New photos of the upcoming Chinese / North American market baby Buick have surfaced in China (courtesy of Autohome), and it doesn't look too bad. The small, 2010 Opel Astra-based sedan will be a fitting bookend to what may become the most attractive Buick lineup ever.
The worst view by far has to be the red profile shot (anyone else think it looks like a Neon?) with the car sporting a very un-sporty wing. Let's hope that doesn't make it over to the states. Same goes for the gaudy chrome eyebrows over the tail lamps.
Being a higher-end Chevy Cruze, expect similar engine/transmission choices but with an "upscale" feel inside. If we're lucky, it may even score the turbocharged 180-horsepower 1.6 liter from the current Astra or whatever the upcoming GSI/OPC model will be packing.
From what we gather, we'll probably see the Chinese version of the car named the Buick Excelle making its world premiere this year, with the North American version to follow sometime in 2011.
By Phil Alex
Via: Autohome.com.cn
23 Comments:
Its´s a mix of Chevy Cruze and Opel Astra.
think Buick missed something here...
they've created an additional "pillar" on which the door mirror is lcated (an industry first),
the C-pillar is very untidy.
Could be better - score: D
Anon #2 - the last generation Prius has the extra pillar with the mirror on it too - nothing new.
I agree with the author, I see lots of Neon volumes to the shape, though I think it stands out on its own. I would have much rather seen this car as a Saturn than a Buick.
i am not a gm fan, but this looks pretty sweet! the taillights look kinda funky, but at least they are unique. way to go, buick!
It's a sedan version of the Astra, although unlike the Regal which is identical other than the grille to the Insignia, the front end is all slightly different. The interior is totally Astra. Not sure if a non-hatchback sedan Astra is out in Europe or even planned. By the way, lots of cars (Civic, Versa etc.) have the little front quarter window separate from the front door, but others just haven't mounted the mirror on it. I kinda like the chrome spear over the taillight. Ya gotta do something to be a little distinctive.
Looks cheap.
"they've created an additional "pillar" on which the door mirror is lcated (an industry first),"
No, that's a front quarter window; a feature that is used when the rake of the A-pillar is steep enough in relation to the front wheel's and the hinges of the front door. Thus, a window of sufficent size is created that cannot fit within the door when it is lowered. The surface area of the glass is reduced, and a non-structural member is added behind the A-pillar thus forming the frame of the front-quarter window.
Stylistically, it is used in place of having painted metal or pastic fascia. It's not a new feature either; various cars thoughout history have had such front-quarter windows dating back to, likely, the very begining of the introduction of structually enclosed cars with glass.
Not bad.
Do you mean an Industry first for Buick? Because a lot of cars have this extra pillar where the mirror sits ie: Toyota Corolla/Suzuki SX4 etc
Also they could have just chromed the bottom lip of the boot/trunk instead of above the lights....
And do I smell Daewoo here? Im curious where and who builds this? GM Daewoo in Korea?
I'm really pulling for Buick to succeed. I really like what they've done lately. But this is not a win. The front grille is too big and bulky. The blue headlight ring has to go. At least make it an option. Get rid of the rear tailight chrome. It doesn't work. Distinctive doesn't necessarily mean good. Finally, a big thumbs down to the side mirror location. What's up with that?
No no no no no no.
Reminds me very much of the previous Ford Taurus; the way it "sits" on the road, the relationship between the wheels and arches and especially the c-pillar area. Just me? Nice to see a small US sedan that might just stack up against the competition...
I guess they have been dead long enough that if someone says they drive and Excelle, you won't think they mean a twenty year old Hyundai.
I'm sick of hearing about this stupid car!!!! Get over it!
Why the Neon bashing? The first generation was very popular and a cute and distinctive economy car for it's time. It was hardly luxury, but they handled well and had some good standard features. You could also fit 4 people inside in relative comfort. The SRT4 was wickedly fast for under 20k and still has a large cult following with a large aftermarket of mods available. Go back and read about the Neon in the automotive press from the mid-90's and how many raved about the raw performance of the SRT4. Oh, how soon we forget.
Hey, it's the Buick Cruze. Wait, what? GM is killing Buick's luxury status with this Corolla clone.
"GM is killing Buick's luxury status with this Corolla clone."
No more than Lexus is with the HS and it's downmarket stablemate.
Thank you! I had a two hour argument with my partner about the NEON quality of the vehicle! My first impression was... Oh... looks like a neon... atleast the asians rip of the industry leaders and not an outdate car!
So is this the Buick Cras-tra then?
[cruze + astra... crass...]
anyway,it looks great for a buick in relation the its past crap. is it good enough to compete and succeed? hmmm... i guess we'll have to see, but it's not going to blow anyone away. Especially if as Buick tries to assert itself as an Audi alternative, the model will be priced higher than a comparable Civic. Or even if similarly price, I'd take the Honda.
...And this sedan version of the Astra does look cheapened for some reason.
OK last thing: are all Buicks supposed to look the same now like those Russian dolls???? i don't like that at all...
--JORGE
the u.s. does not produce a decent small car. the jury is out on this one, but it definitely says "buick" loud and clear with its front grille. with pontiac, saturn and olds now history (for gm), there are few options for an upscale "chevy". the only other option - cadillac, but this would be too costly. the rear truck lip spoiler does not belong on an otherwise upscale looking small american sedan.
spoiler is just wrong! looks tact on with no effect or visual appear. "hey let's add a spoiler and call it a sports sedan!" - no. it does not work, gm! has potential if tweaked a bit.
"the rear truck lip spoiler"
What truck ever came with that spoiler?
Enough wth the Toyota and Cruze or whatever comparisons. It's the German Opel/UK Vauxhall Astra. Greenhouse is the the same including rear doors, but different to the rear because of being a sedan instead of hatchback. The front wrap is just a little bit resulptured. I agree that the this version of the Buick trademark style (from the early 50's and before) grill is a bit much. I still like the chrome bars above the taillights. But the name sounds like something Hyundai would have come up with ten years ago. Or was there a Toyota Excelle or something like that twenty or thirty years ago?
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