THE styling of some per-
formance sedans — the
Pontiac Grand Prix GTP
and Bonneviile SSEi for
example — projects a ready-
to-race image that’s not
intended to be subtle.

Add-on features like rear spoil-

- ers, front air dams, fender flares,

“> intake vents, and extra body
cladding turn these mere family
sedans into quasi- -NASCAR racers!

The Buick Regal GS, on the
‘other hand, is an attractive, conser-
vatively styled sedan that offers
nary a hint of its performance
potential even though it has the
same 240-horsepower, super-
charged, 3.8-litre, V6 engine as the
‘Grand Prix GTP and Bonneville
SSEi — net to mention standard
four-wheel disc brakes with ABS,
traction control, a fully indepen-
dent suspension, and variable-assist
Magnasteer power stecring.
“Inthe Regal’s case, sporty does-
n’t mean impractical. The Regal is

-a roomy four-door, five-passenger
mid-sized sedan with a huge trunk,

» a comfortable ride, and plenty of
standard features, including leather
upholstery and automatic climate
control.:

With an MSRP of $32,468, the

Regal GS is well-priced, particular-
ly when you consider that many

© smaller, entry-level luxury cars are

_- priced higher.

What’s new for 2001
. . The Regal was first introduced
-in May, 1997 and hasn’r changed a
lor since then. There are two Regal
models -- the Regal LS, which las
a standard 200-horsepower, 3.8-
.. litre, V6 engine, and the Regal GS,
which offers the 240-horsepower,
supercharged engine, a two-tone
‘exterior colour scheme, and a
higher level of standard equip-

7. ment.

For the 2001 model year, Regal

SHORE NEWS AUTOMOTIVE GUIDE

ling hides

FIRST introduced in 1997, the mid-sized Buick Rega! sedan has some minor updates for 2601, including an emergency trunk release’
handie and more standard equipment. Regal LS mode!s have a 200-horsepower, 3.8-litre V& while Rega! GS models have a 240-horse-
power, supercharged, 3.6-litre VG. Both offer above average performance for this kind of money. Regn: range from $28, 895 to. $32,465.

Test drive the Regal sedans at Regency GM, 1150 Marine Dr., North Vancouver. 7 ;

LS models receive a revised exteri-
“or appearance with less chrome
trim, a couple of new paint
colours, and a new dark grey inte-
rior colour scheme. Regal GS = -:
models add more standard cquip-
ment, including automatic dual

zone climate control, leather

wrapped steering wheel with radia

controls, automatic dimming
rearview mirror, and dual power
heated auto-dimming outside mir-
rors.

All Regals are now equipped
with an internal trunk opening
handle to allow trapped occupants

to escape from

the trunk. And .
the OnStar dri- -

ver assistance
system, which
can summon :
emergency
towing assis-
tance or even
route direc-

tions, is now an-

option.

Truce five-passenger interior

The Regal is slightly smaller. _
than a Chrysler Intrepid and about
the same size as a Ford Taurus. Its
roumy, five passenger interior fea-
tures wide, conifortable bucket
seats with a centre console.and a-
floor shift lever for the standard -

“four-speed automatic transmission. .

Front arid rear passengers have
adequate legroom and headroom,
and the rear three passenger bench”

‘seat is wide enough to fit three

adults comfortably. A 60/40 split:
seatback and a centre trunk pass-
through provide handy cargo-car:
rying versatility. :

- Heighr- adjustable front head |
restraints are standard, bur the rear
seats have only small, fixed out:
board head restraints...» :

My Regal GS test car had»
optional front seat heaters (ovith
two temperature settings), an

*-absolute necessity with leather ~

upholstery. In winter, leather seats’.
can be icy cold, and in summer

See Engine page 19 .