Rumors have been hovering around since 2012 that Buick was thinking about bringing the Grand National and GNX nameplates back into the market, and there are some traces of truth to it, with GM having filed applications to the U.S. Patent and Trade Office for both nameplates, specifically for “land vehicles and parts thereof” (read: cars.) Which particular car or cars were going to come back as the Tri-Shield’s turbocharged right and left hooks were in question: AWD Regal? Unknown ATS relative? Not much has come out of GM’s quiet brand over the cars, certainly nothing that indicates that the cars are even coming. Yet the rumors persist.
Liberty Buick-GMC in South Charlotte, North Carolina has jumped ahead of the manufacturer and has been taking names for a waiting list for the cars. They claim that Buick’s angry child will be arriving at dealerships late in 2015 and claims that both models will be RWD Alpha platform cars. If this is even remotely true, take a look at the ATS and ATS-V, the latter of which recently debuted, for inspiration as far as the engine goes. The ATS-V’s twin-turbocharded 3.6L V6 is good for 455hp and 445 ft/lb of torque, so the car would certainly walk the walk.
Officially, Buick isn’t saying anything, and it’s very surprising to see a dealership taking orders for a car that officially does not exist…not even in test-mule form, since no hot Buick has been seen yet. We will have to wait a year to see if Buick is going to produce a wild child if the story is true, but if it isn’t, I’d avoid that particular dealership, because there will be a list of pissed off people wondering where their car is.
(Source: GM Authority)
Honestly, with the way GM has been lately, I hope they don’t bring back the Grand National, as they are certain to ruin it, especially because I’m sure they will saddle it with that troublesome abortion that the 3.6L VVT is. I’d rather have good memories of the original things than have the name dragged through the mud. Sometimes its best to let sleeping dogs lie.
See: Dodge Charger, Dodge Dart, Pontiac GTO. I agree with you 100% sir…..
A(freaking)Men to that one Mr D ! In spades . Fact is the only one on the market with a classic moniker that it actually deserves is the Ford Mustang . But then again …. the Mustang in one form or another has been in continuous production since its inception … whereas everything else [ read ; Charger/Challenger/GTO/DART/Stingray etc ] have been nothing more than feeble attempts by GM and [ now ] FCA to revive long dead monikers they should of evolved rather than dumping the way they did .. e.g.Cynical Marketing at its finest .
And yeah … no doubt if the GN/GNX does see the light of day .. [no doubt as yet another badge engineered Holden/OPEL etc ] … GM’ll figure out a way to get that recalled as well 😉
Don’t get how the Challenger is a feeble attempt on the classic name plate. In the 60/70’s they were large platform muscle cars with options if big Hemi’s. They was never built to he pony cars. And they stay very true to that design which I applaud. And is the only car that holds true to its design performance and visually.
The Charger gets a bad wrap from people because it is a sedan now. Which is proving to be a small number. Considering over 1 million Charger’s have been sold since there resurrection.
Back in the day they was marketed as large Muscle cars that can seat 5 people. These cars are able to run low 12’s and hit low 4 in 0-60 with a 392. And still seat 5 comfortably. Dodge took the evolution approach to the charger. Which is great for guys that also have a family like me.
I don’t believe it will happen. They already make 2 V8/RWD sport sedans: The Chevy SS and the Cadillac CTS-V. I don’t see them making a Turbo V6 one that would be in the spirit of the GN/GNX to compete with those.
I’ve heard rumors that the Chevy SS will be discontinued soon because of the Holden it was based on was canned. A Buick GNX could make for a decent replacement for the SS especially because the Buick nameplate might ease the pain of the MSRP price.
Hmmmn …. lets see now …. Yup ! You’re using common sense and logic in coming to your conclusion … forgetting that logic and common sense play no part what so ever in GM’s decision making process ….
Both haven’t [ since the mid 60’s ] and never will again 😉
SS is dead after the 2015 model year. And has extremely low sales. leaving only the ATS/CTS platform. which also carries a high dollar price. So there will be room. Granted and hopefully GM won’t ask a bloated price for the car. which the SS was plagued with due to being a AUS import.
I will believe it when I see it when the “Grand Nationals” come out.
Buick is a big selling brand for GM outside the US, especially in Asian markets. Though, I doublt those markets have the same warm fuzzy feelings for the GNX and Grand National monikers as they do here in the U.S.
Wouldn’t be surprised if they are renamed for foreign markets in the same confusing, totally forgettable letter monikers. The new Buick BLT!!
I do agree that it will most likely be some rebodied version of another car GM already builds. It certainly won’t be in the retro body style of the past decade either.
RE: GM not building a twin turbo V6… Um, have you guys not seen the CTS Vsport? http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/oneyear/sedans/1402_2014_cadillac_cts_vsport_arrival/
The powertrain looks fairly healthy.
I have many great memories of the Grand National I had.
I’d much rather prefer it if GM not resurrect a legend, F it up and thry to make a buck on it.
Pity that it won’t be made probably… personally I would love another holden designed car to come out to the US. I think one of the biggest mistakes GM is going to have is getting rid of holden. personally I hate all American design cars, They’re bland.. the Camaro, GTO, CTS, ATS, G8, SS and the new malibu looking cars GM has/had as of late. The best thing about the car’s I listed was they were all designed/built/styled after Holden or Opel. I own a 06 GTO, and my wife has a G8 GT, I love Aussie cars.