Following the Buick Regal, GM’s next plans for the brand consist of a compact sedan based on the Buick Excelle XT, which itself is based on the Opel Astra. Buick will soon offer its first North American compact car since 1997. The move is part of a big shakeup that’s been going on at parent General Motors since the automaker emerged from its historic government-brokered bankruptcy in summer 2009.


As it happens, GM China is launching a new version of its Excelle compact car based on the redesigned 2010 Opel and Vauxhall Astra. Timing and product details are still to be revealed, but most reports indicate a debut in the first half of calendar 2011. As for name, we’ll stick with Excelle until we hear otherwise.

The 2012 Buick Excelle may mimic the Cruze in powertrain choices. That would mean a base 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine with 136 horsepower and an optional 138-horsepower 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, each driving the front wheels, of course. Despite its small horsepower advantage over the base engine, the turbo mill delivers 15 more pound-feet of torque--148 versus 123--and at just 1,850 rpm instead of 3,800. Translation: More midrange muscle and stronger acceleration. A 6-speed automatic may be the only transmission, though a 6-speed manual could also be listed, as per Cruze. Motor Trend suggests the Regal’s 182-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder will be offered as either a third choice or an option to the turbo unit. That doesn’t make good marketing sense to us, but we could be wrong.

The compact-car class is very price and value sensitive, and that pretty much rules out costly high-tech engineering and features. Though the 2012 Buick Excelle will no doubt follow this pattern, our experience with the Chevy Cruze and reviews of the Opel and Vauxhall Astra suggest a thoroughly modern small car with ample people and package space, nimble handling, and possibly class-leading ride comfort

2012 Buick Excelle Release Date: There’s nothing official yet, but the 2012 Buick Excelle is expected to reach dealers in the first half of calendar 2011. A lot depends on how soon the car can be tooled up for North American production. There’s talk of a lightly disguised “concept” appearing at a major 2010 auto show to start building buzz ahead of the sales kickoff. The campaign may well include social-media outreach through channels like Twitter and Facebook, which would be quite a departure for stuffy old Buick.

2012 Buick Excelle First Test Drive: If the aforementioned timing proves out, the 2012 Buick Excelle could greet the press in late 2010 or early in 2011.

2012 Buick Excelle Prices: Though Chevy hasn’t yet priced the 2011 Cruze, we see the 2012 Buick Excelle running $250-$500 higher with comparable trim and equipment. That implies stickers in the middle of the 2010 Honda Civic range, say $18,500-$21,500..

The Basics

Vehicle Type: compact car

Drivetrain (CG estimates)

Drive wheels: front

Engine: 1.8-liter 4-cylinder, 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder

Horsepower: 136 (1.8), 138 (1.4 turbo)

Torque: 123 lb-ft (1.8), 148 (1.4 turbo)

Transmission: 6-speed automatic, possible 6-speed manual

Dimensions (CG estimates)

Wheelbase: 105.7 inches

Length: 178.5 inches

Width: 70.7 inches

Height: 58.2 inches

Base curb weight: 3,150 pounds