Buick has revealed the sporty new 2012 Buick Regal GS. The Regal GS will have a turbocharged engine and six-speed manual to compete with luxury sports sedans like the Acura TSX and Audi A4.

The new 2012 Buick Regal GS will use a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 255-hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The only transmission available at launch will be a six-speed manual, but an optional six-speed automatic with paddle shifters is planned. The 2012 Buick Regal GS will only be available in front-wheel drive, which is not typically ideal for sports cars, but Buick says it won’t be an issue because the Regal GS suspension is so well designed. According to Buick, GM’s High Performance Strut front suspension, which has previously been used on the Buick LaCrosse and Saab 9-5, will allow the Regal to effectively put down all 255 horsepower without problems with torque steer during acceleration or understeer during cornering.

The 2012 Buick Regal GS, which is based on the lauded Opel Insignia OPC, according to Autoblog, marks the company’s return to luxury sports cars after more than two decades without one. The last sports car from Buick was the 1987 Grand National, which has become legendary for its turbocharged performance. The new Regal will actually have more horsepower than the Grand National, 255 to the Grand National’s 245.

The 2012 Buick Regal is scheduled to go on sale in the third or fourth quarter of 2011.

Images via Autoblog.