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I prefer the interior design as is, but that's just my opinion. I just think the lighting scheme needs to be changed to blue, but I think it's totally appropriate other than that modification. Actually, I think the new Astra's interior will appeal to a younger demographic (which should be the target for this product). I just want to see the 5-door make it here (in addition to a sedan version, which is almost required for the U.S. market). Great looks and additional utility (compared to a sedan) make for a great combo. If GM can give it a cool advertising campaign, I fully believe they can make it work. P.S. No problem about posting this. I thought it shouldn't be overlooked or forgotten, especially since Opel is still associated with GM.

I know this car is a bit of old news, but it did get its official reveal in Frankfurt. The live reveal pictures of the red version look even better than the previous photos of the silver version. I would still love to see the 5-door version appear in Buick's lineup in the U.S. With some proper marketing, I think it would pick up customers who were alienated by the misguided redesign of the 2010 Mazda3. It's not totally revolutionary, but it is a well done, nicely balanced design that would look great sitting next to the Enclave and 2010 LaCrosse in Buick showrooms. Link: Leftlane News: 2010 Opel Astra (Live Reveal) Main Article, Source: Leftlane News Link: Leftlane News: 2010 Opel Astra (Live Reveal) Enlarged Photo 1, Source: Leftlane News Link: Leftlane News: 2010 Opel Astra (Live Reveal) Enlarged Photo 2, Source: Leftlane News Link: Leftlane News: 2010 Opel Astra (Live Reveal) Enlarged Interior Photo, Source: Leftlane News

It lacks a sense of tautness to give it some definition. It is simply a series of curves that sort of dissolves into a melted looking blob. I think the overall concept is fine, it just needs some shape defining angular elements. If Infiniti were to "clean it up" and refine it a bit, I think it could be a cool looking car. I agree with Z-06; it looks a bit "unfinished" or like a concept that hasn't yet been refined.

I liked the overall shape of the G6 coupe, but I always thought the front end design was too bland and didn't quite fit with the swoopiness of the rest of the car. If GM would have given it a front end design that fit in with the rest of the car, then I think the coupe would have been a real looker. I feel the same way about the Altima coupe. I like the overall shape and design, but the front end looks like it belongs on some other vehicle. The Accord coupe shares the fate of all other Honda designs; it absolutely doesn't appeal to me at all.

I suppose that's true. Isn't Swedish design supposed to be all about function anyway? I guess it would be appropriate then. I just think blue is a more calming and aesthetically pleasing interior lighting treatment (although it is starting to become too common and overused). I have to admit that even the green color is less tiresome than the red lighting scheme on my Mazda3 or the orange/amber lighting scheme on the 2002 Altima I used to drive. I do have to admit that the exterior design is really starting to look good to me though. It really does convey the brand's "Saab-ness". I still prefer the 2010 LaCrosse to this car, but the exterior design is well executed and totally appropriate for Saab.

I have to admit that the exterior styling has grown on me quite a bit, but the interior design doesn't really appeal to me at all. My '96 Ford Contour had the same alien green interior lighting. It looks rather dated.

I agree. I know a lot of enthusiasts are excited about the Genesis sedan because it's RWD, but I think the entire overall exterior design isn't very impressive. The 2010 LaCrosse is a beautiful car, even though it happens to be FWD.

Since Toyota doesn't offer any vehicles that remotely appeal to me (neither does Honda for that matter), I can't say that I feel too bad for them.

This article was just posted on CarScoop today. I do like the car's long hood, short deck profile. This car might make quite an impact as a sportier alternative to the hopelessly bland Camry and Accord. Link: CarScoop: Official Pictures of 2011 Hyundai Sonata Leak on the Web Source: CarScoop Link: CarScoop: 2011 Hyundai Sonata Profile Picture Source: CarScoop It's definitely much more expressive than the current Sonata (which isn't saying much actually) as well as the Camry and Accord (which isn't saying much either).

You don't think LWB Delta could be an option? I know the rumor mill suggests it that it might be Gamma based, but I don't think the LWB Delta option should be ruled out.

I saw a 2010 LaCrosse CXS at the dealership today. It is a beautiful car. Here are some of my impressions about it: 1) The car is big enough to serve as Buick's flagship sedan. As such, I still believe it has the wrong name. It should have been called "Invicta" or GM should have resurrected the "LeSabre" name for it. "LaCrosse" just doesn't do it justice. 2) It should only be available in the CXS trim level with a few available stand alone options. I'm sure the lower trim levels (especially the Chevy spec CX trim level) will dilute the appeal of this car. This car is a game changer for Buick and it should be equipped and priced as such. 3) This car sure made the Lucerne that was parked near it look even more geriatric and pathetic. GM should have eliminated the Lucerne as well as the W-body LaCrosse when it launched this car. Buick will be just fine with the Enclave and 2010 LaCrosse until smaller products can be brought to market to slot below these 2 incredible game changers for the brand. 4) It looks even better in person than it does in the pictures. I was amazed at the high level of execution in the interior. It is simply stunning. The only letdown was that the dealership applied a tacky pinstripe to the sides of the car. I think the modern interpretation of the sweepspear is well done and executed in a way that it really doesn't need a tacky pinstripe to accentuate it. Hopefully GM realizes Buick's potential and continues to expand its lineup with great products that are on par or surpass the standard set by the Enclave and 2010 LaCrosse.

The "Super" moniker sounds very old school and should die along with the Lucerne and W-body LaCrosse. I think it only reinforces the geriatric image that Buick should be trying to transcend. I do like "GNX", but RWD only fans would cry "foul" if it was applied to this car. "Gran Sport" sounds a little old school also, but "GS" would be acceptable.

+1 on the glossy piano black finish. It looks cool and classy.

A great looking car that is saddled with 2 lame names (LaCrosse and Allure) and a brand damaging Chevy spec CX base trim. GM still doesn't know how to manage or position Buick.

Could the vehicle on the left be some sort of LWB Gamma MPV perhaps? Just guessing. The vehicle on the right looks to be a production version of the Orlando Concept. If it actually is the production version of the Orlando (which I hope gets a name change when transitioning from concept to production), it appears to be quite diluted from the concept. I hope it's just the fuzzy quality of the screencap that is making it appear to be that way.

The exterior has a melted appearance to it. There needs to be some angular elements added to the exterior design to offset the extreme "curviness". It isn't ugly, but it's not exactly the most balanced design either.

If some of the renderings and illustrations that I have seen are indications of what the wagon version will look like, I think it will be the more attractive of the two 9-5 variants. The sloping rear design might look a lot better in wagon form. Link: Saab 9-5 SportCombi Illustration Source: Saab United I think I would almost be persuaded to buy a Saab if the wagon turns out looking like the illustration in the link.

It would seem to make more sense since Chrysler has already revealed a RWD 200C for the Chrysler brand, but that was before Fiat was part of the picture.

This thread just popped up on GM Inside News a few days ago: Link: Chrysler Ponders A New Sedan Plan Source: GM Inside News If it's true, it is certainly an interesting turn of events. The Dodge midsize sedan would be RWD and the Chrysler midsize sedan would be FWD. I wonder if the intention is to turn Chrysler into a mainstream brand and Dodge into a sporty affordable performance brand (in addition to being the truck brand). This would leave room to bring Alfa Romeo back on top as the full scale premium brand. Except among enthusiasts and automotive historians, the Chrysler brand is really not perceived as much of a premium brand anymore. With Alfa's Euro roots, it may be more readily accepted as a premium brand in the current auto market. Euro sourced brands seem to lead the tide of perception in that segment. I suppose this would leave Fiat as a sort of Scion-esque small car specialist and Jeep as a utility vehicle specialist. ?...

I just read the original Motor Trend article again. Based on their wording and their history for reporting unsubstantiated speculation and rumor just to attract attention (and hopefully sell copies and advertising), I wouldn't put a lot of trust in the "facts" or "info" in this article. Buick Delta II Based Sedan: This sedan will be a Buick-ized version of the next generation Astra sedan, not a rebadged Chevy Cruze with modified front/rear styling. Motor Trend and some other automotive media sources seem to be determined to make this car the second coming of the Cimarron. I don't believe it will be. It will have its own distinct exterior styling (like the spy shots suggest) and unique interior design (like the upcoming next gen Astra 5-door). Cadillac Flagship Sedan: Motor Trend speculates that the Flagship sedan is not Zeta based because the project code has changed. That doesn't automatically mean that the sedan will end up on a stretched Sigma platform either. It might mean that this sedan could end up on a combo of the Sigma and Zeta architectures (wasn't there a rumor some time ago that GM was considering merging these 2 platforms?). I don't think Motor Trend really knows for sure. They're just doing the same thing that we do on these forums: speculating. I'm waiting to hear or read something about these projects that is more concrete and substantiated than speculation from a desperate auto magazine that specializes in homespun rumor.

I believe the Buick will be a rebadged Astra. The media seems to get a kick out of trying to turn this future Buick product into the second coming of the Cimarron. The compact Buick sedan in all the spy shots is clearly a next generation Astra sedan. There are a lot more similarities between the spy shot sedan and the Astra 5-door than there is between the spy shot car and the Chevrolet Cruze. If the media would take the time to closely inspect the pictures of the spy shot sedan, they would reallize this fact.

RIGHT ON! All the rumor mongering hasn't helped either. This bit of "news" originated with Motor Trend, which happens to be the poster child for unreliable, irresponsible reporting.

That looks awesome. I would lose the Chevrolet bowtie and use Corvette badging instead. Maybe that would allow GM to sell it at a price that would finally make the Kappa platform profitable.

I completely agree. The decision not to call the production version "Invicta" was a totally illogical move by GM.

The "Allure" name sounds a bit too effeminate for this car. Just my opinion. Buick has a wealth of former model names that could have been applied to this car. There was no reason to continue with the "LaCrosse" or "Allure" names in the North American market. I could understand continuing with the "LaCrosse" name in China since the current Chinese LaCrosse was one of the models that aided Buick with its expansion in that market. I don't think that the "LaCrosse" and "Allure" names have that much equity or recognition in the North American market.