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Buick News: Buick Makes it Official, Verano Disappears in 2017
William Maley posted a topic in Buick
Earlier this month, we reported that the Buick Verano would be leaving at the end of the 2017 model year. This is due to the sales sliding down due in part to the success of crossovers such as the Encore. At the time, General Motors declined to comment on the story. Today, they have made it official. In a statement provided to Automotive News, General Motors said Verano production would wind down at its Lake Orion plant in October. The model will have an abbreviated 2017 model year. The decision as to why comes down to crossovers. “When we’re thinking about where we’re investing for the future, with the whole market moving toward SUVs, that’s where we want to put our investment,” said Buick spokesman Stuart Fowle to The Detroit News. Workers at Lake Orion were notified about the decision on Wednesday. Dealers were told about it during national meetings in Austin, Texas this week. The writing on the wall for the Verano's departure has been on the wall for a while. Last year, Buick sold 31,886 Veranos while the similarly priced Encore crossover moved 67,549 units. Also, Buick's chief Duncan Aldred said that 70 percent of Buick's sales will be made up of crossovers once the Envision hits dealers. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required), The Detroit News View full article -
Earlier this month, we reported that the Buick Verano would be leaving at the end of the 2017 model year. This is due to the sales sliding down due in part to the success of crossovers such as the Encore. At the time, General Motors declined to comment on the story. Today, they have made it official. In a statement provided to Automotive News, General Motors said Verano production would wind down at its Lake Orion plant in October. The model will have an abbreviated 2017 model year. The decision as to why comes down to crossovers. “When we’re thinking about where we’re investing for the future, with the whole market moving toward SUVs, that’s where we want to put our investment,” said Buick spokesman Stuart Fowle to The Detroit News. Workers at Lake Orion were notified about the decision on Wednesday. Dealers were told about it during national meetings in Austin, Texas this week. The writing on the wall for the Verano's departure has been on the wall for a while. Last year, Buick sold 31,886 Veranos while the similarly priced Encore crossover moved 67,549 units. Also, Buick's chief Duncan Aldred said that 70 percent of Buick's sales will be made up of crossovers once the Envision hits dealers. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required), The Detroit News -
Buick's compact car, the Verano may not see an encore after the model run is up at the end of the 2017 model year according to a report on AutoNews.com. With the addition of the Buick Envision going on sale in a few weeks, Buick see crossovers making up 70% of its sales going forward. It's not hard to see why Buick would come to that conclusion. GM sales figures for December 2015 show the Verano moving 31,886 copies for the year while the similarly priced Buick Encore sold 67,549 units. Buick's strategy lately has been to fill "white space" in the market. Offer models that don't quite have an exact match to offerings from any other brand. When the Verano debuted in 2011, it filled such a white space being a small car with premium features like heated steering wheel, large for the time entertainment screen, and a powerful turbo option. Since that time, redesigned versions of the Chevy Cruze and Honda Civic have started offering those features and more. Canceling the Verano makes it a one-and-done model. The writing apparently has been on the wall for the Verano for a while. In December we noticed that the Turbo model was apparently being dropped for 2017 as it no longer appears on the Verano's VIN card. The biggest impact will be to Buick dealerships who will now have to convince 30,000 customers a year that they don't want a sedan and what they really want is a shiny new Encore or Envision. Source: Autonews.com -
Buick's compact car, the Verano may not see an encore after the model run is up at the end of the 2017 model year according to a report on AutoNews.com. With the addition of the Buick Envision going on sale in a few weeks, Buick see crossovers making up 70% of its sales going forward. It's not hard to see why Buick would come to that conclusion. GM sales figures for December 2015 show the Verano moving 31,886 copies for the year while the similarly priced Buick Encore sold 67,549 units. Buick's strategy lately has been to fill "white space" in the market. Offer models that don't quite have an exact match to offerings from any other brand. When the Verano debuted in 2011, it filled such a white space being a small car with premium features like heated steering wheel, large for the time entertainment screen, and a powerful turbo option. Since that time, redesigned versions of the Chevy Cruze and Honda Civic have started offering those features and more. Canceling the Verano makes it a one-and-done model. The writing apparently has been on the wall for the Verano for a while. In December we noticed that the Turbo model was apparently being dropped for 2017 as it no longer appears on the Verano's VIN card. The biggest impact will be to Buick dealerships who will now have to convince 30,000 customers a year that they don't want a sedan and what they really want is a shiny new Encore or Envision. Source: Autonews.com View full article
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We know the latest product that Buick dealers will be getting in the near future is the Cascada convertible starting sometime early next year. But what comes after that? Automotive News has done some sleuthing and has come up with possible timeline of what to expect from 2016 to 2019. 2016 First up is a redesign of the Buick Verano that will likely appear in the second half of 2016. The model is expected to grow in length and interior size. Either a 1.4T or 1.5T will be the base engine, while a new version of the 2.0T will be available. Next is the LaCrosse which will get a full redesign that will go on sale next fall. Spy shots show the model grow in size. The new LaCrosse will be based on the new Chevrolet Malibu. Four-cylinders engines are being debated for the powertrain, along with a hybrid. The long-awaited Envision crossover will be coming in the fall. Finishing up 2016 is a refresh of the Encore subcompact crossover. Interior updates are also planned. 2017 The second-generation Regal will go into production sometime in 2017. The model will grow in size to give some space between it and the Verano. A 1.5T is expected to be the base engine, followed by the 2.0T. In the cards is a diesel engine and a wagon. Midyear will see the second-generation Enclave. The new model will use the new, lighter platform that will underpin the Chevrolet Traverse. 2018 We know that it has been rumored that Buick will be getting the Opel Adam, but not until the second-generation model. Automotive News says it could happen in 2018 or sometime thereafter. 2019 A redesign of the Encore is expected to happen. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) -
We know the latest product that Buick dealers will be getting in the near future is the Cascada convertible starting sometime early next year. But what comes after that? Automotive News has done some sleuthing and has come up with possible timeline of what to expect from 2016 to 2019. 2016 First up is a redesign of the Buick Verano that will likely appear in the second half of 2016. The model is expected to grow in length and interior size. Either a 1.4T or 1.5T will be the base engine, while a new version of the 2.0T will be available. Next is the LaCrosse which will get a full redesign that will go on sale next fall. Spy shots show the model grow in size. The new LaCrosse will be based on the new Chevrolet Malibu. Four-cylinders engines are being debated for the powertrain, along with a hybrid. The long-awaited Envision crossover will be coming in the fall. Finishing up 2016 is a refresh of the Encore subcompact crossover. Interior updates are also planned. 2017 The second-generation Regal will go into production sometime in 2017. The model will grow in size to give some space between it and the Verano. A 1.5T is expected to be the base engine, followed by the 2.0T. In the cards is a diesel engine and a wagon. Midyear will see the second-generation Enclave. The new model will use the new, lighter platform that will underpin the Chevrolet Traverse. 2018 We know that it has been rumored that Buick will be getting the Opel Adam, but not until the second-generation model. Automotive News says it could happen in 2018 or sometime thereafter. 2019 A redesign of the Encore is expected to happen. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full article
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This is the Buick Verano Hatchback which debuted at the Guangzhou Motor Show in China a few days ago. Using the new the Opel/Vauxhall Astra hatchback as a base, Buick made some minor tweaks with a new grille, headlights, and wheels. Inside is a three-spoke steering wheel, eight-inch touchscreen with Buick's Intellink, and Apple CarPlay intergration. The base engine for the Verano Hatchback is a 1.5L inline-four with SIDI engine with 116 horsepower and 107 pound-feet of torque. The Verano GS Hatchback gets a turbocharged version of the 1.5 four that produces 166 horsepower and 184 pound-feet. A six-speed dual-clutch automatic comes standard on the Verano, while a seven-speed dual-clutch is standard on the GS. "The Buick Verano Hatchback and Verano GS, together with the new-generation Buick Verano sport sedan launched earlier this year and the all-new Buick Excelle GT, will strengthen Buick’s presence in China’s premium mid-range passenger car segment," the company said in a statement. Source: Buick Press Release is on Page 2 Buick Launches Verano Hatchback and Verano GS Priced from RMB 145,900 to RMB 205,900 Guangzhou – Buick launched the new Verano Hatchback and Verano GS this evening in Guangzhou, China. The five variants of the two newest members of the Verano family are priced from RMB 145,900 to RMB 205,900. Buick’s 740 dealerships across China have begun accepting pre-orders. The new Verano models have trendy, sporty styling along with European car-like handling, premium interiors and advanced technology. They are targeted at younger trend-setting consumers who are looking for a driving experience that is “born with sportiness.” Stylish and sporty exterior The Verano Hatchback and Verano GS have adopted Buick's latest design language for sport sedans. The brand’s signature waterfall grille has taken on a creative frameless design, with a newly added piano black finish. The bold, concise and contoured hood lowers the car's stance. The two models’ wedge-shaped silhouette and double-sweep beltline form a dashing profile, with B- and C-pillars in German-crafted gloss black creating a floating roofline. The models also feature Buick's wing-shaped LED daytime running lamps, which echo their wing-shaped tinted tail lamps. Together with an integrated rear wing that accentuates the sculptured rear end, they provide a stylish, vibrant and captivating feel. Contemporary and exquisite interior The cabins of the two new Veranos combine sportiness, premium materials and exquisite craftsmanship. They utilize Buick's iconic 360-degree wraparound layout that exemplifies its driver-oriented design philosophy. The brand's focus on a high-quality driving and riding experience is also demonstrated by a segment-leading 2,662-mm wheelbase, the generous use of eco-friendly supple materials throughout the interior, a standard three-spoke sporty multi-function steering wheel, considerately designed ambient lighting, rear-row USB charging ports and patented Quiet-Tuning® noise control technology. The Verano GS is fitted with an exclusive sporty black and red kit inside and out. Aerodynamic exterior accessories, bright red strips on the front and rear bumpers, bright red brake calipers and 17-inch dark-painted five-spoke aluminum alloy wheels look bold and impressive. Inside, a bright red carbon fiber-pattern strip across the center console and red stitching make a strong impression. Adding to the sportiness are a carbon fiber-pattern finish on the center console, a three-spoke sporty multi-function steering wheel with a paddle shifter, Alcantara® racing car-like seats and Flame Red ambient lighting. Trend-setting intelligent and safety technologies The Verano Hatchback and Verano GS come with a wide variety of trend-setting intelligent technologies. They are the first Buick models in China available with the Apple CarPlay system. Users can seamlessly connect their iPhones with iOS 7.1 and above through the new-generation Buick IntelliLink infotainment system. All iPhone features and built-in apps – including phone, messages, maps, music, podcasts and Siri – are easily accessible via the high-resolution 8-inch-diagonal display in the center console. The Verano GS is offered with segment-exclusive and Buick-first Matrix full-LED headlamps. Behind the headlamps' Big Dipper-like panels are 29 Matrix LED clusters connected to front cameras to intelligently perform a range of functions, including automatically turning on the high-beam headlights, activating the anti-glare high-beam headlights and automatically adjusting the height of the headlamps. They automatically switch between six lighting modes – City, Urban, Expressway, Curve, Parking and Fuel Economy – based on driving conditions. In addition, the Verano GS comes with Buick's new intelligent safety system, which incorporates features that include Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, Collision Mitigation Braking and Automatic Parking Assist. While 75 percent of the two Veranos’ body structure is composed of high-strength steel, the models incorporate extensive lightweight design features, such as lighter and more rigid structures, all-aluminum engines, all-aluminum sub-frames, all-aluminum front and rear bumpers, and aluminum steering knuckles, as well as imported lightweight damping mats. The result is a 100-kilogram reduction in curb weight. The Verano Hatchback and Verano GS are built on the same architecture as the new Opel Astra. Their firm chassis has an optimized MacPherson front suspension and enhanced composite torsion bar, along with a new-generation Opel-patented Watt's link rear suspension and all-aluminum six-point full-length sub-frame. The result is a perfect balance between body dimensions, weight and overall efficiency. Handling and driving pleasure were assured through the adoption of the all-new belt-drive electric power-assisted steering system as well as more than a year's worth of testing and tuning at Germany's famed Nürburgring circuit. Exciting and fuel-efficient powertrains Both models incorporate GM's new Ecotec small gasoline engines, which combine powerful performance with exceptional fuel economy. The Verano Hatchback pairs a 1.5L SIDI engine with a six-speed DCG transmission. It delivers maximum output of 87 kW/6,600 rpm and peak torque of 146 Nm/4,000 rpm. The Verano GS is powered by a 1.5T SIDI engine that was named one of the “China Heart” 2015 Ten Best Engines. It is paired with a new-generation seven-speed DCG transmission. The powertrain combination produces maximum output of 124 kW/5,600 rpm and peak torque of 250 Nm/1,700-4,400 rpm. This gives the model the ability to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.8 seconds while enabling combined fuel consumption of 5.9 L/100 km – which sets a new benchmark for its class. The engine start/stop feature, which further helps improve fuel efficiency, comes standard across the full Verano lineup. All variants are eligible for China's new incentive plan that cuts the purchase tax in half for cars with engines smaller than 1.6 liters. The Buick Verano Hatchback and Verano GS, together with the new-generation Buick Verano sport sedan launched earlier this year and the all-new Buick Excelle GT, will strengthen Buick’s presence in China’s premium mid-range passenger car segment. View full article
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This is the Buick Verano Hatchback which debuted at the Guangzhou Motor Show in China a few days ago. Using the new the Opel/Vauxhall Astra hatchback as a base, Buick made some minor tweaks with a new grille, headlights, and wheels. Inside is a three-spoke steering wheel, eight-inch touchscreen with Buick's Intellink, and Apple CarPlay intergration. The base engine for the Verano Hatchback is a 1.5L inline-four with SIDI engine with 116 horsepower and 107 pound-feet of torque. The Verano GS Hatchback gets a turbocharged version of the 1.5 four that produces 166 horsepower and 184 pound-feet. A six-speed dual-clutch automatic comes standard on the Verano, while a seven-speed dual-clutch is standard on the GS. "The Buick Verano Hatchback and Verano GS, together with the new-generation Buick Verano sport sedan launched earlier this year and the all-new Buick Excelle GT, will strengthen Buick’s presence in China’s premium mid-range passenger car segment," the company said in a statement. Source: Buick Press Release is on Page 2 Buick Launches Verano Hatchback and Verano GS Priced from RMB 145,900 to RMB 205,900 Guangzhou – Buick launched the new Verano Hatchback and Verano GS this evening in Guangzhou, China. The five variants of the two newest members of the Verano family are priced from RMB 145,900 to RMB 205,900. Buick’s 740 dealerships across China have begun accepting pre-orders. The new Verano models have trendy, sporty styling along with European car-like handling, premium interiors and advanced technology. They are targeted at younger trend-setting consumers who are looking for a driving experience that is “born with sportiness.” Stylish and sporty exterior The Verano Hatchback and Verano GS have adopted Buick's latest design language for sport sedans. The brand’s signature waterfall grille has taken on a creative frameless design, with a newly added piano black finish. The bold, concise and contoured hood lowers the car's stance. The two models’ wedge-shaped silhouette and double-sweep beltline form a dashing profile, with B- and C-pillars in German-crafted gloss black creating a floating roofline. The models also feature Buick's wing-shaped LED daytime running lamps, which echo their wing-shaped tinted tail lamps. Together with an integrated rear wing that accentuates the sculptured rear end, they provide a stylish, vibrant and captivating feel. Contemporary and exquisite interior The cabins of the two new Veranos combine sportiness, premium materials and exquisite craftsmanship. They utilize Buick's iconic 360-degree wraparound layout that exemplifies its driver-oriented design philosophy. The brand's focus on a high-quality driving and riding experience is also demonstrated by a segment-leading 2,662-mm wheelbase, the generous use of eco-friendly supple materials throughout the interior, a standard three-spoke sporty multi-function steering wheel, considerately designed ambient lighting, rear-row USB charging ports and patented Quiet-Tuning® noise control technology. The Verano GS is fitted with an exclusive sporty black and red kit inside and out. Aerodynamic exterior accessories, bright red strips on the front and rear bumpers, bright red brake calipers and 17-inch dark-painted five-spoke aluminum alloy wheels look bold and impressive. Inside, a bright red carbon fiber-pattern strip across the center console and red stitching make a strong impression. Adding to the sportiness are a carbon fiber-pattern finish on the center console, a three-spoke sporty multi-function steering wheel with a paddle shifter, Alcantara® racing car-like seats and Flame Red ambient lighting. Trend-setting intelligent and safety technologies The Verano Hatchback and Verano GS come with a wide variety of trend-setting intelligent technologies. They are the first Buick models in China available with the Apple CarPlay system. Users can seamlessly connect their iPhones with iOS 7.1 and above through the new-generation Buick IntelliLink infotainment system. All iPhone features and built-in apps – including phone, messages, maps, music, podcasts and Siri – are easily accessible via the high-resolution 8-inch-diagonal display in the center console. The Verano GS is offered with segment-exclusive and Buick-first Matrix full-LED headlamps. Behind the headlamps' Big Dipper-like panels are 29 Matrix LED clusters connected to front cameras to intelligently perform a range of functions, including automatically turning on the high-beam headlights, activating the anti-glare high-beam headlights and automatically adjusting the height of the headlamps. They automatically switch between six lighting modes – City, Urban, Expressway, Curve, Parking and Fuel Economy – based on driving conditions. In addition, the Verano GS comes with Buick's new intelligent safety system, which incorporates features that include Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, Collision Mitigation Braking and Automatic Parking Assist. While 75 percent of the two Veranos’ body structure is composed of high-strength steel, the models incorporate extensive lightweight design features, such as lighter and more rigid structures, all-aluminum engines, all-aluminum sub-frames, all-aluminum front and rear bumpers, and aluminum steering knuckles, as well as imported lightweight damping mats. The result is a 100-kilogram reduction in curb weight. The Verano Hatchback and Verano GS are built on the same architecture as the new Opel Astra. Their firm chassis has an optimized MacPherson front suspension and enhanced composite torsion bar, along with a new-generation Opel-patented Watt's link rear suspension and all-aluminum six-point full-length sub-frame. The result is a perfect balance between body dimensions, weight and overall efficiency. Handling and driving pleasure were assured through the adoption of the all-new belt-drive electric power-assisted steering system as well as more than a year's worth of testing and tuning at Germany's famed Nürburgring circuit. Exciting and fuel-efficient powertrains Both models incorporate GM's new Ecotec small gasoline engines, which combine powerful performance with exceptional fuel economy. The Verano Hatchback pairs a 1.5L SIDI engine with a six-speed DCG transmission. It delivers maximum output of 87 kW/6,600 rpm and peak torque of 146 Nm/4,000 rpm. The Verano GS is powered by a 1.5T SIDI engine that was named one of the “China Heart” 2015 Ten Best Engines. It is paired with a new-generation seven-speed DCG transmission. The powertrain combination produces maximum output of 124 kW/5,600 rpm and peak torque of 250 Nm/1,700-4,400 rpm. This gives the model the ability to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.8 seconds while enabling combined fuel consumption of 5.9 L/100 km – which sets a new benchmark for its class. The engine start/stop feature, which further helps improve fuel efficiency, comes standard across the full Verano lineup. All variants are eligible for China's new incentive plan that cuts the purchase tax in half for cars with engines smaller than 1.6 liters. The Buick Verano Hatchback and Verano GS, together with the new-generation Buick Verano sport sedan launched earlier this year and the all-new Buick Excelle GT, will strengthen Buick’s presence in China’s premium mid-range passenger car segment. -
Buick Introduces Sport Touring Trim to 2016 LaCrosse, Regal, and Verano
William Maley posted an article in Buick
Buick has announced a new trim for the LaCrosse, Regal, and Verano for the 2016 model year. Called the Sport Touring, all of these models get distinctive exterior styling cues such 18-inch, dark-finish alloy wheels and a rear spoiler. Along with the sporty touches, each models get a few more standard features. Verano Sport Touring: Dual-zone climate control, eight-way-adjustable power driver’s seat, and heated front seats Regal Sport Touring: Backup camera, heated front seats, and leather-trimmed front and rear seats. LaCrosse Sport Touring: Remote start, eight standard air bags, leather seats, and heated front seats. “Buick is reaching an all-new generation of customers by reinventing itself in terms of design, function and capabilities. These new ST models underscore the importance of design choices, while complementing the safety, refinement and connectivity technologies that are drawing new customers to Buick dealerships,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Buick. Source: Buick Press Release is on Page 2 DETROIT – Buick unveiled 2016 LaCrosse, Regal and Verano Sport Touring (ST) models today – sedans with distinctive exterior cues designed to set them apart from the pack. Each features special 18-inch wheels with machined faces and black “pockets,” and a rear spoiler. They join the Enclave Tuscan Edition and recently announced Encore Sport Touring as special models expanding Buick’s lineup with more design-focused choices. “Buick is reaching an all-new generation of customers by reinventing itself in terms of design, function and capabilities,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Buick. “These new ST models underscore the importance of design choices, while complementing the safety, refinement and connectivity technologies that are drawing new customers to Buick dealerships.” The new Sport Touring sedans – and Encore Sport Touring – go on sale this fall. LaCrosse Sport Touring includes Buick IntelliLink with Apple CarPlay capability, OnStar 4G LTE connectivity with Wi-Fi hotspot, remote start, eight standard air bags (including rear-seat thorax air bags) and leather-trimmed seats – with heated front seats. Regal Sport Touring includes a standard rear-vision camera system, heated front seat and leather-trimmed front and rear seats. It also comes with Buick IntelliLink with Apple CarPlay capability and OnStar 4G LTE connectivity with Wi-Fi hotspot. Verano Sport Touring includes dual-zone climate control, eight-way-adjustable power driver’s seat and heated front seats, along with Buick IntelliLink and OnStar 4G LTE connectivity with Wi-Fi hotspot. Experience Buick Protection on all 2016 Buick models includes the first two visits of scheduled maintenance services for two years/24,000 miles, whichever occurs first. It complements Buick’s four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty and six-year/70,000-mile powertrain limited warranty. -
Buick has announced a new trim for the LaCrosse, Regal, and Verano for the 2016 model year. Called the Sport Touring, all of these models get distinctive exterior styling cues such 18-inch, dark-finish alloy wheels and a rear spoiler. Along with the sporty touches, each models get a few more standard features. Verano Sport Touring: Dual-zone climate control, eight-way-adjustable power driver’s seat, and heated front seats Regal Sport Touring: Backup camera, heated front seats, and leather-trimmed front and rear seats. LaCrosse Sport Touring: Remote start, eight standard air bags, leather seats, and heated front seats. “Buick is reaching an all-new generation of customers by reinventing itself in terms of design, function and capabilities. These new ST models underscore the importance of design choices, while complementing the safety, refinement and connectivity technologies that are drawing new customers to Buick dealerships,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Buick. Source: Buick Press Release is on Page 2 DETROIT – Buick unveiled 2016 LaCrosse, Regal and Verano Sport Touring (ST) models today – sedans with distinctive exterior cues designed to set them apart from the pack. Each features special 18-inch wheels with machined faces and black “pockets,” and a rear spoiler. They join the Enclave Tuscan Edition and recently announced Encore Sport Touring as special models expanding Buick’s lineup with more design-focused choices. “Buick is reaching an all-new generation of customers by reinventing itself in terms of design, function and capabilities,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Buick. “These new ST models underscore the importance of design choices, while complementing the safety, refinement and connectivity technologies that are drawing new customers to Buick dealerships.” The new Sport Touring sedans – and Encore Sport Touring – go on sale this fall. LaCrosse Sport Touring includes Buick IntelliLink with Apple CarPlay capability, OnStar 4G LTE connectivity with Wi-Fi hotspot, remote start, eight standard air bags (including rear-seat thorax air bags) and leather-trimmed seats – with heated front seats. Regal Sport Touring includes a standard rear-vision camera system, heated front seat and leather-trimmed front and rear seats. It also comes with Buick IntelliLink with Apple CarPlay capability and OnStar 4G LTE connectivity with Wi-Fi hotspot. Verano Sport Touring includes dual-zone climate control, eight-way-adjustable power driver’s seat and heated front seats, along with Buick IntelliLink and OnStar 4G LTE connectivity with Wi-Fi hotspot. Experience Buick Protection on all 2016 Buick models includes the first two visits of scheduled maintenance services for two years/24,000 miles, whichever occurs first. It complements Buick’s four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty and six-year/70,000-mile powertrain limited warranty. View full article
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The big star for Buick at the Shanghai Motor Show was the second-generation Verano. Buick's compact sedan borrows a number of design ideas from Avenir and Rivera concept cars with a larger grille, new headlights, a double-swept beltline, and steeply raked front and rear windshields. A set of 17-inch wheels finish off the Verano. Power comes from a turbocharged 1.5L EcoTec four-cylinder 166 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. This is paired with a new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. How much of this comes to the North-American spec Verano remains a mystery at this time. Source: Buick Image Credit: Newspress Press Release is on Page 2 Buick Verano Debuts at Shanghai GM Gala Night New-generation sports sedan offers stylish exterior, class-leading fuel efficiency and precise handling SHANGHAI – Buick’s new-generation sports sedan, the Verano, made its debut this evening at Shanghai GM Gala Night. It will be appearing on Shanghai GM’s stand at Auto Shanghai 2015, which starts tomorrow. The brand’s latest entry in the mid-range passenger car segment has a stylish exterior, class-leading fuel efficiency and precise handling. The Verano is targeted at individuals who value a personal and dynamic driving experience. Design inspired by Buick Riviera and Avenir concept cars The Verano was inspired by the new Buick Riviera concept car, which premiered in 2013, and captures the design essence of the Buick Avenir concept car, which debuted at this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It represents an innovative interpretation of Buick’s classic styling while exemplifying the elegance and dynamism of Buick’s new-generation products. The Verano features Buick’s signature waterfall grille, which is complemented by Avenir-style wing-shaped HID xenon headlights and LED daytime running lights. The wing shape is embodied in the LED taillights as well. Positioned at a steep angle, the windshield joins the fastback roof and streamlined C-pillar curves. This gives the body a longer look that adds to its dynamic yet elegant aura. The Verano’s double-sweep beltline is characteristic of Buick sedans. The bottom curves that run through the front and rear end, together with cambered lower panels, set off the Verano’s sculpted silhouette. Impressive 17-inch, 10-spoke aluminum rims and dual integrated inset exhausts add to the stylish look. Efficient performance and precise handling Powering the Verano is a 1.5T SIDI turbocharged engine, which is the most powerful member of GM’s latest-generation Ecotec engine family. It is paired with a new-generation seven-speed DCG transmission with smooth gear shifting that has been adapted for China. The transmission was put through 4.25 million kilometers of extreme road testing. The Verano offers peak power of 124 kW at 5,600 rpm and peak torque of 250 Nm at 1,700-4,400 rpm. With the standard start-stop function and a class-leading wind drag coefficient as low as 0.27, the Verano’s combined fuel consumption is 6.1L/100 km – a new benchmark for its class. Underpinning the Verano is a newly optimized chassis that has been tuned in line with China's road conditions to ensure precise handling and an exhilarating experience. Continental MC5 225/45 R17 sports tires with low rolling resistance offer outstanding noise reduction, high precision and a strong grip. Acceleration of Buick’s mid-range passenger car strategy The Verano is the latest entry from Buick to address the diverse demands of customers in China’s mid-range passenger car segment. It joins the all-new Excelle GT, which was launched earlier this year, and the Excelle – regarded as the “family car benchmark.” Buick is China’s fastest-growing mainstream upper-medium passenger car brand. More than 6 million Buicks have been sold nationwide since its first domestically produced sedan reached the market in 1998. View full article
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The big star for Buick at the Shanghai Motor Show was the second-generation Verano. Buick's compact sedan borrows a number of design ideas from Avenir and Rivera concept cars with a larger grille, new headlights, a double-swept beltline, and steeply raked front and rear windshields. A set of 17-inch wheels finish off the Verano. Power comes from a turbocharged 1.5L EcoTec four-cylinder 166 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. This is paired with a new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. How much of this comes to the North-American spec Verano remains a mystery at this time. Source: Buick Image Credit: Newspress Press Release is on Page 2 Buick Verano Debuts at Shanghai GM Gala Night New-generation sports sedan offers stylish exterior, class-leading fuel efficiency and precise handling SHANGHAI – Buick’s new-generation sports sedan, the Verano, made its debut this evening at Shanghai GM Gala Night. It will be appearing on Shanghai GM’s stand at Auto Shanghai 2015, which starts tomorrow. The brand’s latest entry in the mid-range passenger car segment has a stylish exterior, class-leading fuel efficiency and precise handling. The Verano is targeted at individuals who value a personal and dynamic driving experience. Design inspired by Buick Riviera and Avenir concept cars The Verano was inspired by the new Buick Riviera concept car, which premiered in 2013, and captures the design essence of the Buick Avenir concept car, which debuted at this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It represents an innovative interpretation of Buick’s classic styling while exemplifying the elegance and dynamism of Buick’s new-generation products. The Verano features Buick’s signature waterfall grille, which is complemented by Avenir-style wing-shaped HID xenon headlights and LED daytime running lights. The wing shape is embodied in the LED taillights as well. Positioned at a steep angle, the windshield joins the fastback roof and streamlined C-pillar curves. This gives the body a longer look that adds to its dynamic yet elegant aura. The Verano’s double-sweep beltline is characteristic of Buick sedans. The bottom curves that run through the front and rear end, together with cambered lower panels, set off the Verano’s sculpted silhouette. Impressive 17-inch, 10-spoke aluminum rims and dual integrated inset exhausts add to the stylish look. Efficient performance and precise handling Powering the Verano is a 1.5T SIDI turbocharged engine, which is the most powerful member of GM’s latest-generation Ecotec engine family. It is paired with a new-generation seven-speed DCG transmission with smooth gear shifting that has been adapted for China. The transmission was put through 4.25 million kilometers of extreme road testing. The Verano offers peak power of 124 kW at 5,600 rpm and peak torque of 250 Nm at 1,700-4,400 rpm. With the standard start-stop function and a class-leading wind drag coefficient as low as 0.27, the Verano’s combined fuel consumption is 6.1L/100 km – a new benchmark for its class. Underpinning the Verano is a newly optimized chassis that has been tuned in line with China's road conditions to ensure precise handling and an exhilarating experience. Continental MC5 225/45 R17 sports tires with low rolling resistance offer outstanding noise reduction, high precision and a strong grip. Acceleration of Buick’s mid-range passenger car strategy The Verano is the latest entry from Buick to address the diverse demands of customers in China’s mid-range passenger car segment. It joins the all-new Excelle GT, which was launched earlier this year, and the Excelle – regarded as the “family car benchmark.” Buick is China’s fastest-growing mainstream upper-medium passenger car brand. More than 6 million Buicks have been sold nationwide since its first domestically produced sedan reached the market in 1998. -
Drew Dowdell - Managing Editor, CheersandGears.com December 7th, 2012 Today is the final day of Buick Week. So far we’ve looked at the four new or refreshed vehicles in Buick’s lineup. It is kind of hard to believe that the Buick LaCrosse and Buick Regal are now the two oldest designs, in that order, Buick offers. Buick Week: Day 1 - 2013 Buick Verano Review Day 2 - 2013 Buick Enclave First Drive Day 3 - 2013 Buick Verano Turbo First Drive Day 4 - 2013 Buick Encore First Drive Day 5 - Buick to the Future! What is coming: LaCrosse: The current LaCrosse debuted in 2009 as a 2010 model. At just three model years into its current run, the LaCrosse still holds its own, but the competition is increasing and newer, and sales are sagging. The Lexus ES has been refreshed, Hyundai has a very competent entry with their Azera, the Toyota Avalon is all new, and Lincoln has a new MKZ with a broad range of fuel-efficient power trains. We are expecting to see hints of a heavily-updated Buick LaCrosse during the coming auto show season. Regal: Buick’s German-bred sports sedan typically does very well in reviews, but in a rough economy more consumers are opting for the more economical but almost as premium feeling Verano. Buick and Opel are already preparing a refresh of the current model.What is not coming: GNX/Grand National: Buick laughed off the suggestion of a GNX when asked directly. What we’d like to see: It is no secret that around CheersandGears.com there is a desire for more body styles to be offered by the various GM divisions. Buick has a rich history of coupes, wagons, and convertibles, yet they offer none of those body styles at the moment. We humbly submit these suggestions: Image copyright General Motors - Modifications by Andrew Currie Buick Verano Convertible: Based on the Opel Cascada, this convertible can lower its top in 17 seconds at speeds up to 31 miles per hour. The Opel version is powered by a re-worked 1.4T and the new Opel 1.6T with 200 horsepower and 200 lb.-ft. of torque. Stateside, we hope to see the 1.6T and the 250 hp version of the 2.0T from the Verano Turbo. We would prefer to see Buick add this to the Verano lineup to strengthen that brand within Buick rather than bring the Cascada name stateside. Image copyright General Motors - Modifications by Andrew Currie Buick David: Based on the Opel Adam and in homage to the founder of Buick, David Dunbar Buick. This cheeky little compact would be a premium entry in the segment to go up against the likes of the Mini-Cooper, the coming Mercedes A-Class, and Fiat 500 Abarth. In the Opel versions, though there are three engines available, none generate more than 100 horsepower. A direct-injected and turbo-charged engine is said to be coming. So as not to clash with the Chevrolet Sonic, maintain a premium status, and continue with Buick’s history of turbo-charging, we suggest the Buick David come with the 148 horsepower 1.4T from the Buick Encore as the standard engine with the 200 horsepower 1.6T optional. With a target curb weight of just 2,200lbs, this would be a Goliath entry into the premium hot hatch market. Buick is a brand on the move. It is one of the few brands, especially of premium brands, to lower their average buyer age recently. Buick’s average buyer age has dropped 7 years over the past 5 model years. They have increased their sales conquest rate to over 43%, increased sales while reducing the number of models, and two of their four models currently on sale are in segment leadership positions. Drew Dowdell is Managing Editor of CheersandGears.com and can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter as @cheersngears *Both the Buick Verano Convertible and Buick David are wishful thinking on our part. They are in no way "news"; of future Buick vehicles. Images of the Buick Verano Convertible and Buick David are based on copyright of General Motors images under Creative Commons license and are not for commercial use or distribution. View full article
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Drew Dowdell - Managing Editor, CheersandGears.com December 7th, 2012 Today is the final day of Buick Week. So far we’ve looked at the four new or refreshed vehicles in Buick’s lineup. It is kind of hard to believe that the Buick LaCrosse and Buick Regal are now the two oldest designs, in that order, Buick offers. Buick Week: Day 1 - 2013 Buick Verano Review Day 2 - 2013 Buick Enclave First Drive Day 3 - 2013 Buick Verano Turbo First Drive Day 4 - 2013 Buick Encore First Drive Day 5 - Buick to the Future! What is coming: LaCrosse: The current LaCrosse debuted in 2009 as a 2010 model. At just three model years into its current run, the LaCrosse still holds its own, but the competition is increasing and newer, and sales are sagging. The Lexus ES has been refreshed, Hyundai has a very competent entry with their Azera, the Toyota Avalon is all new, and Lincoln has a new MKZ with a broad range of fuel-efficient power trains. We are expecting to see hints of a heavily-updated Buick LaCrosse during the coming auto show season. Regal: Buick’s German-bred sports sedan typically does very well in reviews, but in a rough economy more consumers are opting for the more economical but almost as premium feeling Verano. Buick and Opel are already preparing a refresh of the current model.What is not coming: GNX/Grand National: Buick laughed off the suggestion of a GNX when asked directly. What we’d like to see: It is no secret that around CheersandGears.com there is a desire for more body styles to be offered by the various GM divisions. Buick has a rich history of coupes, wagons, and convertibles, yet they offer none of those body styles at the moment. We humbly submit these suggestions: Image copyright General Motors - Modifications by Andrew Currie Buick Verano Convertible: Based on the Opel Cascada, this convertible can lower its top in 17 seconds at speeds up to 31 miles per hour. The Opel version is powered by a re-worked 1.4T and the new Opel 1.6T with 200 horsepower and 200 lb.-ft. of torque. Stateside, we hope to see the 1.6T and the 250 hp version of the 2.0T from the Verano Turbo. We would prefer to see Buick add this to the Verano lineup to strengthen that brand within Buick rather than bring the Cascada name stateside. Image copyright General Motors - Modifications by Andrew Currie Buick David: Based on the Opel Adam and in homage to the founder of Buick, David Dunbar Buick. This cheeky little compact would be a premium entry in the segment to go up against the likes of the Mini-Cooper, the coming Mercedes A-Class, and Fiat 500 Abarth. In the Opel versions, though there are three engines available, none generate more than 100 horsepower. A direct-injected and turbo-charged engine is said to be coming. So as not to clash with the Chevrolet Sonic, maintain a premium status, and continue with Buick’s history of turbo-charging, we suggest the Buick David come with the 148 horsepower 1.4T from the Buick Encore as the standard engine with the 200 horsepower 1.6T optional. With a target curb weight of just 2,200lbs, this would be a Goliath entry into the premium hot hatch market. Buick is a brand on the move. It is one of the few brands, especially of premium brands, to lower their average buyer age recently. Buick’s average buyer age has dropped 7 years over the past 5 model years. They have increased their sales conquest rate to over 43%, increased sales while reducing the number of models, and two of their four models currently on sale are in segment leadership positions. Drew Dowdell is Managing Editor of CheersandGears.com and can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter as @cheersngears *Both the Buick Verano Convertible and Buick David are wishful thinking on our part. They are in no way "news"; of future Buick vehicles. Images of the Buick Verano Convertible and Buick David are based on copyright of General Motors images under Creative Commons license and are not for commercial use or distribution. -
William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com June 20, 2012 Every year, there’s a new trend in the automotive world. One moment, its crossover mania; the next moment, it’s the coupe sedan. The current fad is compact, near luxury cars. And it’s not only the regular suspects that are getting into it. Luxury manufacturers are getting into the game as well: Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Acura, and even Buick. Buick? Yes, Buick. Last year, the tri-shield introduced their new compact car, the Verano. Buick is hoping to take slice out of the growing luxury compact car market. But does a small compact Buick make sense at all? Exterior At first glance, the Verano looks to be a like shrunken La Crosse. The front end carries Buick’s signature waterfall grill and a set of headlights with a blue tint. On the hood, portholes sit on either side. The side profile carries the same profile from the larger LaCrosse and the standard eighteen inch wheels do a good job of filling in the wheel wells. The back end is short and has a tall trunk lid. One design cue that I didn’t like on the Verano is the chrome bars on top of the taillights. I’m not sure as to why they are there, but those bars add a touch of tackyness. All I would ask is for those chrome bars to be removed or to be color coded to the vehicle. Interior The Verano’s interior is one of the better ones GM has done in awhile. The dash layout is logical and most of the materials are soft touch and good quality. The only black mark with the dash lies with the “wood” and “metal” trim around the center stack. Come on GM, you’re marketing this as a premium compact car, at least put some better quality “wood” and “metal”. Speaking about the center stack, the Verano comes equipped with Buick’s new Intellilink infotainment system. Intellilink provides AM/FM/XM radio, USB and AUX connectivity, and streaming of Pandora and Stitcher Internet Radio. The system had two problems though. After I had used Pandora once and decided to go back to it, the system would play the music but no sound came out. The other problem was when I had iPod connected and would play a certain track, the system would decide to play it at Alvin and the Chipmunks speed. Hopefully GM is working on a fix. As for comfort, the Verano delivers it in spades. Passengers sitting in the front will find seats very comfortable and pleased to find them heated. Back seat passengers will find the space somewhat tight. Head and legroom come at a premium. The trunk measures out to 14 cu. ft., about 0.2 cu. ft. less than the large Regal. Next, Ride, Drive, and the Verdict Ride and Drive The Verano comes equipped with GM’s 2.4L four-cylinder producing 180 HP and 172 lb-ft of torque going through a six-speed automatic. Getting off the line and driving around town, the Verano provides respectable power. However, on the freeway and/or when trying to make a pass, the 2.4L feels overworked and underpowered. Thank the Verano’s curb weight of 3,300 lbs for that. Luckily for the Verano, a new 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder is on its way later this year. Fuel economy of the 2.4 stands at 21 City/31 Highway/25 Combined. During my week with the Verano, I matched the combined figure of 25. The Verano's closest competitor, the Acura ILX gets better mileage out of its base 2.0L with 24 City/35 Highway/28 Combined and matches the Verano when equipped with an optional 200 HP 2.4L four (22 City/31 Highway/25 Combined). Bigger, heavier cars with much more power get similar highway numbers to the Verano (Dodge Charger is one of them), and comparing to the new Acura ILX is natural, but if you're going to do that, you need to compare the power and torque output as well. I haven't driven the ILX 2.0 yet, but I will bet it will be sitting higher in the RPM band than the Verano 2.4L. The Verano does come back with one of the quietest rides in the class. Road and wind noise are non-existent, even at highway speed. Also, the Verano ride feels very solid and composed, giving you the feeling you’re in a more expensive vehicle. If you feel like having some fun, the Verano is a willing partner. The front MacPherson suspension and rear Z-link setup keep the Verano stable when cornering, and the steering provides a good feel and weight. But don’t push it, the Verano isn’t a Ford Focus or a Dodge Dart, it will fight back. Verdict Does a compact Buick make sense? Almost. Unfortunately the weak link in the Verano is the 2.4L’s fuel economy. This is a compact car that gets almost the same fuel economy as a full size vehicle equipped with the V6. Hopefully, the turbo engine coming out later this year can rectify this. Otherwise, the Verano has a lot going for it: a handsome exterior, a comfortable interior, Buick’s new Intellilink system, and a very quiet ride. As the Verano was being driven away, I wondered how long how it would take to for me to save up enough money to get a Verano Turbo. Yeah, the Verano is that good. Cheers: Exterior Design Interior Intellilink Quiet Ride Jeers: Fuel Economy Tail light brows Year - 2012 Make - Buick Model - Verano Trim - 1SL Engine - 2.4L DOHC Four-Cylinder Driveline - Front Wheel Drive, Six Speed Automatic Horsepower @ RPM - 180 @ 6200 Torque @ RPM - 171 @ 4900 Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 21/32/25 Curb Weight - 3300 lbs Location of Manufacture - Lake Orion, Michigan Base Price - $25,965.00 As Tested Price - $26,850.00 (Includes $885.00 Destination Charge) William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. -
William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com June 20, 2012 Every year, there’s a new trend in the automotive world. One moment, its crossover mania; the next moment, it’s the coupe sedan. The current fad is compact, near luxury cars. And it’s not only the regular suspects that are getting into it. Luxury manufacturers are getting into the game as well: Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Acura, and even Buick. Buick? Yes, Buick. Last year, the tri-shield introduced their new compact car, the Verano. Buick is hoping to take slice out of the growing luxury compact car market. But does a small compact Buick make sense at all? Exterior At first glance, the Verano looks to be a like shrunken La Crosse. The front end carries Buick’s signature waterfall grill and a set of headlights with a blue tint. On the hood, portholes sit on either side. The side profile carries the same profile from the larger LaCrosse and the standard eighteen inch wheels do a good job of filling in the wheel wells. The back end is short and has a tall trunk lid. One design cue that I didn’t like on the Verano is the chrome bars on top of the taillights. I’m not sure as to why they are there, but those bars add a touch of tackyness. All I would ask is for those chrome bars to be removed or to be color coded to the vehicle. Interior The Verano’s interior is one of the better ones GM has done in awhile. The dash layout is logical and most of the materials are soft touch and good quality. The only black mark with the dash lies with the “wood” and “metal” trim around the center stack. Come on GM, you’re marketing this as a premium compact car, at least put some better quality “wood” and “metal”. Speaking about the center stack, the Verano comes equipped with Buick’s new Intellilink infotainment system. Intellilink provides AM/FM/XM radio, USB and AUX connectivity, and streaming of Pandora and Stitcher Internet Radio. The system had two problems though. After I had used Pandora once and decided to go back to it, the system would play the music but no sound came out. The other problem was when I had iPod connected and would play a certain track, the system would decide to play it at Alvin and the Chipmunks speed. Hopefully GM is working on a fix. As for comfort, the Verano delivers it in spades. Passengers sitting in the front will find seats very comfortable and pleased to find them heated. Back seat passengers will find the space somewhat tight. Head and legroom come at a premium. The trunk measures out to 14 cu. ft., about 0.2 cu. ft. less than the large Regal. Next, Ride, Drive, and the Verdict Ride and Drive The Verano comes equipped with GM’s 2.4L four-cylinder producing 180 HP and 172 lb-ft of torque going through a six-speed automatic. Getting off the line and driving around town, the Verano provides respectable power. However, on the freeway and/or when trying to make a pass, the 2.4L feels overworked and underpowered. Thank the Verano’s curb weight of 3,300 lbs for that. Luckily for the Verano, a new 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder is on its way later this year. Fuel economy of the 2.4 stands at 21 City/31 Highway/25 Combined. During my week with the Verano, I matched the combined figure of 25. The Verano's closest competitor, the Acura ILX gets better mileage out of its base 2.0L with 24 City/35 Highway/28 Combined and matches the Verano when equipped with an optional 200 HP 2.4L four (22 City/31 Highway/25 Combined). Bigger, heavier cars with much more power get similar highway numbers to the Verano (Dodge Charger is one of them), and comparing to the new Acura ILX is natural, but if you're going to do that, you need to compare the power and torque output as well. I haven't driven the ILX 2.0 yet, but I will bet it will be sitting higher in the RPM band than the Verano 2.4L. The Verano does come back with one of the quietest rides in the class. Road and wind noise are non-existent, even at highway speed. Also, the Verano ride feels very solid and composed, giving you the feeling you’re in a more expensive vehicle. If you feel like having some fun, the Verano is a willing partner. The front MacPherson suspension and rear Z-link setup keep the Verano stable when cornering, and the steering provides a good feel and weight. But don’t push it, the Verano isn’t a Ford Focus or a Dodge Dart, it will fight back. Verdict Does a compact Buick make sense? Almost. Unfortunately the weak link in the Verano is the 2.4L’s fuel economy. This is a compact car that gets almost the same fuel economy as a full size vehicle equipped with the V6. Hopefully, the turbo engine coming out later this year can rectify this. Otherwise, the Verano has a lot going for it: a handsome exterior, a comfortable interior, Buick’s new Intellilink system, and a very quiet ride. As the Verano was being driven away, I wondered how long how it would take to for me to save up enough money to get a Verano Turbo. Yeah, the Verano is that good. Cheers: Exterior Design Interior Intellilink Quiet Ride Jeers: Fuel Economy Tail light brows Year - 2012 Make - Buick Model - Verano Trim - 1SL Engine - 2.4L DOHC Four-Cylinder Driveline - Front Wheel Drive, Six Speed Automatic Horsepower @ RPM - 180 @ 6200 Torque @ RPM - 171 @ 4900 Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 21/32/25 Curb Weight - 3300 lbs Location of Manufacture - Lake Orion, Michigan Base Price - $25,965.00 As Tested Price - $26,850.00 (Includes $885.00 Destination Charge) William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article
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It looks a refresh is coming soon to the Buick Verano. A fresh set of spy shots were released this week showing a camoflaged mule undergoing some testing in Germany. Much like the Regal, the Verano is a Opel/Vauxhall vehicle (the Astra sedan in this case) with some Buick clothing. Judging from the photos, it looks like Verano will get some more Astra design cues, most notable in the headlights and taillights. But there will still be a number of Buick design cues like the waterfall grille. The refreshed Verano is expected to arrive next year. Source: Autoblog William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. -
It looks a refresh is coming soon to the Buick Verano. A fresh set of spy shots were released this week showing a camoflaged mule undergoing some testing in Germany. Much like the Regal, the Verano is a Opel/Vauxhall vehicle (the Astra sedan in this case) with some Buick clothing. Judging from the photos, it looks like Verano will get some more Astra design cues, most notable in the headlights and taillights. But there will still be a number of Buick design cues like the waterfall grille. The refreshed Verano is expected to arrive next year. Source: Autoblog William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 19, 2013 A new report from Edmunds shines some light on what Buick possibly has in store powertrain-wise for some of their vehicles. A sources says that Buick is planning on offering a diesel engine in their lineup. This is due to Buick and Opel becoming more aligned. Also, diesels have gained more ground in the U.S. thanks to their ability to provide large fuel economy numbers without a massive hit on performance. The source doesn't say which vehicle will get the diesel engine, but Edmunds speculates it will be the Verano since it's closely related to the Chevrolet Cruze which offers a diesel engine. Another source tells Edmunds that Buick is considering adding more power to wildly-popular Encore crossover. The source explained that one of the primary reasons given why prospective buyers would not buy the Encore is the lack of power from the 1.4L turbo-four which produces 138 horsepower. Buick is reportedly scrambling to get a more powerful engine, but there comes a problem with that. Engineers have tried to fit the 2.4L four-cylinder and 2.0L turbo-four, but they don't fit in the Encore's tight engine bay. The source says that GM is now looking at using one of the new 1.6L four-cylinder engines introduced in Europe earlier this year. Source: Edmunds William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. -
William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 19, 2013 A new report from Edmunds shines some light on what Buick possibly has in store powertrain-wise for some of their vehicles. A sources says that Buick is planning on offering a diesel engine in their lineup. This is due to Buick and Opel becoming more aligned. Also, diesels have gained more ground in the U.S. thanks to their ability to provide large fuel economy numbers without a massive hit on performance. The source doesn't say which vehicle will get the diesel engine, but Edmunds speculates it will be the Verano since it's closely related to the Chevrolet Cruze which offers a diesel engine. Another source tells Edmunds that Buick is considering adding more power to wildly-popular Encore crossover. The source explained that one of the primary reasons given why prospective buyers would not buy the Encore is the lack of power from the 1.4L turbo-four which produces 138 horsepower. Buick is reportedly scrambling to get a more powerful engine, but there comes a problem with that. Engineers have tried to fit the 2.4L four-cylinder and 2.0L turbo-four, but they don't fit in the Encore's tight engine bay. The source says that GM is now looking at using one of the new 1.6L four-cylinder engines introduced in Europe earlier this year. Source: Edmunds William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article
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December 5th, 2012 Drew Dowdell Managing Editor - CheerandGears.com I am running a bit late with today’s Buick Week entry because I spent the day running around the countryside surrounding Atlanta, Georgia putting a few 2013 Buick Encores through the paces. That review will be available for you to tomorrow. In case you missed it, yesterday we went on a First Drive of the 2013 Buick Enclave. On the first day of Buick week I took you on a full review of the 2013 Buick Verano. Today we are going on a first drive of the Buick Verano Turbo. Buick Week: Day 1 – 2013 Buick Verano Review Day 2 – 2013 Buick Enclave First Drive Day 3 – 2013 Buick Verano Turbo First Drive This ain't Buick first time at the rodeo... Buick has a long history with forced induction engines and arguably more experience than any other US brand. Beyond the legendary Buick GNX and Grand National, Buick produced turbo versions of their Riviera and Regal coupes in the 1980s, super charged Regals, Rivieras, and Park Avenues in the 1990s, and recently reintroduced turbo-charging in the Regal with two performance levels of turbo charged engines in that car.But those are all larger luxury cars and this is a story about a compact. Did you know that Buick offered a fire cracker version of their compact, J-Body based Buick Skyhawk in 1984? The Turbo was offered only in the T-Type trim, the 1984 Skyhawk T-Type came with a 1.8 liter DOHC turbo-charged 4-cylinder putting out 150 horsepower and 165 lb-ft of torque in a car that weighed in right around 2400lbs. These are excellent power to weight numbers today much less in 1984, when GM’s V8s could not even wheeze out similar horsepower numbers. In 1987, Buick increased the engine’s displacement to a full 2.0 liters, horsepower was up to 165, and torque wrenched in at 175 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm. Production of the Skyhawk ended in 1989. Though relatively unknown, these Skyhawk T-types were fun little compacts that could provide a swift kick in the pants when asked to. But what's 1984 got to do with me? That brings us to the present day. For 2013, Buick is adding a 2.0 liter turbo engine to their compact Verano. With 250 horsepower and 260 ft-lb of torque on tap from the direct injected engine will give you a swift kick in the pants just like that Skyhawk of old could. Weighing in at about 3,300 lbs, the Verano Turbo runs to 60 in 6.2 seconds. Though the mileage penalty (20 city/31 highway – manual) and (21 city / 30 highway – automatic) is minimal over the 2.4 liter powered Verano, Buick does recommend premium fuel, though it will sip regular if needed with a slight performance penalty.Buick invited me to drive both the manual and automatic transmission versions of the Verano Turbo through the countryside surrounding Louisville, KY. Visually, there is very little external difference between the Turbo and non-Turbo versions, you just get a rear spoiler, dual chrome-tip exhaust, and an extra badge on the trunk. Inside the story is much the same, save for a set of metallic sport pedals. My main complaint inside the Verano continues in the turbo editions: the lack of power seat recline for the driver and complete lack of power seat adjustment entirely for the passenger. For a car that can easily crest over the $30k mark, these are noticeable absences. Buick compacts: Now available in "Faster" The story of the Verano Turbo is entirely about how it drives. By starting with the already excellent handling of the base Verano and adding the thrust of the turbo charged engine, Buick has created a compact premium sedan that is deceptively quick. In the manual version, the shifter throws are a bit long, but they are nice and smooth. Once you’re accustomed to the car, relaxed shifting can be a simple two-finger “snick-snick” between gears. Torque comes on strong at low RPM and is maintained up to 5,500 – 6,000 rpm. You never seem to feel out of breath in this car like I had with the non-Turbo version. Turbo lag is minimal and non-car-nerds could be excused for thinking this is a V6 powered car. The clutch is on the light side and won’t wear out your left foot on long drives. The automatic transaxle is an upgraded version of the same transmission in the 2.4 liter powered car. Designed to take the higher torque load of the turbo engine, it goes about its work with a lot less flare than the manual transmission equipped Veranos. It does have a driver control mode for manu-matic style shifting, but it really isn't necessary to use even during enthusiastic driving. Leaving the car in drive simply lets the transmission do the job GM programmers designed it to do. Still, if you want to tell it when to shift, down-shifts and up-shifts came in a crisp, business-like manner. The extra thrust wouldn't be worth much if the Verano couldn't handle it in the corners. Buick firmed up the Verano’s suspension and steering a bit resulting in a car that feels surprisingly well balanced for being front-wheel drive. On the issue of noise control, Buick actually had to dial back the quiet tuning a little bit because they felt that Verano buyers who opted for the Turbo model would actually want to hear more of the engine while driving. Most of the change comes from exhaust tuning and gives the Verano Turbo a sound that can start the gears turning in a gear head. Overall the Verano turbo is for the buyer who appreciates the comfort of a premium compact but still want to have the that extra trust to experience an exhilarating run down a country road. Buick is reporting over 50% conquest rate for all Verano models with over 50% of those coming from import brands. Additionally, Buick has seen their average buyer age drop by 7 years over the last 5 years. Buick did not share with me the take rate on Veranos equipped with the 2.0t. but the turbo-boosted 2013 Buick Verano should help Buick turbo-boost those numbers even more in their favor. Drew Dowdell is Managing Editor of CheersandGears.com and can be reached at [email protected] or on twitter as @cheersngears Disclaimer: Buick provided transportation to and accommodations in Louisville, KY for this event. -
December 5th, 2012 Drew Dowdell Managing Editor - CheerandGears.com I am running a bit late with today’s Buick Week entry because I spent the day running around the countryside surrounding Atlanta, Georgia putting a few 2013 Buick Encores through the paces. That review will be available for you to tomorrow. In case you missed it, yesterday we went on a First Drive of the 2013 Buick Enclave. On the first day of Buick week I took you on a full review of the 2013 Buick Verano. Today we are going on a first drive of the Buick Verano Turbo. Buick Week: Day 1 – 2013 Buick Verano Review Day 2 – 2013 Buick Enclave First Drive Day 3 – 2013 Buick Verano Turbo First Drive This ain't Buick first time at the rodeo... Buick has a long history with forced induction engines and arguably more experience than any other US brand. Beyond the legendary Buick GNX and Grand National, Buick produced turbo versions of their Riviera and Regal coupes in the 1980s, super charged Regals, Rivieras, and Park Avenues in the 1990s, and recently reintroduced turbo-charging in the Regal with two performance levels of turbo charged engines in that car.But those are all larger luxury cars and this is a story about a compact. Did you know that Buick offered a fire cracker version of their compact, J-Body based Buick Skyhawk in 1984? The Turbo was offered only in the T-Type trim, the 1984 Skyhawk T-Type came with a 1.8 liter DOHC turbo-charged 4-cylinder putting out 150 horsepower and 165 lb-ft of torque in a car that weighed in right around 2400lbs. These are excellent power to weight numbers today much less in 1984, when GM’s V8s could not even wheeze out similar horsepower numbers. In 1987, Buick increased the engine’s displacement to a full 2.0 liters, horsepower was up to 165, and torque wrenched in at 175 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm. Production of the Skyhawk ended in 1989. Though relatively unknown, these Skyhawk T-types were fun little compacts that could provide a swift kick in the pants when asked to. But what's 1984 got to do with me? That brings us to the present day. For 2013, Buick is adding a 2.0 liter turbo engine to their compact Verano. With 250 horsepower and 260 ft-lb of torque on tap from the direct injected engine will give you a swift kick in the pants just like that Skyhawk of old could. Weighing in at about 3,300 lbs, the Verano Turbo runs to 60 in 6.2 seconds. Though the mileage penalty (20 city/31 highway – manual) and (21 city / 30 highway – automatic) is minimal over the 2.4 liter powered Verano, Buick does recommend premium fuel, though it will sip regular if needed with a slight performance penalty.Buick invited me to drive both the manual and automatic transmission versions of the Verano Turbo through the countryside surrounding Louisville, KY. Visually, there is very little external difference between the Turbo and non-Turbo versions, you just get a rear spoiler, dual chrome-tip exhaust, and an extra badge on the trunk. Inside the story is much the same, save for a set of metallic sport pedals. My main complaint inside the Verano continues in the turbo editions: the lack of power seat recline for the driver and complete lack of power seat adjustment entirely for the passenger. For a car that can easily crest over the $30k mark, these are noticeable absences. Buick compacts: Now available in "Faster" The story of the Verano Turbo is entirely about how it drives. By starting with the already excellent handling of the base Verano and adding the thrust of the turbo charged engine, Buick has created a compact premium sedan that is deceptively quick. In the manual version, the shifter throws are a bit long, but they are nice and smooth. Once you’re accustomed to the car, relaxed shifting can be a simple two-finger “snick-snick” between gears. Torque comes on strong at low RPM and is maintained up to 5,500 – 6,000 rpm. You never seem to feel out of breath in this car like I had with the non-Turbo version. Turbo lag is minimal and non-car-nerds could be excused for thinking this is a V6 powered car. The clutch is on the light side and won’t wear out your left foot on long drives. The automatic transaxle is an upgraded version of the same transmission in the 2.4 liter powered car. Designed to take the higher torque load of the turbo engine, it goes about its work with a lot less flare than the manual transmission equipped Veranos. It does have a driver control mode for manu-matic style shifting, but it really isn't necessary to use even during enthusiastic driving. Leaving the car in drive simply lets the transmission do the job GM programmers designed it to do. Still, if you want to tell it when to shift, down-shifts and up-shifts came in a crisp, business-like manner. The extra thrust wouldn't be worth much if the Verano couldn't handle it in the corners. Buick firmed up the Verano’s suspension and steering a bit resulting in a car that feels surprisingly well balanced for being front-wheel drive. On the issue of noise control, Buick actually had to dial back the quiet tuning a little bit because they felt that Verano buyers who opted for the Turbo model would actually want to hear more of the engine while driving. Most of the change comes from exhaust tuning and gives the Verano Turbo a sound that can start the gears turning in a gear head. Overall the Verano turbo is for the buyer who appreciates the comfort of a premium compact but still want to have the that extra trust to experience an exhilarating run down a country road. Buick is reporting over 50% conquest rate for all Verano models with over 50% of those coming from import brands. Additionally, Buick has seen their average buyer age drop by 7 years over the last 5 years. Buick did not share with me the take rate on Veranos equipped with the 2.0t. but the turbo-boosted 2013 Buick Verano should help Buick turbo-boost those numbers even more in their favor. Drew Dowdell is Managing Editor of CheersandGears.com and can be reached at [email protected] or on twitter as @cheersngears Disclaimer: Buick provided transportation to and accommodations in Louisville, KY for this event. View full article
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December 3, 2012 Drew Dowdell Managing Editor - CheersandGears.com It is Buick Week here at Cheers and Gears this week and each day we will be featuring an article about one of the new Buicks. We start off with Buick's re-entry to the compact segment, the 2013 Buick Verano. Buick has dabbled in the compact sedan market off and on since the 1960’s. After an initially successful run with the Special/Skylark in 1961, Buick’s compacts quickly grew in size and out of that segment of being true compact cars. In the mid 1960’s, Buick began importing Opels from Germany to sell as a captive, compact Buick-Opel sub-brand. The exchange rate between the Dollar and the Mark conspired with some questionable engineering to keep Opel’s sales low in the US. With the Opel’s failure to catch on, by the end of the 1970s Buick returned to American built, badge-engineered compacts that were shared with nearly every division inside of GM. Buick has technically not sold a car in the compact sedan class since the J-body Skyhawk went out of production in 1989. The 2013 Verano rides on GM’s Delta II compact car platform. There is an instinctual reaction in North America to call the Verano a Buick re-badged Chevrolet Cruze and while the Cruze is a fine compact in its own right, this would be inaccurate. For their new entry to the compact market, Buick went back to its history with Opel and as such, the Buick Verano is a much closer relation to the Opel Astra sedan developed and sold in Europe than it is to the Korean developed Chevy Cruze. Is there really such a thing as a compact luxury car? Contrary to its small stature, the Verano looks the part of a premium compact car. Out front is Buick’s trademark waterfall grille along with portholes on each side of the hood. Along the cleanly styled side, the Verano eschews the sweep spear design cue of its biggest brothers the LaCrosse and Enclave, opting instead for the hockey stick design cue used on the middle sibling, the Buick Regal and their Opel cousins back in the old country. Around back are a pair of angry chrome eyebrows over the tail lights that were hard to digest at first, but I learned to love them over time as they give a very distinctive look that few, if any, cars today have. Filling out the wheel wells are a fairly standard looking set of 18” alloy wheels. My only complaint on the exterior is the overly large license plate cut-out in the front fascia. It is much too large for those of us in front plate states, it is pointless for those of us in rear-plate-only states, and it detracts from the look of the otherwise handsome front end.Inside, however, is where Buick makes its best case yet for a premium car in the compact class. Decked out in a handsome two tone design, the Verano looks the part of a high end luxury car. Plush yet supportive leather seats are an excellent place to spend some hours driving. Finding a comfortable seating position was easy, though I am disappointed that a “premium” car does not have a power seat recline. Front passengers are even more disappointed that they have no power seat at all. In front of the driver is a fairly standard GM steering wheel with all of the familiar controls located at your thumb tips. The gauges glow in indigo blue that has become a bit of a Buick trademark, though the font size of the numbers is a bit small. The engine start/stop button is not in the standard place on the dash, but rather at the top left of the center instrument panel. Even after a week of driving the Verano, I had to think about which button to push to start it up. The HVAC controls are simple enough to operate, but the infotainment system can get a little confusing as sometimes your instinct is to use the hardware buttons and sometimes to use the touch screen. This Verano came with the upgraded Bose 9-speaker sound system and to be honest, considering the $595 up-charge I wasn’t very impressed as it doesn't seem to offer much depth or clarity over the standard GM systems I'm used to. If it isn’t quiet inside, it isn’t a Buick. The quiet-tuning in the Verano really does its job well, keeping road, wind, and engine noise out. We took the Verano from Pittsburgh, PA to Manassas, Virginia for the holiday. In our extensive testing, rear passengers, especially those under the age of 10, during long trips ended up falling asleep about 30 minutes into the ride and slept for most of our 300 mile journeys. I very much enjoyed the quiet serenity in the car during my morning commutes into the city.On our return trip, I was fairly well exhausted and asked my partner, who hates driving and simply doesn’t understand what us car guys are going on about, to drive at least the first half of the trip and then we could switch over. At the half-way point, he wouldn’t give the Verano back! By the time we made it to Pittsburgh, he decided he wanted one. The trunk is deep, with a wide opening for easy access, though you must be mindful of the gooseneck trunk lid supports so they don’t crush your luggage. I did feel that having the backs of the speakers exposed and so visible in the trunk was a glaring omission in the level of finish on this car. But does it have Buick power? Well yes and no. Buick opted for the tried and true 2.4 liter direct injected 4-cylinder producing 180 horsepower at 6700 rpm and 171 lb-ft of torque at 4900 rpm. The gearing in the 6-speed automatic is set up to give you spritely starts and an adequate amount of passing power on the highway. Darting around town can be quite sporty feeling, but try passing on an uphill climb with a full load of passengers and luggage and the Verano gets a bit breathless. You’ll pay for that sporty low-end gearing at the pump with a mediocre 21mpg city EPA rating and an unimpressive 32mpg highway. There are larger vehicles with more power that can beat those figures. On the return of our 367 mile trip, we averaged 27.9mpg with 4 passengers and a full trunk. Calling on its Germanic roots, the Verano handles very well for a front wheel drive compact sedan. While it is tuned for a comfortable ride, it leaves plenty of firmness intact for cornering and overall responsiveness. Has Buick hit the mark in the premium compact market? As far as I’m concerned, the answer is a resounding yes. Buick has been absent from this segment since 1989 but has produced a car that has a premium feel to it and with a price tag starting at just $23,080. For your $23,000 and change, you leave the dealership with a car that acts and feels like a much more expensive model. But no need to take my word for it, Buick went from selling zero compacts per month to selling 3,500 Veranos per month in less than a year. Total sales for 2012 as of November 30th are 36,222. The Acura ILX (1,529/month - 7,658 Jan-Nov) and Audi A3 (400/month - 6,808 Jan-Nov), the Verano's closest competition, aren’t even close. Be sure to stop back tomorrow for a First Drive of the 2013 Buick Enclave. If you like this review, please share it with your friends using the share buttons below. Cheers: Vault quiet Comfortable front seats Good rear leg room for a compact Jeers: Fuel Economy Front license plate space No power front passenger set, not even an option No power driver seat recline Disclaimer: Buick provided the vehicle, insurance, and one tank of gasoline. Year - 2013 Make – Buick Model – Verano Trim – Leather Group with Nav Engine – 2.4L DOHC 16-Valve Inline-Four Driveline – Front Wheel Drive, 6-speed Automatic Horsepower @ RPM – 180 HP (@ 6,700 RPM) Torque @ RPM – 171 lb-ft (@ 4,900 RPM) Fuel Economy: City/Highway - 21/32 Curb Weight – 3,300 lbs Base Price - $23,080 As Tested Price - $27,550* (not including $885 destination charge) Drew Dowdell is Managing Editor of CheersandGears.com and can be reached at [email protected] or on twitter as @CheersnGears -
December 3, 2012 Drew Dowdell Managing Editor - CheersandGears.com It is Buick Week here at Cheers and Gears this week and each day we will be featuring an article about one of the new Buicks. We start off with Buick's re-entry to the compact segment, the 2013 Buick Verano. Buick has dabbled in the compact sedan market off and on since the 1960’s. After an initially successful run with the Special/Skylark in 1961, Buick’s compacts quickly grew in size and out of that segment of being true compact cars. In the mid 1960’s, Buick began importing Opels from Germany to sell as a captive, compact Buick-Opel sub-brand. The exchange rate between the Dollar and the Mark conspired with some questionable engineering to keep Opel’s sales low in the US. With the Opel’s failure to catch on, by the end of the 1970s Buick returned to American built, badge-engineered compacts that were shared with nearly every division inside of GM. Buick has technically not sold a car in the compact sedan class since the J-body Skyhawk went out of production in 1989. The 2013 Verano rides on GM’s Delta II compact car platform. There is an instinctual reaction in North America to call the Verano a Buick re-badged Chevrolet Cruze and while the Cruze is a fine compact in its own right, this would be inaccurate. For their new entry to the compact market, Buick went back to its history with Opel and as such, the Buick Verano is a much closer relation to the Opel Astra sedan developed and sold in Europe than it is to the Korean developed Chevy Cruze. Is there really such a thing as a compact luxury car? Contrary to its small stature, the Verano looks the part of a premium compact car. Out front is Buick’s trademark waterfall grille along with portholes on each side of the hood. Along the cleanly styled side, the Verano eschews the sweep spear design cue of its biggest brothers the LaCrosse and Enclave, opting instead for the hockey stick design cue used on the middle sibling, the Buick Regal and their Opel cousins back in the old country. Around back are a pair of angry chrome eyebrows over the tail lights that were hard to digest at first, but I learned to love them over time as they give a very distinctive look that few, if any, cars today have. Filling out the wheel wells are a fairly standard looking set of 18” alloy wheels. My only complaint on the exterior is the overly large license plate cut-out in the front fascia. It is much too large for those of us in front plate states, it is pointless for those of us in rear-plate-only states, and it detracts from the look of the otherwise handsome front end.Inside, however, is where Buick makes its best case yet for a premium car in the compact class. Decked out in a handsome two tone design, the Verano looks the part of a high end luxury car. Plush yet supportive leather seats are an excellent place to spend some hours driving. Finding a comfortable seating position was easy, though I am disappointed that a “premium” car does not have a power seat recline. Front passengers are even more disappointed that they have no power seat at all. In front of the driver is a fairly standard GM steering wheel with all of the familiar controls located at your thumb tips. The gauges glow in indigo blue that has become a bit of a Buick trademark, though the font size of the numbers is a bit small. The engine start/stop button is not in the standard place on the dash, but rather at the top left of the center instrument panel. Even after a week of driving the Verano, I had to think about which button to push to start it up. The HVAC controls are simple enough to operate, but the infotainment system can get a little confusing as sometimes your instinct is to use the hardware buttons and sometimes to use the touch screen. This Verano came with the upgraded Bose 9-speaker sound system and to be honest, considering the $595 up-charge I wasn’t very impressed as it doesn't seem to offer much depth or clarity over the standard GM systems I'm used to. If it isn’t quiet inside, it isn’t a Buick. The quiet-tuning in the Verano really does its job well, keeping road, wind, and engine noise out. We took the Verano from Pittsburgh, PA to Manassas, Virginia for the holiday. In our extensive testing, rear passengers, especially those under the age of 10, during long trips ended up falling asleep about 30 minutes into the ride and slept for most of our 300 mile journeys. I very much enjoyed the quiet serenity in the car during my morning commutes into the city.On our return trip, I was fairly well exhausted and asked my partner, who hates driving and simply doesn’t understand what us car guys are going on about, to drive at least the first half of the trip and then we could switch over. At the half-way point, he wouldn’t give the Verano back! By the time we made it to Pittsburgh, he decided he wanted one. The trunk is deep, with a wide opening for easy access, though you must be mindful of the gooseneck trunk lid supports so they don’t crush your luggage. I did feel that having the backs of the speakers exposed and so visible in the trunk was a glaring omission in the level of finish on this car. But does it have Buick power? Well yes and no. Buick opted for the tried and true 2.4 liter direct injected 4-cylinder producing 180 horsepower at 6700 rpm and 171 lb-ft of torque at 4900 rpm. The gearing in the 6-speed automatic is set up to give you spritely starts and an adequate amount of passing power on the highway. Darting around town can be quite sporty feeling, but try passing on an uphill climb with a full load of passengers and luggage and the Verano gets a bit breathless. You’ll pay for that sporty low-end gearing at the pump with a mediocre 21mpg city EPA rating and an unimpressive 32mpg highway. There are larger vehicles with more power that can beat those figures. On the return of our 367 mile trip, we averaged 27.9mpg with 4 passengers and a full trunk. Calling on its Germanic roots, the Verano handles very well for a front wheel drive compact sedan. While it is tuned for a comfortable ride, it leaves plenty of firmness intact for cornering and overall responsiveness. Has Buick hit the mark in the premium compact market? As far as I’m concerned, the answer is a resounding yes. Buick has been absent from this segment since 1989 but has produced a car that has a premium feel to it and with a price tag starting at just $23,080. For your $23,000 and change, you leave the dealership with a car that acts and feels like a much more expensive model. But no need to take my word for it, Buick went from selling zero compacts per month to selling 3,500 Veranos per month in less than a year. Total sales for 2012 as of November 30th are 36,222. The Acura ILX (1,529/month - 7,658 Jan-Nov) and Audi A3 (400/month - 6,808 Jan-Nov), the Verano's closest competition, aren’t even close. Be sure to stop back tomorrow for a First Drive of the 2013 Buick Enclave. If you like this review, please share it with your friends using the share buttons below. Cheers: Vault quiet Comfortable front seats Good rear leg room for a compact Jeers: Fuel Economy Front license plate space No power front passenger set, not even an option No power driver seat recline Disclaimer: Buick provided the vehicle, insurance, and one tank of gasoline. Year - 2013 Make – Buick Model – Verano Trim – Leather Group with Nav Engine – 2.4L DOHC 16-Valve Inline-Four Driveline – Front Wheel Drive, 6-speed Automatic Horsepower @ RPM – 180 HP (@ 6,700 RPM) Torque @ RPM – 171 lb-ft (@ 4,900 RPM) Fuel Economy: City/Highway - 21/32 Curb Weight – 3,300 lbs Base Price - $23,080 As Tested Price - $27,550* (not including $885 destination charge) Drew Dowdell is Managing Editor of CheersandGears.com and can be reached at [email protected] or on twitter as @CheersnGears View full article
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 8, 2012 Buick has announcing pricing for the new Verano Turbo which will be arriving at dealers in November. The Turbo will start at $29,990 (includes $885 for destination). For that price, you get a 2.0L turbo-four delivering 250 HP and 260 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic is standard, with a six-speed manual being a no-cost option. Also included are Buick's IntelliLink system, Bose audio system, heated leather seats, a rearview camera, blind spot alert, and cross-traffic alert. Optional equipment includes a sunroof and navigation. William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. Press Release is on Page 2 2013 Buick Verano Turbo Priced at $29,990 DETROIT – The 2013 Buick Verano Turboluxury sedan will be priced at $29,990, including a destination charge of $885. The turbocharged Verano uses an Ecotec 2.0L four-cylinder engine with direct injection and continuously variable valve timing to produce an SAE-certified 250 horsepower (187 kW) at 5300 rpm and 260 lb.-ft. (353 Nm) of torque at 2000 rpm. When the Verano Turbo arrives at dealerships this fall, buyers will get both performance and fuel efficiency with 0-60 mph acceleration in an estimated 6.2 seconds and EPA-estimated 20/31 mpg ratings with a six-speed manual transmission available as a no-cost option. Fuel economy ratings for the standard six-speed automatic will be announced closer to production. Verano Turbo will offer more power and better fuel efficiency than the competition. A 2012 Lexus IS250 is rated at 204 horsepower, with fuel efficiency estimates of 19/28 mpg with a manual transmission. In addition to its 2.0L engine, dual exhaust, sport pedals and rear spoiler, standard equipment for the Verano Turbo includes IntelliLink connectivity, a Bose 9-speaker audio system, leather-appointed upholstery, push-button start, rear park assist and rearview camera, radar-based side blind zone alert and rear cross-traffic alert, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. A power sunroof and navigation are optional. “Buick Verano continues to build momentum in the marketplace with eight straight months of sales increases since launch,” said Tony DiSalle, vice president of Buick marketing. “The new Verano Turbo increases the performance of an already capable luxury sedan while continuing to offer customers the smart, purposeful technology they expect.” Verano sales began in late November, 2011 with a 2.4L Ecotec four-cylinder engine and a six-speed automatic transmission and standard voice-activated IntelliLink. For 2013, a rearview camera is standard across all Verano models. With the arrival of this new model, Buick will offer three different models with turbocharged engines and optional six-speed manual transmissions, including the Regal Turbo and Regal GSluxury sport sedans. The 2013 Buick Encoreluxury crossover, on sale early next year, will feature a standard turbocharged engine.
