Buick Regal...Continued

All Regals are equipped with Buick's popular and versatile dual control air conditioning and an air filtration system , advanced PASS-Key II theft deterrent system, cruise control, adjustable steering column and intermittent windshield wipers. Also standard are retained accessory power, battery rundown protection, an auxiliary power outlet, rear window defroster, entry/exit lighting with gradual theater dimming, cornering lamps and fog lamps.

Standard safety equipment includes traction control , four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes, dual front airbags and dynamic side impact safety protection. Three-point lap/shoulder safety belts are provided for all outboard passenger positions; in front, the seat belt buckles now are mounted to the seat and travel with it, ensuring the best possible fit and occupant comfort.

One of the telling features of a luxury car is the quiet. The '97 1/2 Regal enjoys important reductions in wind and road noise through triple door seals. The primary seal is attached to the door, a second is mounted to the door opening, and a third auxiliary seal is provided in the door header. Foldable outside rearview mirrors are designed aerodynamically to reduce wind noise, flowing more air around them with minimal drag. Larger rearview mirrors improve overall rearward visibility.

According to Wayne A. Kady, vehicle chief designer, Buick Brand Character Studio: "We made the car as aggressive as we could to have stylish cues and sporty brand character, without making it look like a 'boy-racer' model. It had to be sharp and assertive in its character, yet it couldn't be a design that was faddish. It had to have lasting appeal and good value. We think it's a very '90s expression of 'sport' and 'sedan,' yet with a design intent of 'simplicity.'

"A large percentage of Regal target customers are families with children, but they don't want to give up style or performance. They want to have a car that's fun to drive with great styling and still comfortably accommodates their family."

We talked as we whipped through the desert hills. For improved road handling and stability, the front and rear tracks are wider; up 2.4 inches in the front and up a full 3.1 inches in the rear. A wider track is one of the most effective ways to improve handling and maneuverability and, when combined with the longer wheel base, creates a solid, comfortable ride.

Regal's rubber-isolated rear cross member filters out road noise and vibrations in support of best-in-class ride quality. All Regals are equipped with four-wheel power disc brakes, with larger front rotors. Customer benefits include reduced noise and fade potential, lower brake temperatures and longer lining service life.

Buick is not intent on displacing those foreign luxury sedans. They feel they know what Americans have always wanted, and are providing the quality, ride and comfort we want, along with the performance and crisp handling the imports have used to capture their part of the market. Buick Regal is ready.