Shanghai Auto Show: Buick Verano

The big star for Buick at the Shanghai Motor Show was the second-generation Verano.

Buick's compact sedan borrows a number of design ideas from Avenir and Rivera concept cars with a larger grille, new headlights, a double-swept beltline, and steeply raked front and rear windshields. A set of 17-inch wheels finish off the Verano.

Power comes from a turbocharged 1.5L EcoTec four-cylinder 166 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. This is paired with a new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

How much of this comes to the North-American spec Verano remains a mystery at this time.

Source: Buick

Image Credit: Newspress

Press Release is on Page 2

Buick Verano Debuts at Shanghai GM Gala Night

• New-generation sports sedan offers stylish exterior, class-leading fuel efficiency and precise handling
  

SHANGHAI – Buick’s new-generation sports sedan, the Verano, made its debut this evening at Shanghai GM Gala Night. It will be appearing on Shanghai GM’s stand at Auto Shanghai 2015, which starts tomorrow.

The brand’s latest entry in the mid-range passenger car segment has a stylish exterior, class-leading fuel efficiency and precise handling. The Verano is targeted at individuals who value a personal and dynamic driving experience.

Design inspired by Buick Riviera and Avenir concept cars

The Verano was inspired by the new Buick Riviera concept car, which premiered in 2013, and captures the design essence of the Buick Avenir concept car, which debuted at this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It represents an innovative interpretation of Buick’s classic styling while exemplifying the elegance and dynamism of Buick’s new-generation products.

The Verano features Buick’s signature waterfall grille, which is complemented by Avenir-style wing-shaped HID xenon headlights and LED daytime running lights. The wing shape is embodied in the LED taillights as well.

Positioned at a steep angle, the windshield joins the fastback roof and streamlined C-pillar curves. This gives the body a longer look that adds to its dynamic yet elegant aura. The Verano’s double-sweep beltline is characteristic of Buick sedans. The bottom curves that run through the front and rear end, together with cambered lower panels, set off the Verano’s sculpted silhouette. Impressive 17-inch, 10-spoke aluminum rims and dual integrated inset exhausts add to the stylish look.

Efficient performance and precise handling

Powering the Verano is a 1.5T SIDI turbocharged engine, which is the most powerful member of GM’s latest-generation Ecotec engine family. It is paired with a new-generation seven-speed DCG transmission with smooth gear shifting that has been adapted for China. The transmission was put through 4.25 million kilometers of extreme road testing.

The Verano offers peak power of 124 kW at 5,600 rpm and peak torque of 250 Nm at 1,700-4,400 rpm. With the standard start-stop function and a class-leading wind drag coefficient as low as 0.27, the Verano’s combined fuel consumption is 6.1L/100 km – a new benchmark for its class.

Underpinning the Verano is a newly optimized chassis that has been tuned in line with China's road conditions to ensure precise handling and an exhilarating experience. Continental MC5 225/45 R17 sports tires with low rolling resistance offer outstanding noise reduction, high precision and a strong grip.

Acceleration of Buick’s mid-range passenger car strategy

The Verano is the latest entry from Buick to address the diverse demands of customers in China’s mid-range passenger car segment. It joins the all-new Excelle GT, which was launched earlier this year, and the Excelle – regarded as the “family car benchmark.”

Buick is China’s fastest-growing mainstream upper-medium passenger car brand. More than 6 million Buicks have been sold nationwide since its first domestically produced sedan reached the market in 1998.