Buick Excelle

Buick Excelle 别克英朗
Overview
Manufacturer	Shanghai GM
Production	2009–present
Assembly	Shanghai, China
Body and chassis
Class	Compact
Chronology
Predecessor	Buick Excelle

The Buick Excelle (Chinese: 別克凱越 or Chinese: 别克英朗) is the common name for the luxury compact cars marketed by Shanghai General Motors Company Limited (Chinese: 上海通用汽車有限公司) under GM's Buick brand.

The original Buick Excelle (Chinese "Kai Yue"^[1]) is based on the Daewoo Lacetti developed in South Korea by Daewoo Motors. While this car was originally sold worldwide under the Daewoo brand, in 2004, General Motors rebranded all Daewoo products in Europe as Chevrolets.

Parallel to the Lacetti based Excelle, Shanghai GM introduced a new car, also called "Buick Excelle" in China, but called "Ying Lang" in Chinese.^[1] It is based on GM's global compact car platform "Delta II" which is developed at Rüsselsheim in Opel's International Technical Development Center (ITDC). The Chevrolet Cruze is based on this same platform.

Since the 2009 economic crises and the subsequent demise of the Saturn brand and reduction of GM's North American brands to four, the Opel models are aligned no longer with the Saturn brand, but the Buick brand. Consequently, the models built and marketed by Buick China are twins of the Opel variants of GM's global platforms.

Originally presented in China as a hatchback called the Excelle XT in 2009, which is essentially a rebadged Astra J (2009–present) or as a sedan presented in 2010 called the Buick Excelle GT (Chinese: 别克英朗GT).^[2] A North American version of the Excelle GT is assembled in the United States and marketed as the Buick Verano.

Buick Excelle (First generation)

The Buick Excelle was a rebadged Daewoo Lacetti (Pre-facelift)

The Buick Excelle (Chinese: 別克凱越 "Kai Yue"^[1]) was available in a sedan or wagon and Excelle HRV (hatchback) and was a rebadged Daewoo Lacetti. The HRV has ended production but the sedan is currently produced locally in Peoples Republic of China, Shanghai.

MY09 model received a facelift consisting of a new front fascia, new rear end design and updated interior. The facelift was partly inspired by the Buick Park Avenue.

Buick Excelle (Second generation)

Buick Excelle XT 别克英朗XT
Overview
Also called	Opel Astra
Production	2009-2015
Assembly	Shanghai, China
Designer	Uwe Müller[3]
Body and chassis
Platform	Delta II platform
Powertrain
Engine	Ecotec D-VVT 1.6L I-4 1.8L I-4 1.6L I-4
Transmission	6-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,685 mm (105.7 in)
Length	4,419 mm (174.0 in)
Width	1,814 mm (71.4 in)
Height	1,487 mm (58.5 in)

Excelle XT (Hatchback)

Opel Astra

The Excelle XT hatchback made its debut in late 2009 at the Guangzhou Auto show and the Excelle GT saloon in late 2010. The hatch went on sale in China only in January 2010 and the sedan in early 2011.^[4] The XT is essentially a rebadged Opel Astra for the Chinese market only, with the most noticeable differences being Buick badges and a new grille.

Buick Excelle GT 别克英朗GT
Overview
Also called	Buick Verano
Production	2010-present
Assembly	Shanghai, China
Body and chassis
Platform	Delta II platform
Powertrain
Engine	Ectotec D-VVT 1.6L I-4 1.8L I-4 1.6L I-4
Transmission	6-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,685 mm (105.7 in)
Length	4,671 mm (183.9 in)
Width	1,814 mm (71.4 in)
Height	1,483 mm (58.4 in)

Engines

Engine options for the Buick Excelle XT include:^[5]

• 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine that delivers 135 kW.
• 1.6-litre inline four-cylinder gasoline engine with a two-stage variable intake manifold that delivers 85 kW.
• 1.8-litre DOHC inline four-cylinder gasoline engine that delivers 103 kW.

All engines are available with a six-speed automatic transmission featuring a sport mode.

Excelle GT (Sedan)

2012 Buick Verano (North American market)

Another version of the Opel Astra that shares the design cues of the Excelle GT is assembled and marketed in North America as the Buick Verano. Production of the Verano began in the fourth quarter of 2011 at the General Motors Orion Assembly plant. The Verano went on sale late in 2011 as a 2012 model.

A facelifted Buick Excelle GT was introduced as a 2015 model. The new model has a completely new look, with new front and rear bumpers, new lights, new grille, and a more luxurious cabin. New engines such as a 1.5 liter 113hp mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox. Production of the new model is stated to begin in late 2015 to mid 2016.

References

1. FrankF (26 January 2012). "Buick China | Excelle the best selling car in China? Yes, and mostly no.". chinacartimes.com. Qingdao, Shandong, 266071, China: China Car Times - China Auto News. Retrieved 1 October 2012.
2. http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2010/01/report-upcoming-buick-premium-compact-sedan-rendered.html
3. "Opel Astra: design story". Car Body Design. 23 June 2009. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
4. http://www.carpictures.com/Buick/Excelle-XT-Debuts-in-China-2011-09KTF154611736
5. 2010 Buick Excelle XT, Top Speed.