Car performance

The 2011 Buick Regal will be offered with a manual transmission. How do we know? A major online-car magazine has test-driven a 2011 Regal. In Michigan, the journalist rolled down the window and called Jim Federico, the man behind the Insignia/Regal, over and said something along the lines of "This is a manual. What the hell?"

Federico responded that the 2.0 litre turbo version of the Regal (which will arrive a few months after the car goes on sale in the U.S. in Spring 2010) will eventually be offered with the 6 speed manual gearbox. This engine arrives in Summer 2010.

Apart from the 2.0 litre turbo, a 182bhp 2.4 litre 4cylinder petrol engine will be offered alongside a 220bhp twin-scroll turbocharged 2.0 litre. Both engines are mated to a 6 speed automatic transmission. Early Regal's will be built in Russelsheim, Germany with production shifting in Spring 2011 to Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. Prices are expected to start from under $28,000.