Sneak Peek: 2011 Buick Crossover

A “new” Buick crossover will launch in 2010 with two direct-injected engines, followed by a plug-in hybrid variant in 2011. We say “new” because, while the as-yet-unnamed crossover is indeed new to the Buick brand, it appears to be largely based on the Saturn Vue. Following GM’s post-bankruptcy brand consolidation, which includes the imminent sale of Saturn to Penske, it appears the company has found a way to salvage the work done for its two-mode plug-in architecture while giving Buick a crossover entry below the Enclave.

For its debut in 2010, the crossover is slated to use GM’s Ecotec 2.4-liter four-cylinder and 3.0-liter V-6 engines, which are also found in the 2010 Buick LaCrosse, Chevy Equinox, and GMC Terrain. Highway fuel economy will reportedly be around 30 mpg with the four-banger.

A year later, Buick plans to launch a plug-in hybrid version of the crossover. (We’d already been promised a plug-in version of the Vue, lending more credence to our Saturn-turned-Buick hypothesis.) The crossover will employ GM’s front-wheel-drive, two-mode hybrid system paired with a direct-injected, 3.6-liter V-6 engine. Early prototypes of the crossover can reportedly drive more than 10 miles on electric power alone. The 8-kilowatt-hour battery comes from the same supplier as that of the upcoming Chevy Volt and can be fully charged in five hours from a standard wall plug, helping to increase the crossover’s range and fuel economy.

This may not be the only Saturn rerouted to Buick dealers. We recently spied a Buick Regal testing in the U.S., which appeared to be a European Opel Insignia with Buick badging. The Insignia was initially planned to replace the Saturn Aura but with the brand leaving the corporate umbrella, it may become Buick’s entry-level sedan below the LaCrosse.

We expect the rebadged Vue will get additional sound deadening and suspension tweaks as Buick says the crossover will offer the Enclave’s “premium driving experience” in a smaller package. When the new Buick goes on sale, it will join the Chevrolet Equinox, Cadillac SRX, and GMC Terrain to give each of GM’s four core brands a small and relatively fuel-efficient crossover.

Thanks to: Car and Driver