![]() |
![]() |
|
|
|
|
|||||||
| Register | Home | Forum | Active Topics | eBay Marketplace | Media Gallery | Mark Forums Read |
![]() |
|
|
LinkBack | Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
|
#1 (permalink) | |
|
Editor-in-Chief
Join Date: Jan 2003
Drives: 2009.5 Pontiac G8 GT
Posts: 18,621
|
Surprise: Buick Getting Saturn Vue Crossover
Surprise: Buick Getting Saturn Vue Crossover
The speculation was true, Buick is getting a Vue...and Plug-In! www.gminsidenews.com August 6, 2009 By: Nick Saporito ![]() For the past several months rumors have been floating around the Internet that General Motors would be giving Buick a variant of the Saturn Vue crossover. Nothing solid ever came out of said rumors, so much so that most of GMI's own sources were not clued in by the rather surprising announcement out of GM today. GM is officially announcing that Buick is getting a smaller crossover; including a plug-in hybrid model. Even more shocking and to add to the confusion: the above press image (released by GM) shows an obvious rebadge of the Saturn Vue. But is that the real Buick? GM says this new Buick product is going to go on-sale in late 2010, we assume as a 2011 model. Then, sometime in 2011 they will be launching a plug-in hybrid version of the product based on the Two-Mode hybrid system that was available in the Saturn Vue. Obviously the plug-in is the main logic for keeping a Vue variant around. Most of the development work of GM's (was to be) first plug-in hybrid, the Saturn Vue, is already well underway and close to completion. GM did not want to post-pone their first plug-in to market or have to start over on developing another. In addition, GM is claiming that the new Buick will be good for "30 MPG or better" on the highway thanks to utilizing GM's new direct-injected engines. We suspect the Buick will get the same 2.4L DI ECOTEC and the 3.0L DI High-Feature V6. The remaining question in all of this is what about the design? Even our own sources at GM are not sure if the image released of the supposed Buick plug-in are the real deal or just a PR move to generate buzz for the plug-in model. Several sources, both private and within the media have stated that the Buick is going to be a "heavily revised" Vue. The one area that is getting a near unanimous agreement is that the Vue's interior is getting a redesign for the new Buick. Quote:
__________________
Last edited by nsap : 08-07-2009 at 10:11 AM. |
|
|
|
|
| Sponsored Links | |
Advertisement |
|
|
|
#2 (permalink) |
|
GMI Staff Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: NJ
Posts: 6,797
|
Re: Suprise: Buick Getting Saturn Vue Crossover
Nick is this going to be based on the updated Theta platform underpinning the next Equinox and Terrain?
Or will this car TRULY be a rebadge of the current Vue? I pray that its the former rather than the latter -- if for any reason than the fact that they'd bring a new Buick to market utilizing an older product. HOWEVER, if it's the latter, then I HOPE that it gets a decent refresh before it hits the market. I always thought the current Vue was a great looking CUV, but don't like it so very much as to bring it to market as a Buick virtually unchanged. It will take more than a badge swap to convince customers. Remember, GM will be producing the Vue for Penske/Saturn, so any kind of differentiation would then become a necessity.
__________________
Email: nadepalma@gminsidenews.com "La vita è come un albero di Natale..c'è sempre qualcuno che ti rompe le palle!" "You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves" -Abraham Lincoln Last edited by nadepalma : 08-06-2009 at 09:27 AM. |
|
|
|
|
|
#3 (permalink) |
|
GMI Design Contest Official
Join Date: Aug 2006
Drives: 2007 Buick Lucerne CXL, 2005 Ford Freestyle SEL
Posts: 1,402
|
Re: Suprise: Buick Getting Saturn Vue Crossover
It can't be a rebadged Vue, can it? I thought Penske and GM agreed to keep producing the current-gen Aura, Vue, and Outlook until replacements were arranged.
Or is this the same crossover we saw in the CBS video? |
|
|
|
|
|
#4 (permalink) |
|
2.4 Liter SIDI ECOTEC
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Michigan - What's left of it...
Drives: 2005 Vibe
2006 GTO
Posts: 296
|
Re: Suprise: Buick Getting Saturn Vue Crossover
I'll say it: "I thought we were getting away from badge engineering?"
There. ![]()
__________________
Good bye GM I knew... |
|
|
|
|
|
#6 (permalink) |
|
6.2 Liter LS9 Supercharged V8
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Windsor Ontario, Canada
Drives: 2004 Chevy Silverado Z71;
1987 Plymouth Reliant
Posts: 8,671
|
Re: Suprise: Buick Getting Saturn Vue Crossover
They don't need the VUE, they need a mini-Enclave. Will the exterior get more than just the waterfall grille treatment? How about new headlights? Some sweep spear? Will the interior get the Enclave treatment? Why does the Terrain exist!? It shouldn't!
__________________
Speramus Meliora; Resurget Cineribus Aut viam inveniam aut faciam If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find him, maybe you can hire Uzzy. 'Ich bin ein Detroiter' |
|
|
|
|
|
#7 (permalink) |
|
4.6 Liter Northstar V8
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Toronto, ON
Drives: Buick Allure CX 2005
Posts: 1,519
|
Re: Suprise: Buick Getting Saturn Vue Crossover
That's really good news indeed, although I am having doubts about 3.0L SIDI after disappointing fuel economy numbers for the new LaCrosse.
Was a Saturn Vue on the heavy side? If "Buick Vue" will be 4300 lbs, 3.0L SIDI will be a miss. |
|
|
|
|
|
#8 (permalink) |
|
3.6 Liter SIDI V6
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: NY
Drives: 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Posts: 1,148
|
Re: Suprise: Buick Getting Saturn Vue Crossover
Wife:
-Oh look honey is that a Saturn Vue? Husband: -Not sure, I'll have to wait until I can see the back of it. -Ooooookkkkk.... I'm sure when I see the front end I'll be able to tell. -Ummmmmmm. And why are we keeping two "luxury" brands again???? Please note the ""'s because N.A. Buick is far from the level of luxury the world has gotten used to. Welcome to the NEW GM!!! (Pssst! It's actually the same old GM, run by the same people who were one rung down on the executive ladder before, that made stupid mistake after stupid mistake.)
__________________
What is happening to the GM that grew up with for these many decades? If I could I would institute a hostile take over and kick the entire board and executives out and fill the positions with creative minds under the age of 35. |
|
|
|
|
|
#9 (permalink) |
|
GMI Staff Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: NJ
Posts: 6,797
|
Re: Suprise: Buick Getting Saturn Vue Crossover
You said it, strider!
And if it DOES go to market as a direct rebadge, someone find Fritz, shake him a few times, then make him sign-off on the G8/Caprice rebadge job. Seriously - He can't go on and on about "I hate rebadges" and "He can say whatever he wants, but Bob Lutz works for me" nonsense then pull a rebadge job for the "new" Buick. If he's gonna play that game, then Chevrolet should get equal treatment with an Aussie Caprice. Can I get an AMEN!?! ![]()
__________________
Email: nadepalma@gminsidenews.com "La vita è come un albero di Natale..c'è sempre qualcuno che ti rompe le palle!" "You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves" -Abraham Lincoln |
|
|
|
|
|
#10 (permalink) | |
|
GMI Design Contest Official
Join Date: Aug 2006
Drives: 2007 Buick Lucerne CXL, 2005 Ford Freestyle SEL
Posts: 1,402
|
Re: Suprise: Buick Getting Saturn Vue Crossover
Quote:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#11 (permalink) |
|
2.4 Liter SIDI ECOTEC
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 421
|
Re: Suprise: Buick Getting Saturn Vue Crossover
So now we will have SRX and this new Buick going after same customers. Well it looks like new gm is really old GM. We cant get g8 for chevy but we get another crossover. What will be the difference between this and srx. Both will be FWD competing for same customers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
#13 (permalink) |
|
4.4 Liter Supercharged Northstar
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Drives: 2008 Saturn ASTRA 5dr XR
2009 Saturn AURA XE
Posts: 2,780
|
Re: Suprise: Buick Getting Saturn Vue Crossover
Please, please, please name it RendezVue.
__________________
2008 Saturn ASTRA 5-door XR - Sandstone - Me 2009 Saturn AURA XE - Quicksilver - (soon-to-be ex-)Wife 2009 Maclaren Quest Sport Stroller (now with hinge covers to prevent finger amputation) - Black/Champagne - Son 2008 Radio Flyer Sport Trike - Classic Red - Son 2008 Fisher-Price Power Wheels Lil' Kawasaki ATV - Green/Yellow - Son |
|
|
|
|
|
#14 (permalink) | |
|
6.2 Liter LS9 Supercharged V8
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Windsor Ontario, Canada
Drives: 2004 Chevy Silverado Z71;
1987 Plymouth Reliant
Posts: 8,671
|
Re: Suprise: Buick Getting Saturn Vue Crossover
Quote:
![]()
__________________
Speramus Meliora; Resurget Cineribus Aut viam inveniam aut faciam If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find him, maybe you can hire Uzzy. 'Ich bin ein Detroiter' |
|
|
|
|
|
|
#15 (permalink) |
|
2.8 Liter Turbocharged V6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 814
|
Re: Suprise: Buick Getting Saturn Vue Crossover
I'm glad it is based on the Vue and not Equinox or SRX. It needs to be sized different some how. Buick should also get a SIDI 3.6L.
This will not compete with the SRX. SRX is much larger than a Vue. It is like TrailBlazer vs. Tahoe. |
|
|
|
| Sponsored Links | |
Advertisement |
|