Buick News: 2013 Buick Verano Turbo Drops With 250 HP

[William Maley]

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William Maley

Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

June 12, 2012

The Buick Verano. A compact that has left many (including your's truly) very smitten with it. The only real complaint that has been brought up is a more powerful engine. Well, Buick has answered the call with the new 2013 Verano Turbo.

Under the hood lies a potent 2.0L DI turbocharged Ecotec inline-four delivering 250 HP and 260 lb-ft torque going through either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. This is second exciting Buick following the Regal GS introduced earlier this year. Think of the last time there was two exciting Buicks, let alone one.

That 2.0L turbo can give a 0-60 time of 6.2 seconds and 90% of torque is available at 1,700 RPM.

The Verano Turbo is packed with loads of standard equipment, including all of the goodies found in the Leather and Convenience packages. That includes a heated leather seats and steering wheel, a premium nine-speaker Bose audio system, Buick's IntelliLink infotainment system, sport pedals, dual exhaust and a rear spoiler.

Pricing will be announced later this year.

Press Release is on Page 2

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2013 Buick Verano Turbo Debuts with 250 Horsepower

Award-winning engine at the heart of luxury sedan's effortless performance

DETROIT – Buick today announced the 2013 Verano Turbo luxury sedan will be powered by an Ecotec 2.0L turbocharged engine with direct injection and continuously variable valve timing that produces an SAE-certified 250 horsepower (187 kW) at 5300 rpm and 260 lb.-ft. (353 Nm) of torque at 2000 rpm. Acceleration from 0-60 mph is an estimated 6.2 seconds.

The Verano Turbo goes on sale later this year.

More than 90 percent of the Verano Turbo's peak torque – more than 234 lb.-ft. – is available between 1700 to 5500 rpm. Its closest competitor, the 2013 Acura ILX 2.4L, offers a peak of 170 lb.-ft. of torque.

"The 2.0L turbo engine was designed for refinement, higher output capabilities and reduced noise," said Amy Joss, Ecotec 2.0L assistant chief engineer. "The way it sounds, the power delivery and the refined character are all fitting of a luxury sedan with a fun side."

In December, Buick's 2.0L turbocharged Ecotec engine was named one of WardsAuto World's 2012 10Best Engines for North America. At the time, the publication's editor-in-chief, Drew Winter, said: "This engine delivers a level of power and sophistication that redefines Buick."

The choice to use a small-displacement turbocharged engine for a more powerful Verano model is consistent with Buick's effort to downsize its powertrains without sacrificing performance. Verano and the Regal luxury sport sedan are available exclusively with four-cylinder engines, while the LaCrosse luxury sedan comes standard with a four-cylinder engine paired with eAssist technology, which uses an electric motor and battery to boost both performance and fuel economy. The standard 2013 Regal four-cylinder engine also is equipped with eAssist.

"Buick's engine strategy continues to be driven by intelligent performance," said Tony DiSalle, vice president of Buick Marketing. "Four-cylinder engines, turbocharging and eAssist are all the right solutions for today's market. With these advanced technologies, Buicks are more efficient without sacrificing their smooth, quiet character."

According to IHS Automotive, use of four-cylinder engines in North American vehicles will grow 74 percent from 6.9 million to 12.2 million units over the next 10 years.

The Verano Turbo will be available with a choice of a six-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual gearbox. Including Regal Turbo and Regal GS, the Buick brand offers more manual transmissions than Ferrari and Lamborghini combined.

Acceleration performance is expected to be consistent between the two transmissions.

Fuel economy numbers are not final, but the Verano Turbo is expected to be in line with Buick's other turbocharged models. Pricing will be announced closer to the start of production in late 2012.

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[ocnblu]

Unthinkable just a few shawt years ago.

Wait a minit, didn't the J-body Skyhawk come with an optional turbo in the T-Type back in the day?

This is one cool baby buford!

I love the red T badge on the decklid, it certainly brings back memories of the late 70's-80's T-Types.

And it's blue! Is that Blue Topaz? Very nice indeed.

Edited June 12, 2012 by ocnblu

[hyperv6]

I wonder where the Regal is going to go and what they have planned for it. Right now this package will kill the present GS.

I wonder how long till we get a better and new Regal to move it up. Then you have the issue with the Lacrosse and you need to move it up the chain too.

I see some neat cars but a lot of overlap at Buick right now.

[ocnblu]

SORRY HONDA, but this makes your Acura ILX look worthless. Some might argue the Acura has a more modern style v. the Buick. Acura diehards can take small comfort in that when they're starin' at rapidly receding angry eye taillights... TTTTTTTTTT...........

[smk4565]

I wonder where the Regal is going to go and what they have planned for it. Right now this package will kill the present GS.

I wonder how long till we get a better and new Regal to move it up. Then you have the issue with the Lacrosse and you need to move it up the chain too.

I see some neat cars but a lot of overlap at Buick right now.

I thought about the Regal also, sales are down on it. But not surprising, the Veranao has the same engines, basically as good interior, just smaller. And many people may like smaller and more economical. Makes the 220 hp Regal turbo look weak now. Although I agree with putting a turbo in, Jetta has a turbo. I don't think they can move the Regal up any, the LaCrosse starts at $30k, Regal already overlaps it a lot in price.

[frogger]

I wonder if this motor will run on regular or premium fuel in this application. It's got a lot of appeal now, if only the rear end styling was tweaked.

[ocnblu]

Verano Turbo = jewel. Who else does this?

If only a notchback coupe to accompany the sedan...

[Robert Hall]

Verano Turbo = jewel. Who else does this?

If only a notchback coupe to accompany the sedan...

Well, the Astra has a hardtop coupe/cabriolet coming, that would be nice to see as a Verano.

[regfootball]

so why can't I get a base verano with simply a turbo engine and manual trans?

and I'd like it with the Astra taillights.

and maybe in coupe form. also.

[Drew Dowdell]

I wonder where the Regal is going to go and what they have planned for it. Right now this package will kill the present GS.

I wonder how long till we get a better and new Regal to move it up. Then you have the issue with the Lacrosse and you need to move it up the chain too.

I see some neat cars but a lot of overlap at Buick right now.

GS is getting an improved Turbo setup. The Peak numbers won't change much, but everything under the peak will be greater.

[David]

Sweet, Turbo setup. I wonder if this is the same engine that will be in the ATS or at least a like version being this is FWD and the ATS is RWD.

[riviera74]

I wonder if this motor will run on regular or premium fuel in this application. It's got a lot of appeal now, if only the rear end styling was tweaked.

Turbocharged and supercharged engines require premium fuel.

[frogger]

I wonder if this motor will run on regular or premium fuel in this application. It's got a lot of appeal now, if only the rear end styling was tweaked.

Turbocharged and supercharged engines require premium fuel.

Huh... There are quite a few that do not.

[David]

I wonder if this motor will run on regular or premium fuel in this application. It's got a lot of appeal now, if only the rear end styling was tweaked.

Turbocharged and supercharged engines require premium fuel.

Huh... There are quite a few that do not.

I thought depending on boost and the tuning you could have lower output solutions run on regular and as you push the boost north with better tuning, you have to run premium.

At least that is what I was taught by my dad about boosted cars.

[frogger]

I think you're right.. The Ford ecoboost, Hyundai and 1.4L GM turbo motors, atleast some of them do not require premium. In Canada it's a 8-15% difference in price at the pump depending on locale.

I thought depending on boost and the tuning you could have lower output solutions run on regular and as you push the boost north with better tuning, you have to run premium.

At least that is what I was taught by my dad about boosted cars.

[CreativeVision]

Wonder if there will be any aftermarket support to pull even more potential from this engine down the road? Would make a nice sleeper of sorts.

[Drew Dowdell]

I wonder if this motor will run on regular or premium fuel in this application. It's got a lot of appeal now, if only the rear end styling was tweaked.

Turbocharged and supercharged engines require premium fuel.

Not true for all.

Wonder if there will be any aftermarket support to pull even more potential from this engine down the road? Would make a nice sleeper of sorts.

I don't see why not. We already know this setup can do 300hp.

[hyperv6]

The Turbo and Supercharged engines from GM generally are listed as Premium Recomended. This means you can use regular with no risk of damage but you will lose about 20 HP.

Now if and where GM list the engine as Premium Required you must use premium oar else you will have damage under hard use.

My 04 GTP was Premuium Recomended and we used both. You could tell if it had a tank of regular. Note I used premium when I filled up but the wife used regular.

On the HHR SS I used only premium but It also has the recomended option too. Now that I have the GM upgrade tune on it part of the GM kit was a gas lid sticker that changed to Premium Required. 23 PSI will do that.

Per the marketing manager I know he said they want to give owners the option as many people will avoid buying a performance car if they have to buy the higher priced gas. With gas priced up it hursts sales. If they give them the option they tend to be more likely to buy the car. Todays electronics have really help make this possible and made it a good maketing tool to those that would normally be scared off.

The Ecotech with minor changes can do 500 HP easy and reliably. I am not saying we will see this in street trim but it has been done and only things like rods valves and pistons needed changed. The GM Eco power book is very informitive on how much power ever part of the engine will take. Many stock parts will make over 1000 HP with no reliability issues. If you read up on this engine you would be amazed at what it will take.

Two 3 bar mass air sensors a dyno and flashing a new tune cam make well over 300 HP with no issue.

I see the Eco Turbo as the small block of the futue. There will be many of them they will get cheaper and they will be easy to make power with.

[ocnblu]

Hyper did you say the Verano Turbo will use a Hurst shifter???

[vonVeezelsnider]

This is a great addition, and it does change the character of the car- 0-60 in 6 seconds? That's legitimately quick.

Can't say I like that blue colour though- when I heard they were adding a blue colour I was kinda hoping it was closer to the Dark Ming Blue on the LaCrosse. I guess my top colours for this car are still Crystal Red, Mocha Bronze, and White Diamond. Can't say I would shell out the extra money for the Turbo as I've driven the NA version and it suits my needs just fine, then again if I was buying I might get the convenience model and not even bother with the leather. Looking forward to test-driving one, though. Maybe I could be swayed if it\s really good.

[ocnblu]

Good Lord this is gonna be a $30k Delta platform car! The realization just hit me like a ton of bricks.

[Drew Dowdell]

And remember two things:

The ATS is roughly the same weight as the Verano

The ATS turbo will probably make more power. Probably a good 30 hp more unless I've missed a press release.

Good Lord this is gonna be a $30k Delta platform car! The realization just hit me like a ton of bricks.

I'm driving a relatively base Verano this week. It is a great little car and feels very premium.

[frogger]

I'm driving a relatively base Verano this week. It is a great little car and feels very premium.

Ah nice to know it isn't a Verano that was prompting a bad review from you a few weeks back. Come to think of it, did you ever post said review?

[Drew Dowdell]

No, I'm letting Mud post his first.

[vonVeezelsnider]

I'm driving a relatively base Verano this week. It is a great little car and feels very premium.

Ah nice to know it isn't a Verano that was prompting a bad review from you a few weeks back. Come to think of it, did you ever post said review?

Seconded. I was hoping that it wasn't the Verano.

[ocnblu]

Verano has gotten universal praise from reviewers so far. Hopefully the public will discover it soon... is momentum building for it yet, saleswise?

I'm agreeing with reg... why's the good motor gotta be paired with a loaded car? One step up from base, turbo manual is all I'd need.

[riviera74]

Verano has gotten universal praise from reviewers so far. Hopefully the public will discover it soon... is momentum building for it yet, saleswise?

I'm agreeing with reg... why's the good motor gotta be paired with a loaded car? One step up from base, turbo manual is all I'd need.

Why pair the good motor with a base car? GM has to make more $$ per unit. This is not Honda where trim levels and engines are independent of each other.

[regfootball]

with a base + turbo they could catch more customers at the bottom from other mfr's..... and still not lose any of the regular Buick intenders. Also, there is no other 250hp, manual trans turbo GM car that is affordable.

think wolfsburg jetta or similar

[ocnblu]

Yeah Riv, I know what they're doing with this. They're maximizing profits per unit. I guess it might weed out young and po folk who are in to speed.

[David]

But a Sleeper entry level car with true Power would bring fresh blood into the fold!

[regfootball]

Yeah Riv, I know what they're doing with this. They're maximizing profits per unit. I guess it might weed out young and po folk who are in to speed.

only the republicans and the 1% can have speed i guess

(SARCASM)

[A Horse With No Name]

SORRY HONDA, but this makes your Acura ILX look worthless. Some might argue the Acura has a more modern style v. the Buick. Acura diehards can take small comfort in that when they're starin' at rapidly receding angry eye taillights... TTTTTTTTTT...........

Its an awful lot more car for about the same money...wy to go GM!

And remember two things:

The ATS is roughly the same weight as the Verano

The ATS turbo will probably make more power. Probably a good 30 hp more unless I've missed a press release.

Good Lord this is gonna be a $30k Delta platform car! The realization just hit me like a ton of bricks.

I'm driving a relatively base Verano this week. It is a great little car and feels very premium.

The Verano would be a car that could win me into a GM showroom next time we buy...

It looks like a very good product, interested in your remarks about it.

Verano has gotten universal praise from reviewers so far. Hopefully the public will discover it soon... is momentum building for it yet, saleswise?

I'm agreeing with reg... why's the good motor gotta be paired with a loaded car? One step up from base, turbo manual is all I'd need.

Manual would probably seal the deal for me....

[ocnblu]

I just realized the turbo, if you read the decklid, turns the car from a Verano to a Veranot. What has been seen cannot be unseen.

[hyperv6]

But a Sleeper entry level car with true Power would bring fresh blood into the fold!

The fact is today while the enthusiast may cry for a stripped down car they are in the great minority.

Also keep in mind the reason even the base cars have power windows is it is cheaper to put them in all vs still offering a manual.

The fact is even back in the day the strippers with big engines would sit around for months unsold. Many of todays cars like the original ZL1 and ther COPO cars are worth so much is that nobody wanted them back then. They were expensive and they were not popular. That is why there are so few.

To do a real COPO car today they still would not be cheap and they would not prove to be very popular just as in the past. Though in 40 years they may be worth something then.

People today want all the options they can afford.

I wish Buick would do more high profile advertising as the car is still a mystery to many. I hope we see a surge like we did with the Cruze as this car is too good to be overlooked. But it is still so hard to get people to accept that Buick has changed.

Edited June 14, 2012 by hyperv6

[David]

But a Sleeper entry level car with true Power would bring fresh blood into the fold!

The fact is today while the enthusiast may cry for a stripped down car they are in the great minority.

Also keep in mind the reason even the base cars have power windows is it is cheaper to put them in all vs still offering a manual.

The fact is even back in the day the strippers with big engines would sit around for months unsold. Many of todays cars like the original ZL1 and ther COPO cars are worth so much is that nobody wanted them back then. They were expensive and they were not popular. That is why there are so few.

To do a real COPO car today they still would not be cheap and they would not prove to be very popular just as in the past. Though in 40 years they may be worth something then.

People today want all the options they can afford.

I wish Buick would do more high profile advertising as the car is still a mystery to many. I hope we see a surge like we did with the Cruze as this car is too good to be overlooked. But it is still so hard to get people to accept that Buick has changed.

True Hyper, Just asking people at work showed this. Everyone I talked to called them Grandpa or grandma mobiles.

Buick has a perception problem and I think they need to do Drive Clinics with young people to get them to realize just what they have to offer.

I just realized the turbo, if you read the decklid, turns the car from a Verano to a Veranot. What has been seen cannot be unseen.

I don't get it. Sorry but I really do not.

[A Horse With No Name]

Agree with Hyper on the advert thing....

[ocnblu]

Advertise the Verano turbo carving some canyons and then pulling up at a country club. Show the driver shifting while the muted, refined growl of the Ecotec engine assures a timely entrance.

Aww, Mr. dfelt... it says on the decklid of the turbo model "Verano T" if you look at the gallery. It was another of my lame "jokes".

[hyperv6]

I know Buick has been advertising much more but it is very low key. The new lovely lady showing the Enclave is good and if done right make her a star like Mercury Jill. But even Jill could not save Mercury.

Buick needs a wow look at me product that would make people take notice at Buick. I will not call it a flag ship or anything else but they need a image buster. This is where a Riv done properly could gain notice and make people come into show rooms. They need a Riv that has a cool factor that would make people wait months to get theirs.

Buick has a lot of nice cars but not a lot of soul. They need to get some mojo going that ties this all together. Image sells more cars than just being great cars does. While GM has done well to design and build nice Buicks they need to design and build a soul and image for them now.

I do not want them to just try to relive the past with an old styled Riv or doing a modern GN ike car. They can build a Riv that has the impact of a GN or 63 Riv but do it on it's own merit. Time for them to be fresh and original again.

[ZL-1]

I wonder where the Regal is going to go and what they have planned for it. Right now this package will kill the present GS.

I wonder how long till we get a better and new Regal to move it up. Then you have the issue with the Lacrosse and you need to move it up the chain too.

I see some neat cars but a lot of overlap at Buick right now.

Regal is squeezed; Buick should have been given be the XTS as the LaCrosse; constant hesitation at Cadillac is still taking away Buick's breathing room...

[hyperv6]

Buick needs to spread them all out more in size and price. But till Cadillac moves up there is little room there price wise.

[David]

I do not think you always need to move the price up. Buick just needs to replace the GS with a better GS that beats this and make sure that they can compete which I believe they can do.

[Drew Dowdell]

there is a chance of a Verano GS coming also.

[ocnblu]

A more appealing package than the Focus ST, sorry, but that gape up front on the Ford is just not nice.

[GMTruckGuy74]

A more appealing package than the Focus ST, sorry, but that gape up front on the Ford is just not nice.

Amen to that!!

[hyperv6]

More appealing than a Focus? That is not hard to do lol!

Buick needs to move up in price and image so they can offer better GS models etc. The reason we did not ge the AWD Turbo V6 Regal GS is because no one would pay $55,000 for a Regal as it is.

Once you move Cadillac up you can expand the price and quality of the Buick line to where it needs to be in the Lexus area.

The key for the Verano is to help convert the public to see that Buick has a modern superior product that the new image can be anchored too. People will take a chance on a $28,000 Encore vs a $50,000 Regal right now. Once you earn the trust the price and better cars can move up.

You can buy image or trust of buyers and you have to earn it with cars they are willing to take a chance on. This is just what Cadillac is doing with the ATS.

[ocnblu]

orly

[hyperv6]

Anyone noticed Buick has retrade marked the Electra name again?

Could the old Duce and a Quarter be back as the new wow car for buikc to attract attention of the younger buyers?

It would be a good name for some High Tech Hybrid luxury show case sedan LOL!

Edited June 16, 2012 by hyperv6

[Drew Dowdell]

Maybe they finally took my suggestion that they needed to use the name as a hybrid trim name. But I wouldn't scoff at a large sedan with a Voltec powertrain either.

I wonder if Voltec can be turned 90 degrees...

[riviera74]

ZL-1, the only thing I would change is that the Cadillac XTS should be a second generation Lucerne, not necessarily the new LaCrosse. Some people do not want to pay Cadillac prices for this kind of car. I remember reading an old copy od C&D saying that one could buy a Park Avenue (say 2004-6) for a discount over the then Cadillac Deville and not miss all that much. I would rather have the new flagship for Caddy be here now, but we have to wait.

As for the Verano Turbo, great news all around. It can be Buick's answer to the overrated TSX and whatever else directionless Acura can cough up beneath the TL/RL.

[Drew Dowdell]

Re: Park Ave v. Deville that says more about the Deville than it does the Park Ave in that they were nearly technological equals, Northstar aside. There is a large technological difference between the XTS and Lacrosseon everything except the engine. Magnaride+air spring, Cue, haldex AWD, Capacitive touch, automatic braking both front and back, available limited slip differential in the rear.

It is more than a dressed up Lacrosse.