Box Autos

When the 250-hp Buick Verano Turbo luxury sedan was introduced late last year, engineers knew an aggressive exhaust note was essential for a car capable of 0-60 mph acceleration in an estimated 6.2 seconds.

Yet that had to be balanced with delivering a quiet, comfortable driving experience – a core objective in the development of every new Buick model.

“Verano customers who opt for the Turbo are choosing it for the power, and we wanted to make sure they get the full experience,” said Carl Sperling, vehicle performance engineer. “We made sure to create a sound to complement the feel.”

It may seem like a cabin tuned for quietness is a difficult environment for sound waves to thrive, but Sperling said the Verano actually made his job easier.

“Without wind and road noise being prevalent, we could tune the Verano’s exhaust to have a sporty note without it being too loud,” Sperling said. “A loud, droning exhaust can be fatiguing over a long highway drive.”

Inspired by the Regal GS luxury sport sedan, the Verano engineering team tested numerous exhaust systems, sorting among those they felt were too loud or too quiet until they settled on a sound befitting the Verano Turbo’s character.

Buick’s exclusive QuietTuning, employed on all Verano models, is designed to block or absorb sound and dampen or eliminate vibrations. It is included in every facet of the Verano’s architecture to make it the quietest compact sedan on the road and quieter than many midsize and full-size cars.

Verano’s quiet cabin is supported with numerous features including acoustic laminated glass, triple door seals and refined chassis dynamics. Even its 18-inch standard wheels are specially manufactured to minimize road noise.

The 2013 Buick Verano Turbo luxury sedan is priced at $29,990, including a destination charge of $885. The turbocharged Verano uses an Ecotec 2.0L four-cylinder engine with direct injection and continuously variable valve timing to produce an SAE-certified 250 horsepower (187 kW) at 5300 rpm and 260 lb.-ft. (353 Nm) of torque at 2000 rpm.

When the Verano Turbo arrives at dealerships , buyers will get both performance and fuel efficiency with 0-60 mph acceleration in an estimated 6.2 seconds and EPA-estimated 20/31 mpg ratings with a six-speed manual transmission available as a no-cost option. Fuel economy ratings for the standard six-speed automatic will be announced closer to production.

Verano Turbo will offer more power and better fuel efficiency than the competition. A 2012 Lexus IS250 is rated at 204 horsepower, with fuel efficiency estimates of 19/28 mpg with a manual transmission.

In addition to its 2.0L engine, dual exhaust, sport pedals and rear spoiler, standard equipment for the Verano Turbo includes IntelliLink connectivity, a Bose 9-speaker audio system, leather-appointed upholstery, push-button start, rear park assist and rearview camera, radar-based side blind zone alert and rear cross-traffic alert, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. A power sunroof and navigation are optional.

“Buick Verano continues to build momentum in the marketplace with eight straight months of sales increases since launch,” said Tony DiSalle, vice president of Buick marketing. “The new Verano Turbo increases the performance of an already capable luxury sedan while continuing to offer customers the smart, purposeful technology they expect.”

Verano sales began in late November, 2011 with a 2.4L Ecotec four-cylinder engine and a six-speed automatic transmission and standard voice-activated IntelliLink. For 2013, a rearview camera is standard across all Verano models.