Badge Eng. Buick Grand National? (GS version added)

[MonaroSS]

Badge Engineer a
Buick Grand National?

Op-Ed by MonaroSS
GMI Contributor – 27 November 2012



Given the Edmunds story thread (see link) speculating about a Grand National, GNX and T-Type Buick, I wondered just how much or little it would take to alter an ATS into such a vehicle; and give it it's own unique look.

Grand National, GNX and T-Type Are Returning to Buick

I think most would agree that the passenger compartments of modern vehicles are becoming very similar these days, and the ATS is especially generic in form. So below I left the basic vehicle alone and just added new sheet metal changes front and rear. Because the ATS, while bland in the middle uses very distinctive headlights and of course has those very traditional Cadillac vertical taillights, it wasn't that hard to get a very different look for a Buick sister car. Add in a unique to Buick interior and most people would not realise they were the same vehicle.

Of course we all remember the bad old GM days of badge engineering so many of their products, sometimes almost literally just changing superficial things like the badge. But if distinctive new sheet metal is used front and rear, I don't think these days the centre passenger section plays a big styling role; at least not in conservative sedans.

Anyway, it would be a hot looking vehicle in my opinion. And, if made available, Buick GN and Caddy ATS twins would make a great His and Hers pair of vehicles in anyone's driveway... What do you say?

Click to Enlarge






VVV Window line hip and sweep-spear added to sides...

So now, apart from the roof, it's a full reskin.








And here is a toned down GS version with smaller grill.

[Slideways]

The front works quite well, although I feel that the rear has a bit too much BMW. Overall it's a great looking car, but GM would be crucified by the media if they kept that much of the ATS in a Buick sedan.

[MonaroSS]

The taillights are modified from a current German vehicle, but not BMW, anyone guess which?

[Commodoreman2000]

i'm thinking Opel Astra OPC just at a glance but probably not

[richmond2000]

Audi is my guess
I think the sharpness of the cabin does not go well with the more "euro" rounded look of the regalesque ends
I could see the GNX as a coupe using the next gen Camaro cabin leaving the ATS sedan alone and making the Buick more NICHE

[antimathman]

Are the taillights from the newest generation of Boxster?

I quite like the front end, though the headlights almost look like those on a Skoda Superb; I like the exaggeration of the openings under the headlights which have recently been introduced on the Encore. It feels like there's something missing to the back end, maybe the CHMSL could go over the back glass to allow the spoiler to stay black and keep the integrated light/spoiler a Cadillac specific trait.

Though it's quite hard to pull off on these front/rear 3/4s shots, I'd love to see some more sculpting on the sides. Surely John Starnes wants to see a sweepspear, but anything that could help to reduce the visual mass of the sides would be great. Maybe some more flared rear wheel arches?

Overall, great work as always! Never disappointed when I open a MonaroSS thread.

[Commodoreman2000]

^^^^^ Ding Ding Ding Ding I think this dudes spot on with Boxter tail lights.

[CheetahDC]

Love it! If I may though, a couple suggestions.

Get rid of the Art and Science pointiness on the lower front and rear valances.

Curve the C pillar a little more (Regal, LaCrosse) or give it a small upkick (Verano, Encore). Greenhouse design can change the overall look of a car a -lot-. For example, compare Ford Five Hundred/08-09 Taurus greenhouse to the current generation Taurus. Same platform, vastly different looks! The flat trailing edge of the rear side windows mark it as a Cadillac rebadge in my eyes.

:3

[MonaroSS]

Are the taillights from the newest generation of Boxster?

I quite like the front end, though the headlights almost look like those on a Skoda Superb; I like the exaggeration of the openings under the headlights which have recently been introduced on the Encore. It feels like there's something missing to the back end, maybe the CHMSL could go over the back glass to allow the spoiler to stay black and keep the integrated light/spoiler a Cadillac specific trait.

Though it's quite hard to pull off on these front/rear 3/4s shots, I'd love to see some more sculpting on the sides. Surely John Starnes wants to see a sweepspear, but anything that could help to reduce the visual mass of the sides would be great. Maybe some more flared rear wheel arches?

Overall, great work as always! Never disappointed when I open a MonaroSS thread.

Yes they are the Boxster taillights.... Congrats on a good eye. I just adjusted them a bit to fit the flatter rear. And the headlights are from the Encore... so you picked that detail too. The grill is Encore too, which I added sharper corners to.

But nobody is going to think they are looking at a Caddy from the rear, unless they know what it is. Here people are told, but I would say if shown just the rear pic and asked if they recognised the car, most people would never say Cadillac.

[70eldo]

Platform sharing = OK
Rebadging = so 1980's

[Motors Man]

I guess badge engineering is ok when it's a "hallowed" name. Shame it didn't work for the GTO.......

[MonaroSS]

Love it! If I may though, a couple suggestions.

Get rid of the Art and Science pointiness on the lower front and rear valances.

Curve the C pillar a little more (Regal, LaCrosse) or give it a small upkick (Verano, Encore). Greenhouse design can change the overall look of a car a -lot-. For example, compare Ford Five Hundred/08-09 Taurus greenhouse to the current generation Taurus. Same platform, vastly different looks! The flat trailing edge of the rear side windows mark it as a Cadillac rebadge in my eyes.

:3

Something like this?

[spd98]

Just say "NO" to badge engineering!

[Ambalanche]

I don't think there should be ANYTHING shared! In all of your wonderful chops, I can see the ATS. Especially the rear. In any case, It needs to have as much differentation as the Equinox and Terrain. Those two, in my opinion, have the most exterior differentation as anything GM has right now.

[V8GMT360 Guy]

Could that possibly be any uglier? Damn...