving wedge-shaped forms, an interior that's far more generous in space than earlier Regal models, and a system of engineering assets which set up rather precise road manners which mimic the agile nature of imports.
Regal also provides two levels for trim, beginning at the base Regal LS with GM's 3800 Series II 3.8-liter V6 aboard and extending to a sporty GS with mechanical supercharger mounted on the V6 to kick output up to 240 hp.
Five more horsepower points apply to the naturally aspirated engine of Regal LS, which runs now to 200 hp.
Arizona tests of Regal with both engines showed that it's quite enjoyable to drive, comfortable and practical in interior fittings and definitely more tuned to match the tight imported models than previous GM products.
The intent seems to be to make Regal appeal to those forty-something Boomers with kids in tow who seek dependable and affordable family-style sedan transportation but may also want a spark of performance when stepping outside the typical mold of a carpooler.
And Regal looks good -- subdued yet sharp.
"We wanted an exterior shape that seems sporty but not faddish, certainly not extreme," the designer, Wayne Kady, confided. "Regal incorporates a number of Buick design cues, such as the oval grille, but it still pulls away to make its own statement."
The look also appears unmistakably aggressive, with a wide stance and monotone treatment to trim elements, plus a subtle blackout of the sedan's B pillar to evoke the image of a sporty coupe. A bird's beak lip on the tail caps this muscular posture.
Regal measures 1.5 inches longer in wheelbase than past generational issues and it's more than two inches longer.
Wheels stretch to outer limits of the rectangular plan, as a head-on glance of the prow reveals tires extend to outside edges of the body.
The broad stance sets up a stable performance attitude which, when combined with a suspension that's independent at all four corners and a power-assisted rack and pinion steering system that's lively and quick, indicates Regal can act aggressively too.
The recent Arizona tests in enhanced 1999 editions immediately demonstrated that Regal's character can be as assertive in acceleration as its sheetmetal appears energetic in design.
Overall, it produces firm and controllable handling attributes, and reacts with clear athletic agility when asked to steer around slower road traffic.
Regal's independent suspension checks undue body roll and forges a ride quality that's both soft and easy over potholes yet still firm in feedback to driver.
A unibody structure with integral safety cage ringing the passenger compartment has an underbody with extra bracing to develop more rigidity and torsional stiffness when the vehicle moves down the road.
Higher shock absorber valving and more rigid chassis bushings of the LS suspension increase ride isolation as larger new front and rear stabilizer bars reduce body roll.
Special engineering measures and insulation create a quiet cabin where road and engine noises are locked out, with road bumps and resultant vehicle vibrations dampened.
In terms of power, Buick should be commended for offering the option of a naturally aspirated engine with respectable power or the kick-out supercharged plant.
The improved 3.8-liter V6 of Regal LS responds quickly when you tap the throttle. Besides an infusion of more power, it has more torque -- the engine's muscle used to turn the wheels -- at mid-range speeds.
Then add that supercharger to a smaller engine like the GM 3.8-liter V6, and horsepower jumps to 240 points and sets up a swift sedan that's also rather conservative on fuel.
Further, the torque generated from this horsepower climbs dramatically through supercharging, but at lower engine speeds which means there's more strength available quicker through lower gears.
Supercharging amounts to a simple mechanical idea.
Essentially, a blower driven by the engine forces more air into each cylinder to enrich the mix of fuel and oxygen required for combustion. This boost of air in turn generates more power with each cycle of ignition without requiring more fuel to do so.
New safety features on both Regal models include a more efficient anti-lock disc brake system and a handy tire inflation monitor for Regal LS. Dual airbags with decreased power for Regal rank as an improved safety system, as do daytime running lamps.
Regal's interior arrangement functions well and there's ample space available, particularly in head room -- it's high enough to wear a tall hat without crimping the crown.
Regal's seats receive special attention with added folds of plush layers and special contours to fit a body for more comfort.
The interior plan pitches twin buckets up front (and, unlike other Buicks, there's no option for a front bench), with space for up to three on the back bench.
Both Regals carry a lot of standard features, beginning with air conditioning and reaching to power operation for windows and door locks, and instruments including tachometer, but plush items like leather seats go to GS.
Prices seem reasonable too, starting around $22,500.
1999 BUICK REGAL SEDAN
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| 1999 BUICK REGAL VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS |
| Description: |
Mid-size luxury sedan |
| Model Options: |
Mid-size luxury sedan |
| Wheelbase: |
109.0 inches |
| Overall Length: |
196.2 inches
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| Engine Size: |
LS: OHV 3.8-L V6
GS: OHV 3.8-L V6 SC
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| Transmission: |
Auto/4 |
| Drive: |
Front |
| Braking: |
Power 4-disc/ABS/TCS |
| Airbags: |
2 |
| Gas Mileage: |
19/30 mpg
17/27 mpg |
| MSRP Price: |
$ 22,500 to $ 27,000 |
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