Buick Bringing Compact Luxury Verano to the Detroit Auto Show

The Verano is Buick’s third new model in the past two years. It’s part of a product rebirth that is bringing Buick some long needed attention and putting customers in the showroom. Buick was the fastest-growing major automotive brand in the United States, finishing 2010 with its best sales month of the year, and delivering a 40 percent year-over-year increase in total sales for the year.

An Ecotec 2.4L and six-speed automatic powertrain combination is standard and delivers an estimated 177 horsepower (132 kW) and 170 lb.-ft. torque (230 Nm), 0-60 mph performance of 8.0 seconds and an estimated 31 mpg on the highway. A 2.0-liter turbo engine will be offered in the future.

Buick is packing the Verano with safety and technology. It will have 10 standard air bags, four-wheel disc brakes with standard anti-lock brakes, full-function traction control and StabiliTrak electronic stability control, touch-screen navigation and a next-generation entertainment system that links OnStar with the driver’s smart phone.

“Verano expands our lineup, continues Buick’s momentum and gives us a great opportunity to attract a new generation of customers with a product that delivers on their expectations for design, performance and technology,” said John Schwegman, vice president of Buick marketing, in an announcement in advance of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. “It is a smart choice that delivers unexpected luxury in a compact sedan – and it will compete head-to-head with competitors from Audi and Lexus.”

No pricing information has been announced at this time.

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