2012 Buick Regal GS

Before it is a concept car and now it become real. 2012 Buick Regal GS with sportier expression of the Regal sport sedan that went on sale in 2010 and has attracted new buyers to the Buick family.

The Buick Regal GS powered by a high-output, exclusive Ecotec 2.0L turbocharged engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission, the GS delivers an estimated 255 horsepower (190 kW) and 295 lb.-ft. of torque for a 0-60 mph performance of less than seven seconds (estimated). Buick’s Interactive Drive Control System is standard on the GS, allowing drivers to customize the driving experience by changing the suspension settings and steering sensitivity between three modes: standard, sport and GS.

Selecting GS mode optimizes the car for dynamic driving, tightening the suspension and steering response. “Standard,” or the default mode, is the setting for all-around use. The sport mode provides a level of performance between standard and the GS modes.

Product highlights include:

• Exclusive Ecotec 2.0L turbocharged and intercooled engine rated at an estimated 255 horsepower (190 kW) and 295 lb-ft of torque (400 Nm)
• Six-speed manual transmission, with six-speed automatic with Driver Shift Control to be offered later
• Interactive Drive Control System with GS mode
• Four-wheel independent system with HiPerStrut front suspension
• High-performance four-wheel disc brake system with Brembo front calipers
• Standard 19-inch, 5-Twin Spoke alloy wheels and all-season tire and optional 20-inch, 5-Twin Spoke polished alloy wheels with performance tires.

The Buick Regal GS’ exterior features unique front and rear fascias, with the front fascia incorporating prominent, vertical air intake slots and specific grille treatment – with the vertical elements accented in a satin-metallic finish. The rear fascia has a pair of integrated, satin-metallic trapezoidal exhaust outlets. Rocker panel extensions and an integrated rear spoiler are also woven into the design.

The GS-specific black interior is accented with satin-finish elements on the instrument panel, steering wheel and console, while the instrument panel glows white when the driver engages the GS mode of the Interactive Drive Control System (IDCS).

Standard amenities for the Buick Regal GS include:

• Passive keyless entry with push-button start
• Standard XM Satellite Radio with three-month trial service
• Harmon/Kardon premium 320-watt sound system with nine speakers
• Bluetooth phone connectivity
• Leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel with audio controls
• Leather-appointed sport seating
• Heated driver and front passenger seats, with 12-way adjustable driver and front passenger seats – including four-way lumbar adjustment
• 120-volt accessory power outlet
• Power windows with express up/down feature in the front and express down in the rear
• Front and rear ultrasonic parking assist
• Bi-xenon HID headlamps

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2010 Buick LaCrosse in China

General Motors celebrates the joy of being able sales of the new Buick LaCrosse sedan in China have reached 100,000 units less than a year after its introduction in the market. Buick LaCrosse with the 3.0-liter SIDI model accounting for nearly 80 percent of the segment, which includes sedans priced over RMB 300,000, or roughly $44,200 USD, in the first six months of 2010.

Another case with the United States, Buick LaCrosse is offered with a choice of three direct-injection petrol engines: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder unit pushing out 182HP, a 3.0-liter V6 making 255HP and a range-topping 3.6-liter V6 producing 280-horsepower. And it went on sale in summer of 2009.

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2010 Buick Regal GS Concept

A concept vehicle from the Buick is high-tech, sport sedan version was introduced at the 2010 North American International Auto Show, the Buick Regal GS Concept name. Exterior and interior cues include two additional vertical front air intakes; large, forged aluminum 20-inch wheels and performance tires; a racing-inspired sport steering wheel and metal pedals.

The Buick Regal GS Concept with an estimated 255 turbocharged horsepower (190 kW), a six-speed manual transmission and an advanced, adaptive all-wheel-drive system with a unique High Performance Strut (HiPerStrut) design in front. The engine and turbocharger are tuned to deliver greater boost pressure in the GS. The output is estimated at 255 horsepower (190 kW) and 295 lb.-ft. of torque (400 Nm).

This car is also equipped with Interactive Drive Control System (IDCS) chassis technology (also offered on Regal CXL models with the 2.0L turbo engine). Use features a high-performance Brembo brake system with 14 x 1.2-inch (355 x 32 mm) cross-drilled rotors; four-piston, high-strength aluminum calipers, and high-performance pads.

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2008 Buick Enclave luxury crossover SUV

2008 Buick Enclave luxury crossover SUV

Oshawa, Ontario (April 11, 2007) – General Motors of Canada announced today that pricing for the all-new 2008 Buick Enclave will begin at $40,895 for front-wheel drive CX models and $43,895 for all-wheel-drive CX models. The front-wheel-drive CXL begins at $48,295, while the all-wheel-drive version starts at $51,295.

Available this summer, the all-new 2008 Buick Enclave luxury crossover will come equipped with a comprehensive list of standard and optional equipment, a suite of owner services and a price unmatched in the segment.

A new, 275-horsepower 3.6L V-6 engine with variable valve timing powers the Buick Enclave. The sophisticated dual-overhead camshaft engine is mated to Buick’s first six-speed automatic transmission, offering excellent fuel economy and great handling.

The 2008 Buick Enclave offers a spacious cabin with comfortable seating for up to eight adult passengers. A seven-passenger seating configuration is standard, featuring second-row Smart Slide captain’s chairs and a third-row seat that can accommodate three adults. With Smart Slide, occupants have quick and effortless access to Enclave’s third row. An eight passenger seating configuration is also available and Buick’s standard QuietTuning ensures a library-quiet driving experience.

All Buick Enclave models come equipped with six standard air bags, including dual-stage frontal air bags, roof rail head curtain air bags for all three seating rows, and thorax side air bags for first-row seats. Other standard safety features include four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, StabiliTrak electronic stability control system with rollover mitigation technology, tire pressure monitoring system and traction control.

“The new Buick Enclave was designed to be a segment-leading luxury crossover and expresses the new face of Buick,” said Jeff Monforton, GM of Canada’s marketing manager for SUV’s. “With its stylish design, relevant technologies, luxury features and quiet, and well-crafted interior, we believe the 2008 Buick Enclave is well positioned to attract new customers.”

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Buick Park Avenue Ultra, 2003

Buick Park Avenue Ultra 2003

Buick Park Avenue Ultra 2003

The Park Avenue was Buick's flagship sedan. The Buick Park Avenue Ultra luxury sedan featured a more powerful 205-240 hp supercharged V6 that became standard in 1992 versus the regular 170-205 hp V6.

1997-2005
An updated Park Avenue was released in 1997. Riding on the Buick Riviera's G-body, it was stronger and more substantial than its predecessor. New generations of the 3800 engine continued as the only powerplant, and the Park Avenue continued with minor updates since this date. The Park Avenue was discontinued for 2006 and replaced by the Buick Lucerne. The Lucerne also replaces the nearly identical but smaller Buick LeSabre.

Prices for the Park Avenue was ranged from $34,705 for the regular Park Avenue and $39,225 for the Ultra luxury trim.

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Buick Rendezvous, 2003

Buick Rendezvous 2003

The Buick Rendezvous, introduced in the spring of 2001 as a 2002 model year vehicle and produced through the present, is a sport utility vehicle produced by the Buick division of General Motors.

Background
Given the fact that the vast majority of SUVs were rarely taken off-pavement by their owners, much less driven under serious off-road conditions, a new type of car-based "crossover SUV" was developed that was hoped would provide all the elements that customers actually wanted from their SUVs such as cargo carrying capacity, elevated seating height and the suggestion of an active outdoor lifestyle with less of the negative attributes typically associated with traditional SUVs such as poor gas mileage, uncomfortable ride, high step-in height, propensity to roll over, etc. The formula of a car-based "soft-road" luxury SUV had proven marketable by the highly successful Lexus RX300 and was thought to be a promising new market category for Buick to exploit within this extremely profitable portion of the ever-expanding SUV category.

Technology and notable features
Buick's first truck in its lineup since 1923, the Rendezvous was billed as a combination of the best attributes of a minivan (large cargo capacity, seating for up to seven), a luxury automobile (ride, handling, smoothness) and a sport utility vehicle (truck styling and available all wheel drive).

The Rendezvous was produced at General Motors' Ramos Arizpe, Mexico assembly plant, where it shared an assembly line with the Pontiac Aztek.
Like the Pontiac Aztek, the Buick Rendezvous is based on a shortened version of GM's 2nd generation U platform minivans.

Buick benchmarked their Park Avenue luxury sedan as the prototypical target for ride and handling for the Rendezvous. In order to provide a luxurious and responsive car-like ride, all Rendezvous came equipped with a fully independent rear suspension system regardless of optional content or trim level.

The Rendezvous' instrument cluster detailing featured teal illuminated needles and numbers set in a silver face accented by chrome trim rings that was meant to evoke the luxurious look and feel of an expensive watch or designer bracelet.

The Rendezvous boasted the ability to carry seven passengers when equipped with a third-row bench, a class-leading feature that Buick brought to market before its competitors.
The Rendezvous is able to carry within its interior the proverbial 4'x 8' sheet of plywood, a common and useful task most of its competitors are unable to perform.

In support of the Rendezvous' intended role as a versatile accoutrement for busy, upper-middle class people with families, it provided a center console with storage space and power points for a laptop computer as well as a separate spots to hold a woman's purse, a cell phone, pager or other small items that the owner would want to keep organized and readily accessible as well as an optional rear cargo organizer system and rear seat stereo system controls with headsets.

On the uplevel CXL model, a driver information center on the instrument panel provided the outside temperature, compass functions, a trip computer that included readings of fuel economy, range and fuel used. An optional second generation heads-up display was also available.

An optional tire inflation monitoring system provided readings of tire pressure and warned if out of the specified range was a clever feature in the wake of the Ford Explorer/Firestone debacle that was in large part attributable to underinflated tires.

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Buick Riviera Concept Coupe, 2007

Buick Riviera Concept Coupe, 2007

The Riviera has been engineered to accommodate a new hybrid system.

The fuel-efficient car, which will feature several technological and manufacturing advances.

Exterior Design - A Sense Of Existence, Not Anonymity
The Riviera design is structured around the Buick tri-shield logo, sitting proudly on a trihedral waterfall grille. This takes the traditional Buick treatment to a new level of sophisticated boldness.

The gullwing doors, selected for their exotic appeal, achieve an expansive entrance to the two-plus-two seating configuration. Measuring 1938 millimeters at their widest point, they add to the coupe's sleek sideline. At night, fully opened doors gently shine the "Buick" name on the ground.

The use of carbon fiber in all body panels allowed the designers greater flexibility through reduced mass and added strength. This made the gullwing engineering demands easier to realize and sharp, tight radius curves possible across the body surface.

Interior Design : All About Relaxation
In a word - sanctuary. The use of rich blue and subtle creams, representing earth and water themes, are conveyed through high-quality leather bucket seats, plush carpet and a luxurious padded steering wheel. Completing the organic feel, the roof comprises two shaded glass windows offering increased headroom and a celestial connection for occupants.

The interior has no discernable start and finish point for the front and sides, creating a comfortable lounge feel. It is immediately futuristic yet somehow familiar.
The three-dimensional speedometer, inspired by past classics but utterly modern in design, compliments the touchpad styled central console loosely modeled on a computer mouse. An LCD display screen crowns the central console.

Interior designers were encouraged to consider people's personal belongings to enhance their feeling of familiarity and comfort in the vehicle. Continuing the theme of calm simplicity, electronic shifter pads replace the traditional transmission shifter. Controls are kept to a minimum to avoid driver distraction.
Ambient light strips are applied from across the console and inserted on the door liner, stretching to the front seats. Deliberately imitating precious Chinese jade stone, the lights are tinted a subtle icy green, which also offers tribute to a favored color of Buicks in days gone by.

Interior trim treatments befitting the Buick prestige abound - miniature aluminum tri-shields in the front seat headrests, a wooden floor mat in the rear and a rear central armrest which can move sideways left and right to accommodate passengers of different sizes.

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GM Teases 2012 Buick Verano [aka the Opel Astra Sedan], Will be Built in Michigan

General Motors today released a new teaser photo of its upcoming 2012 Buick Verano compact sedan together with the news that the vehicle will be built alongside Chevrolet's new small car [we assume GM means the Aveo] at the Orion Assembly Center in Michigan. The Detroit automaker said it plans to invest $145 million to upgrade the factory for this reason.

"[The] Verano will bring premium styling, performance and content to Buick buyers wanting a smaller car than Regal," said GM North American President Mark Reuss. "The investment in Orion Assembly also extends GM's local small car footprint, again increasing the number of U.S.-made small vehicles available in showrooms."

Although the company did not get into any specific details on the new Verano, the cropped picture confirms our previous reports that it will be the same car sold in China as the 2011 Buick Excelle GT, which in turn is essentially the sedan version of the latest generation Opel Astra.

The small Buick is built on the same platform and shares basic engine architecture with the Chevrolet Cruze.

GM said the Orion Assembly is currently in the process of retooling the plant for the Verano and the small Chevy, with the improvements expected to be finished by summer 2011, which should allow for Buick to launch the car into the U.S. market before the end of the same year.

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___________________2010 BUICK EXCELLE GT [CHINA]___________________

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Buick LaCrosse

GM's Buick division will debut the all-new LaCrosse luxury sedan at the NAIAS in Detroit. With a ‘sculpted design' faithful to the Invicta concept unveiled at the 2008 Beijing Auto Show, the second-generation car was a collaboration between designers in the US and China (in partnership with PATAC) as well as European-based chassis and body engineers. It is the first GM vehicle to be created on three continents.

"The new LaCrosse is intended to represent modern elegance," says GM's Vice President of Global Design, Ed Welburn. "It is instantly recognizable as a Buick, with its signature 'sweep spear' bodyside styling, portholes inside the character line on the hood, and waterfall grille." Inside, the two-tone interior is defined by a flowing, uninterrupted design theme that wraps around the instruments and door panels. Blue ambient lighting is featured throughout the cabin to create an inviting environment.

Three models - CX, CXL and CXS - will be offered, with powerplants ranging from the 3.0-liter 255hp V6 to a 3.6-liter 280hp variant. Both will be mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Production will begin this summer at the Fairfax assembly facility in Kansas City, Kansas.

Source :

Cardesignnews

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