Much of General Motors’ future hopes rest on its Delta II small car platform. In Chevrolet Cruze guise, it’s a brand ambassador to the world and will serve as the company’s latest import fighting compact in the U.S. when it arrives sometime next year. The platform also underpins the endlessly hyped Chevrolet Volt and the coming Orlando compact crossover. Among the other models slated to be built on Delta II is a luxury-themed Buick iteration, which we’ll call for lack of a better name the Buick Cruze.
This is the second time a Buick version of the Cruze has been spotted by our spies, this time running around everyone’s favorite test track -- the famed Nurbrurgring.
While it will reportedly sell in both the U.S. and Chinese markets, we expect the latter to be the largest money maker. Key differences between it and the Chevrolet are hard to spot through the camouflage, but we see chrome door handles and what looks like a spoiler poking into the fabric covering the trunk, along with Buick’s trademark waterfall grille.
As for the mechanical bits, drivetrain options should be similar to those already offered and announced for the Cruze. Likely to power the U.S. Buick is a version of GM’s new 1.4L Family 0 engine, most likely in a higher spec turbocharged form. The 2.4L four expected to power the Orlando could also be a possibility. China’s version could see an engine range similar to what powers the Cruze that’s already running around Europe and other markets, including a 1.6L and 1.8L gasoline, and 2.0L turbodiesel. Rumors indicate GM’s Voltec extended-range hybrid powertrain setup is heading for the compact at some point as well.
Production for world markets will likely occur at GM's plant in Russelsheim, Germany, while the U.S. versions could roll down the line alongside the Cruze at the Lordstown, Ohio, facility. Expect the compact Buick to land in Buick-GMC dealerships sometime in 2012.