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The Buick Verano (a differently styled Chevy Cruze) now has a 2.0L turbo offering about 250 HP with almost the exact same MPG numbers as it's standard 2.4L 4 cylinder with around 170 HP. So why even bother with the 2.4L engine? If Buick wants to go upscale near luxury then drop the 2.4L. It could better compete in this segment with the 2.0L. Hopefully it'll have the handling balance to match the engine output. They could go further in development and follow other makers' example and offer an Eco button to detune for fuel effiency.
For this turbo model, it'll come with either a 6 speed auto or a 6 speed manual transmission with estimated 0-60 time of about 6 seconds. Still think they should have called this car a Skylark and the Lacross a Lesabre.
The Buick Verano (a differently styled Chevy Cruze) now has a 2.0L turbo offering about 250 HP with almost the exact same MPG numbers as it's standard 2.4L 4 cylinder with around 170 HP. So why even bother with the 2.4L engine? If Buick wants to go upscale near luxury then drop the 2.4L. It could better compete in this segment with the 2.0L. Hopefully it'll have the handling balance to match the engine output. They could go further in development and follow other makers' example and offer an Eco button to detune for fuel effiency.
The obvious answer is cost. GM can't quite shake the habit of building to a price point; I'm guessing in this case it's so they can market a lower base MSRP to generate interest in the model and then go for the upsell to the sportier option once the potential buyer gets on the showroom floor. Overall though, the base model does smack a bit of Cimmaron Redux.
They're better off for not calling it the Skylark. For one Buick is trying to move away from their "old man's car" image and they can't do that if they're holding on to model names of the past. Furthermore, let's face it -- the last several generations of the Skylark were awful little sleds. If they named this car the Skylark they might as well have named it Skycrap.
They're better off for not calling it the Skylark. For one Buick is trying to move away from their "old man's car" image and they can't do that if they're holding on to model names of the past. Furthermore, let's face it -- the last several generations of the Skylark were awful little sleds. If they named this car the Skylark they might as well have named it Skycrap.
Back around '92, I'm not sure which one was uglier, the Skylark or the Olds Achieva. Those things were hideous.
Back around '92, I'm not sure which one was uglier, the Skylark or the Olds Achieva. Those things were hideous.
The 1950s and 1980s Skylark weren't bad looking. In fact, the 1950s Skylark was beautiful. The 1980s Skylark was a dressed up Pontiac Grand Am before all the plastic body cladding.
The Buick Verano (a differently styled Chevy Cruze) now has a 2.0L turbo offering about 250 HP with almost the exact same MPG numbers as it's standard 2.4L 4 cylinder with around 170 HP. So why even bother with the 2.4L engine?
Somebody with a bit more positive outlook on life might say, "Hey, I can upgrade to a more powerful engine and not lose any fuel economy! Yipee."
The most direct competitor is the Acura ILX which doesn't offer a turbo at all and makes do with less powerful engines.
The Buick Verano (a differently styled Chevy Cruze) now has a 2.0L turbo offering about 250 HP with almost the exact same MPG numbers as it's standard 2.4L 4 cylinder with around 170 HP. So why even bother with the 2.4L engine? If Buick wants to go upscale near luxury then drop the 2.4L.
If they want to go "upscale" why bother with this model at all? They will never get an upscale image by selling retread Chevy Cruzes. Its an economy car, and not the greatest one at that.
Come to think of it, are there any models that Buick doesn't share with another GM brand? They either need to spend the big money making Buick unique again or shut down the brand.
If they want to go "upscale" why bother with this model at all? They will never get an upscale image by selling retread Chevy Cruzes. Its an economy car, and not the greatest one at that.
Come to think of it, are there any models that Buick doesn't share with another GM brand? They either need to spend the big money making Buick unique again or shut down the brand.
Which also came with a turbo 4. Verano is a Cruze with different engines and trim. Regal is now available as a Malibu. Lacross is available as an Impala or Caddy XTS.
Which also came with a turbo 4. Verano is a Cruze with different engines and trim. Regal is now available as a Malibu. Lacross is available as an Impala or Caddy XTS.
Which makes Buick rather pointless. All it does is steal buyers from their own other brands. Does anybody think Buick is winning over buyers coming from other automakers besides GM itself. I sure don't think so.
I really don't know why this brand even exists anymore. It has nothing of its own. GM could save big bucks by dumping this brand in North America (I know it is successful in China).
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