Europe currently enjoys the Opel Insignia OPC, a performance sedan with a turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 producing 325 hp, which is mated to a six-speed manual transmission that drives a Haldex-based all-wheel-drive system. Now, rumor has it that a similar vehicle could make its way to U.S. shores in the form of a Buick Regal GS.
As we have already reported, GM has announced plans to introduce the Chinese market Buick Regal to the North American market in either 2010 or 2011. What we have just learned however is that in addition to the standard-fare Buick Regal models, there may very well be a high-performance model based on the Opel Insignia OPC.
GM has announced that it will likely offer both a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter 4 cylinder engine with output expected to be 180 horsepower, as well as a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4 cylinder engine with output bumped up to the 220 hp neighborhood. GM has not released any plans that would include a 6-speed manual transmission to be mated with either of those engines.
Although the rumored Buick Regal GS is not yet officially scheduled for U.S. consumption, rumor has it that if it were to come to the U.S. it would most likely be powered by the 3.6-liter, direct injected V6 currently found in the newly released LaCrosse. Although the likely choice of the 3.6-liter 280 hp V6 falls short when compared to the output found in the turbocharged Opel counterpart, when coupled with reported 6-speed manual transmission, Brembo brakes, 19-inch wheels, and the Haldex-based AWD system it will likely still prove to be a very capable performance-based car.
