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Buick Excelle Compact Sedan Spotted Undisguised In China

 
6 3,799 views Apr 15, 2010
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Chinese-market Buick Excelle compact sedan undisguised

HI-RES GALLERY: Chinese-market Buick Excelle compact sedan undisguised

We've already seen a preview of the coming Cruze-based compact Buick sedan, dubbed the Excelle, in the form of the Chinese-market Excelle GT. Today, photos have leaked out of China that do away with the GT's hatchback and show us the full sedan profile, sans disguises.

The Excelle GT is based on the new Opel Astra, which shares its running gear with the Chevrolet Cruze, and spy shots have tracked progress of the Buick-branded car's development over the past year. These new photos reveal what is likely a close analog to what we'll see here in the U.S., though some minor trim and appearance changes are likely.

Like the new Regal and LaCrosse, the Excelle sedan wears what is becoming the familiar face of the new Buick, with a waterfall grille and stylized side panels that give the car a flowing, modern look that should serve it well in the highly competitive entry-level luxury market. Engine specs and powertrains are expected to closely parallel those found in the Cruze, meaning a 1.4-liter or 1.8-liter four-cylinder mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The Cruze also offers a six-speed manual, but it's not likely that Buick buyers will opt for the stick in any significant numbers, so it may not be offered at all on the Excelle.

It's worth noting that the Excelle name isn't a given for the U.S., though it doesn't sound too bad to our ears. Whatever the new compact sedan is called, it's expected to make its U.S. debut sometime next year, though the Chinese version is likely to pop up at the Beijing show later this month.

[Autohome.com.cn]





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Comments (6)

  1. By bepsf Posted: 4/15/2010 12:33pm PDT

    Excelle? Sounds too much like Excel...
    (As in mid-80's Hyundai)
    Would rather see it named "Skylark"
     
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  2. By adamk Posted: 4/15/2010 1:15pm PDT

    bepsf: good point about the Hyundai reference, though unfortunately the beak-nosed Skylark from the early '90s ruined that nameplate too. How about Cimarron? Kidding!
     
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  3. By Jgoldb Posted: 4/15/2010 2:29pm PDT

    hopefully they're get rid of that nasty chrome strip on the tail lights. So gaudy in appearance, although from the rear view, I almost see a touch of Alfa Romeo. Anyone else?
     
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  4. By NoNameDenton Posted: 4/15/2010 3:39pm PDT

    bepsf the Cruze based Buick coming to America might be named Skylark, probably not get the Excelle name
     
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  5. By james Posted: 4/15/2010 8:29pm PDT

    @Jgoldb:
    I totally see what you're saying about the alfa romeo thing - only from the back though. i think that's what you were getting at
     
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  6. By secondcts Posted: 4/16/2010 8:18am PDT

    If this is to distinguish itself from the Cruze, more than a waterfall grill will be needed. Instead, Buick could take a cue from the otherwise horrid "cross-tour" fad and present the GT as its only model with the sport suspension. A lithe, handsome, compact alternative to some of the ugliest cars on the road today.
     
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