Baby Buick? Count On It!

This September, the all-new Chevrolet Cruze will begin to show up at Chevrolet dealerships across the United States and Canada. Since the car was first rolled out nearly two years ago in a number of global markets, more than 340,000 Cruzes (Chevrolet and Holden) have been sold.

Baby Buick

I cannot share with you before Saturday (embargoed) all of the details about my recent test drive of a Chevrolet Cruise with 1.4-liter turbo-charged four-cylinder, but I can tell you that at least one follow up model, a baby Buick, is in the planning stages.

I got word from GM’s Chuck Russell, compact car line vehicle manager, that the Buick is a go. In fact, GM plans to roll out quite a few models across its brand lines that will be based on or derived from the platform underpinning the Chevrolet Cruze.

Buick Vuick

Russell was mum when it came to offering details about the Buick model. In 2009, sketches of a proposed compact Buick crossover were released and quickly panned by automotive enthusiasts. GM withdrew plans to build the car, dubbed “Vuick” by some as it was essentially a Saturn Vue with a Buick nose.

Don’t look for a compact Buick to be lightly modified Chevrolet Cruze either. Though the automaker will most certainly use the Cruze platform, the similarities between models will end there.

That didn’t stop those of us on hand in Washington, DC this past weekend to take part in the national 2011 Chevrolet Cruze roll out to offer up some speculation on what the C segment Buick might offer.

Among the suggestions I heard were the following:

• Look for a sedan with a more pronounced trunk than the Cruze. The Cruze trunk is big–15 cubic feet– but it is understated. One way GM can differentiate the back end is to rework the trunk.
• Different powertrain options. The Cruze will offer a 1.4-liter turbo-charged and 1.8-liter normally aspirated engine. While it is entirely possible–and likely–the smaller turbocharged engine would be offered with the Buick, the 2.4-liter Ecotec could be standard.
• The Cruze has 2/3 seating but look for a 2+2 arrangement with the Buick. GM isn’t concerned about stuffing people into a compact Buick, rather to make the ride and passenger comfort appealing. That leaves more waist room for rear passengers while allowing GM to place a compact refrigerator and entertainment system between the seats. Yes, stick video screens to the back of the front seats while you’re at it.

Remember, this is our speculation and doesn’t have GM’s imprimatur. I see this sedan showing up by early 2012 as a 2013 model though it wouldn’t surprise me if by this time next year a 2012 compact Buick sedan were to roll out.