Buick Grand National on Alpha platform

[stoopid]

Originally Posted by VADER SS L99

They could also make a 2.0T rwd/awd Regal and call it a t type and offered in any color 2-4 doors. That would essentially be a ATS but they would need to price it at least $5k below a ATS with less interior refinement and base options. If you have ever driven a 2.0 ATS you would see that its a fantastic car but the entry price for one is out of alot of peoples budgets. What that would do is get people into dealerships. Hardly anyone thinks about a Buick when car shopping.

That's what they have now (2.0T Regal, 2.0T Regal GS w/ AWD). I only got mine because of a sale, and once I drove it the rest was history. This thing's quick for a 4 door sedan with a 4 banger. Tuning livens it up even more (I'm gun shy about getting it though).

Pricing will be key in any GN success. That's what the bean counters are probably working on right now.

[stoopid]

Regarding styling, I think we can assume there will be elements of the Avenir in future Buick designs:

http://www.buick.com/avenir-concept-vehicle.html



In theory they could just drop a bigger engine, beef up the suspension, and offer a 6 speed manual in a lower trim Avenir and call it a GN. But since there's a new Regal on the way, it will likely be under that nameplate/model.

[shaffe]

Originally Posted by VADER SS L99

I think a low production GNX and GN would be great for Buick recognition in America if nothing else. Make both 2 door, black and powered by a LF3 for the GN and LF4 for the GNX. Price the GNX $10k below the the ATS-V with a cloth interior and less interior options but have it use the same brakes, engine and transmission with mag ride being optional as well as other interior and other such options being optional.

That would essentially be a ATS but they would need to price it at least $5k below a ATS with less interior refinement and base options.

So essentially just offer a cheaper ATS-V with buick badges on it? that is exactly why I think they CAN'T do a new GN. It would be the same car as the ATS-V most likely. IIRC aren't they having enough trouble moving ATS's?

I agree it would be a great car for Buick, but looking at it from GM as whole, IMO it would basically just be badge engineering. It would be a Buick ATS-V and I don't think it would be unique enough to warrant building it.

[stoopid]

Originally Posted by shaffe

I agree it would be a great car for Buick, but looking at it from GM as whole, IMO it would basically just be badge engineering. It would be a Buick ATS-V and I don't think it would be unique enough to warrant building it.

The Regal is a Chevy Malibu LTZ (?).

[sherob]

GMC Sierra vs Chevy Silverado? GMC Yukon/XL vs Chevy Tahoe/Suburban vs Caddy Escalade/ESV?

[shaffe]

Originally Posted by stoopid

The Regal is a Chevy Malibu LTZ (?).

Originally Posted by sherob

GMC Sierra vs Chevy Silverado? GMC Yukon/XL vs Chevy Tahoe/Suburban vs Caddy Escalade/ESV?

Touche-

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by sherob

GMC Sierra vs Chevy Silverado? GMC Yukon/XL vs Chevy Tahoe/Suburban vs Caddy Escalade/ESV?

Difference is, even though the premium branded trucks might rob Chevy of a few sales they are also more profitable so overall its a net gain for the company. Well that and the fact that GM has no problems moving tens (or hundreds) of thousands of those trucks & SUVs.

Each Cadillac sale that Buick steals means less profit for GM. They need to keep those brands as separate as possible. A Buick sport sedan works against that goal. About as close as they could get away with would be a new large 'personal luxury coupe', like a Riviera.

[shaffe]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

Difference is, even though the premium branded trucks might rob Chevy of a few sales they are also more profitable so overall its a net gain for the company. Well that and the fact that GM has no problems moving tens (or hundreds) of thousands of those trucks & SUVs.

Each Cadillac sale that Buick steals means less profit for GM. They need to keep those brands as separate as possible. A Buick sport sedan works against that goal. About as close as they could get away with would be a new large 'personal luxury coupe', like a Riviera.

You said exactly what I wanted to say only better haha

[GretchenGotGrowl]

What if a performance Regal was targeted more for overseas sales (China). Perhaps we will see it with the TT 3.0 LGW engine like the CT6. There wouldn't be much overlap in sales there I don't think. However, what would that be like in North America. It seems like that would still take sales away from the ATS-V if it is the size of the Regal.

[VADER SS L99]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

Difference is, even though the premium branded trucks might rob Chevy of a few sales they are also more profitable so overall its a net gain for the company. Well that and the fact that GM has no problems moving tens (or hundreds) of thousands of those trucks & SUVs.

Each Cadillac sale that Buick steals means less profit for GM. They need to keep those brands as separate as possible. A Buick sport sedan works against that goal. About as close as they could get away with would be a new large 'personal luxury coupe', like a Riviera.

The pricing would have to be where you don't cross shop them. For instance no one is going to cross shop a 2.0t Camaro and ATS 2.0t coupe or Tahoe and Escalade. Tahoe's and Camaro's arent taking away Cadillac sales because the Cadillac is out of the budget in the first place. Same would have to be true for a alpha RWD Regal. Also, GM trucks aren't the only rebadged vehicles GM currently makes and many other mfg's do the same thing. The key to making them all sell well is available options and pricing targeting specific groups.

[Muscle Car Lover]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Don't hold your breath. This rumor's been going around for years now.

^^^^^ This ^^^^^

And even if it's true, the lore and the special moment in history the old Grand Nationals had is not replicated. Please see "Black Air" documentary (I can loan it to anyone local).

[ilirg]

I'll take the original GNX, that thing is high on my list of cars I need.

[Rockhead]

Originally Posted by Russell James

I had a GNX back in '87. Kept it for a few years and sold it for more than I paid for it new. Wish I still had it.

Funny thing is I still have the GNX owner's manual. Couldn't find it when selling the car and just came across it recently. Now I just need to find someone with a GNX that needs the manual. Pretty cool manual, talks about the ceramic turbo impeller, ladder bar suspension, chassis bracing...

That car was bad ass.

[Mr Twisty]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

lol if you honestly think GTO was a Grand Prix with a bigger engine.

And what Dodge did to Charger has been pretty damn successful so...

I'm sure he meant Tempest...

The Alpha they could build without stepping on toes?

El Camino