Although General Motors has put most of its rear-wheel drive vehicle plans on hold, it looks as though Buick may get a new rear-wheel drive model by 2010 or 2011, a new report finds. But unlike other rear-wheel drive vehicles GM had in the works before the latest CAFE standards were passed, the new Buick would be a smaller model, slotting below the LaCrosse.
According to AutoWeek, the new model would be based on the next-generation Buick Excelle sedan, which is slated to bow in China by the beginning of next year.
The Excelle is comparable in size to the Toyota Corolla and is built on GM’s new rear-wheel drive Alpha architecture. Despite the car’s rear-wheel drive setup, its smaller size would allow GM to fit the Excelle with a smaller engine that would still comply with newly passed CAFE regulations — possible even a new 1.4L turbocharged unit.
However, the Excelle program has yet to get the green light for the U.S. market. GM officials are still discussing where in North America to build the car and how to market it against other GM compact sedans.
