2018 Buick Regal All-Wheel-Drive Models Getting Two Automatics?

Newly published emissions certification documents on the California Air Resources Board website now confirm the existence of the Buick Regal TourX wagon — and much, much more.

The CARB documents show GM’s 250+ horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder powering both front- and all-wheel-drive Regal hatchbacks, plus the anticipated all-wheel-drive-only TourX wagon.

But how AWD Regals get their power to the wheels diverges from the script.

The documents show how many gears the Regal will use to get power to the ground. GM’s new 9T50 nine-speed transmission jointly developed with Ford looks to be the only choice on front-wheel-drive Regals equipped with the four-pot, while all-wheel-drive models will see an Aisin AF50 eight-speed automatic — for now.

The made-in-Mexico Hydra-Matic 9T50 will evidently be shipped from GM’s San Luis Potosi plant in Mexico across to Opel’s manufacturing facility in Rüsselsheim, Germany, for install in North American-spec Regals.

GM had said switching to a house-made transmission would save the company money instead of sourcing the AF50 from Aisin, making this initial overlap odd, especially considering GM ditched the eight-speed in favor of the 9T50 in 2.0T-equipped Malibus. Buick is likely to replace the Aisin-built slusher across the model range at some point.

Well placed internal sources revealed the Regal will gain a V6 engine to keep it in line with competitors, while a diesel is also under consideration for later in the Regal’s lifecycle — but the CARB documents make no mention of either motor.

GM plans to use the 9T50 in at least 10 models before the end of ’17, but has only confirmed the Chevrolet Cruze with the 1.6-liter diesel, Chevrolet Equinox with the 2.0T, and new GMC Terrain sporting a 1.5T. Neither GM or Ford has announced an application linking the 9T50 with a V6 engine.

If the Regal does end up with an oil-burner, don’t be surprised if it’s the same Opel developed 1.6-liter four-cylinder diesel paired with the nine-speed.

The Regal makes its debut on April 4th in Michigan, followed by a public debut at the New York International Auto Show later that month.