Baby Buick Sedan Based on New Opel Astra Scooped Inside and Out in Germany

We still don't know the name of Buick's all-new small sedan that will take its place right under the 2011 Regal in the carmaker's line up, but these latest spy shots from Germany give us our best look to date of the upcoming compact-sized model's exterior and interior design.

And if the styling looks familiar that's because Buick's baby sedan is in essence the North American version of the upcoming Opel Astra sedan.

From what we gather by looking at these revealing spy shots, the only differences worth mentioning aside from the badges concern Buick's signature waterfall grille and possibly, the styling of the tail lights.

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Categories: Buick, Buick Astra, Buick Scoops, Opel, Opel Astra, Saturn Astra, Scoops

New Live Photos of the 2010 Opel Astra Hatchback on the Road

Either Opel is putting the final touches on its recently revealed Astra or the final prototypes have started finding their way among the company's employees. This grayish-blue example of the five-door Astra that was "scooped" somewhere in Germany providing us with our first live photos of the five-door model. Since GM's European unit has already published a set of official images of the 2010 Astra, there's no reason to hide the car so the only bits of camouflage remaining on the prototype cover the front and rear logos.

Selected journalists will have their first contact with the new Opel - Vauxhall Astra next month while the public will have to wait until September 17 for the Frankfurt Motor Show to see the car up close.

The new Astra is scheduled to arrive in most European markets by the end of fall 2009. The initial range will comprise of eight engines, including 1.4-liter and 1.6-liter turbocharged petrol units producing 140HP and 180HP respectively plus four common-rail diesels from 1.3 to 2.0 liter with outputs ranging from 95HP to 160HP.

Later on Opel will enhance the Astra's range with the presentation of a three-door GTC version, a four-door sedan, an estate and a coupe-convertible.

Categories: Frankfurt Motor Show, Opel, Opel Astra, Saturn Astra, Scoops

Buick to get 2010 Opel Astra in China?

It seems that China has become some kind of paradise for Buick as the brand is getting some of the best products that General Motors has to offer. After the Park Avenue and Regal which are essentially rebadged variants of the Holden Statesman/Caprice and Opel Insignia respectively, it looks like that Buick's Chinese range will also benefit from the addition of the next generation Opel Astra, the first photos of which you can check out here.

These spy pictures from Chinese website Auto Sina show that, just as with the Insignia-based Buick Regal, the only significant difference between the European 2010 Opel Astra hatchback and the Chinese market model will most likely be limited to Buick's family crest and waterfall-style grille.

Via: Auto Sina

Categories: Buick, China, Opel, Opel Astra, Saturn Astra, Scoops