| Buick Verano | |
|---|---|
| | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Buick Excelle GT (China) |
| Production | 2011–2017 |
| Model years | 2012–2017 |
| Assembly | Orion Township, Michigan (Orion Assembly |
| Designer | David Lyon |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 4-door sedan |
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel drive |
| Platform | Delta II platform |
| Related | Buick Excelle XT Chevrolet Cruze Chevrolet Orlando Opel Astra Vauxhall Astra Holden Astra |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine |
|
| Transmission | |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 105.7 in (2,685 mm) |
| Length | 183.9 in (4,671 mm) |
| Width | 71.4 in (1,814 mm) |
| Height | 58.4 in (1,483 mm) |
| Curb weight | 3,300 lb (1,500 kg) |
The Buick Verano is a compact car manufactured by General Motors' Buick brand from 2011 to 2016. It debuted at the North American International Auto Show on January 10, 2011, during a preview of Buick's then upcoming 2012 model. [1] [2] [3] [4] It is the first compact marketed by Buick in the United States since the 1998 Buick Skylark. Verano is Spanish for summer. [5]
The Verano, the Buick Excelle GT, [6] which was developed for the Chinese market, and the Opel Astra/Vauxhall Astra sedan share General Motors' Delta II platform with the Chevrolet Cruze, Chevrolet Orlando, and Opel/Vauxhall Zafira Tourer.
Jim Federico, Executive Director and Vehicle Chief Engineer for Verano, led the vehicle development team and David Lyon, Buick design director, styled the exterior. [7] [8]
The Verano is essentially a North American-market version of the Chinese-market compact Buick Excelle GT. The Verano's unibody construction uses galvanized steel for its front fenders, hood, roof and door panels and thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) bumper covers. [1] It incorporates acoustical laminated glass, triple door seals, a five-layer interior roof liner, sound absorbing mats, recycled denim insulation and specially manufactured 18-inch forged alloy wheels, which minimize road noise. [1] Buick's VentiPorts reappeared at the Verano's introduction, a styling feature unique to Buick dating back to 1949.
The standard powertrain is a 2.4 L Ecotec direct-injected DOHC I4 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The 2.4 L engine is rated 180 horsepower (130 kW; 180 PS) at 6,700 rpm and 171 lb⋅ft (232 N⋅m; 24 kg⋅m) of torque at 4,900 rpm. The engine is flex-fuel capable, meaning it can use either gasoline, or E85 ethanol (2012–13) [9] • 2.4L, or any combination of the two fuels. EPA fuel economy estimates are 21 mpg‑US (11 L/100 km; 25 mpg‑imp) city and 32 mpg‑US (7.4 L/100 km; 38 mpg‑imp) highway for gasoline. [10] [1] A 2012 on-road mixed highway-city review by the website MPGOMATIC showed an average 26.5 mpg‑US (8.9 L/100 km; 31.8 mpg‑imp) on E85, and 29 mpg‑US (8.1 L/100 km; 35 mpg‑imp) for gasoline.
A 2.0 L turbocharged version became available in late 2012, for the 2013 model year, as did a 6-speed manual transmission. The 2.0 L turbo engine is rated at 250 horsepower (186 kW; 253 PS) and 260 lb⋅ft (353 N⋅m; 36 kg⋅m) of torque. GM estimated acceleration from 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) is 6.2 seconds, matching the number posted by the Buick Regal GS. [11]
For 2016, the Verano added a new Sport Touring Edition which included unique 18″ aluminum black pocket wheels and a rear lip spoiler.
The Verano was phased out from the US market after the 2017 model year. The second generation Verano is sold exclusively in China, [12] leaving Buick without an entry-level sedan in the US market.
| Gasoline engine | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | Displacement | Power | Torque | Transmission | Model Years | ||
| 2.4 L Ecotec I4 (Flex-Fuel) | 2384 cc | 180 hp (134 kW) at 6700 rpm | 171 ft⋅lb (232 N⋅m) at 4900 rpm | 6-speed automatic | 2012- | ||
| 2.0 L Ecotec t/c I4 | 1998 cc | 250 hp (186 kW) at 5300 rpm | 260 ft⋅lb (353 N⋅m) at 2000 rpm | 6-speed automatic 6-speed manual (optional) | 2013- | ||
| 1.6 L Family 1 t/c I4 | 1598 cc | 184 hp (137 kW) at 5800 rpm | 173 ft⋅lb (235 N⋅m) at 2200 - 5600 rpm | 6-speed automatic | 2010- | ||
*** 2015 Chinese sales include Excelle XT/GT, 2nd gen. Excelle GT and Verano figures.