*OFFICIAL* Regal pics and specs!
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,132
From: Santa Clara, CA
I think one reason the manual trans take rate is so slow in the U.S. is that there is virtually no build-to-order. In Europe, it's apparently fairly common to special-order a car, whereas here, almost everyone buys off the lot. If 5% of the buyers want a manual, that's not enough for dealers to order them. In that case, close to 0% actually buy a manual.
To make build-to-order work, the manufacturers would have to ensure customers didn't end up playing rebate roulette -- "sorry, the loyalty rebate is gone but now there's a conquest rebate",
To make build-to-order work, the manufacturers would have to ensure customers didn't end up playing rebate roulette -- "sorry, the loyalty rebate is gone but now there's a conquest rebate",
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,154
From: All around
Jim Frederico, chief engineer for Buick, just told assembled journalists at the ride-and-drive for the new Buick Regal that it'll receive a manny tranny as an available option
Well, looks like there's some hope left in Buick after all.
I noticed in a few insignia's there was an Idrive MCS **** in the center console. I am very curious about that system.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,505
From: Charleston, WV
First Drive: 2011 Buick Regal prototype looks to be a good sport
There's an odd bit of historical deja vu at work here. Back in the late '60s and early '70s, General Motors wanted to shift a few sporty-ish four-cylinder models from its Opel division into America, so they turned to their Buick dealers. This didn't work out exactly as planned – merchandising these odd European ducks in an outlet best known for sober doctor's cars meant that the GT, Manta and Kadett never managed to make much of a dent in North America's automotive landscape. This time out, with the Opel Insignia-derived 2011 Buick Regal, GM knows it needs massively better results.
This is a Buick the likes of which we have never seen before.
While attending an early drive event for the new Regal last week, we reminded vice-chairman Bob Lutz about the last time his company attempted to sell Opels in Buick showrooms. He laughed his trademark raspy laugh, and reminded us that Car and Driver so loathed the 1968 Kadett that their review featured it photographed in a junkyard. With characteristic candor, Lutz tells us, "It actually wasn't a very good car." Of course, Maximum Bob knows full well that GM can't afford another lost in space Kadett. Does the Regal have what it takes to mollify these "sins of the father" and put Buick on the right track?
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Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 2,947
From: Springfield,OH. U.S.A.
This is what a Regal GS/SC was...capable of 14sec flat quarters..definitely no a Grandma's car!
I don't love the new Regal posted, I did like the Riv concept tho...a 4 door version of that would be nice...but it would probably end up a screwed up as the Volt production version.
Last edited by 90rocz; Nov 28, 2009 at 05:28 PM.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 915
From: Tucson, AZ
10gb hard drive
And 10gb is almost useless...modern mp3 players have more flash memory than that. Also in an automotive application I have to imagine flash memory would be more reliable.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,801
From: South Bend , IN
10 to 40G hd's are about as big as i've seen in any oem type sound system. And your just talking storing music files that's alot space
. Most flash memory players store vids and more
than just music .
. Most flash memory players store vids and more
than just music .
Last edited by 90 Z28SS; Nov 28, 2009 at 07:12 PM.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 10,285
From: Albany, NY
Where on earth are they even *getting* 10gb hard drives? Certainly nobody is manufacturing them *just* for gm...that would be far more costly than buying an already mass manufactured 160-250gb drive.
And 10gb is almost useless...modern mp3 players have more flash memory than that. Also in an automotive application I have to imagine flash memory would be more reliable.
And 10gb is almost useless...modern mp3 players have more flash memory than that. Also in an automotive application I have to imagine flash memory would be more reliable.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 9,507
From: Okemos, MI
I've wondered the same. I have two guesses:
1. Hard drive capacities skyrocketed so fast that there is a large backstock somewhere of perfectly functional 10-40GB drives available for very low prices, which were manufactured with the intent of putting them in computers, but then never actually used for that purpose, and now nobody wants them.
2. The car actually has more capacity (for nav maps and other functionality that can benefit from random access storage), but only 10GB is allocated to music storage.
1. Hard drive capacities skyrocketed so fast that there is a large backstock somewhere of perfectly functional 10-40GB drives available for very low prices, which were manufactured with the intent of putting them in computers, but then never actually used for that purpose, and now nobody wants them.
2. The car actually has more capacity (for nav maps and other functionality that can benefit from random access storage), but only 10GB is allocated to music storage.