F YOU GM!!! Leave Saturn alone!!

more like leave buick alone… let the damn thing wither just like its key demographic.

Beat Lexus to it.

Doesn’t look small to me.

I thought the SRX was filling this gap.

GM up to the same bs.

I like Buick’s new design language
But any language is better than the Pig Latin they’ve been using
DrFill

I doubt it would have an ‘accident’ to leave a 1:1 scale model out… They probably just wanted to show off a defunct or canceled program – god only knows how many there would be!

A4,
them too!

Well considering youre a “doctor” you must fit into their key senior demographic I was talking about.

I officially hate GM! They are so full of crap and they milk everyone the same before dismissing them as an entity. I hope they burn in hell for what they’ve done.

In an era of CAD/CAM that blob of clay looks so contemporary. Viva new GM.

They’re looking for excuses to justify keeping Buick. Nothing more, nothing less.

I have to agree with johnnycanuck. These guys have no idea what they are doing. Killing Pontiac and keeping Buick made no sense except for the fact that Buick is popular in China. Why would you introduce a Buick SUV at a time like this? You already have a luxury SUV for this market segment. It is called the SRX. Should I send a memo to GM? They don’t seem to be aware of this. I thought the entire point of killing off brands and nameplates was to streamline the operation and pare down the excess. This isn’t overap??? Buick and Cadillac compete for the same market segment. MERGE them already!

You cant do windtunnel testing with a CAD program, Borat.

Nice design, like the Enclave, but come on now – FOUR – versions on the same platform? Who actually makes decisions like this? (There’s an idea for a story LLN.) Cadillac and Buick models are going to start to compete. Right when I start to see signs of direction at GM, they do something like this. It’s like GM has a mystery department that is solely intent on messing up any kind of organized plan.

Although I think it’s a little juvenile to “hate GM” or hope “they burn in hell.” After all, they make several good products and many that are more than a match in their segments. It just seems to be run by people with agendas other than having a clean strategy for each division and sticking to it. Personally, I think GM should be reduced to just Chevy and Cadillac.

Borat, I believe that the clay models are actually carved by machines now, based on CAD/CAM drawings. As far as I know, most cars go through a clay stage so that the designers and bean counters can see full-size versions before building mules.

A4, what do you think Buick’s key demographic is? Do I need to repeat!!!!

I agree 4 models on the same architecture is too many but are we sure this is the same one? GM has full size CUV (Lamda) and a mid size CUV(Theta and derivatives).

Perhaps this is based on the compact Delta II architecture like the upcoming Orlando? While impossible to really tell it does look smaller to me.

That would mean the Chevy franchise would have a compact CUV and the GMC/Buick franchise would also have one. Also this is the same architecture as the Volt so it could use the Volt tech!

They’ve done the same thing with the Lambda platform everyone.

I’m also very interested in finding out who makes these decisions, to create five or six different vehicles off of the same platform that compete in nearly the same segment.

Lamda does not have “5 or 6″ different vehicles. There are 3. Traverse sold 7000, GMC 5000 and Enclave 4000 in May. I would agree that the GMC/Buick franchise having both is an issue but seems to be working out. To me a GMC buyer and a Buick buyer are different in many ways. The styling sure is.

In rereading the article LLN even said this would be a compact CUV but then went on to link it to the mid size theta architecture. So I think there is a lot of guessing but in the end if you look at what GM-volt.com says this looks to be based on the compact Delta architecture. HOPEFULLY GMC will not get a version of the compact CUV.

Wiki shows it as a 2012 Delta II. Makes sense.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_Delta_II_platform

yes thats the delta platform

A4, you could not do it in the middle of last century. Emulation software is used now. I doubt 787 was placed in a wind tunnel once.

carstuff YOU’RE WRONG!

there are four Lambda….

Transvere, Acadia, Outlook, Enclave

not any more “anti-believer”
Outlook is done.
don’t you watch the news, mr. anti-believer?

Awesome.

And proofread, damnit! I’m pretty sure I can make this exact comment in 95% of the postings LLN makes.

Sorry but you are correct. Guess I was looking at the news in the last week and thought that Saturn was sold. Guess I jumped the gun and am misinformed. However I do believe that the Outlook will no longer be part of GM. However there is the possibility Penske may keep it?

So the basic point in having GMC/Pontiac/Buick together was so that each could build cars to go with there brand, GMC’s would get SUVs, Pontiac would get spory cars and Buick Sedans….

Nice to see that plan went into the sh!tter and GM is back to doing what we’re all used to – BUICK DOES NOT NEED ANOTHER SUV! Even though GM doesn’t own these two other companies by the end of the year – that makes SIX brands using the same basic small CUV for their lineup. That’s just insane! (9-4x, Equinox, SRX, Vue, Unamed Buick, Terrain)

They will NEVER learn.

Carstuff, you are incorrect. GM has basically downgraded the Theta platform to a compact. The Equinox, Terrain, and Vue are indeed compacts. The midsize SRX rides on the premium version of the Theta, which is longer and is hence, a mid size. This new Buick CUV will be based off the VUE’s architecture, making it a compact CUV indeed. In the meantime, the Delta II platform might be used for a more subcompact CUV for Chevrolet, but i have not heard anything on that in a while. Here is what is going on with the Lambda platform: TRAVERSE, Acadia, and Enclave. The Outlook will be sold to Penske, but it will remain on the Lambda for a while.

Also, JakeK66, the 9-4x is not even going anywhere right now. This is not GM’s old ways, because each SUV has its own sheetmetal and its own interior. Four vehicles are on the Theta, Equniox, Terrain, and Buick CUV, with the VUE being temporary. The SRX is on the PREMIUM THETA, WHICH IS LONGER AND DESIGNED AS A LUXURY CHASSIS, SO IT IS DIFFERENT FROM THE REGULAR tHETA IN MANY WAYS!

bigs…..

it still exist you dummy. Penske is carrying over the outlook. You’re the one who hasn’t been reading.

dumb azz

carstuff, the 2012 Buick on Wiki is a SEDAN you idiot.

Will someone just shoot the idiots that keep badge engineering to death at GM? And another SUV/CUV? Really??? Outside of the new 2010 CTS, we don’t get cool wagon out the Big 3 but yet the Germans and Swedes seem to know how to kick them out. Buick can keep their little truckie

Give me a break, iluvamcars, you sound like a GM spokesperson.

The SRX, Equinox, 9-4x are essencially the same car with different interiors, sheetmetal, suspension tuning, options. Engines are mix and match too. The 9-4x will be out next year.

Funny, this is kind of like ten years ago- the Regal, Intrigue, Impala and Grand Prix where too the same cars with different interior, sheetmetal, and engine options… How is this not like the old GM again?

iluvamcars do you know NMOFGM? Is this case of MPD or just different name on this blog?

This is exactly what got GM in the trouble in the first place. Copying platforms and such should stop…sort of. I know this is necessary to keep costs down and profit high, and that every manufacter does it to a certain degree. However, there will be a problem when a Buick, a luxury vehichle, looks the same as a Saturn, an entry level automaker.I understand times are rough, but you have to keep brands more seperate.

Borat, I do not know NMOFGM, but i know he is an idiot, and yes JakeK66, the W cars did have differet sheetmetal, but that was when GM sarted to drift away from badge enginerring. And btw, badge engineering means that the cars are identical. Toyota has a crap load of vehicles on the same platform, but yet no one is saying that all those cars are badge engineered cars. Read the facts on the Theta Platform and then comment. You, Borat, are an a-hole. Whitelite, this Buick will not be a Saturn with Buick badges, but it will get the VUE’s hybrid powertrain, but nothing else.

This is NOT badge engineering. It’s platform sharing. Get your terms right, guys. Do you call the Mazda 3, C60, and Focus examples of badge engineering?

But other companies aren’t doing it for the same type of car! That’s the problem behind this, VW for example uses the same platform for pretty much everything they produce – it’s not bad because they all are not in th same class!!!!!! They have ONE CUV (Tiguan), a small car/wagon (Jetta) a midsize/large car (Passat) hatchback (Golf/GTI) and sporty sedan (CC) along with Audi using some of the parts in their A4, A5, TT and A3. Not six different brands producing the same size/type car only to end up competing with themselves… That’s stupid – plain and simple.

And it is BADGE engineering – look up the definition since they are the SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE, not like they are sharing platforms between a sedan and a SUV, they are all still midsize crossovers. Look it up in Wikipedia and they even use the Acadia/Traverse/Outlook/Enclave example, so I;m not alone in thinking this.

Jake, look at the examples I just gave you. The 3, Focus, and arguably the C60 are all competing directly with one another. If you argue the C60 is in a near-luxury class, then you have to separate the Enclave from the Traverse, let alone the Saab, Buick, and Cadillac variants of the Theta CUV’s.

Every Lexus SUV, and the ES sedan, competes directly with their Toyota variants, just with more leather. It’s industry wide, bub.

And badge engineering is still not what we’re seeing here. Look to the 80’s, and currently every Ford product vs. it’s twin Mercury, to see true badge engineering. When they all have the same sheetmetal, with unique lights and grilles, that’s badge engineering. You would never confuse an Enclave with a Traverse, unless you were blind and lacked a sense of touch.

Oh yes, I have to remind you that Wikipedia is a great source of information and data, but not even remotely a dictionary, or even a reliable source of data. I could go on there and edit that same entry to say a Hummer H2 is a badge engineered Cobalt.

KarLoveBoy88 wants GM to “burn in hell for what they’ve done?! Dont you think thats just a bit extreme? Its a car company not islamic terrorists. Give me a break. Johnnycanuck’s comments are just so ridiculous. He is just so confident that he knows exactly what is going on. Of course a lot of people posting on here seem to think they could run GM better, just look at PontiacNick. You tell ‘em ‘nick. Haha Then of course you have the brilliant comment that just says “F YOU GM”. Good grief.

Anyhow, as for the article, that Buick model looks very promising. I love the idea of a mini Enclave. Buicks new design style is beautiful and this car looks to carry on the theme very well.

Carstuff- Don’t worry about it. Everyone forgets about the Saturn Outlook anyways… but yes, there are four Lambda vehicles, all of which compete with each other (aside from the lower end and very top end model, the Traverse and Enclave).

Oldraven- The Mazda3 and Focus definitely compete with each other. The C60? I think you mean the C30, but I know what your talking about. Starts at a much higher price, has an entirely different demographic and different optional features. Yes, it’s similar, but it’s demographic is distinctly Volvo. Most Ford owners wouldn’t consider the Volvo, most Mazda owners wouldn’t consider the Volvo either.

It’s true what you said about Toyota/Lexus SUV’s. Ever notice Lexus never sold many?

Oops, yes I did mean the C30. And like I was saying, the SRX will have a much higher price point and demographic than the Vue or Equinox, as will the baby Enclave. You must have missed that whole first paragraph, after the C60 bumble. You just said the same thing I did, but declined to apply the same thinking to the GM vehicles.

It should be very interesting; considering the designs they been hitting buick off wit as of lately! Goin up against da likes da xc60, x1, ex35 n so on n so forth.

Your Comment

Actually, apples to apples, take a look at the Escape and Tribute. Other than the Hybrid, they are the exact same car, just with different trimmings. Myself, I know I wanted to buy an Enclave for our next vehicle, but seeing the price difference, the other two I looked at were the Traverse and Outlook. Those two do compete directly with one another, with the exact same demographic, but were very much not in the same class as the Enclave, or even Acadia, seeing as they are so much more expensive and upscale. I know personally, two I could sensibly look at, and two I couldn’t. Platform sharing, not badge engineering.

Cimarron/Cavalier. Enclave/Traverse. These are two VASTLY different strategies. No one thinks the Alfa Romeo 8C is a badge engineered Maserati Grand Sport, but they both have the same mechanicals and platform, for the most part.

Oh, don’t forget the Mercury Mariner in that first comparison. That is Badge Engineering at its best.

‘Thank you oldraven, and you are right about the ford-mercury thing, but yet no one seems to care about that. These guys on here just live to criticize at every angle. Its platform sharing anyway you put it. It does not matter if all the vehicles are in the same class, as long as they are not identical. The W cars were not identical and still are not, its just platform sharing. You guys need to stop and remember that no automaker can afford to make a platform for every vehicle in its lineup. The Malibu and the Aura are examples of platform sharing, while the Cobalt and G5 are examples of badge engineering. And like i said before, the PremTheta is not identical to the Theta. The PremTheta is longer, designed for luxury cars, and in some ways is built better. Everyone needs to get the facts straight. I have been making sure that my facts are right before i blog, at least most of the time.

I guess we will have to disagree on what a mid size CUV is. In looking at the dimensions the Equinox is 8″ longer than the Rav4 and 10″ longer than the CRV and they are not even the “compacts” they used to be as they are getting bigger.

LLN seem to agree with me.

“The Chevrolet Equinox is a midsize SUV offering five-passenger seating and a relatively low price of entry of $23,185. Now in its second generation, beginning with the 2010 model year, the ‘ute has an all-new look and improved features. The Equinox, which was unveiled in early 2009, shares a platform with the GMC Terrain and borrows ….”
http://www.leftlanenews.com/chevrolet.htm

Now the Orlando is truly a compact CUV but, at least in the show car, has a long wheelbase for comfort and roominess.

Now will the Buick be on the Delta II architecture? I really do not have any data on it but I do hope it does because I agree that not every division needs one.

Hey guys, just found this tidbit on a new Buick Regal:

“Cowger said a new group of mid-sized cars is the first to demonstrate
the system. It includes the 2009 Opel Insignia and a Buick Regal that
will begin U.S. production next year. Cowger said the program resulted
in a 29 percent savings on engineering costs.”

He did not say that the Regal would be the Insignia but did say they would share components.

Jake, why would you think that Buick would only get sedans? Never heard that anywhere

just a couple of things: Buick and Cadillac do not compete, the price range and the demographic targeted are different. The reason behind the Buick CUV is to offer another (highly demanded) CUV but also to save the 2mode Hybrid technology that was developped for the Vue. Cadillac may have the SRX but if you want an entry luxury with Hybrid technology then the Buick is the one.

By 2015 the hybrid system will probably be available on all vehicles in an architecture that it has been developed for. I do not see only Buick getting it and the sister vehicle at Chevy not. The new MPG rules will require all the high MPG vehicles possible.