Shanghai show: Buick Verano debuts

BUICK has swept the silken sheets off its latest small sedan offering for the Chinese market, the Verano, or Wei Lang, as it will be known locally.

Built on an updated version of General Motors' global Delta II platform known as the D2XX, the Verano shares architecture and components with the upcoming Opel Astra, the new Chevrolet Volt and the Cruze.

While the Verano is very unlikely to see action Down Under, it is set to replace the current-generation American-spec Verano in 2016.

Unusually, Holden was not involved at any stage in either design or engineering for the Verano. The Australian-designed Avenir concept – unveiled in Detroit earlier this year – is cited as a design influence.

The waterfall grille, double beltline and wing-shaped headlights all reflect the Avenir’s design language. Riding on 17-inch rims and Continental low-resistance tyres, the four-door sedan also sports LED tail-lights and daytime running lights.

GM says the chassis has been tuned to suit Chinese roads, but no specifics were provided.

GM’s new-generation Ecotec engine family provides the SIDI 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that is teamed with a new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Calibrated especially for the Chinese market, GM says the transmission has been put through 4.25 million kilometres of durability testing.

The engine produces 166kW and 250Nm of torque, and GM claims it will do 6.1 litres per 100 kilometres.

The Verano will slot into the Chinese Buick range above the almost identical Excelle and Excelle GT. GM sold 2.5 million cars in the 26 million-vehicle Chinese market in 2014.