2014 Buick Verano Going Total Turbo?

[nsap]

2014 GM documents suggest Verano will gain a base turbo engine.
www.GMInsideNews.com
December 21, 2012
By: Nick Saporito

Earlier this week several websites discovered General Motors' 2014 VIN cards. Housed within the document are all of the theoretical combinations of engines, assembly plants and other details for many 2014 products, including the Buick Verano. According to the Verano's VIN card, for 2014 the small Buick will swap out its base Ecotec 2.4-liter in favor a new 1.6-liter turbo engine.

Wearing the RPO code (internal codes at GM) of LVP, the engine is listed as a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with variable valve timing and direct fuel injection. The 1.6-liter displacement is nothing new at GM as the company's European operations have utilized Ecotec 1.6-liters for several years, and GMI has confirmed in the past that this displacement would arrive in North America in the future.

In Europe the 1.6-liter turbo generates about 192 horsepower and 170 foot-pounds of torque. Assuming the engine would generate similar figures in the Verano, the 1.6-liter turbo would be an extremely viable replacement for today's 2.4-liter, which generates 180 horsepower and 171 foot-pounds of torque. Factoring in that the turbo mill generates nearly all of its torque at around 1,900 rpm, and the 1.6-liter quickly becomes an obvious good pick for the Verano.

The 2.4-liter in today's Verano received mixed reviews with the small Buick launched last year. While the power of this mill moves the portly Verano decently, the car has caught flak from journalists for its modest fuel economy ratings, which are 21/31 for city and highway, respectively.

In the past next year's VIN cards have not served as sources of new information, however we can authenticate that the cards themselves are legitimate as they are housed on a GM-owned domain. The question at this point is if someone just put the wrong engine on the Verano's VIN card, or if the car really is getting a new engine that no one really knew about.

No other significant changes are expected on the 2014 Verano at this time. The car will also retain its recently-added 2.0-liter turbo for higher end trim options.

[Ammo]

GREAT move. Methinks it'll get 23/34 or 24/35. (placing it right in ILX territory while being more powerful than the breathless ILX)

Offer some HIDs, LED tail lamps and LED accents in the headlights and I'll officially want this car.

A Verano GS would be nice too.

Here's hoping this powertrain comes in the Regal too.

[jzchev28]

Sounds like a winning formula to me, hoping it's true! I wish they would offer this engine in the Cruze. Make the 1.4T base and the 1.6T an option, It's really the least they should do for that car.

[1487]

why is the Cruze not showing a diesel? The Sonic is showing a diesel option. Hasnt the Cruze diesel been confirmed? Don't get it. Bad news: looks like the 2014 CTS is unchanged from 2013.

[1487]

Sounds like a winning formula to me, hoping it's true! I wish they would offer this engine in the Cruze. Make the 1.4T base and the 1.6T an option, It's really the least they should do for that car.

Cruze is listed and it doesnt get the 1.6. Probably due to the fact that they are focusing on the diesel.

[knack0125]

Sounds like a winning formula to me, hoping it's true! I wish they would offer this engine in the Cruze. Make the 1.4T base and the 1.6T an option, It's really the least they should do for that car.

I would agree with you, but the thing is, if GM did such a move. Everyone would cry and scream that its not a true SS version to the Cruze to go against the Civic SI at all with having just under 200HP. Wouldn't be the goal of it i'd think but people would still draw comparison.

GREAT move. Methinks it'll get 23/34 or 24/35. (placing it right in ILX territory while being more powerful than the breathless ILX)

Offer some HIDs, LED tail lamps and LED accents in the headlights and I'll officially want this car.

A Verano GS would be nice too.

Here's hoping this powertrain comes in the Regal too.

Agree on all points!!! HID kit can be added without issue as is now since the car has projectors already. Though at that price and the level of content the Verano is at, it should be on the top trim.

[Bigbee60]

why is the Cruze not showing a diesel? The Sonic is showing a diesel option. Hasnt the Cruze diesel been confirmed? Don't get it.

Even stranger is the diesel displacement - 1.3L 55KW, 190NM. That is a small diesel and not the one announced as coming to the Cruze.

[avdberg]

"Wearing the RPO code (internal codes at GM) of LVP, the engine is listed as a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with variable valve timing and direct fuel injection. The 1.6-liter displacement is nothing new at GM as the company's European operations have utilized Ecotec 1.6-liters for several years, and GMI has confirmed in the past that this displacement would arrive in North America in the future.

In Europe the 1.6-liter turbo generates about 192 horsepower and 170 foot-pounds of torque. Assuming the engine would generate similar figures in the Verano, the 1.6-liter turbo would be an extremely viable replacement for today's 2.4-liter, which generates 180 horsepower and 171 foot-pounds of torque. Factoring in that the turbo mill generates nearly all of its torque at around 1,900 rpm, and the 1.6-liter quickly becomes an obvious good pick for the Verano."

Please do not make the mistake in assuming that this 1.6 described here is the engine coming to the Verano. Opel and the rest of GM will introduce a new 1.6 liter with lots of power and lots of torque (up to 222 lbsft). But it has not found its way in any Astra or Insignia so far. That is too bad, because those cars are in urgent need of this engine that promises to be quieter and much more fuel efficient than the current 1.6.

[1487]

Even stranger is the diesel displacement - 1.3L 55KW, 190NM. That is a small diesel and not the one announced as coming to the Cruze.

I'm thinking the Sonic and Cruze are getting diesels. The engine choices on Sonic don't seem logical, a 1.4T, 1.8L, 1.6L and the diesel. Why would there be three gas engine choices? Why would Sonic be getting a 1.6L while Cruze gets carry over engines?

[jzchev28]

I would agree with you, but the thing is, if GM did such a move. Everyone would cry and scream that its not a true SS version to the Cruze to go against the Civic SI at all with having just under 200HP. Wouldn't be the goal of it i'd think but people would still draw comparison.



Agree on all points!!! HID kit can be added without issue as is now since the car has projectors already. Though at that price and the level of content the Verano is at, it should be on the top trim.

Well then they should offer the 250HP 2.0T in the Cruze and blow the Civic off the road, but then won't they'd prefer to let the car rot, I don't get it. The Verano is sounding better and better though.

[Bornfromparents]

This is great news, this a great little car and it just got better. I was hoping to see this engine sooner rather than later. Although i was hopingthey could squeeze out a little more tq. This would be a better upgrade engine for the sonic rs.

[88ls1blazer]

Hmm, maybe GM is trying to posture Buick as a Turbo company again?

[nsap]

"Wearing the RPO code (internal codes at GM) of LVP, the engine is listed as a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with variable valve timing and direct fuel injection. The 1.6-liter displacement is nothing new at GM as the company's European operations have utilized Ecotec 1.6-liters for several years, and GMI has confirmed in the past that this displacement would arrive in North America in the future.

In Europe the 1.6-liter turbo generates about 192 horsepower and 170 foot-pounds of torque. Assuming the engine would generate similar figures in the Verano, the 1.6-liter turbo would be an extremely viable replacement for today's 2.4-liter, which generates 180 horsepower and 171 foot-pounds of torque. Factoring in that the turbo mill generates nearly all of its torque at around 1,900 rpm, and the 1.6-liter quickly becomes an obvious good pick for the Verano."

Please do not make the mistake in assuming that this 1.6 described here is the engine coming to the Verano. Opel and the rest of GM will introduce a new 1.6 liter with lots of power and lots of torque (up to 222 lbsft). But it has not found its way in any Astra or Insignia so far. That is too bad, because those cars are in urgent need of this engine that promises to be quieter and much more fuel efficient than the current 1.6.

That isn't an assumption on my part. I've done some digging behind the scenes.

[EJD1984]

Does this imply that the Regal will be getting some additional performance as well?

[Carguy]

How will they be able to call the 2.0T the "Turbo" if the base engine becomes turbocharged? Verano GS would be something of an answer! T type will again not work! I would rather Cadillac go all turbo as a brand before Buick does!