Here at LotPro.com we see that General Motors is once again dipping into the bin of nameplates past to come up with the moniker of its next mid-size sports sedan, the Buick Regal. The official announcement came at a meeting of Buick-GMC dealers this morning.

“The transformation of Buick began with our luxury crossover, the Buick Enclave and continued this year with the launch of the 2010 LaCrosse premium sedan,” said Susan Docherty, Buick GMC General Manager. “We’re thrilled to announce that the Regal will be the next member of the Buick family.”

The Regal nameplate

Originally introduced in 1973 as an upscale version of that year’s Century, the Regal was originally offered only as a hardtop coupe with rear opera windows (hey, it was the 70’s).

In 1978, the Regal was downsized and began its 9 year run (reign?) with the noteworthy option of a 3.8-liter turbocharged V-6 engine, making it one of only 2 turbocharged domestics (along with the Buick LeSabre) and one of only 4 turbocharged vehicles available in the U.S. (along with the Saab and the Porsche 930).

Third and fourth generation versions followed in 1988 and 1997, respectively, with the fourth generation Regal GS clocking a ¼ mile ET of 14.7 seconds from its 3.8-liter supercharged V-6 that produced 240 hp and 280 ft.-lb. of torque.

The General eighty-sixed the Regal in 2004 and it was replaced by the Buick LaCrosse in 2005. And although the brand has been famous for attracting the blue-haired crowd, it appears that these customers still remember the name since, according to the press release, it “continues to be one of the top Buick nameplates recalled by consumers even though it’s been out of the market for the past six years.”

The new Buick Regal

Unofficially, Bob Lutz confirmed to Scott Burgess of The Detroit News back in August that the new Regal will be the same vehicle (with minor cosmetic changes as reflected in the teaser photo) as the one that was launched in China in November of 2008, which is based on the same architecture as the Opel Insignia.

Yesterday marked the beginning of production of the latest generation Vauxhall Astra at the U.K. subsidiary of Opel at GM of Europe’s Ellesmere Port facility – one of Opel-Vauxhall’s largest assembly plants and the only one in Western Europe that will build the Astra.

As a reflection of the new reality in the automotive industry, Ellesmere competed against GM assembly facilities in Trollhätten, Sweden, Antwerp, Belgium and Bochum, Germany back in 2007 in order to secure the rights to produce the new Opel.

2010 Opel/Vauxhall Astra

Making its premiere at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, the sixth generation of the Astra is based on General Motors new Delta architecture – the same platform that GM is using for the Chevrolet Volt and Cruze models.

Unlike the previous generation, which languished in Saturn showrooms, the new 2010 Opel Astra features all-new sheet metal featuring sleek curves that replace the rather staid design of the fifth gen model.

To compliment its new alluring style is a broad selection of both gasoline and diesel engines. In addition to the base 1.4-liter naturally aspirated engine and an optional 1.6-liter turbo (from the Opel Insignia), GM has added a new 1.4-liter turbo unit that, according to the General, is expected to deliver fuel economy savings of up to 8% over both older engines.

Diesel offerings include 1.3, 1.7 and 2.0-liter turbocharged engines with an ecoFlex version offering improved fuel economy and CO2 emissions expected sometime next year.

The new Astra will initially be offered in a five-door version, while a three-door GTC coupe and station wagon will come to market late next year and, in early 2011, Opel plans to add a four-door sedan and a cabrio version featuring a retractable hardtop.

If only

In the meantime,  Saturn dealers on this side of the pond can only watch from the sidelines and wonder what could have been.

The view from Auburn Hills

For those of us here at LotPro.com, the auto industry has always been a source of unending entertainment and events this week have certainly not proven us wrong.

Supermini goes large

On Wednesday, Fiat announced that the world’s largest Fiat 500 – five times the its normal size – would be coming to London for an event the company calls “The Big Smile.”

Designed to generate an awareness and interest in the new 500C, the 5:1 model has previously appeared at auto shows, although the latest iteration simulates the “open top” 500C, rather than the sedan through the use of a projection of the sky on the inner lining of the car’s roof.

If you happen to be in London between August 28th and September 2nd, it might be fun to check out the “big” Fiat, along with assorted roaming entertainers, stilt walkers and food stalls on Oxford Street.

Buick’s Saturn Vue/Opel Antara clone gets the axe

In a rapid reversal of events, GM Vice Chairman Tom Stephens reported on his “Fast Lane” blog yesterday that the compact Buick CUV that he announced in Traverse City a few weeks ago and that had been described by Stephens, himself, on August 10th as a “beautiful new crossover” that would “debut our new plug-in hybrid technology” and “firmly put Buick, and GM, front and center in the advanced technology game” was history.

According to his blog, the small SUV “received consistent feedback from large parts of all the audiences (at a future product showcase at the company’s Milford Proving Ground) that it didn’t fit the premium characteristics that customers have come to expect from Buick.”

In the blog, he goes on to state that, “We were all struck by the consistency of the criticism of the compact crossover. And what we decided to do in response is a good example of the essence of the new General Motors… acting quickly, and boldly, and listening to feedback from customers, employees, dealers, media and just about anyone else with an opinion.”

Considering the fact that the erstwhile Pontiac Aztec also received less-than-glowing reviews from its focus groups (and we all know how that project ended), the decision to “86” the Buick was probably a prudent one.

The good news, however, is that the hybrid technology originally intended for the vehicle will be, according to the same blog, “applied to another vehicle, at no delay.”

Images courtesy of Fiat U.K. and General Motors

Newest Buick

Late last week, General Motors offered up a teaser image of a new Buick crossover vehicle that will be introduced as a 2011 model. According to the press release, the as-yet-to-be-named crossover will seat five and will first arrive in 2010 powered by a new family of direct-injected gasoline engines.

One year later, in 2011, a plug-in hybrid version will arrive and it’s expected to be the first commercially available plug-in SUV produced by a major automaker.

“Buick has always been at the forefront of new technology, so it is only fitting that the brand should debut our new plug-in hybrid technology in a beautiful new crossover,” said Tom Stephens, GM vice chairman of product development. “This will firmly put Buick, and GM, front and center in the advanced technology game.”

Gasoline version

They new hybrid will be smaller than the current Buick Enclave. According to Susan Docherty, general manager of Buick-Pontiac-GMC, “Some customers who have been drawn to the Enclave were looking for something a little smaller. We believe this new Buick will excite those customers, and will continue to broaden the appeal of the brand.”

The first engine to appear in the smaller SUV will be GM’s Ecotec 2.4-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine; while an optional 3.0-liter directed-injected V-6 will be available that is expected to deliver 30 plus mpg on the highway.

Plug-in version

They hybrid version will be powered by a modified version of the General’s current 2-Mode Hybrid system using advanced lithium-ion battery cells and the charging technology that was developed for the Chevrolet Volt.

The 8 kWh battery – containing half the energy of the Volt’s battery pack – can be fully recharged in four to five hours by connecting the vehicle to a conventional 110V household electrical outlet. If early testing is any indication, the Buick SUV should be capable of electric-only propulsion for more than ten miles at low speeds, while over-the-road the vehicle can use any combination of electric or gasoline engine power.

In addition to the battery pack, the hybrid’s powertrain system also includes two electric motors, an electronic control and battery management system, as well as a 3.6-liter direct-injected V-6 flex-fuel engine.

Déjà vu

If this all sounds strangely familiar, it should be remembered that earlier this year, before General Motors had decided to sell off the Saturn division, it was announced that the Saturn Vue 2-mode hybrid would also be available in a plug-in version. And while GM is tight-lipped on whether the new Buick is based on the Vue’s underpinnings (which, itself, is based on the German Opel Antara), chances are good that it is.

Images courtesy of General Motors

Of what significance is ECOTY?

Here at LotPro.com, we thought that you might be interested in the winner of this year’s European Car of the Year award. Although many of the juried vehicles are not yet available in the U.S., with the movement of many American manufacturers to simplify their vehicle platforms and model mix, we are very likely to see North American versions of many of these vehicles in the next decade. In addition, manufacturers, such as Fiat, are in the process of evaluating the possibility of either importing or assembling vehicles in the NAFTA region.

2008 Ford Fiesta

History of the award

Established in 1964, the ECOTY award is overseen by automotive publications from 7 different countries (England, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Spain and Sweden). In 2009, the jury consisted of 59 motoring journalists from 23 different European countries. In order to be eligible, vehicles must be released in the twelve months prior to the award. Although the vehicles, themselves, need not be European, the nominees must be available for sale in at least 5 European countries and have anticipated sales of at least 5,000 per year.

The object of the competition is to find a single, decisive winner. There are no categories (such as truck, sport utility or car) and no class winners. National representation is based on market size and its importance in vehicle manufacturing with France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Spain each with six members.

In September, the Jury Committee draws up a list of eligible vehicles from all new models over the previous 12 months. The Jury then selects a short list of 7 vehicles that are put to a simple vote. Each jury member is allowed 25 points to apportion to at least 5 cars, with a maximum 10 points for any one vehicle. Members then produce a statement of justification for the vote which is published at the time of the award presentation.

2009 Opel Insignia

Opel/Vauxhall entrant wins by one over Ford Fiesta

For GM, the award couldn’t have come at a better time. Beset by financial woes, the company has had very little to cheer about for most of the year. The Insignia is the first Opel to win in 22 years but General Motors’ European company has been runner-up four times – and in 2007 the Opel Corsa lost by just two points to the Ford S-Max. Ford has won the award five times but this is the second occasion it has lost by one point.

According to ECOTY, “This year’s narrow victory emphasizes the high level of this year’s competition, which has 37 initial candidates and seven finalists. Of the 59 car of the Year jurors representing 23 European countries, 20 gave the Insignia top points, while 19 put the Fiesta in first place. “

Technical data

Body:     4/5-door saloons, Sports Tourer wagon
Size:     4.83 X 1.86 X 1.50 m.
Front and four wheel drive
Petrol engines:     1.6 to 2.8 V6 Turbo (115 – 280 hp)
Diesel engines:     2.0 Turbo (110 – 190 hp)

2009 Award Standings

1. Opel Insignia           321 points
2. Ford Fiesta              320 points
3. VW Golf                    223 points
4. Citroen C5                198 points
5. Alfa Romeo MiTo    148 points
6. Skoda Superb          144 points
7. Renault Mégane      121 points

2009 Opel Insignia

Chevrolet Orlando Concept
The first vehicle is the Chevy Orlando Concept. The Orlando has nothing to do with the city in Florida, Tony Orlando or even Orlando Bloom, for that matter. What it really is is an MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) based on the upcoming Chevy Cruze. The Cruze, you’ll remember, is a vehicle built on the same platform as the next generation Daewoo Lacetti. In the Chevy hierarchy, it is slotted above the current Chevrolet Cobalt and will be built at GM’s Lordstown, Ohio assembly plant beginning in June of 2010. Current plans are for the Cobalt and the Cruze to be sold alongside each other, although the Cobalt could eventually be phased out.

But I digress. The Orlando Concept seats seven in three rows of seats and is powered by GM’s 2.0 liter, 150 horsepower diesel engine (remember, this is Europe). Although GM says the Orlando is a “powerful suggestion of the upcoming production MPV” (possibly an additional model or a replacement for the Opel Zafira) due on sale next summer in Europe, there is no word yet on whether the U.S. will get this model.

MINI Crossover Concept

In an effort to expand the very successful MINI lineup, BMW will introduce this design study for the fourth version of the MINI – the current 3 being the MINI, the MINI Clubman and the MINI convertible. This “maxi” MINI concept is a foot longer than the MINI and over 3 inches longer than the Clubman. To give the Crossover more ground clearance the height of the vehicle was raised more than eight inches compared to the Clubman (making it almost 9 inches taller when compared to the MINI Cooper).

Unlike other MINIs, the Crossover has 4 doors. And while three of them are conventional (both front doors and the right rear passenger door, the door behind the driver slides back, much like a minivan. Although many of the features of the concept may not make it to the production vehicle, the official word from BMW is that this concept is a preview of a forthcoming model that will be sold in the U.S. – possibly as early as 2010.

We should get the good stuff, too.

While the new MINI will be coming here, there has been no word from GM on whether or not some version of the Orlando will be making the trip across the pond. But with gas prices down only slightly from $4.00 a gallon and SUV and truck sales in the dumper, we say “bring ‘em all on!”