Buick Excelle GT

The Buick Excelle GT (Chinese: 别克英朗) is the name for the compact car marketed by Shanghai General Motors Company Limited (Chinese: 上海通用汽車有限公司) under GM's Buick brand.

Not to be confused with Hyundai Excel.
Buick Excelle GT
Overview
ManufacturerShanghai GM
Production2009–present
AssemblyChina: Shanghai
Body and chassis
ClassCompact

The original Buick Excelle (Chinese "Kai Yue")[1] was based on the Daewoo Lacetti developed in South Korea by Daewoo Motors. Parallel to the Lacetti-based Excelle, Shanghai GM introduced a new car, also called "Buick Excelle" in China, but called "Ying Lang" in Chinese.[2] It is based on GM's global compact car platform "Delta II" which was developed at Rüsselsheim in Opel's International Technical Development Center (ITDC). The globally sold Chevrolet Cruze as well as South Korean market Daewoo Lacetti Premiere were both based on this same Delta II platform.

Since the 2009 economic crises and the subsequent demise of the Saturn brand and reduction of GM's North American brands to four, certain Opel models were no longer aligned with the Saturn brand, but now with the Buick brand instead. Consequently, the models built and marketed by Buick China were twins of some Opel variants of GM's global platforms prior to the purchase of Opel and Vauxhall by Groupe PSA in 2017, while the Lacetti-based Excelle was re-positioned below Buick's newer offerings.

In China, a hatchback called the Buick Excelle XT debuted in 2009, which was essentially a rebadged Astra J (2009–2015). A sedan debuted in 2010 called the Buick Excelle GT (Chinese: 别克英朗GT).[3]

A North American version of the Excelle GT was assembled in the United States from 2011 to 2016, and marketed as the Buick Verano.

In August 2016, Buick China decided to end 13 years of production of the original Buick Excelle (2003-2016) despite strong sales, with 2.68 million units sold over the course of 13 years. Citing its low price while the Buick brand was being moved upmarket in China as a main reason, there was no direct successor, with sister brands Chevrolet, Baojun and Wuling filling in the lower end market niche left unoccupied by the departure of the Buick Excelle.[4]

First generation (2009–2015)

Excelle XT (hatchback)
Buick Excelle XT (first generation)
Overview
Also calledOpel Astra (Europe)
Vauxhall Astra (United Kingdom)
Holden Astra (Oceania)
Production2010–2015
AssemblyChina: Shanghai
DesignerUwe Müller[5]
Body and chassis
Body style5-door hatchback
PlatformDelta II platform
Powertrain
Engine1.6 L Family 1 I4 (petrol)
1.6 L Family 1 I4 (turbo petrol)
1.8 L Family 1 I4 (petrol)
Transmission5 speed manual
6 speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,685 mm (105.7 in)
Length4,419 mm (174.0 in)
Width1,814 mm (71.4 in)
Height1,487 mm (58.5 in)/1,508 mm (59.4 in)
Main article: Opel Astra

The Excelle XT hatchback made its debut in late 2009 at the Guangzhou Auto Show and the Excelle GT saloon in June 2010. The hatch went on sale in China only in January 2010 and the sedan in June 2010.[6] The XT is essentially a rebadged Opel Astra for the Chinese market only, with the most noticeable differences being Buick badges and a new grille.

Engine options for the Buick Excelle XT include:[7]

  • 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine that delivers 135 kW.
  • 1.6-litre inline four-cylinder gasoline engine with a two-stage variable intake manifold that delivers 85 kW.
  • 1.8-litre DOHC inline four-cylinder gasoline engine that delivers 103 kW.

All engines are available with a six-speed automatic transmission featuring a sport mode.

  • Buick Excelle XT hatchback front.
  • Buick Excelle XT hatchback rear.

Excelle GT (sedan)
Buick Excelle GT (first generation)
Overview
Also calledBuick Verano
Production2010–2015
AssemblyChina: Shanghai
DesignerJames C. Shyr
Body and chassis
Body style4-door sedan
PlatformDelta II platform
Powertrain
Engine1.6 L Family 1 I4 (petrol)
1.6 L Family 1 I4 (turbo petrol)
1.8 L Family 1 I4 (petrol)
Transmission5 speed manual
6 speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,685 mm (105.7 in)
Length4,671 mm (183.9 in)
Width1,814 mm (71.4 in)
Height1,483 mm (58.4 in)
Main article: Buick Verano

Another version of the Opel Astra that shares the design cues of the Excelle GT is assembled and marketed in North America as the Buick Verano. Production of the Verano began in the fourth quarter of 2011 at the General Motors Orion Assembly plant. The Verano went on sale late in 2011 as a 2012 model.

  • Buick Excelle GT sedan front.
  • Buick Excelle GT sedan rear.

Second generation (2015–present)
Buick Excelle GT (second generation)
Overview
Also calledBuick Excelle GX (station wagon)
Production2015–present
AssemblyChina: Wuhan (SAIC-GM Wuhan Branch)
DesignerYin He
Body and chassis
Body style4-door sedan
5-door station wagon
LayoutFront-engine, front-wheel drive
PlatformD2XX or GM-PATAC K
Related
Powertrain
Engine1.0 L LJI I3 (turbo petrol)
1.3 L LI6 I3 (turbo petrol)
1.4 L LFF I4 (turbo petrol)
1.5 L L2B I4 (petrol)
Transmission6 speed manual
5 speed manual
6 speed automatic
6 speed DCT
7 speed DCT
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,640 mm (103.9 in)
Length4,587 mm (180.6 in)
Width1,798 mm (70.8 in)
Height1,463 mm (57.6 in)

A new Buick Excelle GT was introduced as a 2015 model. The new model has a completely new look, with new front and rear bumpers, new lights, new grille, and a more luxurious cabin. New engines included are a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine mated to a seven speed dual clutch gearbox or a 1.5-liter 113 hp (84 kW) mated to a five speed manual or six-speed automatic gearbox. Trim levels for this model are called 15N and 18T. Production of the new model began in March 2015.

  • Pre-facelift Buick Excelle GT sedan front.
  • Pre-facelift Buick Excelle GT sedan side.
  • Pre-facelift Buick Excelle GT sedans front and rear.

2018 facelift

In late 2017, Buick announced a facelift update for the 2018 model year that adds the new Buick grilles with the spreading wings to the Verano and Excelle products. The update applies to the Buick Verano sedan/hatchback, Buick Excelle GT sedan, and added a Buick Excelle GX station wagon as an additional new body style. 1 litre and 1.3 litre three cylinder engines were added to the range along with both 6 speed manual and dual clutch gearboxes.[8]

  • 2018 Buick Excelle GT facelift front.
  • 2018 Buick Excelle GT facelift rear.
  • 2018 Buick Excelle GX estate front.
  • 2018 Buick Excelle GX estate rear.

References
  1. "Excelle the best selling car in China? Yes, and mostly no". China Car Times. 26 January 2012. Archived from the original on 28 January 2012.
  2. FrankF (26 January 2012). "Buick China | Excelle the best selling car in China? Yes, and mostly no". Qingdao, Shandong, 266071, China: chinacartimes.com. Archived from the original on 28 January 2012. Retrieved 1 October 2012.CS1 maint: location (link)
  3. http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2010/01/report-upcoming-buick-premium-compact-sedan-rendered.html
  4. De Feijter, Tycho (9 August 2016). "GM China Retires The Buick Excelle After 13 Years Of Stellar Sales". Forbes. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  5. "Opel Astra: design story". Car Body Design. 23 June 2009. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
  6. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-07-08. Retrieved 2010-06-12.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. 2010 Buick Excelle XT, Top Speed.
  8. "2018 Buick Excelle 15T/18T specs".
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