Possibly based off of the Envision concept (seen above, and earlier this year at the Shanghai Auto Show), the auto maker said this will not be a North American-only vehicle, rather it will be constructed on a global platform.

Reports say Buick’s crossover is going to be built ‘on the long-wheel-base Theta platform,’ currently used on Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain.

GM will show the concept to the media at 2012 NAIAS on January 9th-10th, with public viewings the following weekend.

Source: WCF

With the days of “rebranding” cars throughout GM’s line up apparently over, Buick takes its glorious next stride towards automotive awesomeness. Unlike Regal GS and LaCrosse, this sedan is all new, without a past (good or bad) to back it up. This fresh start is exactly what the auto maker needs.

The small, Michigan build sedan from Buick will start to grab attention from those younger car buyers stopping into dealer lots. Anyone looking for an economic ride that won’t kill their car loans, and is easy to parallel park, will be fulfilled. Aside from its large grille, Verano looks like someone shrunk a 2012 Regal. But inside, there’s plenty of room for those over 6 ft, and enough tech gadgets (BlueTooth, iPod integration, navigation, infotainment and OnStar) to please those who live out of their vehicles.

Performance specs on 2012′s Verano are as equally impressive. With a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, along with front-wheel-drive, Verano easily produces upwards of 180 horsepower, with rumors that a 250-hp bump up is coming in 2013.

The auto maker claims Verano can hit the 0 to 60 mark in 8.9 seconds. EPA fuel economy ratings are also estimated at 21 mpg city, 31 highway.

Starting with a base price of $23,470, drivers will get themselves a manual transmission and comfortable cloth seating. The top trim price of $26,850 will add in luxurious leatherette and a bigger boost in engine, as well as matting it to an automatic tranny.

We can’t wait to see what direction this powerful little Buick heads towards as the years go on. GM is predicting big things for the Buick Verano, and so are we.

According to source PR Newswire Press Release – “Inside the Vault,” which begins airing on WGN America and 18 Tribune broadcast affiliates this Friday (Feb. 4), will showcase stories, insights and conversation, providing a variety of perspectives on how men live today.

“New times call for new approaches,” said GM’s Global Chief Marketing Officer Joel Ewanick. “‘Inside the Vault’ represents an exciting and different avenue for Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac to connect with audiences and create an environment that is different from anything that’s being done in TV today.”

“Inside the Vault” will present a variety of topics relevant to men; episode themes will include gadgets, travel, fitness, food and sports. The series includes lifestyle segments from experts at Conde Nast, with automotive editorial provided by Source Interlink, the publisher behind Motor Trend magazine.

The 10-episode season is hosted by Cris Collinsworth, a former NFL wide receiver with the Cincinnati Bengals and an Emmy-winning television personality whose credits include NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” and Showtime’s “Inside the NFL,” along with Alonzo Bodden of NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” and Jill Wagner, who currently co-hosts ABC’s “Wipeout.”

“We want the audience to be able to watch ‘Inside the Vault’ anywhere and catch it at any time,” Ewanick said. The series will appear online at www.insidethevault.tv, which launches on Thursday (Feb. 3). Content will extend across Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Vimeo and Get Glue.

Syndicated television broadcasts will include commercials for Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles.

Here are highlights of the brand’s plan for the 2011-13 model years, courtesy of Auto Week:
Verano: This compact sedan is the next-generation Opel Astra in Europe and the Buick Excelle GT in China. General Motors Co. will market the car here as the 2012 Buick Verano and probably will build it in Orion Township, Mich., or Lordstown, Ohio.

GM developed the car on its front-wheel-drive Delta platform, which is shared with the Chevrolet Cruze. Look for a turbocharged high-performance engine as an option.

Regal: GM has confirmed it will build the sporty Regal GS concept it unveiled at the Detroit auto show in January. It is expected for the 2012 model year.

The Regal GS will have a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which is expected to come to market with a bit more power than the 255 hp and 295 pounds-feet of torque advertised in January at the Detroit show.

LaCrosse: A hybrid version of the sedan is under strong consideration for the 2012 model year, and a reskin could come as early as that model year. The next generation is expected for the 2016 model year.

Lucerne: The sedan dies after the 2011 model year.

Encore: The “Baby Enclave” compact crossover, tentatively called the Encore, will arrive in the 2013 model year. The five-seater is built on the Delta compact-car platform.

Enclave: GM will freshen or reskin this three-row crossover for the 2012 model year and add a 3.0-liter V6. The automaker will drop the current 3.6-liter V6.

This new model would be based on the Premium Zeta architecture, much like the proposed (but not yet confirmed) Cadillac XTS. In order to keep these two models from competing too closely with each other, the Buick model would target the Lexus LS, while the Cadillac would be poised to take on the sportier BMW 7 Series.

Currently Buick does have a flagship sedan based on the Zeta architecture – sold in China as the Park Avenue. There’s a possibility that this new model could also replace the Chinese Park Avenue and bring back the Park Avenue name to North America.

Source, Pics: AutoGuide

Buick has been thinking about a coupe again, perhaps another reemergence of the classic Riviera? More specifically, GM, after the success of new, smaller & sportier Buick models, wants to give the B another shot at sports coupes. Last year, an updated Buick Riviera concept hit auto show floors, complete with gullwing doors and an Apple laptop styled instrument panel. It was as if the DeLorean from Back to the Future made sweet love to the Star Trek reboot USS Enterprise and had a Buick baby.

Automotive News recently interviewed Buick design director John Cafaro, who confirmed that Buick is targeting a younger audience. “My role is really being a zealot for getting Buick more youthful, more spirited and probing ideas for coupes, more expressive vehicles,” he said. “That is really my job.” Pretty good gig, if you ask me.

Currently, the automaker sells just three different models, including the soon-to-be-cancelled Lucerne. Aside from the full-size crossover Enclave, the company also sells the LaCrosse, completely remodeled for 2010.

“Buick definitely needs more product in the pipeline,” Cafaro said, later mentioning that the company needs a new car that makes a statement. Any such car would become Buick’s flagship. “A coupe is definitely where you say, ‘I’m back.’”

The Source: WCF

No, we are not pulling your chain or jerkin’ your rod – the Lutz-man himself has spoken of a very-possible 335 horse power variant of the Buick Regal. This future whip will identify as Regal GS – there’s even talks of a Regal Wagon version too!

GM’s unveiling of the 2011 Buick Regal starred Bob Lutz, at a car-studded event in Hollywood, CA. He said one of the models being worked on is a “manual-transmission model and all-wheel drive, as well as a 335-hp, all-wheel-drive range-topper…”

It’s no Grand National like the old school Buicks, but it sure makes our hearts pitter-patter.
According to our fav auto experts at Car and Driver – “Such a variant makes perfect sense given that Opel sells a pretty hot Insignia OPC with a 325-hp turbocharged 2.8-lilter V-6, a six-speed manual, and all-wheel drive.” We will keep you posted – or maybe next year you’ll see Buickpedia-folk racing down the NJ Turnpike in a Regal Wagon.

via car & driver

Rendering Credit: Tagline @ deviantART

Spy shots of automobiles and car concepts are online all the time – almost as widely available as celebrity upskirts on WWTDD. But the cars, usually caught during testing or at a press event, are disguised to look like other/previous year models. With the help of camera phones, tiny pocket cams and online forums, early “naked” vehicle shots are escaping faster then you can say lawsuit!

But it’s not all bad news, and as far as we’ve heard General Motors isn’t about to sue FB for any infringement. Sites like Facebook and Twitter should be embraced more then they already are for use in automotive PR – and frankly it’s great to catch some early car buyer reaction, before the final screws are put to the dealers when trying to push a sale.

Back in ’05 The Regal was replaced by Buick LaCrosse. The last 2004 Buick Regal came off the assembly line on June 1, 2004. According to Jalopnik: Now it would appear it’ll be back and as we told you back in August when Lutz let slip this tasty piece of news to Scott Burgess of The Detroit News, it’ll be the same as was launched in China in November 2008 based on the Opel Insignia.

Thanks Jalopnik!

Check out the full-sized image.