Guangzshou Auto Show: 2011 Buick Excelle XT
by
Alex Luft
Posted November 26th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Along with the refreshed Cadillac SLS, Buick unveiled a completely new model for the Chinese market at the Guangzshou Auto Show – the Buick Excelle XT. While Buick is calling the XT a 5-door coupe-like sedan, enthusiasts know that this is a rebadged version of the all-new Opel Astra hatch. In fact, there is nothing “coupe like” or “sedan” about it – it’s a hatch whatever way you look at it.
The Excelle XT will include a six-speed automatic transmission with sport-shifting capability, with a choice of three gasoline-sipping four-bangers:
- 1.6 liter high-output turbo. Delivers 181 hp (113 hp per liter) and 173 lb-ft of torque (235 Nm). Buick says that this is the most powerful series production engine in its displacement class
- 1.6 liter naturally aspirated with a two-stage variable intake manifold. Delivers 116 hp (85 kW) and 114 lb.-ft (155 Nm) of torque
- 1.8 liter with double continuous variable cam phasing. Delivers 138 hp (103 kW) and 130 lb-ft (175 Nm) of torque.
The Excelle XT will go on sale in China sometime in 2010 and will slot in between the Regal and the Excelle (basically a Buick-badged Daewoo Lacetti). Buick North America is expected to get the new Opel Astra sometime in 2011 for the 2012 model year. By that time, we hope a sedan version of the Astra will be released to appeal to the sedan-loving tastes of the U.S.
Check out the Excellle XT gallery below, with the full press release available after the break.
2011 Buick Excelle XT – Chinese Market
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Guangzshou Auto Show: Chinese-Market Cadillac SLS Updated
by
Alex Luft
Posted November 25th, 2009 at 11:34 pm
To say that General Motors’ products are selling extraordinarily well in China may be an understatement: the automaker recently posted a 60% year-over-year growth in that market. To keep the momentum going, Cadillac has unveiled an updated Cadillac SLS sedan at this week’s Guangzshou Auto Show.
The SLS is a vehicle manufactured exclusively for the Chinese market, although it is basically a stretched version (201 inches long) of the U.S.-spec Caddy STS (196 inches long), only with more luxurious amenities. The updates to the SLS are very much cosmetic, with the grille, headlights, fog lights, and the lower grille opening having been redesigned. To us, these changes are welcomed.
Powertrain
The Sigma-based sedan will be available with a choice of two direct-injected 6-cylinder engines mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with a manual mode. The base model is powered by the 3.0 liter SIDI making 272 hp and 300 Nm of torque, while the range-topper gets GM’s 3.6 liter SIDI making 310 hp and 300 Nm of torque. Both engines improve fuel economy by nine percent.
More details about the technology and pricing of the new SLS after the break!
Gallery – 2011 Chinese-market Cadillac SLS
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