2014 Buick Regal to Gain All-Wheel Drive, New Turbo Engine and More…

It looks like Buick is going to be adding some very nice new features to the new 2014 Buick Regal.

Though the 2014 model hasn’t arrived to dealerships yet, there is plenty of hype already surrounding it.

Of all the remaining General Motors divisions, Buick has shown the most significant growth in terms of model discrepancy, marketing aggressiveness and successful target demographic focus shift. The vehicles themselves have transformed from being products conjuring up visions of great-grandfathers driving models from a bygone era to cool, trendy and downright awe-inspiring conveyances further supported by celebrity advertising endorsements. In the case of the 2014 Buick Regal, these elements have gone to another level altogether, as the import-fighting sedan has been given coveted all-wheel-drive, a new turbo engine and a new interior.

The 2011 Regal was based on the European-spec Opel Insignia, albeit with key differences, the most significant of which, to enthusiasts at least, was the dropping of the Insignia’s all-wheel-drive system. Though the 2014 Regal boasts what GM calls a “mild redesign” of the car, this all-wheel-drive “mishap” of sorts was a wrong that was righted, and much like the 2014 LaCrosse, the new model year Regal receives a subtle facelift – in keeping more with Buick’s current “design language,” the division has applied to the sedan a new grille and headlamps, further separating it from models past. And, although raw sheetmetal of the Regal goes untouched, a fresh deck lid appears along with an integrated portion of the taillamps. As many car aficionados can attest, most of the time it’s all about the rear end when styling a car – and the 2014 Regal appears to stand apart in the styling department through this new deck lid treatment.

Of course, exterior accents and sexy body lines would mean nothing if the inside of a ride wasn’t comfortable, and GM took the opportunity with the 2014 Regal to spruce that element up as well. Continuing to utilize the aforementioned Buick design language, the division indulged in two-tone color palettes and an entirely new center stack that, as compared to what critics called a “busy” switchgear layout on the Opel variant, expresses a significant Buick – and American -flair. A meaty, sporty three-spoke steering wheel further highlights the interior of the sexy-yet-classy 2014 Regal, while new switchgear on the doors adds a refreshing touch. Further, the 2014 Regal doesn’t offer the Ultra Luxury interior option so graciously welcomed in the 2014 LaCrosse – Buick has opted to offer what they have dubbed a new “fashion” interior encompassing two-tone colors and overtly unique trim elements.

The Regal’s new 2.0-liter turbo engine is derived direct from GM rather than the previous Opel-sourced 2.0-liter unit – this is the same engine found in the Cadillac ATS and Chevy Malibu, and churns out 259 refined horsepower and 295 pound-feet of stump-tugging torque. While the Regal Turbo and Regal GS now share the same powerplant, resulting in the GS variant representing more of an appearance and feature package, the 2014 Regal GS will be available in all-wheel-drive, guaranteed to satisfy a plethora of buyers shopping within this class. The all-wheel-drive system is from Haldex, capable of sending up to 90-percent of the engine’s torque through the rear wheels.

A long roster of additional features defines the 2014 Buick Regal, expected to go on sale this fall.