Is This The Future of Buick Design?
With its future saved from extinction by General Motors (Buick, along with Chevy, Caddy and GMC, will remain as one of four core brands) we now look to the future of Buick design. But is a brand like Europe’s Opel/Vauxhall – originally transformed into Saturn cars – now be what our forthcoming Buick’s look like?
Since Saturn is on the chopping block to be cut form GM by 2010, Opel is looking for a presence in North America again. Buick may be its best bet – as it is the only GM make that doesn’t have a powerful design presence, where as Chevy and Cadillac vehicles have an obvious look to them. The images are of the 2010 Opel/Vauxhall Astra – which may come to the US with a Buick logo.
It’s part old school station wagon, part GM hybrid (similar curves as the Chevy Cruze/Volt) – A selection of engines will be available beginning with a 1.4-liter naturally aspirated diesel up to 1.8-liter. No doubt this will be transformed into regular gasoline for North America. Outputs range from 140 – 180 horse power, with a GT Coupe version upcoming in 2011. So, what do you think – is Opel the new Buick?
I just stopped by your blog and thought I would say hello. I like your site design. Looking forward to reading more down the road.