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The car in these spyshots has the body cladding, exhaust and wheels that we can expect to see on the 2012 Buick Regal GS but across the back end, you can clearly see Opel Insignia badging including the “OPC” emblem on the passenger side. For those unsure, when the Regal GS hits the US market later this year, it will be powered by a 255 horsepower (295lb-ft of torque) Ecotec turbocharged 4-cylinder sending power to all four wheels but the Insignia OPC is powered by a turbocharged V6 making 321 horsepower and 321lb-ft of torque.
Since the 2012 Buick Regal GS debuted at the Detroit Auto Show as a concept, there have been rumors that there could be a “GNX” trimline, sporting a higher performance engine than the standard Regal GS. The turbocharged V6 from the European Insignia OPC would definitely make for a step up in performance over the turbo-4 from the Regal GS and the all wheel drive system would help to make the most of that high performance V6.
Other than the unique rear badging, the car pictured above looks like the Buick Regal GS in every other way but across the front, we find the familiar tri-shield Buick logo. This car could very well just be a standard Buick Regal GS test mule with some innovative badging to throw people off – or this could be a look at a new Regal trimline with more power than the 2012 Regal GS coming later this year. In any case, the fact that there is at least one Opel Insignia OPC running around the Detroit area will help to keep the hopes alive of seeing the GNX name return to the Buick brand.
A big thanks to “Cosmic Emily” for sending in the images of this Buick/Opel out on the open road! Check out the rest of the images in the gallery below.
Other Buick News:
2011 Buick Regal Turbo gets flex fuel capability
GM UAW hourly workers could see $4,000 in bonuses
The Buick lineup of the 2011 Detroit Auto Show
Why the new Buick Verano is more than just a rebadged Chevy Cruze
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