Performance Review: Buick Regal GNX 3.8 V6 Turbo - [1987]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Buick Regal Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Buick Regal GNX 3.8 V6 Turbo is the 4 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1987. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1987 Porsche 959 Turbo and the 1987 Ferrari F40 2.9 V8.This particular Buick Regal has a 3791cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V6's includes the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The Regal shares its Petrol V6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Regal's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1576 kgs (3474 lbs) this makes the Buick Regal GNX 3.8 V6 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Buick Regal shares the same bhp with the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 3791cc 12V V6 engine produces 276 bhp (205 kW) @ 4400 rpm similar to the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Turbo V6 throws out 360 lb-ft (488.0 Nm) @ 3000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (369 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Buick Regal you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1995 Subaru Impreza WRX STI V2 - Classic JDM Wagon (200.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Buick Regal.

The Buick Regal has a Power to weight ratio of 175.1 bhp per ton and 228.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1987 Regal competing with the 1995 Subaru Impreza WRX STI V2 - Classic JDM Wagon (200.0 bhp per ton) or the 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 390 4 Speed (200.0 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Buick Regal generating around 228.4 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2017 Lotus Evora GT430 Auto 3.5 V6 Supercharged (253.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2015 Audi R8 5.2 V10 FSI Quattro (253.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.5 secs, this made the Buick Regal GNX 3.8 V6 Turbo as fast as the 2019 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 300 Trophy-R (5.30 secs) the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus (5.30 secs) the 2017 Mercedes G Class 63 AMG (5.30 secs) the or the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 V6 Supercharged 360 (5.30 secs). This Buick Regal GNX 3.8 V6 Turbo is also faster than the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (5.40 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (5.40 secs) the 2019 Jaguar F Type 2.0 Turbo (5.40 secs) the and the 2019 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi TCR 2.0 Turbo (5.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Regal and the 1970 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale 7.5L V8

When talking about the performance of the Buick Regal on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.77 secs @ 92.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1970 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale 7.5L V8 (14.70 secs), the 2007 Vauxhall-Opel Vectra 2.8T V6 VXR (14.70 secs), and the 2004 Honda S2000 2.2i (14.72 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1987 version of the Buick Regal GNX 3.8 V6 Turbo has a maximum speed of 124mph.

Top Speed of the 1987 Regal equals the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1987 Buick Regal GNX 3.8 V6 Turbo then how about the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph), the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (135 mph), or the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (135 mph).

Related Links:

1987 Regal Rivals List.

A Brief History of Buick

Car Comparison