In China, Buick can satisfy the ever-growing demand for a family car of the lower middle class with three models. The basic building block is the Verano , which is a classic three-seater sedan, followed by the Excelle , a hatchback and, until recently, a sedan derived from the existing European Astra, and at the top of the list is the Excelle GT , a sedan introduced this year with elements of the still-in-progress new Astra. However, not only the Excelle GT is new this year, but also the second generation of the Verano model, which is the main star of the car company's stand at the exhibition in Shanghai.
The appearance of the body is largely inspired by the 2013 Riviera and this year's Detroit Avenir concepts. And it was the latter that served as a model for shaping the xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights at the front and full-LED lights at the back. A typical element of the new Buicks is the radiator grille with a waterfall structure. The side profile is enlivened by several independent lines, as well as 17- inch alloy wheels with ten spokes.
Under the hood, there is a turbocharged 15- cylinder SIDI engine, which with 169 horses at 5600 rpm and 250 Nm between 1700 and 4400 rpm is the most powerful member of the latest generation of Ecotec engines. Power is transmitted to the front wheels by a new seven-speed DCG transmission , while in cooperation with Continental MC5 225/45 tires with lower rolling resistance, a stop-start system and a drag coefficient of only cx = 0.27, the Verano consumes 6.1 l/100 km. This is the best value in the segment. The American automaker also boasts a chassis that is said to be set exactly according to the specific condition of the roads of the Middle Kingdom.
Source: Buick
