Saturday, October 31, 2009

How New Buicks Took Shape in China

SHADES OF 1963 The 2007 Riviera concept car, conceived in Shanghai.


THE idea of creating a new Buick in a design studio in China, as General Motors has done with the 2010 LaCrosse, is not as loopy as it might sound. Buicks have a certain cachet in China, dating back some eight decades to when the emperor bought one.

But today’s commercial imperative is more compelling than nostalgia: sales of Buicks in China first outpaced sales in the United States in 2006, and the margin is considerable today. For the first nine months of 2009, for instance, Buick sold 312,798 vehicles in China; in the United States, it sold 72,389.

In 1997 General Motors established two joint ventures with the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation in China. One was for manufacturing. The other venture, for design and engineering, is the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center. The center has done the engineering to adapt various G.M. global models for the Chinese market.

It was logical, then, to expect that the Chinese designers and engineers would eventually take the lead in developing a new vehicle for both markets. That became a reality in July 2006 when Ed Welburn, G.M.’s vice president for global design, gave the Shanghai center an assignment to develop a design study for introduction at the 2007 Shanghai auto show.

Monday, October 26, 2009

GM Brings Back ‘Regal’ Nameplate for Next Buick Sedan

General Motors Co., focusing resources on four U.S. brands as it disposes of four others, will revive the Regal name for Buick’s next midsize sports sedan.

GM announced the move at a dealer business meeting today, according to a statement on the Detroit-based automaker’s Web site. Buick already sells a vehicle under the Regal name in China. GM didn’t say when the Regal would be sold in the U.S.

“The transformation of Buick began with our luxury crossover, the Buick Enclave, and continued this year with the launch of the 2010 LaCrosse premium sedan,” said Buick GMC General Manager Susan Docherty, who becomes GM’s U.S. sales chief on Oct. 16.

Expanding Buick is part of GM’s strategy of emphasizing that brand along with Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac since exiting bankruptcy on July 10. Buick plans to double its current lineup of three models in the next two years. The Regal was dropped when GM began selling the LaCrosse in 2004.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Road Test: 2009 Buick Enclave

Buick Enclave

Buick Enclave

I was not prepared to be impressed with the Buick Enclave. A pal of mine who experienced some of GM's poor quality a few years back thinks I'm crazy to like this SUV so much.

But here it is, knocking my socks off with an elegant, tight-fitting interior as good - dare I say it - as any Lexus I've tested. The controls, instruments, buttons and overall layout genuinely took me by surprise the second I climbed inside my $43,785, as-tested 2009 model.

Panel gaps were tight. Visibility was good and the cloth seats were very comfy. The wood and leather steering wheel felt wonderful to hold. There was not one squeak or rattle the whole week I drove it. And quiet? Close your eyes and you'd swear you were being chauffeured in a Mercedes S-Class, much of that silence thanks to GM's QuietTuning that reduces noise at source (such as tires) and employs sound-deadening material, from special carpet to laminated glass.

It's not much of a stretch to say the Enclave is proof General Motors deserved to be bailed out with billions of taxpayer dollars, that GM can build really good cars and trucks when it tries hard enough.

Sure, there were a couple of things that disappointed, such as the tiny, hard-to-see backup camera image in the rear-view mirror, and a six-speed transmission that balked at being driven aggressively - almost as if it preferred to be driven like I was collecting a pension.

At that pace, or any other day-to-day driving style in adult fashion, however, the Enclave was difficult to fault. No question, there is a feeling of bulk and mass that revealed my two-wheel-drive vehicle's 2,168 kilograms; but the power-assisted steering felt ultra-light and it was able to point the vehicle with ease. Parking was by no means a breeze, but manoevring through city traffic was never a burden.

The pull from the 3.6-litre, 288-horsepower V6 was satisfactory under most conditions, though a boost in torque from the factory-rated 270 pound-feet would not go unappreciated, especially when passing on the highway - though this Enclave can tow 2,045 kilograms.

Braking was solid, firm and properly weighted, with slightly more than average dive under hard stops. Fuel consumption, in part due to the engine's

direct injection, averaged an impressive eight to nine litres per 100 kilometres on the highway and 13.1 under my impatient foot in the city. The official rating is 10.8 combined. Not bad for such a big beast.

Equally impressive is the cargo room when all the seats are folded, creating a cave inside similar to a minivan, able to accept eight-foot-long lumber. There's an easily accessible third row of seats, too - as standard equipment - so families with three children can allow each child to invite a friend to the cottage. With all the seats up, luggage space falls to a meagre 232 cubic feet behind the last row, but that's still as good, or better, than most of the Enclave's competitors, which include the Acura MDX, Audi Q7, Volvo XC90 and Lexus RX 350, to name a few.

All of these vehicles boast a distinctive design - the Q7 and MDX wearing, perhaps, the sexiest lingerie of the bunch. But the Enclave is elegant, quietly good-looking, with graceful lines that reveal a focused attention to design, all of which help make the Enclave look smaller than it really is.

The front is especially appealing, despite the faux engine vents in the hood, and the standard 18-inch wheels look OK, though the 19-inch, seven-spoke chrome rims seem better suited for such a large vehicle. For the truly chic, 20-inch wheels are available as a dealer option.

Standard features on the Enclave include fog lamps, power liftgate, tri-zone climate control, OnStar, Bluetooth and XM satellite radio (free for three months only). The standard five-year, 160,000-km powertrain warranty is a bonus.

All of this makes the Enclave more than a contender in the luxury SUV marketplace. I have to admit the Enclave was one of the more satisfying SUVs I've driven. It's great-looking, great to drive and good value, too, attributes I never expected to laud upon a Buick.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Buick LaCrosse

Buick LaCrosse 2010


Buick LaCrosse 2010


Buick LaCrosse 2010

For 2010, the Buick Allure is renamed the Buick LaCrosse, a name that was always used for the model in the U.S.

Completely redesigned, the 2010 LaCrosse becomes a luxury sedan, with numerous new safety and technology features, available all-wheel drive, and a choice of two V6 engines. Designed collaboratively between designers in the U.S. and China, and with chassis and body engineers in Europe, it is the first General Motors vehicle to be created on three continents. Production moves from Ontario to Kansas.

The LaCrosse uses a new 3.0-litre direct injection V6 engine in the CX and CXL trim lines, and a 3.6-litre direct injection V6 in the CXS model. Both use a six-speed automatic transmission.

Features on the CX include 17-inch wheels and premium cloth seats.

The CXL adds dual-zone automatic climate control, fog lamps, and mirrors with integrated turn signals and puddle lamps. The available all-wheel drive system uses an electronic limited-slip differential, which splits torque across the axle to whichever wheel has more traction for enhanced control on slippery roads.

The CXS adds 18-inch alloy wheels, real-time active damping system, and perforated leather heated and ventilated seats. An optional Touring Package adds 19-inch alloy wheels.

Available options include navigation system, Bluetooth connectivity, auxiliary audio input and USB port, power rear window sunshade, DVD entertainment system with twin seatback-mounted display screens, head-up display, adaptive xenon headlamps, and Blind Zone Alert technology to identify vehicles travelling in the driver's blind spot.

2010 Buick LaCrosse CXS

The LaCrosse comes with a navigation system, heated leather seats, a satellite radio (standard equipment on the LaCrosse) and a backup camera along with all the usual high-end options.  -photo © General MotorsThe LaCrosse comes with a navigation system, heated leather seats, a satellite radio (standard equipment on the LaCrosse) and a backup camera along with all the usual high-end options. -photo © General Motors

It's been awhile since we've seen dealers of American cars excited about their products, and back in the day they were usually excited over the newer, larger cars and engines, though around 1969 they got pumped up a bit on what would become known as "muscle cars" and "pony cars." These were essentially just a mix of large engines in smaller cars, or they were everyone's version of the Mustang, hence, "pony" cars.

There is a bit of that going on now, and the automakers are putting pressure on NASCAR to race what the automakers are building and selling, with hopes of bringing back the concept of "win on Sunday, sell on Monday." The NASCAR Nationwide series will go to pony cars for them that has them, that is, Ford with the Mustang and Dodge with the really neat Challenger. Chevy is balking at running the Camaro in the group, and Toyota will probably go with a version of the Solara.

But the domestic dealers are high on all of their new stuff, and they should be. Chevy's Malibu is a terrific car, maybe the best thing Chevy has ever done, and the new Equinox is a great reinvention of the classic American four-door sedan, particularly as it doesn't look anything like a four-door sedan. And Buick is over the moon about the new Buick LaCrosse, another version of a four-door sedan that really doesn't look like a four-door sedan although it is.

The domestic automakers and a good bit of the rest of the world have also discovered the joys of both direct fuel injection and many-speed transmissions. Previous fuel injection has mostly been "port" fuel injection, meaning the fuel was injected as a spray into the intake ports. Better and more fuel-efficient than carburetion, but not nearly as good (or as complex or expensive) as direct injection.

One of the first shocks was the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, direct injection and a six-speed automatic that cranked out 304 horsepower and got over 27 mpg on the highway. This new Buick LaCrosse has a version of all that but in a different package. In addition, there are smaller engines available, still with direct injection and General Motors six-speed automatic.

In the car provided by Buick for evaluation, the new for 2010 Buick LaCrosse CXS was equipped with the larger V6 and is rated at 280 horsepower with EPA economy ratings of 17 miles per gallon in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. While we didn't get the chance to check highway fuel economy (and the LaCrosse was brand new, with less than 2,000 miles on it when we returned it), we did average 17.9 mpg for the entire week of basically in-town driving.

And, yes, one person did mistake the new Buick LaCrosse for a Lexus, so their ads aren't too far off the mark. What's even more important is that GM and the rest of the American auto world are learning the value of classier interior design and appointments, though the Equinox we tested had rather a downscale and very plastic hood over the instrument pod. No such problem with the LaCrosse; everything is top notch all the way.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Buick Names New Mid-Size Sedan

Buick Names New Mid-Size Sedan

Buick Names New Mid-Size Sedan

In their infinite wisdom (cue sarcasm), General Motors decided to kill of Pontiac, and dump the newfound capital into Buick; a dying brand best known for their land barges and nearly dead clientele.

Having found a huge market in China, the once-great brand needs some serious reinvention in North America. While the seven-passenger Enclave debuted to rave reviews, it simply hasn’t been able to achieve the popularity it needs to with the younger market that has no need for such a vast vehicle. Which brings us to this: the currently Chinese market mid-size Buick sedan. Based on the Opel Insignia, the car has been incredibly popular in China, and will be exported to North America shortly under a new name. And that name will apparently be Regal. Having taken a six-year hiatus, the Regal nameplate last appeared on a behemoth of a sedan known for being almost as good as a Cadillac. And one can’t help but wonder why GM would once again choose to resurrect such a reputation, to say nothing of aligning that reputation with what definitely appears to be the most youthful and attractive Buick in recent memory.

A Regal return for Buick sedan


General Motors Co. announced Wednesday that Buick's next midsize sports sedan will be the Regal.

Dealers were told the news during a Buick-GMC dealer meeting in Detroit, which included a pep talk by new Chairman Ed Whitacre, according to Dayna Hart, a GM spokeswoman.

"The transformation of Buick began with our luxury crossover, the Buick Enclave, and continued this year with the launch of the 2010 LaCrosse premium sedan," Susan Docherty, GM's incoming U.S. sales vice president, said in a statement.

The vehicle is to be in showrooms in six months. The last Regal ended production in 2004.

Buick Regal Spotted, Posted On Facebook; GS Sport Model Rumored

U.S. Buick Regal Spotted, Posted On Facebook; GS Sport Model Rumored

Just this week, we got the official word that the Buick Regal nameplate would return to the U.S. in the form of a GM Epsilon-platform based car that's essentially a re-badged Opel/Vauxhall Insignia. Today, we get a peek at what it should look like thanks to Facebook. What appears to be the U.S.-spec Regal has been spotted and posted on the car's Facebook page. The user who uploaded the image claims he saw the car being photographed at Grand Rapids Art Museum in Michigan.

The Regal name, which was discontinued in the U.S. 2004, has soldiered on in China. An Epsilon-based Regal has been available in Chinese-spec trim for some time (click here for our First Drive), and we've been curious as to what changes the U.S. model would receive. Not surprisingly, our Regal looks to have borrowed heavily from the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia version, showing similar fog lights and grille opening. Predictably, the U.S. Regal's grille retains the "waterfall" vertical chrome lines as opposed to the Insignia's horizontal slices, although it looks to have dispensed with the Chinese version's chrome faux fender vents. While there are probably a few more changes in store for the U.S. model, this looks to be pretty close to what we'll see in Buick showrooms.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Buick Allure Details and pictures

2010 Buick Allure.

2010 Buick Allure.

When Buick introduced the new LaCrosse, dubbed Allure in here Canada due to some Quebecois teenage slang associated with “la crosse” that didn’t sit well with GM’s executive staff (something about a specific self-gratifying behaviour and/or swindling), I was there at the automaker’s Oshawa, Ontario headquarters.
2010 Buick Allure.

While a few of us looked at one another in disbelief as GM staffers introduced it as a totally new look for Buick, wondering what it must be like to live in a uniquely sheltered society where even the slightest modification appeared dramatic, none of us cared that the car had a different name than its US counterpart; although I shared my concern that it wouldn’t benefit as much from the marketing bleed of the brand’s US division as it could if it carried the same name. C’est la vie dans Canada, eh?

In my review of the car I compared it directly with the Camry, the segment sales leader of the day. The Allure won in every category, including expected reliability, and while I found and still find the styling a bit derivative, it’s proven to have become a very good car. I was impressed with the car, said so, and still think so.

It was a great car, and probably the most significant GM model of its era in that it ushered in a new level of quality, especially inside where its materials, fit and finish and general ambiance was a cut above almost everything the automaker had made up to that point, well, in recent years anyway, and gave me hope that the new direction that GM execs had bantered about for years leading up to its launch, was actually starting to take shape. The rest is history, with the Saturn Aura that came after winning North American Car of the Year, and the more recent Malibu following suit last year.

Now we have the 2010 LaCrosse... er... Allure. Of course, it won’t matter all that much what it’s called in either country, because GM has started to refigure something they once knew better than almost any other automaker, styling sells. Where some of us were left feeling a bit flat at the original Allure, this upcoming 2010 model, designed via a collaboration between GM’s US and Chinese operations at its new Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC), should lay such criticisms to rest. Its Invicta Concept-inspired styling, a car introduced at the 2008 Beijing Auto Show, squarely targets the traditional North American Buick buyer, who remains older than average despite inroads to younger buyers that the brand has enjoyed with its highly successful Enclave crossover while, like that Enclave it should appeal to the forty- to fifty-something crowd too.

2011 Buick MPV – Spyshots

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The Buick MPV is practically a staple of Chinese business practice, they ferry clients from office to office in reasonable luxury, they’re comfortable, they look good, but it seems they only come in blue and silver. The 2011 Buick MPV is a step away from the boxy MPV of 2009, with a more rounded shape and a better looking dashboard, the 2011 version is practically set to rule the business MPV roost once again.

2011 Buick Regal


Buick Regal is 4 inches shorter than the LaCrosse but outside of that the Regal will offer fewer premium features such as no acoustic laminated glass, no premium absorption material under the car and no perimeter seal for the hood according to an Automotive News interview with Roger Knoebel, manager of vehicle performance integration.
I have several concerns with this plan. First, if General Motors does elect to reuse the Regal name, I think it would bring back a lot of beige-tinged memories. Yes, there was the Regal GNX, but there were also a lot of ho-hum models that you likely encountered at some point when renting a car or visiting your grandmother. Secondly, the 2010 Buick LaCrosse is so stylish, so well-conceived it seems a shame to offer a less attractive, cut-rate model that may muddy up Buick's waters.
However, there is one scenario that I am liking about the Regal: The 325HP, AWD Opel Insignia GTC (translated from Romanian). In a web chat today with GM CEO Fritz Henderson, someone asked about the chances of modern Buick Regal GNX. While Fritz did shoot down a GNX model per se, he did not completely squash the idea of Regal variants. To quote Henderson,

Sunday, October 4, 2009

2010 Buick LaCrosse

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It’s not often you read or hear those two words in the same sentence. However, a few surprises seem to be in store for the revamped General Motors to go along with its new management and slogan, and the 2010 Buick LaCrosse midsize sedan, believe it or not, is certainly an exciting vehicle.
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The LaCrosse has been completely redesigned for the 2010 model year, right down to its name (it was called the Allure in Canada up until 2009). It’s a much different vehicle from the Allure, so the name change couldn’t come at a more appropriate time.

Though it’s more expensive than last year’s model (up to $5,400 more, depending on what trim you compare), there is a lot more standard stuff packed into the new LaCrosse to help it compete with luxury midsize sedans such as the Lexus ES 350 and Acura TL. Keep in mind that just last year, Allure was aimed at the Chrysler 300 and Toyota Camry. Hey, so no one can accuse the new GM of backing down from a challenge.

Friday, October 2, 2009

2010 Buick LaCrosse Engine Details


That’s right, you will be able to order the LaCrosse with a 2.4-litre, 170-hp four-cylinder engine with an expected average fuel consumption of 10.5 litres. This engine will be offered later. For now, buyers will be able to choose between two V6 engines. The first is a 3.0 litre V6 with fuel injection and featuring 255 horses and a torque of 217 lbs-ft. It, like the other engines, is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The CX and CXL versions come with this engine. And while the CX is well equipped, the CXL is nothing to sneeze at with factory-standard automatic two-zone climate control, fog lights, exteriors rearview mirrors with LED blinkers and ambient lighting on the doors as well as 17-inch alloy wheels. All-wheel drive with electronic limited slip differential is available as an option. The electronic limited slip differential transfers torque from one wheel to another on the same axle depending on which wheel holds the road best in order to increase control of the vehicle on icy or wet roads.

Finally, the most luxurious and prestigious model is the CXS, which is equipped with a 3.6-litre V6 with direct injection, a real time suspension, heated and ventilated perforated leather-trimmed seats and 18-inch chrome alloy wheels. Check the Touring Package box on your order form and you’ll get 19-inch tires. This engine is paired with a six-speed automatic gearbox and features 280 hp and 259 lbs-ft of torque. Lastly, it comes with hydraulic variable assist steering.
Impressive!

Buick used to put comfort first and ignore handling, the result of which being marshmallowy suspensions, uncertain handling and a very disappointing ride. But that was before…The new Buick is trying to give more in the way of vehicle handling and the LaCrosse is the proof. Thanks to its ultra-rigid platform, the ride is as silent as the handling is impressive, and it won’t turn the Buick into a veritable see-saw. As with the best sedans in the category, it has a comfortable suspension and the vehicle handling is practically flawless. However, I would have preferred firmer steering, but at least it’s precise.

During the official press launch, I had the chance to drive it on the winding roads of the Upper Laurentians, and the LaCrosse negotiated turn after turn brilliantly and featured a very comfortable passenger compartment and efficient climate control. After all, you can’t forget the prerequisites of the brand’s traditional buyers. They’ll also appreciate the smoothness and the silence of the engines which offer above average performances. As for the transmission, you’ll forget it’s even there, which is a sure sign of effectiveness and smoothness.

Buick Invicta Concept

Buick Invicta Concept

The Buick Invicta Concept a midsize premium sedan, debuted a few days ago at the Beijing Auto Show. Inspired from Buick Riviera the four-door is going to be produced for the US and the Chinese markets, but rumors say that it may “visit” other continents if sales figures decides it.

The high belt line and the big 20-inch polished aluminum wheels makes the Buick Invicta seem like a beautiful tank with cat-eye headlamps.

Now comes the interesting part. The engine. It’s powered by a first direct injection turbocharged engine that develops 250 hp from those four-cylinders and 220 lb-ft (298 Nm) of torque. All these are possible thanks to a 6-speed automatic gearbox that promises fuel efficiency.

Buick Business Concept MPV

Buick Business Concept MPV

Buick Business Concept MPV is the latest concept by Buick that has been unveiled at Shanghai Auto Show this year.

Buick Business Concept may accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 12.9 seconds and reach its top speed at 190 as it’s powered by a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with Spark-Ignition, Direct Injection (SIDI) coupled with a front-wheel-drive system.

Buick Business Concept MPV sits on 20-inch, 9-spoke forged aluminum wheels. This concept also gets a 6-speed automatic transmission with a hybrid auxiliary pump.

Buick Business Concept also comes with an OnStar system with security, navigation and hands-free online service.

Buick Mini-Fighter

Buick-Avant-Concept

A Buick Mini fighter? The set of Buick Avant design study illustrations recently revealed at the General Motors Lab Web site showcased several styling directions a new premium Buick small car might take.

But the closest representation of the new Buick so far (the vehicle is as yet unapproved) is a rakish, coupe-like two-door hatchback like the clay model shown for less than three seconds during a video at thelab.gmblogs.com (see below) with GM’s new advanced design chief, Andrew Smith. And the car's development is much farther along than you think: it has been in the works for at least two years without being assigned to any single GM division.

The GM Lab masked this car's advanced state of development by wowing us with pie-in-the-sky features typical of concept cars, including a luggage porter, smart door and "move-over mode."

GM is considering versions of a premium small car in the B-segment category for both Buick and Cadillac. The Buick Avant, or whatever it's ultimately called, would have its own distinctive design language in order to give the struggling division a fresh, new identity. Except for, perhaps, a waterfall grille, it's not likely to come to production with current Buick design cues.