Buick To Get An(other) Astra

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

Fresh on the heels of today’s release of Opel Zafira pictures, Buick has confirmed to Automotive News [sub] that rumors of a rebadged Opel Astra for the US market are indeed real. But wait, you say, isn’t the Buick Verano just an Astra sedan? Perhaps… but since there’s no Astra sedan to rebadge, that leaves only three choices for this future Buick Astra: the five-door hatch, the three-door coupe-hatch or the “Touring” wagon. C&D would like to see a 300 HP Buick Hot Hatch to come in the form of the Astra GTC OPC, although we’re skeptical that Buick will offer 300 HP in a car smaller than its “detuned image changer,” the Regal GS. If the Meriva represents the “Baby Enclave,” it’s possible there’s room for a C-Segment wagon, but the rumors insist that younger buyers are the target for this US-market Astra. So, chromed-out five door? Detuned “ Skyhawk” GTC coupe? Gentlemen, start your speculation…



Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Colin42 Colin42 on May 19, 2011

    I find it interesting how Opel cars are considered up scale enough to be GM mid luxury brand (Buick) but Ford Europe's car are considered good for Ford US! So Buick competes with Ford and Ford competes with Chevy so Buick must be in competition with Chevy!

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    • Inside Looking Out Inside Looking Out on May 20, 2011

      @Zackman And because GM introduced Chevy in Europe and decided to move Opel upscale to compete with VW. So GM has two brands against one Ford. I guess Ford is between Chevy and Opel in Europe. In other world Opel plays the same role in Europe as Buick in US. And Opel AFAIK was considered old mans car in Europe too.

  • VanillaDude VanillaDude on May 20, 2011

    What GM should do is give every American with a driver's license a free Astra. That would help us to come up with the money we will be losing in GM.

  • FreedMike Off topic, but folks, this site is not working well for me from a technical standpoint, and it doesn't matter if I'm using my phone, or my computer (on two different browsers). It locks up and makes it impossible to type anything in after a certain point. Anyone else having these issues?
  • Syke Kinda liked the '57, hated the '58. Then again, I hated the entire '58 GM line except for the Chevrolet. Which I liked better than the '57's. Still remember dad's '58 Impala hardtop, in the silver blue that was used as the main advertising color.
  • Dartdude The bottom line is that in the new America coming the elites don't want you and me to own cars. They are going to make building cars so expensive that the will only be for the very rich and connected. You will eat bugs and ride the bus and live in a 500sq-ft. apartment and like it. HUD wants to quit giving federal for any development for single family homes and don't be surprised that FHA aren't going to give loans for single family homes in the very near future.
  • Ravenuer The rear view of the Eldo coupe makes it look fat!
  • FreedMike This is before Cadillac styling went full scale nutty...and not particularly attractive, in my opinion.
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