Spied: 2018 Buick Regal TourX Soft-roader Wagon, Minus the Badge

by Steph Willems

Published: March 2nd, 2017

Automakers, having long since abandoned the once-hot American wagon market, are returning to see if a lingering spark can be rekindled.

Consider Buick as one of the brands brave enough to cast its line into the pool in the hopes of a bite. The next-generation Regal, which already graces European car mags as the Opel Insignia, won’t come to the U.S. simply as a sedan. Opel’s Insignia Sports Tourer creates a fine opportunity for Buick to deliver a new wagon to these SUV-crazed shores..

However, we’re a go-anywhere, do-anything bunch over here, and any wagon coming to America had better have some cladding and about an inch and a half of lift!

Judging by these spy photos of Opel’s Insignia Country Tourer, mildly rugged wagon aficionados will soon get their wish.

The model’s wheel arches and side sills are gilded in black matte plastic, ready to protect the body from the scrapes and scratches that inevitably result from fording creeks and crawling over rocks in the deep forest. (Or navigating those tight New England garages.) A slight suspension lift helps position the vehicle as an alternative for the crossover-buying crowd.

Expect a corporate Buick grille and some subtle exterior changes when the Country Tourer morphs into the TourX. We’re expecting the 2018 Regal, likely joined by its wagon sister, to debut at the New York Auto Show in April.

As for powerplants, a version of General Motor’s trusty turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder is a given, though a source told us last year that buyers can expect an optional V6 engine. Standard all-wheel drive means the Regal TourX can go head-to-head with its faux off-road German competition, as well as the Volvo V90.

#Buick #BuickRegal #BuickRegalTourX #FutureVehicles #OpelInsignia #Wagons

Steph Willems

More by Steph Willems

Comments

Join the conversation

2 of 28 comments

28-Cars-Later on Mar 02, 2017

Needs more 3800.

Like Reply
Arthur Dailey on Mar 02, 2017

Because when did anything ever go wrong when any of the D3 imported one of their captive brand vehicles to North America?

Like Reply

Recent Comments

JMII I did them on my C7 because somehow GM managed to build LED markers that fail after only 6 years. These are brighter then OEM despite the smoke tint look.I got them here: https://www.corvettepartsandaccessories.com/products/c7-corvette-oracle-concept-sidemarker-set?variant=1401801736202
28-Cars-Later Why RHO? Were Gamma and Epsilon already taken?
28-Cars-Later "The VF 8 has struggled to break ground in the increasingly crowded EV market, as spotty reviews have highlighted deficiencies with its tech, ride quality, and driver assistance features. That said, the price isn’t terrible by current EV standards, starting at $47,200 with leases at $429 monthly." In a not so surprising turn of events, VinFast US has already gone bankrupt.
28-Cars-Later "Farley expressed his belief that Ford would figure things out in the next few years."Ford death watch starts now.
JMII My wife's next car will be an EV. As long as it costs under $42k that is totally within our budget. The average cost of a new ICE car is... (checks interwebs) = $47k. So EVs are already in the "affordable" range for today's new car buyers.We already have two other ICE vehicles one of which has a 6.2l V8 with a manual. This way we can have our cake and eat it too. If your a one vehicle household I can see why an EV, no matter the cost, may not work in that situation. But if you have two vehicles one can easily be an EV.My brother has an EV (Tesla Model Y) along with two ICE Porsche's (one is a dedicated track car) and his high school age daughters share an EV (Bolt). I fully assume his daughters will never drive an ICE vehicle. Just like they have never watched anything but HiDef TV, never used a land-line, nor been without an iPad. To them the concept of an ICE power vehicle is complete ridiculous - you mean you have to STOP driving to put some gas in and then PAY for it!!! Why? the car should already charged and the cost is covered by just paying the monthly electric bill.So the way I see it the EV problem will solve itself, once all the boomers die off. Myself as part of Gen X / MTV Generation will have drive a mix of EV and ICE.