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As Buick officially unveiled its new entry-level Regal model at the LA Auto Show last week, the General Motors brand announced that it would offer yet another model to slot in underneath this new offering. The new car, first shown in a Buick promo video and now spied in Germany, is expected to be based on the European Opel Astra – also known as the Buick Excelle XT in China.
At Buick's LA Auto Show press conference the company did show a brief glimpse of what the car will look like (pictured above). Now, however, we have a solid look at several prototypes spied testing in Germany.
As the photos show, it will arrive as a sedan in the U.S (as expected). One likely engine choice is a 181-hp 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. It will most certainly be front-wheel drive.
Judging from the pics it appears as though the smallest Buick will have more in common, design wise, with the larger LaCrosse, with a more powerful "waterfall" grille up front.
Now the question remains if Buick will keep the Astra name for North America (especially considering the Saturn Astra) or will it invent a new one.
More: Spied: New Entry-Level Compact Buick Uncovered in Germany on AutoGuide.com
