What It Is: The next generation of Buick’s Chevy Cruze–based Verano compact sedan, caught in Europe wearing German license plates. From the looks of this prototype, the next-gen Verano sits behind the next Cruze on the development schedule, as the Chevy has already debuted in its Chinese-market form. It’s possible that, like the Cruze, the Verano will look different in the Chinese and U.S. markets, and that we’ve spied the Asian version here.

Either way, here’s what we can tell about this prototype: Aerodynamics clearly trumped machismo, with the roofline following the industry trend toward longer, flatter front and rear glass, outstretched C-pillars, and ever-shorter trunklids. The front end is now more sloped, with a low-set grille and headlamps—all lighting elements are placeholders, of course. The rear quarter-panels and doors on this prototype adopt Buick’s trademark haunch, while the tall rear end is ever-so-slightly ducktailed and features dual trapezoidal exhaust finishers set inside a dark lower bumper graphic.

There are no ventiports visible, but we figure they’ll appear on the hood somewhere. We can also see that this vehicle has a dual-pane moonroof, leading us to believe that the feature will probably also be offered on the Cruze. If this is the U.S.-market car, we’re not fans of what we see at this point. We prefer the current model.

View Photos Top: 2016 Buick Verano sedan (spy photo). Bottom: 2014 Buick Verano Turbo. CHRIS DOANE AUTOMOTIVE, THE MANUFACTURER

Why It Matters: Downsizing is still trendy in every automotive segment these days, and given Buick’s ongoing brand renaissance, the next Verano has a chance to grab even more near-luxury buyers here and abroad—if it’s great. Success for the Verano is pretty much assured in tri-shield-crazy China, but Buick would love to make serious inroads against Audi and Lexus here in the U.S. We’re at least mildly encouraged that the car is again being tested by the General’s German team—the current car is a reworked Opel Astra and is reasonably pleasant to drive.

Platform: As the sister car to the Chevy Cruze, the Verano will be built on GM’s global Delta II platform.

View Photos CHRIS DOANE AUTOMOTIVE, THE MANUFACTURER

Powertrain: The current Verano is powered by a choice of a 180-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine or a 250-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-pot—the latter even offered with a manual transmission. While it’s possible that one or both of the current engines could carry over, it’s also likely that GM’s new small-engine architecture will be employed in some way—perhaps with a 1.4-liter turbo four installed as the new base engine. (A turbo 1.6 is also a possibility.) We also could see GM’s torquey 2.0-liter turbo-diesel appear at some point to give Buick an answer to Audi and BMW oil-burners. If Buick gives the Verano a GS variant—which could happen even before the new model arrives—expect it to use the 250-hp 2.0-liter of the current Verano Turbo and be offered with six-speed manual and six-speed automatic transmissions. (Hey, Buick: We’d also love some Opel OPC chassis goodies.) Lesser Veranos likely will be automatic-only, with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic among the possibilities.

Competition: Acura ILX, Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz CLA-class.

Estimated Arrival and Price: Word is that China will get the car in mid- to late 2015, and that our version may not hit dealers here until a year after that. We thus expect the Chinese Verano to break cover at the Shanghai auto show next April and go on sale shortly thereafter. If the aforementioned timing is indeed accurate, look for a U.S.-spec debut in late 2015 in L.A. or January 2016 in Detroit. Pricing should start at around $30K.

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