Category: Buick News

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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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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.”

 

 

 

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Buick Enclave Wins ‘2011 Best Value in America’ Award

Vincentric Picks Enclave over Other Full-Size Crossovers Based on Lower Costs of Ownership

DETROIT – Buick Enclave took top honors in the full-size crossover category of Vincentric’s seventh annual Best Value in America awards announced today, beating Ford Flex and other competitive models. Enclave previously earned the honor in 2009.

Vincentric, a privately held automotive data compilation and analysis firm, headquartered in Bingham Farms, Mich., selects winners based on calculations of total cost of ownership relative to price within industry segment.

“Winning the Vincentric ‘Best Value in America’ award reaffirms what Consumer Digest said of Enclave last year – that it’s a ‘Best Buy,’” said Tony DiSalle, U.S. vice president, Buick Marketing. “Enclave is a smarter choice for crossover buyers, not only for its lower cost of ownership, but also for its winning blend of sleek, contemporary design, luxurious quiet-tuned interior and superior ride and handling.”

In addition to winning the “Best Value in America” award twice and the “Best Buy” designation four times, Enclave was recently nominated for About.com’s 2011 Readers’ Choice Award in the “Best New Crossover Vehicle” category.

“We picked Enclave over other full-size crossovers, because its low depreciation rate and low service costs resulted in a cost of ownership that is 3 percent lower than expected for similarly priced vehicles in its segment,” said David Wurster, president of Vincentric.

Enclave buyers have helped Buick become the fastest-growing mainstream automotive brand in America. The crossover’s retail sales grew in February by 45 percent compared to the same month in 2010 and total sales were up 38 percent.

Enclave has the highest “conquest” rate of any Buick, with 51 percent coming from non-GM brands, approximately half of which are import brands.

Learn more about Buick Enclave here.