Website Slip-up Reveals 2018 Buick Regal's V6-powered GS Model

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

Can we call it a hot hatch? The next-generation 2018 Buick Regal bowed earlier this week in Sportback and TourX wagon form, but one variant was missing from the spotlight: the go-fast GS model.

While the existing Regal GS makes do with a high-output turbocharged four, a source told us last year the new Regal would offer six-cylinder motivation. So far, the launch date and the TourX wagon variant claims have come to pass, though there’s still no V6 Regal in sight.

Actually, there is. And it happens to be in plain sight.

Two days ago, the following paragraph appeared on the Regal landing page of Buick Canada’s website.

Engineered to make getting there all the fun, the all-new Regal’s excellent driving performance is something to be experienced with available new powertrain and AWD system (3.6L v6 on GS and Twin Clutch AWD).

Detailing the new model, the site touts the Regal Sportback’s GS variant, equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 and Buick’s twin-clutch all-wheel-drive system.

The mention then disappeared from the site.

If you’re skeptical of the evidence so far, just search for the mention in Google. The GS mentions remains cached in the page description:

A Buick spokesperson declined to confirm the authenticity of information on Buick’s website.

To date, the only engine announced for the Regal Sportback is a 250-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four. TourX models (which won’t be available in Canada) see torque boosted from 260 lb-ft to 295. Moving up to a V6 would give buyers at least 305 horsepower, going by the mill’s other applications. There’s also the possibility Buick could reach further into the parts bin and pull out the 335 hp variant found in the Chevrolet Camaro, giving the automaker added bragging rights.

With the 2018 Regal not expected on dealer lots until the fourth quarter of this year, Buick has plenty of time to schedule another product announcement.

[Image: General Motors]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • Turf3 Turf3 on Apr 10, 2017

    Looks like a blown-up Grand Am with two more doors. And I call BS on the continuous drumbeat of rationalization of poor visibility. It takes more time and effort to design a proper green house than it does to supinely roll over to today's fashion and tell people to rely on the consumer-grade hardware and software in a backup camera, rather than using the perfectly good eyes already installed. Because we all know that consumer-grade hardware and software never fail, especially not at inconvenient moments. So the automakers give in to the fanbois who want every car to look like it was styled by 6-year-olds with a Transformers obsesssion, and the bean counters support it because it's marginally cheaper.

  • Greebo Greebo on Apr 13, 2017

    Now that GM has sold all it car production and design in europe to PSA where designed icky go for its new designsite? Current Regal replacement is a fabulous car the hatch back design which is common in europe has eventually made it theory the USA, where it makes using the boot (trunk) easier. The estate (wagon) is also a great product. Offering more space and versatility than an SUV but just in case you cannot cope A CUV is avaliable in the for of the XTOURER real nice addition to the range There is no V6 in the current production run and to be honest you do not need it the 4 cylinder unit is very good with enough refinement and power it's a shame you are getting the chevy 1.5 turbo the 1.6 Sidi e gine is much more refined and has 197bhp and mate to 8 speed auto very nicely. Moving away from V6 power is a good move for the USA

  • Lorenzo Heh. The major powers, military or economic, set up these regulators for the smaller countries - the big guys do what they want, and always have. Are the Chinese that unaware?
  • Lorenzo The original 4-Runner, by its very name, promised something different in the future. What happened?
  • Lorenzo At my age, excitement is dangerous. one thing to note: the older models being displayed are more stylish than their current versions, and the old Subaru Forester looks more utilitarian than the current version. I thought the annual model change was dead.
  • Lorenzo Well, it was never an off-roader, much less a military vehicle, so let the people with too much money play make believe.
  • EBFlex The best gift would have been a huge bonfire of all the fak mustangs in inventory and shutting down the factory that makes them.Heck, nobody would even have to risk life and limb starting the fire, just park em close together and wait for the super environmentally friendly EV fire to commence.
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