2011 Buick Regal Photographed During Testing in Germany, Sales to Start in the U.S. in Spring 2010

As well as releasing two pictures of a camouflaged 2011 Buick Regal Sedan on an engineering validation test drive that took place in Germany earlier this month, General Motors also announced that Buick's new entry-level saloon will come to the U.S. in the second quarter of 2010, which is earlier than most anticipated. Destined to slot in below the new 2010 LaCrosse, the newest member of the Buick family is a re-grilled and rebadged European 2010 Opel Insignia.

General Motors has been keeping most details under wraps, but U.S. buyers should expect to see the 2011 Buick Regal being offered with a variety of 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engines as well as a larger-displacement and smoother in operation V6 that can be combined with all-wheel drive.

The recent introduction of the Opel Insignia OPC that packs an all-wheel drive system and a 325HP turbocharged V6 also leaves the door open for a sporty version of the Buick Regal in the future that could revive the GNX nameplate.