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This looks much better, but I still see room for some improvement. The more I look at it, the more the profile looks somewhat similar to the Venza. If GM would substitute the overall side window shape and reverse hinged rear passenger doors (which would somewhat eliminate the minivan effect) from the recent Meriva Concept on this and tone down some of the show car bling elements (the front to rear metal strip definitely needs to go), then Buick might have a winner on its hands (the rear styling needs to be more Enclave-esque; this would tone down the minivan effect as well). It would be a great addition to the brand's lineup for a sub-Enclave people mover that wouldn't directly overlap or compete with a GMC product. With some improvements, it definitely has some potential. Actually, Buick could take the Meriva Concept profile, Buick-ize it, and adapt it to 3 different platforms in 3 different sizes to form a nice 3-tier people mover lineup (in addition to the brand's sedans, coupes, and hatchbacks). The front and rear styling of all three products would be an evolution of the beautiful elements found on the current Enclave: ventiports, prominent waterfall grille, rear window shape including the cut out for the Buick badge, and the chrome surround taillights. All three products would share the Meriva Concept's overall side window shape and reverse hinged rear passenger doors (which would be a Buick exclusive). The MPV lineup would look something like this: * Rendezvous: Subcompact 5-passenger MPV on LWB Gamma. * Bravura: Compact 6 passenger MPV on LWB Delta. * Enclave: Next gen morphs into a 6 passenger midsize MPV on LWB Epsilon to better differentiate it from the Lambda based GMC Acadia CUV. The Epsilon based midsize MPV would be a Buick exclusive (Chevrolet will not get a version). Picture Links: * Meriva Concept MPV (front view): Visit My Website * Meriva Concept MPV (side view): Visit My Website * Meriva Concept MPV (back view): Visit My Website * Meriva Concept (opened side doors): Visit My Website * Buick Enclave (front view): Visit My Website * Buick Enclave (back view): Visit My Website * Source: NetCarShow GMC would carry CUVs and 2 SUTs: * Safari: FWD/AWD compact CUV. This would be a restyled and rebadged Vue with the 2.4L DI 4-cylinder engine only until the end of the model cycle for the Antara/Vue (which is rumored to not be replaced). If no replacement is planned, maybe GM can use its NUMMI arrangement to develop a next gen Safari on the next gen Corolla/Matrix platform (if it is AWD compatible like the current Matrix/Vibe). This version of the Safari would have styling influenced by the Chevrolet YGM1 Concept (which is much more SUV-like in appearance than the current Vibe), except that it would be fitted with GMC derived design cues. Since GM is looking for a future product for its NUMMI arrangement and GMC will need a sub-Terrain product to help the brand comply with future CAFE regulations, this arrangement seems to be a natural fit. * Terrain: FWD/AWD midsize CUV on LWB Theta. * Acadia: FWD/AWD large CUV on Lambda. * Denali: RWD midsize 4-door SUT on Zeta. This would be a 4-door car-based SUT influenced by the Denali XT Concept. It would have a trick midgate arrangement like the current Avalanche/EXT. This vehicle would be a GMC exclusive. Chevrolet will carry a 2-door 2-seat SUT under the El Camino name (like the stillborn Pontiac G8 ST). * Brigade: This would essentially be the next gen Avalanche/EXT SUT given to GMC as an exclusive (Chevrolet and Cadillac would no longer carry this vehicle). It would be built on an updated version of the current GMT900 platform. Chevrolet would focus on traditional truck buyers with its Silverado line. GMC would focus on niche truck buyers with its more upscale Brigade SUT. Picture Links: * Chevrolet YGM1 Concept: Visit My Website * Chevrolet YGM1 Concept: Visit My Website * GMC Denali XT Concept: Visit My Website * GMC Denali XT Concept: Visit My Website * Source: NetCarShow

I don't know about that. Considering that we have a government implemented task force approving GM's plans, I don't think it's as far fetched as it may initially appear. I can see the government (whose opinions and decisions are usually questionable, especially to enthusiasts) going for something like this. Buick (which shares platforms with Chevrolet and is widely accepted as a FWD based brand by the general public) might end up appearing as a more viable and lucrative luxury division to the government than Cadillac. Buick has also achieved some high reliability/quality scores and is more of a global brand (China) than Cadillac (which seems to be more of a U.S. bound brand that isn't accepted as a credible luxury brand in any foreign markets for some reason). I'm certainly not endorsing this and I seriously don't want to see it happen, but I could see our government possibly pushing for something along these lines. I personally still see value and prosperity for the corporation if it maintained a three tier sales channel configuration: Chevrolet, Buick/GMC, and Cadillac.

I agree with Bimmer325 that Buick does need to do something different than it has for at least the last 10 years. It needs a lineup that will transform the brand into a modern, competitive, and relevant premium brand. That means shaking off the stodgy, outdated products and marketing that has limited the brand's potential in the past. Buick needs to expand downward (size-wise) with their product portfolio to position the brand to face the future, but these smaller Buicks need to be fitted with engineering and tech that will make them solid premium products. I disagree with Bimmer325 on the approach however. I think Buick's main focus should still be the luxury experience. The brand could wade into the performance waters a little bit, but it should do it with one foot still firmly planted in the luxury end of the premium pool. I do think the brand can still offer this luxury experience without the floaty disconnected ride of past Buicks, but it shouldn't fully sacrifice a smooth ride for sportiness either. Essentially, Buick needs to fit competent handling into the equation without losing its luxury oriented focus. From what I understand, the Enclave has successfully done this. I'm sure the 2010 LaCrosse (which still needs a serious name change) will too. Buick just needs to keep expanding on the foundation it has established with these 2 products. Modern platforms, modern engines, modern transmissions, modern styling, modern products, competent yet luxurious handling, cool yet upscale marketing, a broader product portfolio, appropriately engineered and equipped models for the premium segment: these are the things that Buick needs to make its transformation successful. I agree with Camino LS6 about Buick not trying to stretch itself to cover the perceived niche left vacant with the discontinuation of Pontiac. I think he is right in saying that the blend of performance and affordability should be covered by Chevrolet. Chevrolet already does this, but I think they need to step it up a bit by adding some models and tweaking their performance oriented trim levels. However, I don't fully agree with him about "performance" and "Buick" being mutually exclusive concepts. I think Buick can add a little more performance to their image, but not to the degree that it would fully sacrifice its luxury tendencies. A blend of luxury and performance that defaults on the side of luxury would be appropriate for Buick. Buick could maybe try to do this by adding performance oriented trim levels to its products, but these trim levels need to remain understated and consistent with Buick's luxury mission and image (and please don't use the outdated sounding "Super" moniker on these possible performance trims; I think this designation continues to link Buick to its outdated image with the public). On the other hand, Chevrolet's future attempts to blend performance and mainstream affordability should be a little more edgier and "in your face" without crossing the line into complete garishness (sort of like what Pontiac should have been; the G8 sedan seems to me like a promise of unfulfilled future greatness for the brand). As far as GM selling off Pontiac, I have mixed feelings about it. I would hate to see it launch and fail. On the other hand, I would hate to see the brand rot away in GM's archives either. I think GM should have kept it going, but it should have been made an affordable performance niche brand and merged with Chevrolet (which would have been refocused on mainstream affordable products only). Bob Lutz claimed that the Zeta platform was very flexible and could be reconfigured into a variety of wheelbases and vehicle sizes. I think GM should have invested in downsizing it, making it lighter to be more fuel efficient, and using it as a basis for developing some next gen affordable performance products for Pontiac. Unfortunately, Pontiac and the Zeta platform appear to be 2 untapped resources that will remain to be underutilized by GM. If Zeta was as flexible as Lutz claimed, then I think GM would have been better off exploring its potential to create some exciting yet practical products instead of investing resources in Kappa (which appears to be extremely unflexible and limited to underpinning unprofitable low volume products). The possibilities of "what could have been" are mind boggling.

Actually, I agree with you. Buick shouldn't offer any "stripped" models. All Buick products should be equipped with a very comprehensive list of standard equipment that would properly and solidly position the brand in the premium segment. Instead of trim levels, maybe Buick should offer very well equipped standard models with a small selection of stand alone options (GMC should as well). I do think there should still be some engine choices, though. There are people who might prefer a fuel efficient choice, but still want all the bells and whistles.

With Pontiac gone, Chevrolet is the division that should straddle the affordable mainstream and performance segments. Chevrolet already does this, it just needs to step it up some more by adding a few models that convey and emphasize the "sports" aspect of the brand. Buick and GMC should focus on being modern premium brands. All of the brands' offerings need to be focused on providing a more luxurious and upscale experience than their platform mates (not rebadges) at Chevrolet. Upper trim levels can provide engines with more power, but the focus on luxury should still remain the top priority. Cadillac should be a balanced blend between luxury and sport. Except for maybe a Voltec based car series, all the rest of the brand's car series and products should be RWD oriented (with AWD optional). CUVs can be based on FWD platforms, but they must offer AWD as standard equipment and provide a sporty driving experience.

This is the information I found: Opel Insignia: * Wheelbase: 107.8 inches * Length: 190.2 inches * Width: 73.1 * Height: 59.0 2010 Buick LaCrosse: * Wheelbase: 111.7 inches * Length: 197.0 inches * Width: 73.1 * Height: 58.9 If this information is correct, it looks like the major differences are in wheelbase and length. The Insignia looks to be a solid midsize entry while the 2010 LaCrosse (why doesn't GM just call this thing "Invicta" or "LeSabre"?) appears to approach large sedan territory. Given the dimensions of these 2 Eps II sedans, I don't see any reason why the next gen Malibu can't be developed on the SWB version of Eps II. The Insignia appears to be wider and taller than the current Malibu (which is 70.3 inches wide and 57.1 inches high) while only being a little over an inch and a half shorter (the current Malibu is 191.8 inches long); the changes in the width and height should help alleviate the change in wheelbase (the current Malibu has a 112.3 inch wheelbase). This would leave room for Chevrolet to use the LWB version of Epsilon to develop a large FWD "Caprice" sedan. With a FWD LWB Eps II Caprice in the lineup, Chevrolet would be free to use the "Impala" name and logo on the smaller and lighter next gen Zeta based Commodore sedan. This Impala would be positioned as a lower volume sports sedan.

I really don't see Alpha happening, but that doesn't mean that GM should totally throw Zeta out the window. If GM was inventive enough (which seems to be one of their biggest problems), there is no reason Zeta couldn't be adapted to be a viable platform for the corporation well into the future. It seems to be very flexible, it just needs to be put on a weight reduction program (which is true for quite a few GM platforms).

I agree. I don't understand why we still have the G-body Lucerne and DTS and the W-body Impala when replacements could have been developed on Zeta instead. As a cost effective measure, different trim levels of the Commodore could have effectively replaced both the W-body Impala and Grand Prix. Chevrolet would have carried the more mainstream trims while Pontiac would have received the sportier versions. The Statesman/Caprice could have taken over for both the LeSabre and Park Avenue. A Zeta based flagship could have taken over for both the STS and DTS. Fewer products, fewer platforms, and GM would have looked like a more exciting and modern corporation. GM really did drop the ball as far as Zeta is concerned. Maybe instead of worrying about an unflexible profit losing platform that would only underpin low volume toys (Kappa), maybe GM should have focused on Zeta and its ability to underpin several higher volume products. Having Oshawa and Holden producing these products would have kept some of them from being low volume propositions. Very sad indeed. Of course, this platform appears to be flexible enough that it could have underpinned countless other products (of varying sizes) for GM as well. There are too many ideas to mention here though.

I agree. Buick shouldn't try to become Pontiac or pick up its slack. Buick's lineup needs to be expanded downward (size-wise), but not with rebadged Chevrolets or even Pontiacs. Buick needs distinct smaller products that will reinforce Buick's position as a midmarket premium brand. Giving Buick rebadges of Chevrolet/Pontiac products will only turn the brand into another redundant affordable Chevrolet clone, which undermines the whole purpose for the Buick/GMC sales channel. With Pontiac's affordable alternative products gone (although I hate to see the entire brand discontinued), GM is free to properly position Buick/GMC where it needs to be in the market. GM just needs to be careful that any products placed in Buick's or GMC's lineups are distinct and appropriately premium when compared to their Chevrolet platform mates. Chevrolet should pick up Pontiac's slack. I would do it with the following products: * Impala: Rebadged Commodore. I would either completely discontinue the current W-body Impala or relegate it to fleet sales as the Chevrolet Classic at the end of the 2009 model year. I would then replace the Holden badge on the Berlina trim Commodore with an Impala badge (front and rear) and bring that car over as the new Impala low volume specialty sports sedan. The deletion of the W-body Impala from Chevrolet's retail lineup should eliminate any internal brand competition for the Malibu. The addition of a Zeta based Impala to Chevrolet's lineup would give the brand a true modern flagship sedan that doesn't overlap or compete with the Malibu. This car would essentially replace the discontinued G8 sedan. * Monte Carlo: Develop an Accord/Altima midsize coupe competitor on the SWB Eps II platform. This car would have its own unique sporty styling that wouldn't be shared with any Chevy sedan (especially since there is currently no Chevy sedans on the SWB Eps II platform or any Eps II platform for that matter). This car would essentially replace the discontinued G6 coupe. * Monza/Monza Nomad: This would be a sporty 3-door coupe (Monza) and 3-door wagon (Monza Nomad) based on the Delta II platform used by the Cruze sedan. The Monza and Monza Nomad would share absolutely no sheetmetal with their Cruze platform mate; the design of these 2 products would be totally unique and distinctive. The coupe and wagon would share front end designs as well as doors; everything from the B-pillar back would be different though. The coupe would replace the discontinued G5 (and Cobalt) coupe and the wagon would sort of be a sportier (and cooler) replacement for the Vibe (and HHR). * Kappa product: Unfortunately, Kappa has not been profitable and it will probably be discontinued. Since that is the likely scenario, there is no reason to bother speculating about a Chevrolet version. * G6 convertible: GM is not in any financial condition to continue or replace this type of vehicle. * G6 sedan: Malibu. * G3: Aveo5. * Torrent: Equinox and (to a lesser extent) Terrain. * G8 ST (stillborn): Slap a Chevy badge on the Ute and bring it over as a low volume El Camino sports truck. Done! Pontiac's lineup is essentially replaced (what little of it that could or really needed to be replaced). As far as Buick: * Velite: Rebadged next gen Corsa 3-door/5-door. * Centieme: Rebadged next gen Astra sedan/5-door. * Vivace: Rebadged next gen Astra (or possibly Calibra?) coupe. * Regal: Rebadged current Insignia sedan. * Riviera: Midsize coupe built on LWB Eps II. * Invicta: 2010 LaCrosse rechristened for the North American market. * LeSabre: Rebadged Holden Statesman/Caprice sedan (low volume flagship sedan). * Rendezvous: Rebadged next gen Meriva MPV. * Bravura: Rebadged next gen Zafira MPV. * Enclave: Next gen morphs into midsize MPV built on LWB Eps II to differentiate it from the Acadia. * Electra: Some sort of Voltec derivative; maybe a 5-door wagon or MPV type vehicle based on the Flextreme Concept. As far as GMC: * Brigade: Rebadged Vue/Antara CUV with 2.4L DI 4-cylinder as sole engine choice (except for a 2-mode hybrid version). * Terrain: Midsize CUV. * Acadia: Large CUV. * Denali: Fullsize SUT. Essentially this would be the next gen Avalanche. It would be reassigned to GMC and would become a GMC exclusive (no Chevrolet or Cadillac versions).

Good for VW! I'm sure the Rabbit moniker was alienating quite a few male shoppers. Reviving that moniker was one of VW's dumbest moves.

I still say replace the Holden badges on the linked pictures below with Impala badges and you would have an instant low volume RWD specialty sports sedan for Chevrolet. No, the product doesn't have the division's signature horizontally split grille and it shouldn't. Just like the Camaro and Corvette (which don't have the grille treatment either), this Impala would be positioned as a low volume specialty vehicle and wouldn't have the division's mainstream exterior design cues. The next gen SWB Eps II midsize Malibu and LWB Eps II fullsize Caprice would be designed and positioned to target the mainstream market (along with the Aveo and Cruze sedans). The Commodore based Impala would be grouped with the brand's low volume specialty products. Picture Link (Holden VE Commodore Berlina): Visit My Website Picture Link (Holden VE Commodore Berlina): Visit My Website Source: NetCarShow The Holden Statesman/Caprice could then replace the Lucerne as Buick's flagship sedan model in the U.S. Unlike in China, I wouldn't revive the "Park Avenue" name for this vehicle in the U.S. I would call it either "LeSabre" or "Electra" in the U.S. "Park Avenue" just sounds too old school to me. Basically, the 2 Zeta based Holden sedans would fill 2 different slots and purposes for GM in the U.S. The Commodore would be used to give Chevrolet a low volume RWD sports sedan. The Statesman would be used to give Buick a proper modern flagship sedan to slot above the LWB Eps II 2010 LaCrosse.

I agree and disagree with you on this. I do agree that the next gen Malibu needs to move back to the SWB version of Eps II and could be merged with the global Epica/Tosca sedans. My only condition for this is that GMNA takes the styling lead so that the next gen Malibu appears to be more of a continuation of the great looking current gen Malibu and not a next gen Epica/Tosca. If GM is indeed going to kill Pontiac, then I would still move a rebadged Commodore to Chevrolet as the new Impala. I would position it as a sort of RWD specialty sports sedan. I would even go as far as using the Impala badge on the front instead of the Chevrolet bowtie to make it something even more special and unique in the Chevrolet lineup. GM can use this car to restore some of the luster to the "Impala" name. I agree on developing a large FWD LWB Eps II Taurus/Avalon competitor for Chevrolet, but I would christen this car as the Caprice. This car would be launched after the next gen SWB Eps II Malibu is already on the market. As far as the current W-body Impala, GM can discontinue it when the 2010 LaCrosse is launched (since that leaves GM with just one W-body product) or they can call it "Classic" and produce it for fleet sales. I know this calls for switching the model names around yet again, but I think it allow for placing the names on more appropriate products.

If GM kills Pontiac but still intends to import an Australian built rebadged Commodore sedan, it will probably go to Chevrolet. Voila! Instant Impala replacement. If the current W-body Impala is going to be the last W-body product once the LWB Eps II 2010 LaCrosse launches, then I could definitely see this happening. There really isn't any need to keep the outdated W-body Impala in production when a RWD flagship is available that wouldn't overlap or compete with the Malibu. I really don't see Buick doing affordable RWD performance.

Unfortunately, yes. It looked more like one of those Chevy rebadges that we are all complaining about on this forum (I also see some traces of the Cavalier coupe styling that Dodgefan was referring to). I respect its performance credentials, but I just don't think the exterior design was very inspired. The car really wouldn't have looked out of place at all in Chevy's lineup. It's just my viewpoint though. That's the great thing about design; it conveys something different to everyone. If you think it looked great and appropriate for Pontiac, then that's great too. I respect that you can appreciate it. No matter what either one of us thinks about it, it did find an audience and kept Pontiac going for a little while longer. The fact that it accomplished this feat with very little investment is admirable in itself.

I thought it looked sort of Lumina-ish myself. Styling-wise, it really wasn't anything to get excited about (although there were other exciting aspects about the car). I did think the same thing about the G8 until I saw a few in person. I think it's a great design now. It has the appropriate blend of sophistication and sportiness that could have taken Pontiac well into the future. My initial thoughts about the GTO's styling never changed. A new one based on the Holden Coupe 60 Concept would have been a real looker though. It's a shame that GM/Holden/Pontiac never followed through on a production version. The Torana TT36 Concept would have made a great smaller Pontiac as well, but GM once again failed to follow through with something that could have redefined the brand. I think Holden should have made a downsized version of Zeta to accommodate this car. Just a bunch of missed opportunities (as usual with GM).

This worries me in as far as what will happen to Buick. The future wave of Opels (starting with the Insignia) was supposed to come to the U.S. to expand Buick's lineup. Slightly modified North American built rebadged next gen Opels would have made Buick one cool and exciting premium brand here in the U.S. Now what? I'm really starting to think GM's future in North America will not include B-P-G. Without B-P-G and the possibilities this sales channel presented the corporation, GM just doesn't appear as exciting or desirable. B-P-G is what makes GM really unique.

Even if they cut the brand down to just the one Zeta based sedan then it would be worth holding on to. It doesn't seem like one affordable RWD sports sedan is goint to melt all the polar icecaps, suck up all the world's oil, etc... I hate to say it, but I could almost understand shutting down the Kappa project. It's been an unprofitable endeavor on an unflexible platform that is used to build very low volume and impractical products. If the corporation wasn't dependent on government loans while it continues to bleed red ink, then I would be against it. Since they are, then unprofitable pet projects like Kappa need to go. At least the G8 has some practicality since it could do double duty as a family car as well as an affordable sports sedan. Supposedly, Holden has a downsized next gen Zeta based Commodore in the works that will be compatible with some of the corporation's more fuel efficient engines. Why not let Pontiac continue with that one sedan? It would be low volume so it shouldn't throw GM's overall CAFE figures off at all (besides the next gen is supposedly going to have more fuel efficient engine choices). I am starting to believe that GM will be disconnected from B-P-G before long. Pontiac is rumored to be going. There have been rumors about the Chinese purchasing Buick. GM also claims that Buick would be aligned with Opel, yet there are rumors that Opel might soon be disassociated with GM. GMC is probably viewed as the second coming of Hummer by environmentalists (a division that strictly sells trucks, SUVs, and CUVs must look extremely intimidating to these people), so there is probably government sourced pressure to dump this brand also. Things are starting to look very dim for GM's future indeed. I still think Buick would be crucial to GM's future since this is the brand that can effectively sell premium vehicles based off the corporation's FWD platforms (unless Cadillac is going back to being primarily FWD in the future, which would be incredibly sad and pathetic).

A GM without B-P-G is a bland GM indeed! I still think Buick has a greater chance of selling premium FWD vehicles than Cadillac will ever have. It will be a shame if GM loses B-P-G!

I think it should draw from both the German and Asian sources. Buick can be aligned globally, but GM needs to tailor the product choices it makes for the brand in North America based on what will be successful and accepted in this market (that's one of the many mistakes GM made in importing the Astra here for Saturn; the roomier U.S. market preferred sedan version should have been included in the mix). It doesn't make a difference whether the products are sourced from Germany or Asia, but they must make a solid business case to be sold here. If the Zafira has hinged doors and comes across more like a tall wagon than a minivan, then it should be sold here instead of the Chinese sourced vehicle previewed by this concept. I do agree that I miss the good old American image that our domestic automakers used to be able to flaunt in the marketplace. Unfortunately, times have changed drastically. American sourced vehicles have a tarnished image and all automakers (domestic or otherwise) must rely on leveraging global assets to provide or complete product portfolios. It's just happens to be the times that we live in. I just hope GM has learned from its past mistakes and can properly utilize its globally developed portfolio to stock Buick's future lineup with appropriate products that will make the brand relevant once again.

How much longer are they going to keep Kappa going anyway? I thought GM lost money on each Kappa product it built. I can't imagine the corporation making any kind of competent or coherent argument to the task force overloads to justify this program's existence or continuation. Don't get me wrong, I like both Kappa products; I just don't see how the program is going to help put GM on the road to recovery if the entire project has been completely unprofitable. If they do give Buick a rebadged and facelifted Sky, then the Solstice should only be available in coupe form. There is no reason to have 2 roadsters at the same sales channel.

I really don't view the Saturn/Opel alignment as a legitimate test of Opel's viability in the U.S. That alignment experiment was misguided (Saturn?) and haphazardly executed (too many ways to mention here). I think Opel's current and future design direction will be decidedly more upscale, which will make it a better fit for Buick (it might even help to transform Buick's current stodgy, outdated image). As long as GM doesn't repeat the same mistakes it did in importing the current Astra 3-door/5-door here (again, too many to mention here), then I think the Buick/Opel alignment will turn out to be a lucrative venture for GM in North America. I'm not sure about reassigning the current Vue to Buick's lineup, however. I think a facelifted version of the Vue with only the 2.4L DI 4-cylinder/6-speed auto combo should actually be placed in GMC's lineup to slot below the Terrain. In the future, GMC should carry the CUVs while Buick should carry more car-like MPVs or tall wagons. Redundancy and brand dilution need to be eliminated from B-P-G.

Front end styling: definite YIKES! There's distinctive and then there's blatant hideousness; this car's front end design definitely leans toward the latter. Rest of the car: not so bad, but not as nice as the previous concept (like Dodgefan pointed out).

GM needs to get it here A.S.A.P. This is just what Buick needs to help the brand shed its stodgy, outdated image. I think its different enough from the 2010 LaCrosse in size and positioning to be included in Buick's lineup.

I actually thought it was subcompact, or Aveo, size. If only the Aveo looked this good. I thought the 550/MG6 was compact, or Cruze, size. That was my impression, but I could be wrong. If Saturn's dealership network had to sell Chinese branded vehicles, then I think Roewe/MG would be the best pick of the litter.

Yeah, it doesn't look anything like the Orlando (which is a good thing for the sake of differentiation; I do like the Orlando's design, but the name really needs to be changed due to its Disney-ish implications). Overall, I have mixed feelings about this. Autoblog sort of shook me up by claiming that this was designed on the old Terraza/GL8 platform. My first reaction to that bit of news was: WHY? I'm glad to hear that it IS actually based on the LWB Delta platform shared with the Chevrolet Orlando (which makes much more sense). I'm sort of disappointed to see that it has rear sliders (at least it looks like it might; I think I see a somewhat short slider track below the back side window); if this comes to the U.S. with those type of rear passenger doors, people will automatically dismiss it as another mom-mobile minivan and it will fail miserably. I would rather see reverse hinged rear passenger doors like those that appeared on the recent Meriva Concept. Basically, I like the front end design, but I'm not so sure about the side treatment (I would have rather seen a side treatment that was inspired by the recent Meriva Concept instead). If this vehicle makes it to production pretty much as is, then GM should keep it in China. My only hope is that the next gen Opel Zafira looks quite a bit different from this (with hinged doors instead of sliders) and it will be the version that actually appears in Buick's U.S. lineup (I'm still hopeful about this since Autoblog claims that this was a joint design by GM China and the Pan Asia TAC; hopefully the Zafira will strictly be a German design). I sort of like it, but I fear that it may come off as being too minivan-ish to be successful in the U.S.; it would need to come off more like a tall wagon (like the Orlando or, dare I say, Toyota Venza) to have any chance of success or acceptance in the U.S. If (or when) gas prices start to escalate again, I think the MPV or tall wagon segment might actually become increasingly more important and accepted in our market.