2014 Buick Verano Going Total Turbo?

[chevypowa670]

The CTS Coupe and Wagon will be unchanged for 2014, which is why the VIN card is identical to 2013.

Cool.

Thanks for clearing that up.

[spidge]

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.

Agreed, though having driven the ILX, I wouldn't call it "breathless."

Offer all those features in the GTC body style, and I'LL officially want this car.

But overall, THIS helps to distinguish this from the Cruze, and really justify a higher price. Along with the luxury trimmings.

[Ppmammp]

If the Verano has a 1.6 SIDI turbo @ 190 hp as a base engine, it opens up some interesting posibilities for the Cruze. Chevy could use the new 2.5 litre SIDI engine from the Malibu in the LTZ. Allowing the Verano to maintain its upmarket position compaired to the Cruze. The Buick with smooth torque that makes acceleration seem effortless, and the Cruze with a more gradual acceleration that consumes more revs. Both cars would be much improved but very different.

[MechEng]

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?

GMNA makes the Sonic in two factory's one in Michigan and the other in Mexico. We in the US and Canada get the Michigan Sonics while the factory in Mexico makes Sonics for Central America. This is why there are four engines listed for the Sonic.

Keep in mind that 1.6L you see for the Sonic is not a Turbo. I think it's a Mexico version along with the 1.3L TDI. Also the 1.3TDI engine has been sold in europe for the last little while.

I wonder if this is going to be the basis for the range extender engine in the Volt and ELR. They need an engine that makes lots of low end torque, so they can keep the RPMs very low most of the time while the engine is running (to solve the Volt's current NVH when the engine runs, which really won't fly for a Cadillac.)

Volt is still listed as using the 1.4L LUU engine.

A 1.6L Turbo is WAY too much engine for Voltec. There is however a large number of 1.6L varients in both Turbo and NA form. The ELR (not listed in this VIN card) I could see get a non-turbo 1.6L.

[oklapike]

If the Cruze doesn't get this as an option that would be ludicrous. As others are saying the 1.8L engine needs to go away, the 1.4T should be the base engine (it's no better than a base engine anyway) and the 1.6 should be standard on all LT Models. That would fix the Cruze's most glaring weakness-the powertrain. Now, about those seats......

My wife and I have a Cruze that I use as my DD. Let me tell you, the 1.4L turbo is much, much better than the base 1.8L. They may have the same HP rating, but the 1.4 turbo has a lot more torque...and that 148 ft-lbs is available from 1850 RPM. Nice, flat torque curve...I think the 1.4 turbo suits the Cruze perfectly, but it does need an uplevel engine option.

[esad]

My sources show the LEA 2.4L 4-cylinder as the base engine for the Verano for 2014.

[steve333]

My wife and I have a Cruze that I use as my DD. Let me tell you, the 1.4L turbo is much, much better than the base 1.8L. They may have the same HP rating, but the 1.4 turbo has a lot more torque...and that 148 ft-lbs is available from 1850 RPM. Nice, flat torque curve...I think the 1.4 turbo suits the Cruze perfectly, but it does need an uplevel engine option.

I drove one and regular driving it's OK but any emergency manuever made me see my life pass before my eyes. If you come to a stop or near stop on the freeway and have to speed up quickly forget about it. This engine just has no guts in a car this heavy. As a base engine it's adequate as the up-level engine it's really not impressive, IMO.
I suggest you try using Premium gas, it seems to make a big difference in these engines and your turbo will be happier.

[mr_raider]

The Verano is really looking like one of the best stars in GMs lineup. If only they would fix the manual seat recline.

[oklapike]

I drove one and regular driving it's OK but any emergency manuever made me see my life pass before my eyes. If you come to a stop or near stop on the freeway and have to speed up quickly forget about it. This engine just has no guts in a car this heavy. As a base engine it's adequate as the up-level engine it's really not impressive, IMO.
I suggest you try using Premium gas, it seems to make a big difference in these engines and your turbo will be happier.

I agree, it should replace the 1.8L as the base engine. We have put premium in from time to time, it depends a lot on how prices are. When premium's over $4 a gallon, I'm not going to put it in the Cruze, especially when my other car requires 91 octane at a minimum.

[steve333]

I agree, it should replace the 1.8L as the base engine. We have put premium in from time to time, it depends a lot on how prices are. When premium's over $4 a gallon, I'm not going to put it in the Cruze, especially when my other car requires 91 octane at a minimum.

Understandable. The Shell station is always go to has Premiun for only 20 cents more per gallon than regular. When I get a turbo car that's going into the tank

[Lowboy]

If the Verano has a 1.6 SIDI turbo @ 190 hp as a base engine, it opens up some interesting posibilities for the Cruze. Chevy could use the new 2.5 litre SIDI engine from the Malibu in the LTZ. Allowing the Verano to maintain its upmarket position compaired to the Cruze. The Buick with smooth torque that makes acceleration seem effortless, and the Cruze with a more gradual acceleration that consumes more revs.

So GM is going to artifically hold back the volume leading Cruze to keep afloat the low volume Verano?
GM does not have the brand recognition to sell one hit numbers like Toyota/Honda has. For GM to get 3-400K units out of one model, like the Cruze, they are going to have to attract buyers with variety.

[steve333]

So GM is going to artifically hold back the volume leading Cruze to keep afloat the low volume Verano?
GM does not have the brand recognition to sell one hit numbers like Toyota/Honda has. For GM to get 3-400K units out of one model, like the Cruze, they are going to have to attract buyers with variety.

GM pulled the same crap when Pontiac was around. Held back the Chevy. You'd think GM would learn by now.

[Novak454]

I've been driving my new Verano for a week now, and the base 2.4 I-4 is NOT hurting for power. I was (maybe) cruising I-696 2 days ago at a steady 100 and it was absolutely solid and not out of breath. I was apprehensive about the car (2 year lease, nice deal w/ the maint incl), but now understand the draw to people like me with commutes but who don't like being stuck in a penalty box. MORE power would only make the car better than it already is.

[fakeout]

Let me see, we might get the Chevrolet Trax and Buick Encore in Canada. So, let's see if my little brain can compute: Chevrolet Cruze = 140 hp, Buick Verano = 180 hp; Chevrolet Trax = 140 hp, Buick Encore = 140 hp? No, my brain does not compute.

Well, at least it makes sense to me that Buick would have all turbos.

[Ammo]

Let me see, we might get the Chevrolet Trax and Buick Encore in Canada. So, let's see if my little brain can compute: Chevrolet Cruze = 140 hp, Buick Verano = 180 hp; Chevrolet Trax = 140 hp, Buick Encore = 140 hp? No, my brain does not compute.

Well, at least it makes sense to me that Buick would have all turbos.

Encore needs the 1.6L in the worst way. I would strongly consider the Encore with that engine. No go for the 1.4L though.