NEWBERG, Oregon – If you know what spalled concrete is, you're already one up on me. For those who don't, well, let me be the first to enlighten you.
Over time, improperly applied concrete can break down when carbon dioxide in the air reacts with the alkalis in the concrete in a process called carbonation. The steel bars within the concrete corrode, causing the surface to buckle and crack.
The things you learn on new car launches.
Our drive route on the Buick Verano launch encompassed mostly coastal and hill roads around the rugged, heavily forested Yamhill County near Portland, Oregon. We're forewarned that the road surfaces will be rough, some as a result of the aforementioned spalled concrete, while others, high in logging country, due to the use of tire studs and chains. The route was chosen specifically to highlight the newest Buick's fervent claims of extreme levels of quiet – regardless of road conditions.
The Verano represents Buick's first foray into the luxury compact car segment. It's a rather sparsely populated group poised for a growth explosion, as empty-nesters jettison their people-carriers and discerning commuters look for fuel economy in a somewhat smaller, yet still luxurious package. Buick's marketing folks cite the Lexus IS 250 as the Verano's stiffest competitor, joined by the Acura TSX and Audi A3.
Although it’s based on the same Delta II platform underpinning the Chevy Cruze, the folks at Buick go to great lengths to explain that the Verano is nonetheless a distinctively different car. At 2,685 mm, the wheelbase is identical, but the Verano is actually 3 inches longer, 0.8 wider and 0.3 inches taller, with a cabin that's closer in size to the Regal's.
The suspension is composed of MacPherson struts up front but with a Z-link, Watt's linkage setup in behind. This arrangement – according to GM engineers – provides more predictable, composed handling, and due to its placement further back under the body, intrudes less into trunk space. Shocks, springs and valves are all Verano-specific
Over time, improperly applied concrete can break down when carbon dioxide in the air reacts with the alkalis in the concrete in a process called carbonation. The steel bars within the concrete corrode, causing the surface to buckle and crack.
The things you learn on new car launches.
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| The Verano represents Buick's first foray into the luxury compact car segment. (Photo: Lesley Wimbush/Auto123.com) |
Our drive route on the Buick Verano launch encompassed mostly coastal and hill roads around the rugged, heavily forested Yamhill County near Portland, Oregon. We're forewarned that the road surfaces will be rough, some as a result of the aforementioned spalled concrete, while others, high in logging country, due to the use of tire studs and chains. The route was chosen specifically to highlight the newest Buick's fervent claims of extreme levels of quiet – regardless of road conditions.
The Verano represents Buick's first foray into the luxury compact car segment. It's a rather sparsely populated group poised for a growth explosion, as empty-nesters jettison their people-carriers and discerning commuters look for fuel economy in a somewhat smaller, yet still luxurious package. Buick's marketing folks cite the Lexus IS 250 as the Verano's stiffest competitor, joined by the Acura TSX and Audi A3.
Although it’s based on the same Delta II platform underpinning the Chevy Cruze, the folks at Buick go to great lengths to explain that the Verano is nonetheless a distinctively different car. At 2,685 mm, the wheelbase is identical, but the Verano is actually 3 inches longer, 0.8 wider and 0.3 inches taller, with a cabin that's closer in size to the Regal's.
The suspension is composed of MacPherson struts up front but with a Z-link, Watt's linkage setup in behind. This arrangement – according to GM engineers – provides more predictable, composed handling, and due to its placement further back under the body, intrudes less into trunk space. Shocks, springs and valves are all Verano-specific
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| The suspension is composed of MacPherson struts up front but with a Z-link, Watt's linkage setup in behind. (Photo: General Motors) |