The Buick Verano Turbo

Along with a host of updates to the Verano lineup, like standard backup cameras, optional blind-spot and cross-traffic alert and a modifies grille, a turbocharged model is added.

It is powered by a 250-horsepower 2 liter four cylinder engine that also produces 260 pound-feet of torque. This is actually 30 more horsepower than the Regal Turbo, a bigger and more expensive car. But it still falls short of the Regal GS's 270 horsepower. Buick thinks this car will go from zero to 60 miles per hour in 6.2 seconds, a full two seconds faster than the base with its 182-horsepower 2.4 liter naturally aspirated engine. It's worth mentioning that this is the one Verano model to offer a manual transmission, though most buyers will most likely opt for the six-speed automatic.

The only visual changes are a small "T" badge, an unpretentious rear spoiler, aluminum gas and brake pedals, and twin exhaust tips. Suspension and steering components have supposedly been tweaked for more responsive handling in the corners.

Gas mileage is said to be at or above 30 miles per gallon on the highway. The base model nabs 32 MPG, which is kind of terrible for such a small, underpowered vehicle. Pricing is said to be under the Verano Turbo's sole rival, the manual transmission Acura ILX 2.4 at beneath $30 grand.

Comments

2003 Honda Odyssey EX-L Review

These pictures aren't of the actual vehicle, but the colors and trim level are correct. Those of you who have been following this blog since its inception know that my parents have two cars: a 2006 Nissan Sentra and a 2005 Mazda MPV. Well, we recently swapped our dear little MPV for a 2003 Odyssey. The reason for that is, well, there isn't much reason. It's mostly to spice things up in our lives and have a different car for a change without spending any extra money. Our Odyssey came with every bell and whistle you could get in a minivan in 2003, including a factory-installed DVD entertainment system, leather seats, heated seats in the front, and dual power sliding doors. First impressions were a mixed bag. The engine was very smooth, quiet, and powerful, apparently typical of Hondas, but there was a rough patch between 1000 and 1500 RPM or so. You can't feel the road textures at all while driving the car, but it crashed loudly over larger bumps. Loud can als...

Big News: We Bought a New Car!

It is an exciting day for me! As the title says, my family bought a new car! We haven't done that since 10 years ago when we bought our 2006 Nissan Sentra. There it is, parked on the driveway right after we drove home from the dealership. Isn't the color so nice? The interior is beige, too! It's the perfect color combination. Getting that car to be on our driveway, though, was a laborious and drawn-out task. We started car-shopping yesterday morning, when my dad and I test drove the Camry and Accord. At first, we headed for the Ford dealer intending to test drive the Taurus and Fusion, but it shunned us by saying that it was "too busy for test drives." There were maybe two other people at the dealership then. Whatever. We then headed to a semi-rural Honda dealership in search of an Accord. I was expecting it to be loud and firm-riding in traditional Honda fashion. Instead, it impressed me with its solidity. Unfortunately, the specific Accord ...

Mercedes Benz Viano Vision Diamond Concept

Excepting the hot Beijing Auto Show, there isn't much car news today. That's why I'm covering something that I wouldn't otherwise cover: the Mercedes Benz Viano Vision Diamond Concept. For those of you that don't know, the cargo and passenger van market is a profitable on for Mercedes overseas. The Viano is a heavy duty passenger van, like a a Ford E-Series but only more refined. In the past, there has been many conversions of the Mercedes Benz Sprinter and Viano vans into opulent limousine vans. This time, Mercedes Benz did it on their own. This is a follow-up to the Viano Vision Pearl concept from the Frankfurt Auto Show. It is superbly luxurious inside. There are only two seats, but those two passengers will be pampered in the utmost comfort and luxurious ambiance. White-gray Nappa leather covers huge expanses of the passenger compartment, with a ring of dark wood accenting it. The two thrones are highly adjustable and climate controll...

From the Passenger's Seat

Search This Blog