Press Release

General Motors Announces Overview of 1997 1/2 Buick Regal

12/05/96

1997 1/2 Buick Regal/ Overview

FLINT, Mich., Dec. 3 -- Buick's all-new 1997 1/2 sporty
Regal GS, which features a supercharged 3800 V-6 engine, and Regal LS
set new standards of excellence in the hotly contested midsize sedan
market.

The all new Regal is designed to meet the needs of a consumer who
desires a midsize sedan possessing performance, styling and family
accommodations.

"Regal has a great reputation for impressive performance without
sacrificing comfort or value," said Buick General Manager Edward
H. Mertz. "The all-new '97 1/2 Regal continues that tradition and
expands on it.  This is a beautiful car with solid performance
credentials that will appeal to a new breed of buyers as strongly as
current Regal owners."

Regal's acclaimed 3800 Series II V-6 engines offer both excellent fuel
economy and impressive power.

Regal GS sport sedan is powered by a supercharged 3800 Series II
V-6. It offers 240 horsepower at 5200 rpm and 280 lb.-ft of torque at
3600 rpm. Estimated EPA fuel economy is 18 miles per gallon city and
28 highway.

Regal LS is powered by a normally aspirated 3.8-liter 3800 Series II
V-6. This 90-degree six-cylinder produces 195 horsepower at 5200 rpm
and 220 lb.-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. Estimated EPA fuel economy is 19
mpg city and 30 mpg highway.

Electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmissions are
standard on the Regal GS and Regal LS. The 4T60E (LS) transmission
senses and seamlessly adapts to changes in altitude, barometric
pressure and engine load, and electronically interacts with the
Powertrain Control Module (PCM) to create an integrated
powertrain. The supercharged engine is coupled to a 4T65E HD (GS)
transmission, which has a higher torque capacity. The 4T65E also
adjusts and refines shifts throughout the lifetime of the car.

Both transmissions offer new electronic calibration and controls that
improve overall fuel economy.

Regal's performance heritage dates to the turbocharged Regal in '78,
the high performance Regal Grand Nationals of the mid-1980s and the
powerful 1987 Regal GNX.

The front-wheel-drive Regal GS and Regal LS sport sedans clearly
project fresh Buick brand character and styling philosophy without
abandoning the visual cues that distinguish Regal from its competition
according to Roger Adams, Regal's brand manager.

Distinctive front and rear fascias and grilles immediately define the
car as a Regal. Subtle lower body cladding, attractive taillamps and
16-inch aluminum or chrome wheels support the sporty appearance. The
contemporary appearance of the sporty Regal GS marks it as one of the
great luxury performance sedans of the '90s.

The all-new '97 1/2 Regal is larger than the previous model. An
increase of 1.5 inches in wheelbase and a larger passenger compartment
contribute to improved access and increased interior roominess.

In the front, head room is up from 38.7 inches for '96 to 39.3 for '97
1/2. Shoulder room is increased nearly an inch (0.8 in.), and an
additional inch of hip room has been provided. In the rear, leg room
is increased by three quarters of an inch. Trunk capacity is improved
from 15.9 cubic feet to 16.7, and the overall interior volume (which
includes passenger and cargo space) is up from 116.0 cubic feet to
118.5.

Redesigned seat tracks offer greater fore and aft travel and more foot
room for rear-seat passengers, who also realize additional knee room
from sculpted front-seat backs. Front shoulder belt anchors permit
several inches of adjustment for a tailored fit, and shoulder-belt
comfort guides in the rear re-route the shoulder belt for proper
position on a small person's torso for best-in-class comfort.

To accommodate skis or other longer objects, Regal offers a standard
lockable rear seat pass-through to the trunk. Regal is also available
with an optional integrated child safety seat.

The instrument cluster is easy to see and read and the gear shift
indicators can be recognized at a glance.  Controls can be
effortlessly reached. The Regal GS arrives with a standard Driver
Information Center (optional on Regal LS) that informs the driver of
remaining oil life, fuel range, supercharger boost reading, and
instantaneous or average fuel economy ratings. A low tire inflation
monitor is also standard on Regal GS.

"Regal is a well-contented car that serves the needs of targeted sedan
buyers, with more standard equipment in a premium package than its
domestic or import competition," Adams said. Remote keyless entry
features can be programmed with the owners' individual preferences
such as automatic door lock operations.  Illuminated door-mounted
switches enhance nighttime use. For interior packaging space,
storage/map pockets are provided in all four doors as well as the
backs of the front seats.

Regal comes standard with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and offers
optional controls conveniently located on the steering wheel for the
three available radio/entertainment systems. Regal also comes with a
standard fixed-mast antenna, specially shaped to eliminate "antenna
whistle." An antenna embedded in the rear window glass is
available. On all uplevel radio systems a 32k microprocessor enables
an optional dealer-installed 12-disc CD changer located in the car's
trunk. Heated leather seats are available and a full-length floor
console and leather covered floor shifter with front bucket seats is
standard.

All Regals are equipped with Buick's popular and versatile Dual
ComforTemp air conditioning and an air filtration system, GM's
advanced PASS-Key II theft deterrent system, cruise control,
TILT-WHEEL (TM) 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.

Front and rear crush zones absorb impact energy in case of an accident
as do the steering column, instrument panel, and rear doors and
quarter panels. Rear door child security locks are also standard
equipment on all Regal models.

The added safety of supplemental daytime visibility is provided by
standard Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs).  A unique and attractive
approach results in the front parking lamps serving as the DRLs.

The new Regals have a rigid, world-class body structure for improved
safety, ride comfort, superior handling, noise reduction and build
quality. The architecture is designed to provide a robust safety cage
for occupant protection. A cross-car beam just behind the instrument
panel enhances rigidity and serves as a secure mounting point for the
instrument panel, steering column and dual air bags.

A one-piece body side stamping (from the front door hinge pillar to
the rear quarter panel) provides a significant improvement in
manufacturing accuracy and improved assembly quality fit and
finish. Potential squeaks and rattles have been virtually eliminated
by the stiffer structure as well as extensive use of sound deadeners
and improved fasteners.

In addition, the complete instrument panel is built off-line and
inserted into the vehicle as a module, ensuring components fit and
work properly and are adequately secured for a long service
life. Cable driven window regulators replace arm-and-gear mechanisms.
This design securely closes the glass to the rubber window seals and
is virtually noiseless when in operation even at highway speeds.

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.

The powertrain has also been designed to lower noise
intrusion. Regals' engines feature the proven effectiveness of a low
torque-axis, engine mounting system to damp engine vibration.

Regal owners will appreciate the new magnetic variable effort power
steering which comes standard on every Regal. The result is a
confident connection to the road without undue harshness -- in perfect
character with the Regal's mission.