The Righteous Regal

Ummm....







Tad-Dah.




"Buick Is Back!" shouts the cover of Motor Trend magazine, the first time since 1982 the enthusiast publication has featured a Buick on the cover.

Of course, there are plenty of people who would suggest Buick never left. Especially citizens of China, where Buick is overwhelmingly the most popular General Motors brand.

But let's face it: In the U.S., Buick's demographics are the oldest of any major car brand. With the demise of Pontiac and Saturn, GM is looking to get a few younger buyers interested in their products.

And, as the slightly hyperbolic Motor Trend suggests, the 2011 Buick Regal may be the best chance for that. About an inch longer and wider than the Toyota Camry, the Regal is an alternative to the popular Camry/Honda Accord/Nissan Altima trio. But it's aimed slightly more upscale, in content and price. It should be available by May.

The Regal is essentially an Americanized version of the Opel Insignia, and the first Regals sold in the U.S. will be built in the Opel plant in Russelsheim, Germany. Later this year, production shifts to the GM plant in Oshawa, Ontario, which is building the Chevrolet Camaro.