Four Decades of the Buick Regal: Still on the Road and Counting

We have seen five generations of the Buick Regal over the last four decades. Throughout, the vehicle has been highly regarded as a sporty, luxury ride.

The 1973 Century Regal was one of General Motors first personal luxury vehicles. It went on to set sales records for the automaker, beginning a long lasting relationship that?s produced a series of great autos. Between 1973 and 1977, the Regal consisted of opera windows and large, swooping lines, along the lines of the original luxury era. The 1975 Regal was the country?s only mid-sized car that came standard with an efficient V-6 engine and a comparable V-8 performance. This was a direct reaction to the Arab oil embargo.

The Regal became the model for powertrain innovation, leading the industry in the need for fuel efficient engines. It?s not surprising that by 1978, the Regal was on the cutting edge of turbocharging for a better fuel economy. The advancement of Buick?s work in this field would see the Regal being acknowledged as one of the most significant cars of the 1980s.

The second generation Regals offered a 3.8 liter turbocharged V-6 engine, the first of its kind. It would open the door for what are now iconic Buick models like the Grand National and GNX. The third generation of models started in the late 1980s and ran through the mid 1990s. It continued the public?s desire for more scaled down, energy efficient options. The Buick assembly line produced smaller Regals while pioneering front wheel drive.

The fourth generation of Regals saw the manufacturer going backwards for inspiration. The 1997 Regal was an upmarket version of the original 1973 Century Regal. The same year, the 1997 Regal GS hit the market, boasting Buick?s first supercharged V-6 with 280 pounds per foot of torque and 240 horsepower.

Today, the Regal maintains its hold on being a dynamic experience behind the wheel. It remains a leader in powertrain technology. The Regal has returned after a brief period of inactivity. It was back in Chinese showrooms in 2009, followed by American markets a year later. An optimized GS returned in 2012.

The 2014 Regal model will have all wheel drive while meshing technically advanced engines with sport sedan performance. These new models will come equipped with a 2.0L turbocharged four cylinder engine spitting out 259 horsepower and 295 pounds of torque per foot. There will also be HiPer Strut front suspension and an electronic limited slip differential. There will be the option of a 2.4L engine with eAssist electrification light tech that will deliver an EPA estimated 25 mpg in the city and 36 on highways.

The fifth generation Regals will continue the tradition of all passenger comfort and safety. A range of radar and camera based features will be available. There will be a touch display with IntelliLink connectivity. Expect leather appointed seating, heated front seats and dual zone automatic climate control as standard.

Buick is definitely pushing for another four decades of Regal luxury.