"Unlike the show car that GM rolled out back in January (and unlike the Buick's European counterpart), all-wheel drive will not be available on U.S.-spec models. Front-wheel drive doesn't sound too elegant for a sport sedan like this, but GM has fitted its High Performance Strut (HiPerStrut) front suspension design which we've found to curb torque steer and reduce understeer in other applications."

"We asked GM why it decided to omit AWD, and the simple answer is this: It's cheaper to use front-wheel drive and the automaker is completely confident that its HiPerStrut system will fare just as well. We've tested this system in the larger LaCrosse and a variation of it on the Saab 9-5, and although we'll wait until we get some street (or track) time before we reach a final consensus, we don't think the GS will be all that unruly when pushed hard, especially given the lowered power output."