By: Nick Saporito
Buick’s Verano essentially created a new segment of small premium sedans in the U.S. Within six short months the segment has expanded with Acura’s ILX, but Buick isn’t resting while the industry fills in the voids of a segment still in its infancy. The brand is upping the performance ante with the addition of a turbocharged variant, one that will generate a healthy 250 horsepower.
Verano is gaining the same turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that currently resides in the larger Regal. While the Regal has to make do with only 220 horsepower, the Verano has been upped to 250 horsepower and 260 foot-pounds of torque. That power is funneled through the option of a six-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission.
The Verano Turbo will follow a new Buick trend by being an additional premium model within the Verano hierarchy. That means that there will basically be no base Verano Turbo. Instead, the higher performance also brings over side blind-zone alert, cross traffic alert, a nine-speaker Bose sound system and keyless ignition as standard fare. The generous feature list on the turbo is in addition to Buick IntelliLink and a rear-view camera, both of which are standard on every 2013 Verano.
As a side note, after seeing the demands of many here at GMI and elsewhere, Buick is brushing more color to the Verano’s exterior palette with Luxo Blue Metallic.
GMI recently drove the Verano Turbo at GM’s Milford Proving Grounds in Michigan. While we have to withhold our drive impressions until this far, we can tell you what engineering has gone into the Verano Turbo. The car’s front suspension has been firmed up roughly 15-20 percent (tuning isn’t final) and the ZF electric steering rack has different tuning for better firmness. Additionally, the boosted Veranos will have dual exhaust out back and a new, tasteful lip spoiler.
The 2013 Verano Turbo will launch in the fourth quarter of this year as a 2013 model. Pricing has not been announced, but Buick has hinted that it will start under $30,000.
