The 2013 Buick Verano Turbo Image: GM Corp.
Wrap your head around this for just a second: Buick is about to add a second car to its lineup with a turbocharged engine and an available six-speed gearbox. Buick, the once-stodgy brand associated with retirees, early buffet dinners and Sans-A-Belt slacks has taken a turn to the dark side, filling in the entertaining-car gap (or at least attempting to) left by Pontiac’s departure.
When it hits dealers later this year, the Buick Verano will boast 250 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque from its Ecotec 2.0-liter engine. That’s good enough to send the compact sedan from 0-60 mph in an estimated 6.2 seconds, which makes the Verano Turbo quicker than its big brother, the Buick Regal GS. The most observant readers will quickly point out that the same engine, when installed in the Regal GS, produces 270 horsepower and 295 pound feet of torque; in other words, there’s plenty of room to make the Verano Turbo even quicker.
Buick isn’t commenting on fuel economy of the Verano Turbo just yet, but the Regal GS delivers 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. The Verano Turbo will be smaller and lighter, so expect it to deliver slightly better fuel economy than the Regal GS. Pricing hasn’t been set yet, either, but we’d expect the Turbo variant to add about $2k to the $23,875 price of the mid-level trim Verano.
Also, don’t forget that you can get discounted new car pricing with a free quote through qualified local dealer partners.
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
