Darth Vader’s Buick

The Buick Grand National is perhaps the proudest moment of the American motor industry during the ‘80s.

It was the car that used the period ‘turbo’ frenzy better than any other fellow American model of the same time: with a stealthy all-black exterior and an easy-to-upgrade, sneezing 3.8-litre V6 under the bonnet, the Grand National became something like an urban legend.

Regular Car Reviews pays homage to this iconic model with his weird and funny rhetoric, with the specific BuickGrand National looking absolutely gorgeous. 

And yes, if you belong to the people who complain about the auto-only option, you are just missing the point. 

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This ‘48 Buick Will Eat Porsches for Breakfast

The famous for their restomodding abilities on vintage 4x4s ICON has brought one of their “Derelicts” models to Jay Leno’s Garage in their latest episode.

The concept of the Derelicts is about leaving the exterior unrestored while bringing everything under the skin up to modern standards and then some more. This particular 1948 Buick Super Convertible is rocking a brand-new chassis with a Corvette ZR1 engine bolted on it, producing just under 700hp, according to the CEO of ICON, Jonathan Ward. 

The idea of preserving the patina, to keep the body paint and chrome bits in their respective poor state that is, is certainly charming when everything underneath is modern. It certainly sounds liberating for someone who prefers driving his restored car rather than polishing it. 

This particular Buick with its sub-700hp engine under the hood is just the ultimate sleeper.

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2013 Buick Riviera Concept Coupe

While that study never materialized into a production car, GM's Shanghai GM and Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) joint ventures are giving the project a fresh try with a new concept at this weekend's 2013 Shanghai motor show.

"The new Riviera offers a preview of Buick’s future design language," said Shanghai GM President Ye Yongming. "By seamlessly integrating advanced technologies, flexible functions and contemporary aesthetics, the new Riviera heralds the start of a new chapter for the 110-year-old Buick brand."

Buick says the new Riviera coupe concept's styling took inspiration from the Chinese saying, "The greatest good is like water", with a sweeping design and flowing lines, though, we should note that it doesn't look like a great departure from the original 2007 study.

The new interpretation of the Riviera luxury coupe adopts GM's all-new, dual-mode W-PHEV (wireless plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) propulsion system, allowing the driver to use the car on battery-power alone or in hybrid mode.

Other highlights include the ability to charge the batteries through a traditional cable or wirelessly via a sensory recharge panel on the car's chassis, four-wheel steering, an electromagnetic-controlled suspension and an air spring package.

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2013 Buick Verano Turbo with 250HP

While its understated looks make it seem like the regular 180hp Verano with the only giveaways being a discreet "T" badge, the dual exhaust outlets and a barely visible decklid spoiler, the Turbo is actually faster than the 270hp Regal GS.

Power for the flagship model of the Verano series comes from a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine with direct injection and continuously variable valve timing that produces 250hp at 5,300 rpm and 260 lb.-ft. (353Nm) of torque at 2000 rpm.

Buick notes that more than 90 percent of the Verano Turbo’s peak torque is available between 1,700 to 5,500 rpm.

The Verano Turbo will be available with a choice of a six-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual gearbox, with Buick quoting an estimated 0-60 mph sprint time of 6.2 seconds, or half a second quicker than the 270hp Buick Regal GS.

We'll have to wait for the fuel economy numbers, though GM says the Verano Turbo is expected to be "in line with Buick’s other turbocharged models".

Pricing for the newest addition to the Verano's range is to be announced closer to the start of production in late 2012.

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Buick Envision Concept SUV

The Envision sports dynamic, flowing lines, with an aggressive front end and a coupe-like profile. The traditional two-layer waterfall grille dominates the front, with LED headlamps and fog lights inspired by traditional Chinese patterns. Returning to the profile, the 22-inch alloy wheels contribute to the crossover model’s dynamic look, while the huge scissor-style doors give it an extravagant appearance.

The two large doors also offer convenient access to the high-tech interior. The cabin’s main features are the asymmetric central console, the flat-bottomed steering wheel, the intricate design of the instrument panel and the massive central tunnel. The five passengers benefit from a flat floor that adds space to the interior. The Envision features a 3-D head-up display system and a next-generation Bluetooth DUN Intelligent Internet system that allows Internet access via cell phones.

The Concept is fitted with Gm's PHEV plug-in hybrid system, which pairs a 2.0-liter SIDI direct injection turbocharged petrol engine with two electric motor generators. The drivetrain also features a dual automatic/manual 8-speed transmission, a high-performance lithium battery and a solar energy roof. At low speeds, the Envision runs solely on electric power, with the gasoline engine kicking in when more power is needed or the battery is running low. Although GM didn't offer any technical specs, it says it can produce more power than pure electric cars or gasoline vehicles.

The chassis combines carbon fiber, magnesium and aluminum and is mounted on an MRC electromagnetic suspension. The car also benefits from an intelligent all-wheel-drive system, which adjusts the torque output of each wheel.

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Buick Ampera

According to a recent report, Buick is developing a rebadged version of the Opel Ampera.Like the standard model, motivation would be provided by a 16-kWh lithium-ion battery which sends power to an electric motor that produces 149 hp (111 kW / 151 PS) and 273 lb-ft (368 Nm) of torque. This should enable the car to accelerate from 0-60 mph in less than nine seconds, hit a top speed of 100 mph (161 km/h), and travel up to 50 miles (80 km) on electricity alone. Of course, when the battery is depleted, a 1.4-liter petrol engine would act as a generator to extend the range up to 310 miles (499 km).

If the vehicle is approved for production, the Buick Ampera could be launched as soon as 2013.

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