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Buick Enclave Sees Future, Predicts Impact

Award-winning luxury crossover employs safety measures before rollover impact

DETROIT – Rollovers are among the rarest of vehicle crashes, but the 2011 Buick Enclave still provides maximum protection against them.

High-tech sensors designed to predict rollovers and help protect vehicle occupants before a crash occurs are part of the standard comprehensive safety package on the 2011 Enclave, recipient of NHTSA’s highest five-star overall vehicle safety score and recently awarded a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Enclave’s StabiliTrak electronic stability control with rollover mitigation, traction control, Panic Brake Assist and anti-lock brakes help drivers avoid such crashes. In addition, the luxury crossover’s new rollover sensing technology ensures timely deployment of occupant crash protection systems.

The sensors can predict in a fraction of a second whether a rollover is likely to occur. If it senses a rollover, the system sends a signal to deploy front seat safety belt pretensioners and head curtain side air bags to protect occupants. Pretensioners reduce safety belt slack, and load limiters moderate the load of the safety belt on the occupant in a crash. Both technologies work together to help keep occupants in place during a crash.

“It’s like we gave the Enclave special powers when it comes to rollovers,” said Bridget O’Brien-Mitchell, the General Motors engineer who led the team that developed predictive rollover sensing. “But we’re using technology as part of our commitment to protect customers and their families.”

According to the NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts 2009 annual report, rollovers accounted for 2.2 percent of all vehicle crashes, while fatalities from these crashes amounted to 35.4 percent of all traffic deaths.

Rollover sensing is part of a suite of Buick advancements that provide continuous safety before, during and after a crash. All Buicks, including Enclave, feature the safety and security of OnStar technology. In the event of a crash, OnStar’s Automatic Crash Response alerts first responders to get medical assistance on site as quickly as possible.

O’Brien-Mitchell, who has been working on vehicle safety for 20 years, began her career with GM as a co-op student at 16, working on designing cars and trucks just as she earned her driver’s license. She shares office space with her canine pal Curtis, a Future Leader Dog.

“Curtis helps keep the team in a cheerful mood,” said O’Brien-Mitchell. “When we’re tackling a tough engineering problem, it helps to have a furry friend to cut the tension around the office.”

While the Enclave is loaded with safety features, O’Brien-Mitchell reminds drivers that the best safety technology is still the safety belt: “The safety belt is the most effective safety system in a vehicle, so it’s important to always buckle up.”

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2011 Buick Enclave Earns IIHS Top Safety Pick

Highest possible ratings achieved in all Insurance Institute safety tests

DETROIT – The 2011 Buick Enclave today received a Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for all models built after January this year.

“Car buyers shopping for safety get a big head start with vehicles earning our Top Safety Pick designation,” said Institute president Adrian Lund. “This award highlights the elite group of vehicles that earn top Institute safety ratings across the board, and that have electronic stability control.”

Vehicles named Top Safety Picks must achieve the highest possible IIHS ratings of “Good” in front, side, rear and rollover crash protection tests in addition to having electronic stability control.

The Enclave previously earned a 5-star overall vehicle score under the revised New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The 2011 Enclave has a comprehensive safety system designed to protect passengers – before, during and after a crash.  Before a crash, active safety features like StabiliTrak electronic stability control with rollover mitigation and Panic Brake Assist help drivers avoid crashes. When an emergency braking maneuver is detected, the Panic Brake Assist system automatically develops additional brake pressure to more quickly engage antilock brakes, potentially reducing overall stopping distance by eliminating the delay that can occur if a driver does not brake hard enough and/or soon enough.

Technologies like rollover sensing, six standard air bags, front seat safety belt pretensioners and load limiters help protect occupants during a crash. Pretensioners reduce safety belt slack, and load limiters moderate the load of the safety belt on the occupant in a crash. Both safety belt technologies work together to help keep occupants in place during a crash.

All Buicks, including Enclave, feature the safety and security of OnStar technology. After a crash, OnStar’s Automatic Crash Response alerts first responders to get medical assistance on site as quickly as possible.

“The Enclave’s Top Safety Pick Award clearly demonstrates our commitment to protecting customers and their families,” said Jeff Boyer, General Motors executive director of vehicle safety. “We stand behind Enclave and the variety of active and passive safety technologies it offers – all engineered with precision to meet the high expectations of our customers.”

After posting its strongest sales in history in 2010, the Enclave is on its way to another strong year, with retail sales up 45 percent in February compared to the same period in 2010. Total sales for the luxury crossover were up by 38 percent for the month, outselling the Acura MDX and RDX combined.

 

 

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Regal Turbo Edges Competition in Highway Fuel Economy

New Manual, 6-Speed Delivers 32 MPG – Better than VW CC Sport and Acura TSX

DETROIT – Brad and Cathy French of Chicago have always driven cars with manual transmissions, including imports from Audi and BMW. Now the clothing industry sales and marketing reps drive a six-speed manual 2011 Buick Regal Turbo.

For the Frenchs, driving a “stick” is all about fun, fuel-efficiency and being alert in traffic.

“When you look at the Regal Turbo it just screams manual,” said Brad French, a fitness and fashion devotee for whom personal appearance factors into vehicle purchase decisions. “A few years ago I would’ve never considered Buick, but the Regal Turbo is a very sharp-looking car that is a thrill to drive. I can’t wait to show it off.”

Not only is the six-speed manual Regal Turbo a thrill to drive, it gets an EPA-rated 32 mpg on the highway, which is better than its closest competitors, Acura TSX and Volkswagen CC Sport. On the open road, Regal Turbo’s 2.0-liter direct-injection four-cylinder engine delivers 220 hp and 258 lbs-ft of torque – also better than its rivals.

Buick Regal Turbo Acura TSX Volkswagen CC Sport
MPG 20 city / 32 highway 21 city / 29 highway 21 city / 31 highway
Horsepower 220 hp 201 hp 200 hp
Torque 258 lbs-ft 172 lbs-ft 207 lbs-ft

 

“Not only is the Regal Turbo fun to drive and fuel efficient, it is the first direct-injected turbocharged production car capable of running on any blend of gasoline or E85 ethanol,” said Robert Casparian, Regal product manager.

Like the Regal Turbo with automatic transmission, which starts at $28,745, the manual offers three unique driving modes – standard, tour and sport – each selectable by a push of a button. The available Interactive Drive Control System changes the Regal Turbo’s driving dynamics by altering suspension, shift pattern and steering sensitivity through the variable effort steering system. Tour mode offers a comfortable, relaxed driving experience for long journeys. Sport mode enhances road-holding capability. And the standard, or default, mode is optimized for all driving situations.

“By enabling drivers to tune their vehicle to their driving preference and even their mood, we’re better able to exceed their expectations and provide a more satisfying driving experience,” Casparian said.

As much as driving enjoyment factored in the French’s decision to purchase the granite gray metallic Regal Turbo, so did its sweeping silhouette and streamlined, coupe-like profile that suggest motion from all angles – from its waterfall grille to its spoiler-enhanced tail end.

“All of our friends love our sexy new car,” said Cathy French.  “Of course, I’m telling them that it’s really my car and that I’m only letting Brad drive it.”