Sport Touring: Buick’s New Trademark Launches Speculation

In late April, Buick trademarked “Regal Sport Touring” and “LaCrosse Sport Touring” launching speculation about new models it has in the pipeline. Of course, any time a car company files a new trademark with the US Patent and Trademark Office, car enthusiasts are liable to get excited. Speculation abounds and all sorts of rumors begin floating around dealer lots, mechanics’ waiting rooms and Internet forums. But what can we really tell from Buick’s new trademarks?

Hold Your Horses
It is easiest to tell what the potential “Sport Touring” is not. It is almost certainly not a new model. While some automakers like to spin-off new models by attaching a word or two to the name of an already-existing model, Buick has traditionally kept distinct names for each of its product lines, with General Motors’ other luxury brand – Cadillac – following suit. That means that “Sport Touring” has to be a new trim level introduced for both the LaCrosse and the Regal. But if it is a new options package, why not also register an “Enclave Sport Touring” and an “Encore Sport Touring”?

Sport Performance
One likely scenario is that the Sport Touring is going to be a high-performance option for the two cars. Sportier variants of both cars fall in line with GM’s overall strategy of increasing the focus on performance, especially in the Cadillac and high-end Chevrolet model lines. It seems inevitable that Buick, also one of GM’s luxury brands, would follow suit. So what do the high-performance Regal and LaCrosse look like?
One obvious change would be new engine options. The Regal GS – currently the high-performance Regal – is already putting out 270 horsepower, so it would be difficult for Buick to improve on that with a four-cylinder option. A small (possibly turbocharged) six-cylinder is not out of question however. The LaCrosse, on the other hand, has a larger array of large six-cylinders potentially available to it. A likely candidate is the twin-turbo 3.6 liter found on the Cadillac CTS and XTS. Another possibility is a pair of new high-performance diesel engines for both cars. But performance is not the only possibility for the new “Sport Touring” trim.

A European Newcomer
Buick’s European label – Opel – sells two cars with a Sports Tourer trim level: the compact Astra and the mid-size Insignia. Conspicuously, the Insignia is the European version of the Regal. Both of the Sports Tourer models are wagon versions of their respective base cars. So if Opel’s Sports Tourer label is analogous to the “Sport Touring” mark Buick just registered, that means that the United States is getting two Buick station wagons. But that is not the only body style addition Buick could bring over from Europe. Opel also sells a convertible version of the Regal as the Opel Cascada. A Buick convertible is also an exciting possibility.
Whatever the new Buick Sport Touring models look like, it is clear that Buick is building up its brand and new things are on the horizon. It is truly an exciting time to be a car enthusiast.