Buick Verano

A compact sedan named Buick Verano will be produced by the Buick division of GM for the 2012 model year.

General Motors unveiled Verano as Buick’s new compact sedan in October 2010, and automakers exhibited the latest creation of Buick at the 2011 Detroit Auto show.

Design and Styling

The modern Verano sedan slots below the Regal and LaCrosse in the company’s line-up and General Motors has its sights set on Lexus IS250 and Audi A3 with this one.

Verano is Buick’s third new model in past two years, and is all set to join the line-up that already includes the Regal, Enclave, and LaCrosse.

Befitting Buick’s image, the new Verano is a mechanical cousin of the modern Chevy Cruze and is smaller than the Buick Regal, but will be more luxurious.

The front-wheel drive Verano will have triple door seals, ten standard airbags, laminated glass, heated steering wheel, premium leather upholstery as well as modern OnStar system that allow seamless communication between the vehicle and the driver’s smart-phone.

Under the hood

The standard engine on Verano is a direct-injected 2.4-L Ecotec four-cylinder engine that transfers 177 BHP and 160 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels through a standard six-speed automatic gearbox.

Buick says Verano will get an estimated 31 miles per gallon on the highways and hit 0-60 mph in eight seconds.

Acceleration will improve when a turbocharged 2.0-L four-cylinder engine becomes available at a later date, but mileage is likely to remain same.

Driving Impression

With its chrome accents, portholes, black chrome waterfall grille, the new 2012 Verano has the looks of a right Buick, but the blue-tinted projector lamps make it sportier than expected.

The rear-wheels do a much better job at the front, for a much more controlled feel. The same will likely hold true for the suspension, the front MacPherson struts are matched by the torsion beam rear with a Watts link, a design keeps the rear axle better centred, while cornering without cutting the truck volume.

The electric-assist steering with a ratio 15.5:1 ratio will give a sporty feel and large disc brakes aided by StabiliTrack stability control and ABS at all four corners will handle stopping chores.

Pricing

The new 2012 Buick Verano will be nothing more than a luxurious Chevrolet Cruze with a powerful engine.

Officially, Buick will announce the price of the modern Verano towards the end of 2011; however, it is expected to be priced at around $21,500.

2012 Verano luxury sedan

2012 Verano remains as the compact luxury sedan that gets unveiled this year at a decent starting price of 23,470, which includes destination charges of $885. The release of 2012 model was announced at Detroit auto show.

Buick’s Marketing Vice President, Mr. Tony DiSalle, said, “With the new Verano, we are inviting new customers to Buick family, offering great opportunity and privilege for building Buick loyalty.

The new Verano competes with Lexus IS 250, and Acura TSX sedan, but offers more passengers as well as cargo volume.For more info, read new Verano review.