....and wanted a Buick Velite by '08, how would you do it with off the shelf components?

Please save the Zeta/Sigma/stretched Kappa stuff for now -*UNLESS YOU'VE GOT A REALLY GOOD CASE FOR IT* - because it ain't gonna happen by '08.

What I would do:

First, I'd drop the Velite name and call it Riviera....but I would keep the concepts dramatic styling.

Use the upcoming Epsilon II architecture. HFV6 and AWD will be back in the program. Add a convertible hardtop, a la G6.

All Rivs would be convertible hardtop 2+2's. In top trim (GS?, GSX?), it would have a turbo 3.6 HFV6, (wouldn't it be great if the Northstar fit?), with 340-ish hp, 6 speed auto and AWD. It would have a gorgeous interior with lots of high end wood trim. I would price this version at $36,995.

 

Modified GMT360? - Modified, shortened SSR

Modified C6/XLR?

Randy

 

Have Holden build it on their VE line.

 

I dont really have a plan for the velite but I will say this. Buick needs to do what Caddy did with its Art and Science theme. Take the Buick Velite concept and make this the "Theme" for buick. I gaurntee you with the styling theme of the Velite with that beautiful front end and rear design on all of Buicks offerings, or a variation, Buick would sell better than it is now.

As it stands, Buick's styling is bland and wil bore you to sleep and bore you to death. I dont care what people say about the Lucerne or the Lacrosse, some say some of the Velites styling cues made it into them. Somone please show me cause I sure as hell dont see it. All I see is a sharpened up, warmed over styling that Buick has employed since the mid 90's. It looks old and boring, its time for a change!!

If anything the Lacrosse and Lucerene looked like hodge podge compliations of Lexus, Honda, and old Lesabre styling thrown together in a mad science project. This is not what Buick is supposed to be!!

The Velite was a work of art and it needs to be the new face of Buick. Use it as a theme much as Caddillac has used Art and Science to perfection.

Sorry for the off topic rant but I needed to get it off my chest, The Velite would be nice as a Riviera.

 

Sounds like a great plan, and a very nice halo car for Buick until the big RWD platform comes online. Just one question:













How much will it weigh?

 

I would build it on Sigma (not light or any other. Caddy has had it long enough) It would come in two versions, Hardtop with a HFV6 and hardtop convertible with northstar. All would be well-equipt. $29,000 for hardtop, 34,000 for convertible

 

If I am running GM, I don't see a BUICK COUPE as a priority at all.

So many more important things that should be ahead of something like that.

Chevy coupe.
Hybrids of some sort.
New GTO.
New Grand Prix interior.
How about a CADILLAC coupe first? CTC anyone?!?
Affordable RWD sedans of some sort.

All these, and probably many more would come before I even thought about a 2-door Buick.

 

Way heavier than I'd want a Camaro to be....that's for sure!

 

I don't either. If Pontiac can only sell ~16,000 $33K 400HP coupes, Buick will sell half.

For Buick, I'd rather see a TwinTurbo DOHC 3.6L V6 Sedan sized about the same as a GTO but with coupe styling. Think 300C meets SS concept.

For Buicks segment, sporty sedans will out sell a coupe 10 fold.

 

Make that Cadillac Coupe/Convertible.

If you insist on a Buick coupe put it on Sigma.

 

AWD/Large Sigma. Make coupe with push button soft top convertible. Bring as much as you can from the concept to production.

Only 1 engine LS2 with 6 speed auto. Price it at $46,000 DONE!

 

Gotta agree with this man. Why are they wasting time on this? Why is Buick still around? Resources could be devoted to making cars that are unquestionably best in class, rather than making several "competitive" products.

 

I DISAGREE. Right now there are two divisions that need product badly, Pontiac and Buick. Caddy is competitive, Chevy is set (with the exception of Camaro), So are GMC, HUMMER, and Saab. Saturn is getting the influx of good product over the next year or so.

The reason Buick is still around is because someone at GM has a Plan for it. Buick needs a Halo car, Velite/ Riviera whatever you want to call it. I think that the Velite COULD be best in class if Gm where to stick with the concept. Pontiac is also in need of help. Give them some of the new Holden VE's. Talk about excitement. WOW.

Rant over

 

Use at least the last gen Sigma chassis........since the CTS gets the new one in 08.....I would think development cost would be paid for by now.......

Make this the halo vehicle for Buick in Coupe and Convertable models..........Use available HF V6 engines for base models with the LS2 V8 or Supercharged Northstar for the top of the line model. This should be Buick's GTO basically with it's final price coming in around the 38-39,000 range.

Basically take already paid for Sigma componets raid the bins for buick things give it a decent interior and there we go!

Also building it alongside the GTO in Aussie land might also work on the VE platform......

 

I don't think anyone is saying that Buick doesn't need something exciting in it's showroom.... but a Buick Coupe is not it.

A fantastic sedan or perhaps a unique family oriented crossover is what Buick should be focusing on... I know LaCrosse and Lucerne are new, but, while nice, they aren't particularly unique.

Just like every division doesn't need a minivan... every division doesn't need a coupe. Buick is that division as far as the coupe goes.

Perhaps for Buick a 4 door version of the GTO (Holden Commodore) could make a splash!