The Chinese market Buick Excelle GT is undergoing a bit of a revamp before its latest iteration is unveiled in April, adding new engines, a new look, and most intriguingly, a new dual-clutch transmission.
Granted, according to Car Scoops, the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission can only be optioned with the more potent of the Excelle’s two new engines – a 1.4-liter turbo putting out 140 HP. The normally-aspirated, 113 HP 1.5-liter comes with a 6-speed manual. Or maybe it’s a torque converter automatic; the story changes depending who you ask.
Aesthetically, the Excelle GT is getting a refreshed front and rear fascia. The rear is ditching the rather cheap-looking chrome strips above both taillights, and some of the elementary, angular lines have been replaced by more gentle curves. The front end is receiving even more graceful sculpture, with a narrower lower grille that stretches further along the width of the nose, and keener, more piercing-looking headlamps.
Of course, as residents of places-not-China, all we really care about is what this means for us. The revamped 2015 Buick Excelle GT gives us some insight into what we can expect from her sister models: the Buick Verano in the US, and the Opel Astra in Europe. Additionally, both engines – as well as the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission – are in-use already on the Chinese-spec 2015 Chevrolet Cruze. Chances are strong that they’ll make it into the 2016 US model of that car.
Comments
No hockey stick crimp?
You mean the sweep spear? It’s in there.
No, the hockey stick and sweep are two different things.
Hockey stick is Opel, seen on Insignia (Regal), Adam and other cars.
Buick used a similar character line in addition to sweep in the 1970s and it also showed up on some Olds.
Pre 2008 there was no plan to link up Opel and Buick but each brand’s body styles are interesting similar when you look at Adam’s take on the sweep spear.
The front end is superbly designed with an attractive sloping hood line , the one piece grill is amazing and the headlites curve into the assembly , about the best I’ve ever seen The curves above the door handles don’t add to the appearance but rather take away from the flow through , not sure why this was done . Oh well , the roof line gives a generous head room and opens up the interior .This upscale car uses the Cruze platform but it should be a bit bigger , to distinguish itself from the Cruze….it appears , though , that the platform will be expanded a bit for both. If so , this may just be the new segment leader in the compact size car market , the one the other manufacturers will want to emulate . MS Barra stated lately that she wants GM to be the best , what a statement to make . I think the new Verano/Cruze resized versions should be a harbinger of more exciting things to come from GM , great job !