Jalopnik: ecotec

Buick Regal Is Back, Gets Turbocharged

Ben Wojdyla — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:05:46 EST

The Buick Regal is officially back, a re-badged Opel Insignia sporting two Ecotec four-cylinder engines including a 220HP turbo version with 29 MPG fuel economy. GM's out for mid-size entry-luxe blood with design and equipment set to turn some heads.

The Buick Regal has officially returned, and the specs read like a laundry list of ways GM could build a car to make people look at Buick again. As the car is based heavily on the Opel Insignia, the Regal wears almost identical styling save the grille and badge on the nose. While the looks do impress, it's what's under the skin that's really getting us interested. The base car gets the 2.4 liter four cylinder with 182 HP and a highway fuel economy of 30 MPG while the uplevel car will have the 2.0 liter direct injected turbocharged four-banger which saw previous duty in the Cobalt SS, though tuned to a less hairy 220 HP and still delivering 29 MPG highway. Both mills have a six speed automatic transmission. The turbo model gets something we need to know more about called "Interactive Drive Control System" (IDCS) which allows four different driver-selectable suspension settings.

Inside the Regal borrows heavily from the LaCrosse's playbook, with sweeping lines, dramatic lighting, and rich textures. Seems to be finished with a bit more modern and clean flair then the LaCrosse's traditional luxury bent. We'll be seeing more of the car at the LA Auto Show but until then, check out the video, press release and official images.

The 2011 Regal: A Buick Bred On The Autobahn Sport Sedan Blends Sleek Design with European Road Manners for Great Driving

QUICK FACTS

* A new midsize Buick sport sedan with a European-bred driving experience
* On sale in the second quarter of 2010
* Based on the award-winning Opel Insignia and available now as a Regal in China
* Modern, sleek design with great attention to detail and excellent build quality
* Efficient, four-cylinder/six-speed powertrain with 30 mpg (est.)
* Turbocharged model available in summer 2010
* Driver-selectable Interactive Drive Control System available in summer 2010
* Available rear-seat thorax air bags
* Standard 18-inch wheels, leather and heated front seats, XM Satellite Radio, Bluetooth and OnStar.

LOS ANGELES – On Thursday Buick will reveal the 2011 Regal sport sedan to customers in the L.A. area. Armed with turbocharged horsepower, a driver-selectable suspension system and a firm, European-tuned chassis, it delivers a driving experience that rivals the best import sport sedans in the segment.

"The 2011 Buick Regal is like nothing you've ever experienced from this brand," said Susan Docherty, general manager of Buick GMC. "The Regal is the next chapter in Buick's transformation and will expand the portfolio to include a sport sedan."

The new Regal arrives in the second quarter of 2010, with its sights aimed squarely on competitors like the Acura TSX and Volvo S60. It has a longer wheelbase and greater trunk volume than those vehicles, along with standard features – including a six-speed automatic transmission, 18-inch wheels and OnStar – that aren't offered standard on either competitor.

The Regal's development is rooted in Germany, where the globally led engineering team created the award-winning Opel Insignia – the 2009 European Car of the Year. The Insignia has garnered more than 31 prestigious awards and is the best-selling midsize sedan in Europe. Regal will bring all of Insignia's award-winning design, technology and European-inspired performance capabilities to the American market.

The Regal has already been a success on another continent, in China. It went on sale in December 2008 and more than 64,000 Regals have been sold there. Enthusiastic customers cite its sculpted, flowing design and responsive performance as the top reasons for purchase.

Regal at a glance

Regal will initially be offered in premium CXL trim only, with additional trim levels to be offered in the 2012 model year. The well-equipped Regal CXL includes the following as standard or available equipment:

* Standard 2.4L Ecotec direct injected engine rated at an estimated 182 horsepower (136 kW)
* Available 2.0L Ecotec turbocharged and direct injected engine rated at an estimated 220 horsepower (164 kW) – available late-summer 2010
* Both engines have a six-speed automatic transmission standard with driver-shifting control
* Estimated 30 mpg on the highway with the 2.4L and 29 mpg highway with the 2.0L turbo engine
* MacPherson strut front suspension and four-link independent rear suspension
* All-new Interactive Drive Control System (IDCS) available with the 2.0L turbo, offering driver-selectable suspension settings and automatic driver suspension setting adaptability
* Four-wheel disc brakes with four-channel anti-lock braking system, brake assist and electronic parking brake
* Standard StabiliTrak stability control system and full-function traction control
* Standard dual-stage frontal air bags, side-curtain air bags and pedal-release system; rear-seat thorax air bags available
* Available navigation system, Harmon Kardon sound system, internal flash drive (1GB), hard drive with 10GB for music and USB port
* Standard 18-inch wheels (19-inch wheels standard with IDCS)
* Standard 12-way power, leather and heated driver seat; leather and heated passenger front seat; Bluetooth capability; XM Satellite Radio and OnStar.

Design story

The Regal's sleek design blends the sweeping silhouette and proportions of a coupe in a progressive package that suggests motion from all angles. Great attention to detail complements that aggressive styling, with tailored applications of Buick's signature design cues, such as the waterfall grille, select use of chrome trim and superior fit and finish of the exterior panels.

"Regal is all about great proportions," said John Cafaro, design director, passenger car. "For example, with the fenders flared to wrap around the tires. It's an aggressive stance that people aren't used to seeing in recent Buicks."

The car's performance-oriented spirit is also conveyed in sleek, sculpted body-side detail and aggressive headlamps that further suggest motion. At the rear, an abbreviated deck and tucked-in body panels are the hallmarks of a contemporary sport sedan, with bold taillamps and their intricate lighting elements reinforcing Regal's attention to detail. Eighteen-inch wheels are standard.

The sweeping design motif carries over to the interior, where the side panels flow uninterrupted into the instrument panel. The instruments have the look of expensive sport timepieces and are lit with ice-blue LED lights. The center stack, housing the climate and "infotainment" controls, was designed to allow for a lower, driver-centric instrument panel profile. Features such as a thick-rimmed, leather-wrapped steering wheel and firm, highly bolstered and leather-covered seats also support the sport-oriented driving experience.

"There is great design harmony between the exterior and interior," said Cafaro. "The feeling of flow and motion carries through in an engaging manner that makes you want to take the Regal out to your favorite twisting road to see what it can do."

A breakthrough interior

The Regal's finely crafted, sporty and well-appointed interior builds on the exceptional attention to detail found in the Enclave and LaCrosse, blending signature styling cues with contemporary sport sedan aesthetics.

Regal's firm, highly bolstered seats were benchmarked against the top import competitors for comfort and support, while a standard flow-through center console offers plenty of storage for passengers in the front and back.

Smart applications of technology are also hallmarks of the Regal, including details such as a multi-function controller on the center console for operation of the audio system, navigation system and the Bluetooth phone. The faceplate for the "infotainment" screen is set at a 30-degree angle to contribute to the car's flowing interior design.

A new era in Buick design is also seen in the satin metallic, piano black and new, Kibo-patterned interior trim materials. Kibo is a rich, dark, progressively grained wood that lends an international flair to the Regal.

Under the hood

Unique with its all-four-cylinder powertrain, the Regal relies on the excellent horsepower-per-liter ratio of the Ecotec engine family to deliver smart, on-demand performance that is also very efficient.

Both the standard 2.4L engine and the available 2.0L turbo use direct injection technology to optimize performance, reduce emissions and maximize fuel efficiency. The 2.4L is the same engine offered in the Buick LaCrosse, but in the smaller, lighter Regal, it delivers more agile performance. The 2.0L turbo cements the sport sedan credibility of the Regal, with on-demand power comparable to a V-6, but the inherent efficiency of a four-cylinder. To ensure responsive power across the rpm range, the 2.0L turbo uses a twin-scroll turbocharger that builds power quickly at lower rpm.

Distinct, uniquely calibrated six-speed automatic transmissions are paired with each engine. Both offer driver shift control that enhances the sporty driving feel of the Regal.

Driving experience

The chassis and structural systems were developed in Germany and give the Regal the handling and dynamics of a premium European sport sedan, as well as the quiet, refined ride and road manners expected of a Buick. The body structure is one of the most rigid in the segment, which is approximately 25-percent stiffer than the previous Regal. This solid structure supports more precise suspension tuning and a quieter ride.

A relatively long wheelbase of 107.8 inches (2738 mm) gives the Regal refined, well-balanced vehicle dynamics and supports comfortable ride tuning. Additionally, an independent MacPherson strut-type front suspension with single-path mountings and hydraulic ride bushings; a four-link independent rear suspension; hydraulic rack-and-pinion steering; and optimized four-wheel disc brakes are optimized to the capability of the individual powertrains and tailored to the expected use by drivers. Models equipped with the 2.0L turbo engine, for example, feature larger brakes.

Latest-generation electronic stability control (ESC or StabiliTrak), anti-lock brake system (ABS), and traction control system (TCS) are standard with Buick's innovative, Interactive Drive Control System (IDCS) real-time damping system offered on models equipped with the 2.0L turbo powertrain.

Interactive Drive Control System

Regal's Interactive Drive Control System chassis technology (available on models with the available 2.0L turbo engine) offers enhanced vehicle stability and greater driving safety. It is designed to change the personality of the car based on the personality of the driver. A sophisticated driving mode control module continually monitors driving style utilizing yaw rate, lateral and longitudinal acceleration, steering wheel, throttle and vehicle speed. It defines the dynamic vehicle state, including acceleration, braking and cornering, to optimize chassis reactions. It also executes all of the IDCS driver selections.

All four dampers are electronically controlled and continuously adapt within milliseconds to the prevailing road conditions, vehicle movements and individual driving style. Chassis settings are adjustable by the driver, with Normal, Tour and Sport settings.

IDCS allows the driver to choose between three different operating modes that change the suspension settings, throttle response, shift pattern and steering sensitivity through the variable effort steering system. The three modes deliver three types of experiences:

* Normal – balanced and optimized for all driving situations
* Tour – optimized for comfort and relaxed driving on long journeys
* Sport – optimized for road holding; enthusiast driving .

Selecting "Sport" mode optimizes the car for dynamic driving, tightening the suspension and steering response and speeding up the reaction of the automatic transmission. The "Tour" mode is optimal for long-distance cruising or rough road conditions, providing an increase in comfort. "Normal" or Default Mode is the perfect all-around setting for daily commuting and city traffic. The other major benefit of Interactive Drive Control is that it automatically adapts Regal's performance settings to individual driving styles. When a driver begins to drive more aggressively it will tighten the suspension and increase steering effort and change to a more aggressive throttle response. When the vehicle senses that the driver is doing relaxed cruising, it adjusts settings for rolling smoothness and comfort.

Apart from a more rewarding driving experience, IDCS also offers safety benefits in emergency situations. For example, if an obstacle must be avoided when the car is in Tour mode, various chassis sensors convey this to the DMC and the dampers are stiffened within milliseconds, delivering greater body control.

[Source: GM]

2010 Opel Astra, GTC Get Much-Needed Facelift

The Auto Insider — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:00:00 EDT

The Astra hasn't sold well in the States, but that doesn't mean that its Euro-trash cousin can't make a comeback tour. Take a peak at the handsomely-designed 2010 Opel Astra and its agro-counterpart, the GTC.

The current Opel Astra and its U.S. Saturn-based variant are getting a little long-in-the-tooth both in design and in driving dynamics when compared to its much newer rivals, the Ford Focus and VW Golf. The design will be in-line with current Opel design cues which began with the Opel Insignia and will ride on the new, larger Global Delta platform. These new cars will feature both a wider track and a longer wheelbase, allowing for an aggressive, well-proportioned stance. Also in store is a new estate 5-door model with a slightly longer wheelbase and increased rear interior storage.

Also, pictured in sketch form is the high-performance 2010 Opel Astra GTC, which is poised to take on the new Ford Focus RS and VW GTI. Power will likely come from a version of the turbocharged, direct-injection 2.0L Ecotec featured in the Cobalt SS Turbo. The new GTC will trump the previous model's power numbers by about 20, totaling around 260-horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, while returning a rough highway estimate of 30 mpg.

Will we ever have a chance at the new Astra? With current Saturn Astra sales not meeting initial expectations, it would be unlikely, but another small car in GM's lineup is just what the doctor ordered. It would make the perfect utilitarian choice over the Chevy Cruze and with the collapse of GM's U.S. performance operations, a Euro-tuned Astra GTC would fill the gap nicely. According to GM, we'll see the 5-door version at the Frankfurt Auto Show later this year.

ALL-NEW ASTRA SET TO TAKE COMPACT CLASS BY STORM IN 2009

* 5-door hatch to debut at 2009 Frankfurt Show
* All-new, highly sophisticated chassis
* New high-efficiency engines
* Leading technology evolved from Insignia

Luton. The next generation Vauxhall Astra will receive its premiere at next year's Frankfurt Show, delivering a compelling mix of technical innovation and groundbreaking design that promises to raise the bar in the compact sector.

With its flowing lines and signature sculpted blade, the new Astra will carry the spirit of the Insignia into the compact class, offering customers a premium feel, while maintaining Vauxhall's value for money promise.

Inside, the premium theme will continue, with a warm, wrap-around interior and a wing-line sweep that links the instrument panel to the door.

An all-new chassis promises to maintain the Astra's reputation for class-leading dynamics, while new engines will maximise low-end torque to achieve miserly fuel consumption.

Also expect to see clever and practical features on the new Astra, taking inspiration from systems like the Corsa's FlexFix integrated carrier.

The new Astra will major on technical innovation, such as the Front Camera System used in the upcoming Insignia, which combines traffic sign recognition with a lane departure system, improving occupant safety and potentially helping drivers avoid fines.

Next generation Adaptive Front Lighting (AFL) will also be shared with the Insignia. The system adapts to different road and driving conditions by providing nine unique light beams, improving visibility and safety during night-time driving.

This will be the fourth generation of the hugely successful Astra, which has sold over 2.5 million cars in the UK during the last 27 years.

The current model kick-started Vauxhall's design renaissance when it was launched in 2004, and according to Mark Adams, GM Europe's Vice President of Design, it presented his team with serious challenges: "The present Astra already combines a high level of technical substance and emotional styling, but with the new car we are taking a big step forward in both respects, while emphasising its sporting credentials."

[via motorward]

Elfin Type 5 Clubman Goes From Zero To Sydney In 3.7 Seconds

Mark Arnold — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 10:20:00 EDT

Down under in Sydney at the Australian International Motor Show, the new Elfin Type 5 Clubman has been revealed. The latest offering from Australia's own hardcore roadster builders, the Type 5 follows on the heels of the popular MS8 models. The new car is powered by GM's 260 HP 2.0-liter turbocharged Ecotec four-banger. It's the same setup found in the Pontiac Solstice GXP and Saturn Sky Redline, but the Elfin weighs significantly less at about 1600 pounds. That may not be as light as a Secma, but it's enough to allow for 0-62 MPH jolts in just 3.7 seconds. Even better, they say it's affordable.

Whether or not the Type 5 is a bargain depends on how you look at it. In the Australian market, prices should be about that of commonplace Japanese sportscars like the Mazda RX-8. So if performance is your highest priority, the Elfin has plenty of bang for the buck. Obviously though, an RX-8 is going to be much more comfortable, as a hardcore roadster like the Type 5 is...well, hardcore. As is usually the case though, we won't have to worry about this conundrum over here in America, because it won't ever be coming here. Looks like you'll have to just build a Caterham. [via MotorAuthority]

Cadillac Will Downsize Engines When Customers Prove That's What They Want

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:40:00 EDT

Cadillac is ready to downsize the engines in their luxury offerings — and they have the ability to do it today if that's what customers indicate they want, according to GM Exec VP Thomas G. Stephens. Auto Observer reports he specifically mentioned the possibility of dropping a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, like the turbo Ecotec, into the Cadillac CTS, along with the possibility of trading cylinder count and displacement for turbocharging and direct injection, à la Ford's EcoBoost strategy.

Said Stephens, "We're ready. When (customers) want it - we'll do it." The idea of a four-banger Cadillac CTS Wagon is pretty alluring.

Jalopnik Snap Judgment: There's just one problem with this strategy —how do people signify they want the option of a smaller engine? Do they write letters? Attend focus groups? Isn't this a game of chicken and the egg? We're worried Cadillac's strategy is the same as GM's SUV-pickup truck strategy, which was to wait until they stopped selling them and then drastically shift development. Maybe getting ahead of the market this time would be a nice move.

[Auto Observer via eGMCarTech]

2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe Cruises For Chicks

Mark Arnold — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 16:45:00 EDT

You know what ~~they~~ Nick Hogan says about a yellow car. Well apparently GM thinks it's true; earlier we showed you a 2010 Camaro caught in yellow, and now we have footage of the 2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe driving around in a similar ~~visually scalding~~ hue. We'd rather have the slick little turbocharged 260 HP coupe in a more understated Liquid Silver Metallic, but then we're probably not trolling for the same type of ladies as the Viper-drifting, Supra-crashing Hogan.

Turbo Ecotec Power Might Wake Up This Chevette

Murilee Martin — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 16:00:00 EST

Dropping a turbocharged Ecotec out of a Solstice GXP into a Chevette sounds like a very, very good idea to us. 260 horses is nearly four times the little red Chevette's original power, so such a combo should be a ~~total suicide machine~~ pretty zippy performer. Well, looks like our Question of the Day has been answered! LTDScott has pulled our coats about this project, which is at the "engine sitting next to car on garage floor" stage. We sure hope this ~~madman~~ adventurous soul gets the engine installed and running soon! [Pro-Touring.com]

Commenter of the Day: Ugly Stereotypes Edition

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 19:00:00 EDT

Rush Limbaugh was described best to me as, "Your paranoid, self-loathing uncle who screams into his attic ham radio about imaginary injustices. Yet for some for some reason he's taken seriously." Before you slap me with the "Lib!" badge, I would ask you to spend an afternoon with my uncle. All of which brings us around nicely to today's winning Commenter. The problem with stereotypes is that they always fail miserably. Don't get me started about the gay Eskimo I knew who drove a gold Jag XJ-12.

Today's QOTD asked what you would do with a 260-hp, 260 lb-ft 2.0-liter turbocharged Ecotec motor if you were General Motors. And somehow that devolved into what Andrewpetty had to say:

Hint: It's because GM builds garbage and then sells it to idiots who listen to country music and have sex with their cousins while talking about how great it would be if all the jews were dead.

Are we rewarding failure or shaming the silly? A little from column A and B I suspect. And just so no one gangs up too hard on Mr. Petty, he already emailed me to apologize. Apparently, his Chevy Suburban is on the fritz. Let me restate that, his Chevy.

What Would You Do With the Turbocharged Ecotec?

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 12:15:00 EDT

One thing we admire about General Motors is that when they do do something right, they do it so right that conversations cease. I'm sure you've all been here before, "Yeah, well, the Porsche Blah Blah Blah does 0-60 in blah and goes around some track in Germany in blah and has this crazy hyper-tech thingy that does blah." To which you simply cock your John Deere trucker's cap, spit tabacky on his Eurotrash spats and grunt, "Z06." Done, next! And what makes the Z06 so damn mighty? In a word, the LS7 beating under it's resiny hood. Turns out that the General has another engine that is the bees knees dressed in cat's pajamas — the 2.0-liter twin-scroll turbo, direct-injected 2.0-liter Ecotec unit that powers both the Solstice GXP and the Sky Red Line to the tune of 260-hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. Meaning that a mill 5-liters smaller than the Z06's engine makes over half the latter's power. In fact, it has the highest specific output of any engine GM has ever made. So, we ask you and your GM hat for-a-day, what would you do with? You can see our nomadic response above.

Commenter of the Day: SEMA Press Release Orgy Edition

Jonny Lieberman — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 18:15:00 EDT

Murilee and I spoke with Wert on Saturday after the Pumpkin Smash. He was already in his ~~Howard Hughes Suite~~ room at the MGM Grand, so we asked if he was going to play some Texas Hold 'Em or get blotto off free booze or hit a strip club — you know, any Vegas-type activity. No, he told us, he was going to sit tight and post press releases. Which prompted me to remark that in a lot of ways, Ray and I are very different. Regardless, that boy can post! Which brings us to today's winning comment, right after you jump.

Herr Wert tossed one up about the '34 Chevy Coupe with the 2.0-liter, 500 HP Ecotec E85 turbo mill. To which we can only say, "Hot damn!" Commenter danms6 however, had a slightly different take:

I wouldn't be surprised if GM made this FWD.

We hate it when you all are smarter than us all. And more accurate, too. We just hate it.

Juicing the Ecotec: GM's New Aftermarket Kits Are Here

Mike Spinelli — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 13:03:14 EDT

Drivers of Chevy Cobalt SSs and Saturn ION Redlines will finally be able to add firepower under their dimunitive hoods for not a whole lot more money. GM Performance Parts, the company's aftermarket pimps, have released two aftermarket engine-upgrade kits that will add between 31 and 36 horsepower. The Stage One kit ($500) includes ECU tweaks and higher-flow injectors, and Stage Two involves a giant slingshot and rubberbands made from melted-down cheater slicks. No, seriously. Press release after the jump.

Press Release

2.0L Ecotec gets a boost from GM Performance Parts' Stage Kits

Performance upgrade kits for Chevy Cobalt Coupe SS Supercharged; Saturn ION Redline
MSRP - Stage One Kit - $500; Stage Two Kit - $750

DETROIT - GM Performance Parts is adding some extra juice to the already high-voltage 2.0L Ecotec-powered Chevrolet Cobalt Coupe SS Supercharged and Saturn ION Redline by introducing two supercharger kits that generate real power gain at the wheels. The Stage One and Stage Two performance upgrade kits provide an additional 31 and 36 hp respectively.

"These stage kits are aimed squarely at the hard core enthusiast looking to boost the power of the already charged-up 205-horsepower 2.0L Ecotec engine of the Chevy Cobalt Coupe SS Supercharged and Saturn ION Redline," said Nancy Philippart, executive director, GM Accessories. "They deliver increased horsepower and torque throughout the operating range of the engine."

The Stage One Kit (P/N 17801947) with a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $500.00, includes higher-flow fuel injectors and an ECU calibration to provide a 31 hp boost to the Cobalt Coupe SS Supercharged and ION Redline Ecotec engine for a total of 236 hp and 205 lb.-ft. of torque.

The Stage Two Kit (P/N 17803229), with an MSRP of $750.00, yields more power through the middle section of the power curve versus the Stage One Kit. The Stage Two Kit includes the parts available in the Stage One Kit and adds a smaller supercharger pulley and drive belt, pushing the engine alive with 241 hp and 218 lb.-ft. of torque across a broad engine speed range.

A Stage One to Stage Two Upgrade Kit (P/N 17803230) is also available for an ION Redline or Cobalt Coupe SS Supercharged with a Stage One performance upgrade kit already installed. This kit converts the Stage One to Stage Two, increasing performance from 236 hp to 241 hp and has an MSRP of $400.00.

You Are There: GM Product-Testing Party, Colorado Edition

Mike Spinelli — Tue, 31 Jan 2006 11:44:35 EST

Our new buddy Ryan happened by a GM soir e in the Rocky Mountains, at which the company's new, turbocharged Ecotec direct-injection mill was the most honored of guests. Luckily, he brought along his digicam

I've seen a few mildly disguised Solstice GXPs over the last couple of days near Keystone Mountain in Colorado. Then yesterday, I ran into a whole slew of gm test vehicles in a hotel parking lot in Dillon, CO. There happened to be a mechanic working on one of the Solstices at the time, so I asked him a few questions. It sounded like it was actually a Bosch testing program for cold weather/high altitude performance of the direct injection ecotec turbo. Apparently they're already making 280bhp and shooting for 300bhp for next year. And GM is planning to stick the mill in a bunch of different performance models: They had two undisguised Cobalt SSs with the same motor, and an HHR as well.
In the same lot there were five fully disguised cars under covers. I couldn't tell in the slightest what they are.

Funny, we were just talking about how much the HHR needed a shot of adrenaline. All bodes well.

(Side note: GM recently contributed $25,000 to "develop a strategy for a Center for Education at The Keystone Center," a Colorado-based non-profit organization that supports science education.)