Reports surfaced earlier this week that Buick was in line to get Opel’s next-generation Astra hatchback, but it looks as though those rumors were slightly off base. As it turns out, Buick will not be getting a version of the next Astra but rather a vehicle based on the Astra’s Delta platform.
According to a Leftlane source, Buick will not be getting a version of the Opel Astra for the 2012 model year. Instead, Buick will land an entry-level sedan based on the next Astra’s Delta II platform. As you may recall, the upcoming Chevrolet Cruze and Volt will ride on the Delta II platform.
Early indications suggest the new entry-level sedan will be based on China’s Buick Excelle. The current Excelle, which is based on GM’s Delta architecture, was just refreshed in 2008 for the 2009 model year, meaning an all-new version should bow sometime in 2011 or 2012 – keeping the same timeframe as the Buick Astra reports.
The current Excelle is powered by 1.6L and 1.8L powerplants, but we would expect the 1.4L from the Cruze to transfer over to the U.S. model. However, it remains possible GM could equip the U.S.-spec Excelle with a more powerful engine to differentiate itself from the lesser Chevy. The Chevy Volt’s powertrain hasn’t been ruled out for the next Excelle either. Whatever the case, GM has already begun development of the next-gen Excelle, as evidenced by our spy shots.
With GM’s new viability plan due in less than 30 days, we could hear more on the subject in the coming days. Stay tuned.
