There’s a new Buick Verano coming and our spies captured one of the first prototypes of GM’s near-premium compact sedan in Germany. We’re not entirely sure if this is the North American specification model or its Chinese-market twin, the Buick Excelle GT, but either way, like the current versions of the two cars, we don’t expect any noteworthy styling differences between them.
The new Verano will be more closely related to the next Opel Astra than the upcoming Chevrolet Cruze, even though all three models will share a common platform (GM’s global Delta II) and other hardware, which in theory, should translate to a more European-like (Astra) interior and handling.
It seems, however, that GM’s designers have made efforts to give the Verano a more distinct Buick feel on the outside over the Astra adorning the body with the brand’s trademark rear haunches and a pinched line over the front door and fender, while the face of the car with the waterfall grille is positioned notably closer to the ground.
We’re likely to see GM’s new generation of turbocharged EcoTec gasoline engines finding their way under the hood of the next Verano, along with the 250hp 2.0-liter turbo that’s currently the most powerful option in the range, while we’ve also heard rumors about the availability of a diesel option.
Since China is Buick’s biggest market in the world (809,918 sales vs. 205,509 cars in the USA last year), we expect the Verano to make its debut there first sometime next year, with the North American model to launch in 2016.
By John Halas
Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS
PHOTO GALLERY
