The last time we heard about Buick’s next-generation Verano was way back in May, when the car was caught on two occasions undergoing tests in Germany. Now, after a near six-month hiatus, the Verano prototype is back in new spy photos from Autoevolution.
You’d expect the Verano would have lost some of its camouflage and appear a little more production-ready than the last time we spotted it, but this prototype actually appears less complete than the one we saw in May. All of its camo is still present and there’s now a black piece covering Buick’s signature waterfall grille, which wasn’t present in other photos of the car.
The Verano will share General Motors’ D2XX global vehicle architecture with the next-generation Chevrolet Cruze. Just like the new Cruze, the Verano is lower and wider than the outgoing model with a higher beltline. Aesthetically, the Verano will have more European design cues than the Cruze, due to Opel and Buick now being more closely aligned.
Under the hood of the next-gen Verano will likely be a range of four-cylinder engines from GM’s new line of Ecotec motors. GM announced new 1.5-liter naturally-aspirated and 1.4-liter turbocharged engines for the Chinese-market D2XX Cruze, which could find their way to North America. If not, other yet-to-be-announced engines could be on the table.
The Verano is being developed alongside Opel’s next-generation Astra K, which has also been spied on several occasions. The Astra K will available only in hatchback form, meaning a hatchback Verano could also be a possibility. We know the D2XX Cruze will be available as a hatch in North America, however Buick could decide to only offer it as a sedan to further differentiate the two models.
Check out the spy photos here and let us know if you’re warming up to the new Verano in the comments.
Comments
Zzzzzz. Wake me up when GM design cones up with an interesting sedan.
The Cruze should stay a Sedan and spawn a Wagon variant. The Verano should stay a Sedan, but a Hatch would be a great idea!
The Cruze should get:
1.3t I4 with 150HP and 165LB-FT (32C / 47H)
1.3t eAssist I4 with 160HP and 180LB-FT (50C / 46H)
2.0CDTi with 190HP and 290LB-FT (30C / 50H)
7-Speed DCT
Stop/Start
The Verano should get:
1.6t I4 with 205HP and 220LB-FT (29C / 42H)
7-Speed DCT
Stop/Start
I find it interesting that the Verano will be completing brand new for ’16 while the Acura ILX will get a refresh for ’16 model year which the refresh model will be left behind in the dust even further.
It will be nice to see the real thing once all the psychedelic paint treatment comes off. From what can be seen under it in terms of body creases, etc., I think it will look pretty good. I just hope that it gets an as good or better interior.
super pictures 2016 interior. GM China should be advised that they are often a lot of information leaking.Perhaps it is good to leaking info
http://www.autohome.com.cn/news/201411/849383.html#pvareaid=103453