Drew Dowdell

I'm curious why it only gets 31mpg when the larger and heavier Malibu can get 34mpg with the same power train....

The 2012 Buick Verano Just ahead of it's North American International Auto Show debut, Buick releases pictures and specs of the 2012 Buick Verano compact luxury sedan. 2012 Buick Verano Official Release 2012 Buick Verano Media Gallery Slideshow

Technical Specs: Overview <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="141"> Models: </td> <td valign="top" width="320"> 2012 Buick Verano </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="141"> Body style / driveline: </td> <td valign="top" width="320"> four-door, 5-passenger front engine transaxle; front-wheel-drive compact car </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="141"> Construction: </td> <td valign="top" width="320"> steel body-frame integral with front and rear crumple zones; galvanized steel front fenders, hood, roof, door panels, one-piece bodyside outer panel, thermal plastic olefin (TPO) bumper fascias </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="141"> Manufacturing location: </td> <td valign="top" width="320"> Orion Township, Mich. </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="141"> Key competitors: </td> <td valign="top" width="320"> Lexus IS 250, Audi A3 </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> Engines <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="181"> </td> <td valign="top" width="276"> Ecotec 2.4L DOHC I-4 (LEA) </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="181"> Displacement (cu. in. / cc): </td> <td valign="top" width="276"> 145 / 2384 </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="181"> Bore and stroke (in. / mm): </td> <td valign="top" width="276"> 3.46 x 3.85 / 88 x 98 </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="181"> Block material: </td> <td valign="top" width="276"> precision sand cast aluminum </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="181"> Cylinder head material: </td> <td valign="top" width="276"> SPM cast aluminum </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="181"> Valvetrain: </td> <td valign="top" width="276"> overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, continuous variable valve timing for intake and exhaust </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="181"> Ignition system: </td> <td valign="top" width="276"> individual coil-on-plug </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="181"> Fuel delivery: </td> <td valign="top" width="276"> direct injection and electronic throttle control </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="181"> Compression ratio: </td> <td valign="top" width="276"> 11.2:1 </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="181"> Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm): </td> <td valign="top" width="276"> 177 / 132 @ 6200 rpm (estimated, SAE certification pending) </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="181"> Torque (lb.-ft. / Nm @ rpm): </td> <td valign="top" width="276"> 170 / 230 @ 4800 rpm (estimated, SAE certification pending) </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="181"> Recommended fuel: </td> <td valign="top" width="276"> regular unleaded or E85 </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="181"> Emissions controls: </td> <td valign="top" width="276"> close-coupled, catalytic converter; variable valve timing; positive crankcase ventilation evaporative system </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="181"> Estimated fuel economy (city / hwy): </td> <td valign="top" width="276"> 22 / 31 </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> Transmissions <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="157"> </td> <td valign="top" width="300"> Hydra-Matic 6T45 6-speed automatic </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="157"> Type: </td> <td valign="top" width="300"> six-speed transverse, electronically controlled, automatic overdrive transmission </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="157"> Gear ratios (:1) </td> <td valign="top" width="300"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="157"> First: </td> <td valign="top" width="300"> 4.58 </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="157"> Second: </td> <td valign="top" width="300"> 2.96 </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="157"> Third: </td> <td valign="top" width="300"> 1.91 </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="157"> Fourth: </td> <td valign="top" width="300"> 1.45 </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="157"> Fifth: </td> <td valign="top" width="300"> 1.00 </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="157"> Sixth: </td> <td valign="top" width="300"> 0.75 </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="157"> Reverse: </td> <td valign="top" width="300"> 2.84 </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="157"> Final drive: </td> <td valign="top" width="300"> 3.23 </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> Chassis/Suspension <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="138"> Front: </td> <td valign="top" width="322"> independent, MacPherson strut-type with side-loaded strut modules, specifically tuned coil springs, direct-acting stabilizer bar (hollow); hydraulic ride bushings </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="138"> Rear: </td> <td valign="top" width="322"> specifically adapted compound crank (torsion beam) with double-walled, U-shaped profile at the rear, Z-link (tunable control arm) </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="138"> Traction control: </td> <td valign="top" width="322"> all-speed using engine torque reduction and brake intervention </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="138"> Steering type: </td> <td valign="top" width="322"> rack-mounted electric power steering </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="138"> Steering wheel turns, lock-to-lock: </td> <td valign="top" width="322"> 2.8 </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="138"> Turning circle, curb-to-curb (feet / meters): </td> <td valign="top" width="322"> 36 / 11 </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="138"> Steering ratio: </td> <td valign="top" width="322"> 15.5:1 </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> Brakes <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="138"> Type: </td> <td valign="top" width="322"> power-assisted four-wheel disc electronic brake force distribution and ABS </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="138"> Brake rotor diameter – front (mm / in.): </td> <td valign="top" width="322"> 300 / 11.8 vented; single-piston w/steel caliper </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="138"> Brake rotor diameter – rear (mm / in.): </td> <td valign="top" width="322"> 292 / 11.5 vented; single-piston w/steel caliper </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="138"> Total swept area (cu cc; pad area): </td> <td valign="top" width="322"> TBD </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> Wheels/Tires <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="139"> Wheel size and type: </td> <td valign="top" width="322"> 17-inch forged alloy (std.) 18-inch alloy (opt. – two designs available) </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="139"> Tires: </td> <td valign="top" width="322"> 225/50R17 ALS 235/45R18 ALS </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> Dimensions Exterior <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="181"> Wheelbase (in. / mm): </td> <td valign="top" width="280"> 105.7 / 2685 </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="181"> Overall length (in. / mm): </td> <td valign="top" width="280"> 183.9 / 4671 </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="181"> Overall width (in. / mm): </td> <td valign="top" width="280"> 71.4 / 1815 </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="181"> Overall height (in. / mm): </td> <td valign="top" width="280"> 58.4 / 1484 </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="181"> Track width front (in. / mm): </td> <td valign="top" width="280"> 60.7 / 1544 </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="181"> Track width rear (in. / mm): </td> <td valign="top" width="280"> 61.3 / 1558 </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="181"> Curb weight (lb / kg): </td> <td valign="top" width="280"> 3300 / 1497 </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> Interior <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="205"> Seating capacity (front / rear): </td> <td valign="top" width="256"> 2 / 3 </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="205"> Headroom (in. / mm): </td> <td valign="top" width="256"> 38.3 / 973 (front without sunroof) 37.2 / 945 (front with sunroof) 37.8 / 960 (rear without sunroof) 37.8 / 960 (rear with sunroof) </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="205"> Legroom (in. / mm): </td> <td valign="top" width="256"> 42 / 1068 (front) 33.9 / 861 (rear) </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="205"> Shoulder room (in. / mm): </td> <td valign="top" width="256"> 55.1 / 1399 (front) 53.8 / 1343 (rear) </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="205"> Hip room (in. / mm): </td> <td valign="top" width="256"> 53.7 / 1364 (front) 51.9 / 1320 (rear) </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="205"> Passenger volume (cu. ft. / L) : </td> <td valign="top" width="256"> 95 / 2690 </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="205"> Cargo volume (cu. ft. / L): </td> <td valign="top" width="256"> 15.2 / 430 (maximum with tire inflator kit and without Bose Premium Audio) 14.3 / 405 (with spare tire/jack kit and without Bose Premium Audio) 14 / 396 (with spare tire/jack kit and Bose Premium Audio) </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> Capacities <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr> <td valign="top" width="205"> Trailer towing maximum (lb. / kg): </td> <td valign="top" width="261"> 1000 / 454 </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="205"> Fuel tank (gal. / L): </td> <td valign="top" width="261"> 15 / 57 </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="205"> Cooling system (qt. / L): </td> <td valign="top" width="261"> TBD </td></tr></tbody></table>

We've got the pictures of the rear in our 2012 Buick Verano Release

Buick Introduces the 2012 Verano Buick's Third New Model in Two Years Drew Dowdell - January 6th, 2011 - CheersandGears.com In late 2011, the Verano compact luxury sedan will join the new Regal, Lacrosse and Enclave in Buick's re-energized lineup. The Verano will be revealed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on Monday. Powered by GM's venerable 2.4L Ecotec 4-cylinder and six-speed automatic transmission, the Verano will offer 177hp and 170 lb-ft of torque. This combination will offer 31mpg highway and 0-60 performance of about 8.0 seconds. Plans are in the works to offer a 2.0 litre turbocharged engine at a later date. Available interior amenities include: Push-Button Start Dual-zone climate control with automatic climate control available Heated steering wheel Electronic parking brake Heated seats Buick's Quiet Tuning feature Quiet Tuning Buick's Quiet Tuning improvements on the Verano include hydraulic ride bushings, an isolated engine cradle, firewall sandwiched between two vibration damping mats, and nylon baffles filled with sound absorbing foam that expand to fill hollow body structure areas all contribute to a vault quiet driving experience. Also included in the Quiet Tuning package: The headliner comprises five layers of thermal fiber acoustic material, including a premium woven fabric on the visible outer layer Patches of sound-damping material are applied strategically throughout the body structure and melt into place when the body passes through the paint oven, allowing the patches to follow the contours of the sheet metal below Sound insulation material between rear-body structural components that is made from recycled denim Triple-sealed doors that feature fiberglass "blankets" serve as water, airflow and noise barriers. The doors are also beta-braced, meaning they close with a solid, precise sound and no resonance Optimized windshield and side glass for quietness, with 5.4-mm-thick laminated windshield and 4.85-mm laminated side glass The engine's intake and exhaust systems are tuned for quiet performance Isolated brake and fuel lines prevent vibrations. Buick even designed the standard 17inch aluminum wheels to reduce noise. Verano Safety The Verano comes with 10 airbags standard, GM's StabiliTrak stability control, a pedal system that collapses during a crash to prevent foot or ankle injuries, and OnStar with automatic crash response. We'll get you more up close and personal pictures of the Verano on Monday at the Detroit Auto Show, in the meantime, you can enjoy the press pictures supplied by GM in: Media Gallery: 2010 Buick Verano