Is This Buick's Open-Top Future?
To be perfectly honest, we don’t know if the forthcoming Opel Astra CC (shown here in mule form) will be brought to the US and sold as a Buick, but it’s certainly been rumored. C&D says that, in addition to an Astra/Verano coupe, which it says will “definitely” be coming to the US,
Buick’s lineup could be graced with another Opel model that is currently under development. Replacing the folding-hardtop Astra Twin Top in Europe will be a new model that won’t be badged Astra, but will be based on the car’s Delta platform and remain close to the current model’s dimensions. The new convertible will keep its pronounced trunk and shed its clumsy hardtop in favor of a softtop, which should increase luggage space and make for a far cleaner look. Opel believes the softtop will create a more premium image.
The last Buick convertible? The 1990-91 Reatta convertible. But Buick’s probably hoping that nobody remembers those bad old days…
More by Edward Niedermeyer
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The new Astra coupe looks pretty sweet. http://www.autoweek.nl/video/2433/opel-astra-gtc I like it a lot...Except for a pet peeve; the bulbous front overhang that is an unfortunate result of FWD in combination with pedestrian safety laws, but every FWD hatch has that now so can't blame 'm too much.
IS that the granny spec seems horribly slow
They should name it the Reatta. You can't go a summer day in Southeast Michigan without seeing one or two. Buick should be honest: It's got regional boosters. The Reatta was more show than go - a boulevard cruiser with a soft top would fit its image, and they don't need to name everything starting with an "L". If they made a two seat version, that would be the ne plus ultra in summer evening cruising in the post-Western century.
A Buick 'vert is a good idea, the Chrysler has sold a reasonable amount of Sebrings, and I think Buick could steal a fair amount of those sales with a reasonable product at a reasonable price point. It doesn't have to be a hot rod, just a good boulevard cruiser.