This is the “baby Buick” that will make its world debut at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show. Verano, as it is called, is a “compact sedan” (in US terms of course) based on General Motors’ Delta II platform that also underpins the Opel Astra and Chevrolet Cruze. Seen it before? The Verano was launched in China mid-2010 as the Buick Excelle GT, and we showed you that car here.
The Verano, which sits below the Regal in Buick’s range, will come with an Ecotec 2.4L engine paired to a six-speed automatic gearbox. With 177 horsepower and 230 Nm of torque, the Verano does 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 8.0 seconds flat, and is capable of 11 km/l on the highway.
That will be the sole powertrain option when it goes on sale in the fourth quarter of 2011, but a 2.0L turbo engine will be offered in the future. In contrast, China’s Excelle GT comes with a 1.6 turbo with 181 hp/235 Nm.
Buick is all about traditional comfort and luxury, so the Verano is claimed to be “the quietest compact sedan on the road, quieter than many midsize and full-size cars”.
Among the unique measures to maintain a “library-quiet driving experience” are hydraulic ride bushings, isolated engine cradle, nylon baffles and foam in hollow body portions, five layer headliner, triple-sealed doors with fiberglass “blankets” and acoustical laminated glass, among other things. Even the 17-inch aluminum wheels are manufactured in a unique way to enhance quietness, Buick says.
Meanwhile, the Verano’s cabin features “exceptional seat comfort”, soft touch materials and ambient lighting inspired by the LaCrosse. It also comes with the same grade of leather as the LaCrosse that can be had in a special “Choccachino” colour seen here. Buick says that the components within the center stack have a gap tolerance of less than 1 mm, while the instrument panel-to-door panel gaps are less than 5 mm – the best in class.
Besides the expected Bose stereo, OnStar and 10 airbags, the Verano’s heated steering wheel and seats automatically activate when one starts the car in temperatures below 7 degrees C, surely something many Americans facing a harsh winter would appreciate.
Gallery after the jump.
[zenphotopress number=999 album=1843]
sure will cost bomb if it enters malaysia..
if sourced from china, the price could be reduced quite a bit if compared to sourcing from germany (i think some buick models are built by opel in germany) or the US.
looks good. could this brand make it here? they have 1.6 turbo (with fantastic outputs), 2.0 turbo and also 2.4.
next question is, will they have rhd versions? buick is doing well in china and their model range in china is wider than in the US.
Wow, that looks gorgeous! I have to say the overall styling is very well done. Nice balance, nice lines, nice feel to it. The back SLIGHTLY reminds me of a prev-gen Alfa, but nothing worse for it. If the drive quality can live up to their claims, this is going to prove to be a very good car.
Even if it comes here, will be the China version. We can’t afford the US version
A “baby” Merc or Beemer sounds fine.
But ‘Baby Buick’ seems rather odd. The brand has been lost in the immediate generations following the post-WWII baby boomers.
Seriously. GM desperately needs post-2000 demographics in order to succeed with a revitalized Buick brand.
A 10 year old today will look at the New Verano, gets inspired, grows up and goes on to own one.
I think this is a Chevrolet Cruze spin-off. The interior is uncanningly similar.
The interior obviously shares design elements with Cruze and Astra, but in this car it looks more refined, polished and elegant compared to the Cruze’s interior. I don’t think this much effort has been put into Cruze’s soundproofing either, although the Cruze is already very well sound-proofed!
It looks the same exterior & interior-wise to the Opel Astra. It’s not mentioned in the news release but I suspect that this car is just a rebadge of the Astra.
This Verano and the China market Buick Excelle GT are sedans based on the current Astra. Opel does not sell an “Astra Sedan” in Europe.
Since GM owns both Buick and Opel brands, I think it’s more “platform sharing” than “rebadge”
Another person who doesn’t understand what car platforms are simply uttering “rebadge” again.. sigghh..
euwww..ugly chrome strips on the tail lamps.
beautifulll
why naza not bring this brand to malaysia…
I prefer this brand design rather than chevy and I think the quality for both brand are same…
maybe chevy is more well known internationally than buick? who knows, maybe someone from a car company may be looking in and considering the brand.
GM can interchange the brands to whichever brand is more popular in that particular market.
you are right. branding is interchangeable within the group. just whether or not the product has acceptance of the public… and at what price. malaysians tend to accept japanese cars of high prices and everything else must be cheaper, no matter what it is or where it is made.
WhOAa, very impressive!! Mid-income like me surely can’t afford this rest of my life..sigh and regret =(
Buick is a popular brand among the more senior set. Also Buick cars are starting to be so beautifully designed as compared to those many other vehicles in the auo world.i like this car.Its impressive with the turn around Buick is going through
currently in Kunming, China . this car are all over Kunming. Done having a ride on it, it was fantastic !