Buick Fan Club

2011 Buick Enclave

2011-03-01T05:05:00.000-08:00

The 2011 Buick Enclave is an appealing product among those who're looking for family haulers and, what's more important is that it even manages to steal buyers from other non-GM brands. Every second buyer of the luxury crossover was previously driving a non-GM vehicle, the company proudly said in a press statement in which it applauded the way the new Buick performs on the US market.

And 2010 perfectly reflects the way Enclave performs against competition, as this was the model's best year in history. Sales were up 28 percent, while December was the best retail month ever.

"Enclave has brought a new kind of customer to our showroom - young professionals with families who previously owned an Acura or Lexus," said Tim Fitzgerald, general manager, Bowser Buick GMC of Pleasant Hills, Pa. "They have very high expectations for styling, interior amenities and quality materials, and they’re finding out that the Enclave delivers in all of those respects and more."

2011 Buick Enclave

2011 Buick Regal CXL Turbo

2011-03-01T05:03:00.000-08:00

The new Buick Regal CXL Turbo sedan, driven for this week's column, is a case in point. It is stunningly attractive to look at. Fit and finish, inside and out, are top of class - even rivaling Audi and Volkswagen, the longtime masters of classy interiors. Every amenity and infotainment feature available in substantially more expensive automobiles is offered, often as standard equipment, in the Buick Regal CXT Turbo.

Self-avowed automobile "enthusiasts" tend to hold themselves above the millions of consumers whose purchase of everyday cars make their "enthusiasm" possible. They seem not to understand that most companies making exotic or driver-centric cars can do so only if they have ample income from the production and sale of mass-market automobiles. It is why Volkswagen owns Audi, why Toyota can afford Lexus. It is why Porsche is surviving largely thanks to a Cayenne SUV that can carry families.

Our "enthusiast" friends spend much time and energy - and the pun here is intended - talking about 0-to-60 times and handling as if we all drive on racetracks, or need cars capable of doing so. Automobile advertising in car-buff magazines and TV commercials too often follows the "enthusiast" lead.

2011 Buick Regal CXL Turbo

2012 Buick Verano

2011-02-27T07:34:00.000-08:00

The all-new 2012 Buick Verano compact luxury sedan, the brand’s third new model in the past two years and first in the compact luxury segment, makes its Canadian debut at the 2011 Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto.
Verano goes on sale in the fourth quarter of 2011, the latest model in a product renaissance that began with the Enclave and continued with the LaCrosse and Regal. Like them, Verano is distinguished by luxury and technology, including 10 standard air bags, an available heated steering wheel and a next-generation radio system with OnStar-powered connectivity that enables seamless communication between the Verano and the driver’s smart phone.

An Ecotec 2.4L and six-speed automatic powertrain combination is standard and delivers an estimated 177 horsepower (132 kW) and 170 lb.-ft. torque (230 Nm), 0-96 km/h performance of 8.0 seconds and an estimated 6.4L/100km on the highway. A 2.0L turbo engine will be offered in the future.

“Verano builds on the growing momentum of the Buick lineup in Canada, giving us a great opportunity to attract a new generation of customers with a product that delivers on a higher level of expectations for design, performance and technology,” said Kevin Williams, president and managing director of General Motors of Canada. “It is a smart choice that provides discerning customers with unexpected luxury in a compact sedan – and it will compete head-to-head with competitors from Audi and Lexus.”

Buick Regal Hybrid Coming To Chicago Auto Show

2011-02-01T19:42:00.000-08:00

Buick Regal Hybrid

Buick has yet to officially confirm the plans, but reports are breaking that the Buick Regal Hybrid will be on display at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show. Borrowing the eAssist hybrid system from the LaCrosse, the Regal Hybrid is expected to turn in 25 percent gains, reaching as high as 24 mpg city and 37 mpg highway.

Those might not seem like particularly stellar numbers for a hybrid, but given the Regal's 19/30 mpg rating in standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder trim, they're a marked improvement.

With a price premium on top of the standard Regal, it's unclear that the Regal Hybrid will be competitive in a marketplace where the Ford Fusion/Lincoln MKZ Hybrid nabs 41/36 mpg ratings and the Lexus HS 250h rates 35/34 mpg around similar price points.

The eAssist mild hybrid system pairs a small electric motor with the standard 182-horsepower 2.4-liter four shared between the Regal and LaCrosse, aiding acceleration during high-load situations. Regenerative braking and accessory power functions are also part of the package.

Buick Incentives for February 2011

2011-02-01T19:39:00.000-08:00

The 2011 Buick Enclave is available with a 0% interest rate loan incentive for 60 months or $2,000 cash back. The 2011 Enclave can also be leased during February for $399 a month on a 39-month lease with a $2,459 down payment due at lease signing.
This month, the 2011 Buick LaCrosseis available with a 2.9% interest rate car loan incentive for 60 months. The 2011 Buick LaCrosse can also be leased for $309 a month with $2,104 due at lease signing on a 39-month lease.

2011 Buick Lucerne

The 2011 Buick Lucerne (shown here) incentives for February give buyers the choice between a 1.9% interest rate car loan for 60 months or $4,000 cash back. Through the 1.9% interest rate incentive, a new Lucerne with a base price of $29,730 will have monthly payments of $519.80. Through the $4,00 cash back incentive with a 6% interest rate on a 60-month loan, the same 2011 Lucerne will cost $497.43, so the cash back incentive is a better deal.

Buick To Debut Regal With E-Assist At Chicago Auto Show

2011-02-01T19:37:00.000-08:00

Continuing the momentum of new products for the Buick brand, General Motors plans to unveil a mild hybrid variant (e-Assist) of the Buick Regal at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show next week, following its larger stablemate, the Buick LaCrosse. But unlike the 2012 LaCrosse, the Regal (we’re assuming for the ’12 model year) will not offer e-Assist as a standard feature.
For those of you unfamiliar with e-Assist, it’s essentially a revised take on GM’s belt alternator starter (BAS) system that was first introduced in 2006 and consists of a 115V lithium-ion battery pack, a 15kw electric motor that adds 15 horsepower to assist acceleration, an intelligent engine stop-start system and regenerative braking. The result is a 25 percent increase in fuel economy (at least for the 2012 LaCrosse, which engineers say will hit 37 mpg on the highway).

2011 Buick Regal CXL Sedan

2011-01-03T07:23:00.000-08:00

2011 Buick Regal CXL Sedan

2011 Buick Regal CXL Sedan Price As Tested: $31,780
This week we're driving Buick's all-new 2011 Regal CXL, which incorporates General Motors' German build platform and a model name from past success. As stated in this column before, Buick's survival following the demise of Oldsmobile and Pontiac nameplates falls directly on the car's popularity in China, and now, hopefully, worldwide.
Regal's home base assembly point is Rrusselsheim, Germany, which is a major selling point for the new Buick. Furthermore, you can "feel" the German-build in Regal's steering wheel, just as you can when you drive a more expensive Audi, Mercedes-Benz or BMW. Buick feels those who drive the Japanese built Acura TSX are prime candidates for a change and I feel the car will attract a large buyer demographic.
Germany also receives credit for supplying 40-percent of the parts content, with U.S. and Canada 21-percent. The rest of the car's 39-percent of substance are supplied by a multitude of world manufacturers. Thus, German built Regal reinforces a world car marketing premise, be it badged as a Opel Insignia in Europe or a Buick Regal in America and China.
My initial drive impression was "so-so" concerning the power under the hood, as the V6 was below average in all areas. However, that changed for the better when I remembered that the new Regal comes only with 4-cylinder availability, be it an optional 2.0 liter 220 horse Turbo or our tester's 2.4 liter Ecotec fuel injected version, which puts out 182 horses.

2011 Buick Regal: Car Seat Check

2011-01-03T07:21:00.000-08:00

2011 Buick Regal

For the 2011 model year, Buick resurrected the Regal nameplate. This entry-level luxury sedan can seat five passengers.
For the Car Seat Check, we use a rear-facing infant-safety seat, a convertible child-safety seat and a high-back booster seat, all made by Graco. The front seats are adjusted to a comfortable position for a 6-foot driver and a 5-foot-8 passenger. The child seats are installed in the second row and, if available, third row. The booster seat sits behind the driver’s seat, and the infant seat and convertible seats are installed behind the passenger seat.
Here’s how the 2011 Regal scored in MotherProof.com’s Car Seat Check:

Latch system: There are five Latch anchors in the Regal, with two sets in the outboard seats and one anchor in the middle position (photo above). This allows parents to install a child-safety seat in the middle seating position. However, only two car seats can be installed into this car using the Latch anchors. Using one Latch anchor to connect two car seats is not recommended. The anchors are somewhat buried in the seat cushions. Three easy-to-use tether anchors sit on the rear shelf behind second-row’s head restraints.

Booster seat: Large side bolsters pushed our high-back booster seat inward and nearly over the top of the seat belt buckle, which sits deeply in the seat cushions.

All-New Buick GL8 Luxury MPV Revealed

2011-01-01T21:47:00.000-08:00

General Motors announced the all-new Buick GL8 in Shanghai. The luxury MPV is built on the heritage of the original GL8, China’s first family of executive wagons. The company said that the new model will be available in the market in January 2011.

The all new Buick GL8 features seven innovations and 27 technological breakthroughs along with improved design, space and safety, technology, power, features and quality. The new GL8 comes equipped with a graceful exterior design highlighted by Buick’s distinctive double sweep spear running from front to back.
This MPV comes with an option of a 3.0-liter V-6 SIDI intelligent direct injection engine or a 2.4-liter Ecotec engine with high fuel efficiency. The advanced 6-speed automatic transmission from the American auto maker provides unrivaled power for the luxury MPV segment.
When it comes to safety, the new GL8 has a super-solid body frame. The Bosch 8.1 ESP system delivers premium handling and is complemented with large-size tires and disc brakes, with six air bags available on selected models.

2012 Buick Verano Details Unveiled

2011-01-01T21:46:00.001-08:00

Just as the 2012 Buick Verano is getting set for a 2011 debut, the preliminary pricing as well as equipment details were revealed by a survey sent to Buick dealerships. The online survey is intended to gather information about potential customer buying behavior of the car in four trim levels.

According to GM Inside News, Buick called upon the dealerships to participate in an online order study of a “potential new addition to the Buick portfolio.” Buick reportedly stated that the potential new entry would be a compact car and be available in four models. Further, each model will be a build off of the previous model.

Hence, it was revealed that the 2012 Buick Verano will likely be powered by a 2.4-liter inline-four engine that can produce power of 180 hp and 172 lb.-ft. of torque through a six-speed automatic transmission.

The base Verano 1SB is anticipated to have a starting price of $20,900. The 1SD model adds Bluetooth, automatic climate control and remote start with a starting price of around $22,100.

2011 Buick Regal Pictures

2010-08-18T21:38:00.000-07:00

2011 Buick Regal Pictures

2011 Buick Hybrid Crossover

2010-07-05T23:59:00.000-07:00

General Motors' plug-in hybrid technology will be introduced in a new Buick crossover vehicle in 2011, Tom Stephens, GM vice chairman of product development, announced here today during the Management Briefing Seminars.

The yet-to-be-named Buick crossover will launch in late 2010 offering a family of fuel-efficient direct-injected gasoline engines, followed in 2011 by the plug-in hybrid model.

Buick Business Concept

2010-07-05T23:58:00.000-07:00

The Buick Business Concept, a new concept vehicle designed to showcase Buick’s future vision of “business class on the road,” made its global debut today at Auto Shanghai 2009.

2009 Buick Business Concept

Buick Business Concept

2010 Buick LaCrosse photos

2010-07-05T23:53:00.000-07:00

Redesigned from the ground up, the 2010 Buick LaCrosse luxury sedan makes its world debut at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit on Jan. 12. The LaCrosse offers all wheel drive, a suite of advanced intelligent personal technologies and safety features, and a choice of two fuel-saving V-6 engines.

2010 Buick LaCrosse

2011 Buick Regal Photogallery

2010-06-27T18:22:00.000-07:00

2010 Buick LaCrosse 2.4 EcoTec Does 30 MPG

2010-06-27T18:20:00.000-07:00

General Motors is offering the 2010 Buick LaCrosse CX with a new 2.4 liter Ecotec engine which develops 182horsepower (136 kW) and 172 lb-ft. of torque (233 Nm) and has an EPA rating of 30/19 mpg city/highway. This efficient powerplant features a sophisticated direct injection system and is also quite clean.

The 2011 Buick Regal

2010-06-25T11:10:00.000-07:00

we told you about Buick's new digital campaign to hype the all-new 2011 Regal and youthen the model's fusty image. But sometimes, the web isn't enough, so GM is also putting the Regal smack-dab in front of the 30/40something influencers it's targeting by throwing a series of debutante balls for the sedan in hot spots around the country. That's arguably more social than social media, but you know: details.

Called the "Regal Remix", the parties are being held in Chicago, Miami, Dallas, San Antonio, and other major U.S. cities. (We can't seem to find a complete list right now, but then, we were never the Cool Kids.) The Regal is meant to be the star of the evening, although other Buick rides -- specifically, the Enclave and the LaCrosse -- also earn spins on the ballroom floor. GM has described the Regal Remix as a "low pressure" event, primarily intended to generate awareness and interest among 500 or so hipsterish guests. (If we're guessing correctly, a few business cards and brochures may be exchanged, too.) The abundance of booze and live music probably helps take the edge off what could otherwise become as uncomfortable as a timeshare pitch.

So far, word of mouth from these parties and other promotional efforts seems to be paying off for GM. Zeta Interactive -- a firm that monitors online discussion of brands much like General Sentiment does -- has seen Buick rise from #17 to #8 on its list of likable auto brands. We'll see if that continues once GM and Leo Burnett launch the Regal's more conventional campaign next month.

Buick Offering Test Drive Experience

2010-06-20T05:26:00.000-07:00

The Buick brand will debut another initiative included in its transformation plan. The project, which has been developped with the 100 Black Men of America publication, will see Buick offer a test drive experience to the public and attendees of the 100 Balck Men of America 24th Annual Conference.

In addtion to offering test drive session that include three of its models, Buick will also offer children who are 8 years of age or older to ride along as passengers.

Here is Buick’s description of the vehicles that will be available for test drives:

• 2011 Buick Regal - Armed with turbocharged horsepower, a driver-selectable suspension system and a firm, European-tuned chassis, it delivers a driving experience that rivals the best import sport sedans in the segment.

• 2010 Buick LaCrosse - Redesigned from the ground up, the LaCrosse luxury sedan offers all-wheel drive, a suite of advanced personal technologies and safety features, and a choice of two fuel-saving V-6 engines.

• 2010 Buick Enclave - Buick’s popular luxury crossover gets available 20-inch wheels for 2010, as well as several technologies that add value and convenience.

Buick said that it will not dilute the driving expereince, allowing the attenders to enjoy the vehicles 100 percent. In other words, the company won’t bring any sales personnel at the ride-and-drive event.

2011 Buick Regal doesn't live up to its name

2010-06-20T05:23:00.000-07:00

The upside to being so out of fashion is that Buick could now be "in," if only the Regal lived up to the promise the manufacturer showed last year with its luxury sedan, the LaCrosse CXS. With its successor, the Regal, Buick is simply trying to do too much. In its efforts to be simultaneously elegant, sporty, fuel efficient, technologically tricked out and affordable it doesn't fully succeed.

What I liked most about this mid-size sport sedan was its exterior. There's a wind-swept stylishness to its profile that elevates it to the level of its competitors: the Acura TSX, Volvo S60, Volkswagen Passat and Mazda 6, each of which shares a kind of athletic voluptuousness. The Bentley-esque grille, even the Buick insignia itself, lends the car an upscale appearance that helps the Regal live up to its moniker. And the palette of sumptuous exterior colors, including the shade of deep, seafaring blue in the model I was testing, made me curious to open the doors and see what was inside this Autobahn-inspired beauty.

The experience was a little like biting into a See's chocolate and tasting a nougat you weren't expecting — and hadn't wanted. It was, in a word, disappointing.

Although the center stack was nicely arranged, it was trimmed in cheap-looking brown plastic and anchored with an equally chintzy chrome finish around the six-speed gear shift. The "pleather" dash was inlaid with a faux-wood grain. In fact, the whole cockpit was more pastiche than crafted.

If this is regal, then I'm Prince Harry.

Of course there's only so much bling Buick can pack into a car that starts at $26,995, especially a car that has as many performance and technology objectives as the Regal. I just wish the bling had been a bit more premium because there's a lot of competition at that price point. Buick would have been better off focusing on fewer features and ensuring that each was the highest quality.

2011 Buick Regal CSX Test Drive

2010-06-09T10:40:00.000-07:00

The 2011 Buick Regal is sold in Europe as the Opel Insignia (recipient of the 2010 European Car of the Year award) and under the Buick name in China; its development was truly a cooperative venture on a global scale.

The Regal's appearance confirms its cosmopolitan pedigree; it would not appear out of place in any modern city, from San Diego to Shanghai. As a midsize sedan, the new car is smaller and more tautly sculpted than any previous model bearing the Regal name. With Buick's signature grinning grille, its muscular shape was met with positive responses from most of the people we talked to. Given the pedestrian shapes of cars that dominate the current midsize sedan market, that's not entirely surprising. But since GM couldn't beat the competition with the rotund American architecture that formerly defined the Regal, designers had to rethink their options.

Furthermore, the choice of two four-cylinder engines rather than the historical dependence on V6s in the model line speaks of a major identity shift.

The Specs

The new Regal's base engine is a 2.4-liter inline four with 182 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque, and it features direct-injection and variable valve timing, as befits a 21st-century powerplant. The high-performance option is a turbo 2.0-liter with 220 hp and an impressive 258 pound-feet from just 2,000 rpm. Both engines hail from GM's Ecotec family, but are much smoother and more genteel than the corporation's four-bangers of yore.

Fuel economy has not been finalized, but GM estimates that the 2.4-liter normally aspirated engine will achieve 30 mpg on the highway, and the turbo will get 29 mpg. Both engines pedal through six-speed automatic transmissions with manual-override capability, but these are two different units—one a Hydra-matic, the other an Aisin—and the gear ratios vary quite a bit to take advantage of the turbo motor's wide torque spread. A six-speed manual transmission is promised sometime in the future for use with the turbo.

With a wheelbase of 107.8 inches, an overall length of 190.3 inches, a height of 58.4 inches and an overall width of 73.1 inches, the Regal is smaller in every dimension than the Buick LaCrosse. It also provides four fewer inches of rear legroom than the LaCrosse, at 37.3 inches, although chief engineer Jim Federico points out that that's three more inches than rear passengers will find in an Acura TSX.

Designed to meet new federal crash-test standards for 2012, the Regal's body shell claims to offer a 25 percent improvement in torsional bending resistance compared with the outgoing model. According to Federico, the amount of high-strength steel in the structure is considerable, and was limited mainly by weld incompatibilities between it and conventional steels. At around 3600 pounds, the Regal isn't exactly svelte, but a projected five-star rating in both major federal crash-test categories suggests that it is strong.

The Regal's suspension consists of MacPherson struts up front with aluminum lower control arms and an aluminum four-link setup in the rear, both ends equipped with direct-acting, tubular antiroll bars. An electronic adaptive-damping shock system called the Interactive Drive Control System (IDCS)—which features three push-button selectable programs: normal, tour and sport—is available for the turbo model.

The ride firmness—as well as the amount of body-motion control imparted by the shock—changes depending on which IDCS program the driver chooses. Selecting Sport Mode also alters the degree of steering assistance and the response of the Buick's Stabilitrak handling system, reducing the level of electronic intervention and raising the threshold before it steps in. These values can be adjusted independently through the car's info screen.

2011 Buick Regal

2010-06-05T18:09:00.000-07:00

More than a few surprises have accompanied the rebirth of General Motors. Chief among them is the resurgence of Buick, which was chosen as one of just four brands GM kept alive, even as it euthanized better-selling brands like Pontiac and Saturn, plus niche marquees like Hummer. After piloting the latest offering from the premium American brand, I can see why those in GM's ivory tower picked Buick to survive.

The Regal is a good-looking, excellent-handling midsize sedan that packs a lot of content for its price, with just a few drawbacks.

The biggest problem is the model's staggered introduction; just one trim level, the CXL, with one available engine is on sale now (that's the one reviewed here). The rest will hit the street over the next year. Even with just the moderately powered four-cylinder Regal you can buy today, Buick is clearly doing things right.
Looks
Enticing younger buyers into Buick showrooms is job No. 1. While the Enclave crossover and the recently redesigned LaCrosse have chipped away at the average age of Buick owners — it's down from 72 to 64 — the curvy Regal should lure in shoppers at least a decade or three younger than that.

The Regal we see in the U.S. is identical to a German GM design called the Opel Insignia. In fact, Buick proudly states that the two are virtually identical, save for the grilles and a few light treatments. That's likely because it would have been hard to complain about the original look. The front is modern and unoffensive, the profile and rear quarter bring BMW to mind, and the rear looks like it came from Acura — from before when that brand forgot what a curve was.

Buick Regal GS Confirmed for Production

2010-06-05T18:08:00.000-07:00

Buick said on Thursday that it will build the Buick Regal GS, after receiving "a lot of positive consumer feedback" about the high-performance Regal GS show car that debuted in January at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. "No further details are available at this time," said Buick in a statement.

Buick Regal GS

When the Buick Regal GS show car was unveiled, the GM division called it a high-performance version of its Regal sedan. The show car was equipped with a 2.0-liter Ecotec turbocharged engine. On Thursday, Buick said the Regal CXL turbo will be available in the fourth quarter of this year. But it didn't hint at what would be under the hood of the production Regal GS.

The Regal GS show car was designed to be a scene stealer with such details as a lowered body, an adaptive all-wheel-drive system, forged-aluminum 20-inch wheels and performance tires, Recaro front seats and Brembo brakes. The cabin was equipped with a jet-black interior and a flat-bottomed steering wheel.

Buick Regal GS Confirmed

2010-05-24T23:13:00.000-07:00

Buick Regal GS

There has been no official word from General Motors but this morning the Detroit News reported that Tom Stephens, GM vice chairman of global product development, has confirmed that the 2011 Buick Regal GS will see production. There are very few details to accompany this exciting news but the production Regal GS is expected to be very similar to the concept version unveiled at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show.

Should the 2011 Buick Regal GS see production in the same form as the concept, it will feature the turbocharged 2.0L 4-cylinder, mated to a 6-speed transmission and (best of all) a very advanced all wheel drive system. Shy of the radical 20” wheels, there are really no features of the Regal GS Concept that couldn’t make it onto a production car and should the production 2011 Gran Sport hit the market in the same form as the Concept - Buick could have that next key piece in attracting younger buyers.

255 horsepower, 295lb-ft of torque, a six-speed transmission and a variable mode AWD system will definitely draw in the younger buyers…now all we need is the official word from GM that the 2011 Regal GS will possess all of the goodies from the 2010 NAIAS concept car. Any performance minded version of the new Regal will certainly be exciting but the key, in my opinion, is for GM to produce the same car that drew SO MUCH attention at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year and anything less will be disappointing.

Buick hails better sales, new models, younger buyers

2010-05-10T07:57:00.000-07:00

The 2010 Buick LaCrosse luxury sedan makes its world debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan Sunday, January 11, 2009.

When you think of hot car brands with lots of mojo right now -- Hyundai and Ford come instantly to mind -- there's one other famous name that might be overlooked: Buick.

Tiger Woods' former favorite is the subject of a lot of favorable news today, such as:

Better sales. General Motors says the 2010 Buick LaCrosse, shown above, just posted its best sales month in April since it was introduced. Sales are up 237% from a year ago, with demand so strong that GM has added a third shift its Fairfax plant in Kansas City, Kan.
Younger buyers. The Los Angeles Times ran a story today headlined "Buick Pulls Off a Dramatic U-Turn" about the comeback in the brand. The best news for GM, writes Jerry Hirsch, is that Buick is actually attracting younger buyers. But don't get too ramped up: From an average buyer age of 64 three years ago, today's Buick customer is now 61, says J.D. Power and Associates.
New models. Buick plans to add three new vehicles to broaden its appeal. Besides the new midsize Regal on the way, Buick will also bring a compact car and small crossover, reports Scott Burgess in the Detroit News. Buick will have such a young line that by 2013, the oldest vehicle will be the Regal, due to be introduced in the next couple months.

2011 Buick Regals Add Flex-fuel Capability

2010-05-05T04:51:00.000-07:00

2011 Buick Regals

A recent announcement that comes from General Motors reveals that all 2011 Buick Regal models sold starting this fall will offer Flex-fuel capability. Currently, GM’s Epsilon II platform based Regal comes with a naturally aspirated 2.4 liter four cylinder engine that offers 184 hp. As per the new plans, a turbocharged 2.0 liter Ecotec four cylinder will deliver 220 hp when it becomes available around the end of this year.

According to the Detroit automaker, as the 2.0-liter direct-injected turbo four starts arriving in late August, GM will make both units available with gasoline and E85 ethanol. The company will hence make the turbo unit its first series production E85 turbocharged and direct injected engine.

2010 Buick Enclave

2010-04-21T06:52:00.000-07:00

Enclave: For those yearning to make a statement on the road, Buick’s popular luxury crossover gets available 20-inch wheels for 2010, as well as several technologies that add value and convenience.

Buick 2.0T Lacrosse to launch soon

2010-04-09T23:47:00.000-07:00

Buick 2.0T Lacrosse
The Buick Lacrosse is Buick’s latest fantastic sedan, it has the size and styling of a high end Lexus but has the price tag that we can all afford, even us mere CCT staff writers. The Chinese offerings are a 2.4l 4 cylinder model that is highly rated and also a flagship 3.0L V6, the latest model to join the line up will be the 2.0T which has a similar performance level to the 3.0L V6, but a starting price tag of just 250,000rmb compared to 300,000rmb.

The lower priced 2.0T model starts at 259,900rmb, where as a premium 2.0T model is selling for 287,900rmb.

The Lacrosse has already proved to be a popular model in China with Buick dealers commanding premium pricing for those that wish to skip the waiting list and pick up their Lacrosse a little earlier than others.

The 2.0T is from the Buick Regal, which is turbo assisted with direct injection which produces an impressive 220bhp and 350Nm of torque paired to a six speed gearbox. The 2.0T will propel the Lacrosse from 0-100kph in 8.2 seconds and has a top speed of 230kph whist cruising at 90kph will give it impressive fuel economy of 6.8L

Buick LaCrosse Gets New Alert System

2010-04-09T23:44:00.000-07:00

Buick LaCrosse 2010

Buick LaCrosse 2010

Buick LaCrosse 2010

Buick LaCrosse 2010

The design was based on the 2008 Buick Invicta concept, and replaces the Chinese and U.S. models. States that the new Buick LaCrosse to be of U.S. combat Lexus
Buick LaCrosse 2010

Buick LaCrosse 2010

Buick LaCrosse 2010

Buick LaCrosse 2010

The 2010 Buick LaCrosse will be the first General Motors model to offer Side Blind Zone Alert, which, like other blind spot warning systems, helps you avoid bumping shoulders with other motorists when changing lanes. It's optional on 2010 CXL and CXS models equipped with the Comfort and Convenience package.

The system has radar-equipped sensors with alternating radar beams that cover about a lane's width on either side of the vehicle and about 10 feet back from the rear of the vehicle.

An orange icon on the LaCrosse's side mirrors icon lights up whenever the alert system detects a vehicle in the driver's blind spot — and flashes if the driver puts on the turn signal to indicate a move in that direction.

2010 Buick LaCrosse CX 4-Cylinder

2010-04-01T07:24:00.000-07:00

Now that you’re well versed in LaCrosse goings-on, let’s get to the specifics of the 2.4-liter CX. This 3800-plus-pound sedan is motivated by a mere 182 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque, but even so, the LaCrosse can get out of its own way. Beyond just moving this big four-door, the direct-injected 2.4-liter has enough power to facilitate safe passing maneuvers on two-lane roads. It’s rated for decent mileage, at 19 mpg city and 30 on the highway, so what more could you ask for? Well, that depends on what you’re seeking.

If you’re looking at the four-cylinder because it’s the cheapest way to get into a LaCrosse (at $26,995) and you desire a nice, comfy car wherein performance or mechanicals are of no importance, then by all means, go for it. But if you’re looking at the LaCrosse as an entry-luxury car, then you should step up to the 3.6-liter V-6.

During our drive in rural Virginia, the LaCrosse CX exhibited the same annoyances with its transmission that we’ve encountered in the Chevrolet Equinox equipped with the same powertrain. The six-speed automatic is obviously programmed for fuel economy above all else and thus is constantly changing ratios. Shift up, shift down, back up again, and back down; the box is as annoying as a twitching eyelid, swapping gears on the slightest incline or even gust of wind. It wouldn’t be so bad if the changes were seamless, but they are felt, and the transmission in our example even stumbled over itself a couple of times, causing a hard jolt in the cabin. Speaking of cabin disturbances, in fifth or sixth gear, we found that the 2.4-liter often sounded like a diesel, producing a low rumble that vibrated the floorboards. Our car was a preproduction build, so we hope this was an isolated case; all that NVH certainly contradicts the smooth luxury rep the LaCrosse is trying to cultivate.

We will admit that ordering the smaller motor does have a benefit beyond fuel economy, as the steering lightens up a bit with less weight over the front and offers better on-center feel than in the V-6 cars. The LaCrosse has a solid structure that can actually take a twist in the road with some confidence, although the huge A-pillars hinder visibility, especially in left-handers.

The LaCrosse, of course, isn’t intended as a performance machine. It’s supposed to be a luxury car where disturbances are minimal—if they’re there at all. But given our early disappointment with the refinement of this drivetrain and the fact that its fuel-economy gains over front-wheel-drive V-6 models are minimal—2 mpg city and 3 mpg highway—stepping up to a couple extra cylinders makes sense if you can afford it. We look forward to testing a production LaCrosse CX to see if that opinion changes.

2011 Buick Regal Introduced at Fort Lauderdale Auto Show

2010-03-19T11:06:00.000-07:00

Buick revealed its new 2011 Regal Thursday at a media event at the Fort Lauderdale International Auto Show in Florida. The Regal has been around for decades and the newest version is definitely not your grandparents’ old Regal.

“Many of you have been asking us, ‘When is Buick going to have a sports sedan? No really, a true, authentic sports sedan?’ Christopher Ayotte, Buick national marketing manager, said. “And we think the answer is the 2011 Buick Regal.”

Test Drive: Buick LaCrosse

2010-03-13T01:34:00.001-08:00

By now you’ve seen the commercials where Buick calls out Lexus and claiming that their new LaCrosse is as good, or better, than the ES series. And not only is it better, that it’s cheaper, too. Sounds too good to be true, don’t it? We thought so too until we hopped behind the wheel of Buick’s new mid-sized luxury sedan. The car that was designed partly by GM’s Chinese arm—Buick’s are HUGE in China. Ask about ‘em—packs in a hell of a lot of luxury in a package that doesn’t look as if it was made for your grandmother. Read on to see if Buick latest offering is as good as they claim. Spoiler alert: it is…

PRICE: Base $33,765, As Tested: $36,560

POWER: 280 hp, 3.6L V6

MPG: 17 city/ 27 hwy

RIDE: The goal for the LaCrosse, as you can see by the commercials, was to go head to head with Lexus’ ES. But in order to do battle against their mid-sized, front wheel drive offering, they had to make sure the LaCrosse was just as comfortable to drive. And they’ve succeeded. The CXS we drove with the 3.6 L, 280 hp V6, was a smooth as any Lex we’ve driven. There’s a real sense of calm when you drive it. The six-speed automatic transmissions shifts smoothly, the road noise is kept to a minimum and the steering is nicely weighted to provide you with just the right amount of info. Not enough for you to confuse it for a sports sedan, but enough so you don’t fall asleep behind the wheel.

2011 Buick Regal Pictures

2010-03-13T01:32:00.000-08:00

2011 Buick Regal
2011 Buick Regal

2011 Buick Regal

Regal fuels Buick revival

2010-03-12T00:48:00.001-08:00

2011 Buick Regal may be the best chance for that. About an inch longer and wider than the current Toyota Camry, the Regal is certainly an alternative to the popular Camry/Honda Accord/Nissan Altima trio, but the Regal is aimed slightly more upscale, in both content and price. It should be available by May.

The Regal is essentially an Americanized version of the Opel Insignia, and the first Regals sold in the U.S. will be built in the Opel plant in Russelsheim, Germany. Later this year production shifts to the GM plant in Ontario, Canada, which is currently building the Chevrolet Camaro.

Yes, General Motors has tried to sell Opel-based vehicles in the U.S. before, most notably the Cadillac Catera. But this time, GM hopes the result is more successful. And after a brief drive in a 2011 Regal that was close to U.S. production specifications, I think it could be a hit.

Styling is attractive, and quite un-Buick-like – gone is any hint of the traditional triple portholes on the front fenders. Inside, the Regal CXL – a base-model CS will be offered next year – comes standard with leather upholstery and a lot of other luxury features. Also standard is most every safety feature GM has, including stability control and OnStar. Base price of the CXL is $26,245, or $26,995 with shipping.

2011 Buick Regal to make debut soon

2010-03-12T00:47:00.000-08:00

The new 2011 Regal started production earlier this week in Germany, and will begin making its way to dealerships in the U.S. in the next couple months. Later, production will be moved Stateside, but to get the vehicle in consumer's hands as quickly as possible, production started in the same plant that currently produces Regal's European sibling: the Opel Insignia.

2012 Buick Regal GS might be offered without the all-wheel drive system

2010-03-06T12:50:00.000-08:00

As you may know already GM is woking hard on the 2012 Buick Regal GS, which will be based on the Regal GS Concept, unveiled back in January at the Detroit Auto Show but also on the all-wheel drive Opel Insignia OPC.

Now here is the bad news… Apparently, the upcoming car will be offered without the all-wheel drive system. This was confirmed by Bob Lutz, GM’s Vice Chairman who said that the produc planners are debating whether all-wheel drive is worth the added weight and cost.

2012 Buick Regal GS Pictures

2010-03-06T12:48:00.000-08:00

2012 Buick Regal GS Pictures

Buick with un-Buick-like performance

2010-02-25T00:18:00.000-08:00

The LaCrosse tested – it was known as the Allure here until the arrival of this all-new, second-generation model – was the line-topping CXS model with 3.6-litre, 280-hp V-6 and equipped with handling and other upgrades that raised its base price from $40,795 to an as-tested $50, 960.

I drove it on the road for a week, and sampled a nearly identically one at last fall's Canadian Car of the Year TestFest by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada.

A $47,600 version was entered in the Best New Family Sedan over $30,000 category that I helped judge, up against a $35,999 Ford Fusion Hybrid and $37,399 Ford Taurus, which won. As price is factored into the outcome, I'd have been interested to see how a base LaCrosse would have fared against the Taurus. The LaCrosse was one of the three finalists in the separately run 2010 North American Car of The Year competition, along with the Ford Fusion Hybrid and the Volkswagen Golf/GTI; the Fusion Hybrid won the title.

Buick prepares new flagship coupe

2010-02-17T22:22:00.000-08:00

General Motors announced that the Buick line-up will be expanded with a new coupe model in the next few years. The future coupe will be a "statement, all the design cues and everything would drive themselves down into all Buicks."

"Buick definitely needs more product in the pipeline. My role is really being a zealot for getting Buick more youthful, more spirited and probing ideas [for] coupes, more expressive vehicles. That is really my job," said John Cafaro, director of design for Buick and Chevrolet.

"Buick is kind of going through what Cadillac went through" when it reinvented itself, he said. "Cadillac said: ’What we are doing is not working. Our customers are dying off. We have to carve a new image.’ That is where Buick is right now."

2010 Buick LaCrosse

2010-02-17T22:18:00.000-08:00

America's seniors are getting less and less attention from Detroit these days. They've had their bench seats, station wagons, and most of the large rear-wheel-drive sedans taken away, not to mention the storied brands of Oldsmobile, Pontiac, and Plymouth. The "Greatest Generation" that led the American auto industry out of World War II and into its seemingly unstoppable dominance in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s has now been written off.

As a result, seniors aren't buying anymore. And when they do, it's not always from Detroit.

My grandfather, now 84, made a healthy habit of surprising his wife and kids with a new Dodge, Chevy, Ford, or a Buick. He toys with the idea of getting a pickup truck, but admits he probably won't buy another car. He's just fine cruising around town-in a Volvo.

Despite being chosen by General Motors as one of its four "core" brands, Buick, which has a median buyer age of nearly 70, is closer to outdated iron than a Detroit rebirth. Its famous discontinued models — Roadmaster, Park Avenue, Riviera — were as expansive and rich as the real estate they evoked. Its latest discontinued models — Rainer, Rendezvous, Terraza — sparked all the allure of a rebadged Chevy. So how is Buick going to attract today's entry-level luxury buyers, the younger, middle-aged Americans stuck on Lexus?

A look at the 2010 Buick LaCrosse

2010-02-14T23:09:00.000-08:00

LaCrosse CXS

BASE PRICE: $27,085 for base CX; $29,645 for front-wheel drive CXL; $31,820 for all-wheel drive CXL; $33,015 for CXS.

AS TESTED: $35,955.

TYPE: Front-engine, front-wheel drive, five-passenger, mid-size sedan.

ENGINE: 3.6-liter V-6 with VVT and direct injection.

MILEAGE: 17 mpg (city), 27 mpg (highway).

TOP SPEED: NA.

LENGTH: 197 inches.

WHEELBASE: 111.7 inches.

CURB WEIGHT: 4,065 pounds.

BUILT AT: Kansas City, Kan.

OPTIONS: Premium audio system with navigation and backup camera $1,995; Carbon Black metallic paint $195.

DESTINATION CHARGE: $750.

Buick lineup to get Regal in spring

2010-02-07T21:06:00.000-08:00

Prices for the all-new, 2011 Buick Regal sedan will begin at $26,995 (including $750 freight) for the premium CXL model with a normally aspirated four-cylinder engine and $29,495 for the CXL with a turbocharged four-cylinder, General Motors has announced.

The first of the new Regals destined for U.S. dealerships will begin arriving in late spring and will be produced at GM's Opel factory in Russelsheim, Germany.

North American production of the Regal won't begin until early next year at GM's Oshawa plant in Ontario, Canada, the automaker said.

Regal CXL models will be well-equipped, with such standard features as the 182-horsepower, 2.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine, a six-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift function and, on the turbo model, a 220-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. That engine will not be available until late summer, the automaker said.

The base engine is the same direct-injection four-cylinder found in the Chevrolet Malibu and several other GM models.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/topdown/detail?entry_id=56791#ixzz0euygqEhr

2011 Buick Regal

2010-02-04T00:32:00.000-08:00

2011 Buick Regal Picture

2011 Buick Regal will be sold only in premium CXL trim.

2011 Buick Regal

2010-02-04T00:30:00.000-08:00

2011 Buick Regal

The Regal will be launched with a 2.4- liter, direct-injection four-cylinder making 182 horsepower, followed a few months later by a 2.0-liter, DI turbo four that produces 220 horses. Initially, both engines will be offered with six-speed automatics, with a manual coming onstream for the turbo model slightly later. GM execs have no idea how many manuals the company will sell, but we predict they will be as rare as Chupacabras. In time, there’s a very good chance that a high-performance GS variant will be added. A concept car at the Detroit auto show previewed this all-wheel-drive version, powered by a 255-hp turbo four.

GM prices 2011 Buick Regal

2010-02-04T00:25:00.000-08:00

Buick says the least-expensive 2011 Regal sedan, temporarily, will be the mid-level CXL model, starting at $26,995. That's also the price of the base LaCrosse, called CX, which is a bigger car but not as well-equipped as the CXL Regal.

A lower-price CX version of Regal's not due until early next year, as 2012 model, Buick says.

Regal was unveiled at the Los Angeles auto show in December. The Regal CXL with 2.4-liter four-cylinder rated 182 horsepower is to go on sale the second quarter this year. A higher-performance version, CXL turbo with 2-liter four to be rated about 220 hp, is due late this summer.

To be clear, which is difficult, this year's Buick showrooms will have (in addition to the Enclave SUV) three cars: 2011 Regal, 2010 LaCrosse, 2010 Lucerne.

2011 Buick Regal Price

2010-01-29T04:37:00.000-08:00

Buick today announced pricing for the all-new 2011 Regal. Prices start at $26,995 for the premium CXL model, including a $750 destination charge.

Regal’s CXL turbo model will start at $29,495, including a $750 destination charge.

Regal will initially be offered in premium CXL trim only, with additional trim levels to be offered in the 2012 model year. The well-equipped Regal CXL includes the following as standard or available equipment:

* Standard 2.4L Ecotec direct injected engine rated at an estimated 182 horsepower (136 kW)
* Available 2.0L Ecotec turbocharged and direct injected engine rated at an estimated 220 horsepower (164 kW) – available late-summer 2010
* Both engines have six-speed automatic transmission standard with Driver Shift Control (DSC)
* Estimated 30 mpg on the highway with the 2.4L and 29 mpg highway with the 2.0L turbo engine
* MacPherson strut front suspension and four-link independent rear suspension
* Class-exclusive Interactive Drive Control System is available with the 2.0L turbo,

offering enhanced vehicle stability and greater driving safety, while also adapting the driving characteristics of the car to the driver’s preferences. The driver selects among three operating modes that adjust suspension, steering, throttle, transmission, and stability systems to personalize the driving experience

* Four-wheel disc brakes with four-channel anti-lock braking system, brake assist and electronic parking brake
* Standard StabiliTrak stability control system and full-function traction control
* Standard dual-stage frontal air bags, side-curtain air bags and pedal-release system; and available rear-seat thorax air bags
* Available navigation system, Harman Kardon sound system, and internal flash drive (1GB)
* Standard 18-inch aluminum wheels (19-inch aluminum wheels come with available Interactive Drive Control on the 2.0L turbo)
* Standard 12-way power, leather and heated driver seat; leather and heated passenger front seat; Bluetooth for phone capability; i-Pod auxiliary jack and USB port; XM Satellite Radio and OnStar

“The Regal is the next chapter in Buick’s transformation and we’re excited to bring this Buick sport sedan to market,” said Craig Bierley, Buick Marketing Director. “The dynamic driving experience and intuitive, personal technologies offer customers a premium sport sedan for great value.” 2011 Regal pricing compares to the 2010 LaCrosse as follows:

Buick Trim Level 2011 Buick Regal 2010 Buick LaCrosse
(CX) Available 2012MY $26,995
(CXL) $26,995 $30,395
(CXL) with turbo $29,495 N/A
CXS N/A $33,765

Regal production for sale in the U.S. and Canada begins late Q1 2010 in Russelsheim, Germany, with vehicles expected to start arriving at dealerships in Q2 2010. North American production will begin at the Oshawa Car Assembly plant beginning in Q1 2011.

Buick LaCrosse world-class comfort for a reasonable price

2010-01-16T07:08:00.001-08:00

The 2010 Buick LaCrosse is the first non-specialty car I've driven that makes me believe General Motors really can still build world-class cars.

The 2010 LaCrosse is an awfully nice entry-level luxury sedan. It drives great, rides great and offers plenty of comfort and luxury features, all for a modest price.

I tested a gorgeous metallic red ($325 extra for cool paint, just like other luxury cars) CXS, the top-level model. Price started at $33,015 and was well equipped. The base CX model starts at $27,085. There also are CXL and CXL all-wheel-drive models, starting at $29,645 and $31,820, respectively.

Power comes from a strong 3.6-liter V6 with variable valve timing. The quiet V6 generates a hefty 280 horsepower and puts it to the pavement with a smooth 6-speed automatic transmission. Acceleration is good, bringing the solid (roughly 4,000-pound) sedan up to highway speeds quickly and easily. Pulling away from a stoplight with authority is easy thanks to 259 foot-pounds of torque.

The base LaCrosse's engine is a 182-horse 2.4-liter I-4, which may seem a bit meek. The CXL moves up to a 255-horse, 3.0-liter V6, that creates just a touch less in AWD form.

Handling is good with moderately heavy steering feel to the front-drive car, but quick turn-in as you slip the sedan through tight turns and there's no body roll to speak of either. LaCrosse is on par with the likes of a Lexus ES350 or Toyota Avalon for feel. It's also on par or slightly better than the Ford Taurus I recently drove and its cousin, the Lincoln MKS.

The Buick ride, long its primary selling point, is exceptional. The LaCrosse handled our rough roads and streets with as much comfort as any car I've driven, some at twice the price. The independent suspension at all four corners, plus MacPherson struts up front create a well controlled ride, not the old soft, floaty ride of the past.

Braking is excellent with four-wheel discs, anti-locks and stability and traction control. I had this in some sloppy weather and didn't spin the 18-inch tires.

Inside, the Buick delivers one of the best GM interiors to date. Fit and finish is up there with the imports, both in form and function.

Buick Regal GS Concept

2010-01-15T05:40:00.002-08:00

Buick Regal GS Concept Tipped as the Next Gran Sport

2010-01-15T05:40:00.001-08:00

Buick says the Regal GS show car will “reinvigorate Buick’s storied Gran Sport legacy.”

2011 Buick Regal

2010-01-15T05:31:00.000-08:00

With a chassis engineered for European roads and a Buick badge, the Regal could add some zing to Buick's image and compete with luxury sport sedans like the Acura TSX and Volvo S60. The Regal is about 5.8 inches shorter than the Buick LaCrosse.

Other than its grille and lights, the Regal's exterior is a dead ringer for GM's German Opel Insignia sedan, 2009 winner of Europe's Car of the Year award. The Regal features a choice of two four-cylinder engines: a 2.4-liter that offers a thrifty 30 m.p.g. on the highway and a 220-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter for enthusiasts. Six-speed manual and automatic transmissions are available, as is an adaptive suspension that improves handling in sporty driving.

Interior features include standard leather seating and Bluetooth hands-free phone capability.

Buick will also show a Regal GS concept car that features all-wheel drive, a 255-horsepower version of the 2.0-liter turbo engine, a performance suspension and Brembo brakes. Buick will probably build the GS model.

First Drive: 2010 Buick LaCrosse CXS

2010-01-07T10:29:00.001-08:00

When the original car arrived, those to the south of us called it LaCrosse. Not in Canada. Here, the name of Canada's national sport was dropped because it had (has) a lewd connotation en français. Enter the weakly named Allure. Thankfully, Buick has come to its senses and named its full-sized family sedan what it should have been from Day One. Ironically, the owner's manual still welcomes the owner to the 2010 Allure.

In the past, getting behind the wheel of a Buick made me forget where I was going and why I was going there, such was the drive-the-living-room-to-the-mall excitement of the Allure - it was more overly padded recliner than supportive Recaro seat in nature. Sure, it served a purpose, but, gee, what an anemic form of transportation. The LaCrosse is a very different car as it is, believe it or not, actually sporty and has a sense of purpose, all of which makes it a very distant relative to the Buicks of yore.

Gone are the somnolent interior, iffy materials and cobbled-together feel. Instead, there's a snazzy cabin (the French stitching that runs through the door panel, over the instrument binnacle and across the dash to the other door panel adds a welcome touch of elegance) that boasts rich materials. It's also very comfortable without feeling like an old pair of slippers, and it is very well equipped. In the tester's case, the list ran the gamut - everything from heated/cooled power front seats, a heated steering wheel and a heads-up display to a navigation package that included a very good harman-kardon audio system with a 40-gigabyte hard drive and a backup camera. The hard-drive-based navigation system has a neat twist - it warns of impending traffic delays or road works. The coverage area is limited at present (essentially Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver), but it works very well. Perhaps the only downside is being told that a highway that's moving at the limit is coming to a standstill in 8.7 kilometres - it's demoralizing.

Read more: http://www.nationalpost.com/cars/story.html?id=2412532#ixzz0bx7izeLt
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Buick Regal GS Concept Tipped as the Next Gran Sport

2010-01-07T10:28:00.001-08:00

Buick says the Regal GS show car will “reinvigorate Buick’s storied Gran Sport legacy.”

General Motors is gradually revealing the cars it plans to unveil at the Detroit auto show over the Internet. Two days ago it was the Cadillac CTS-V Coupe. On Thursday, G.M. revealed the Buick Regal GS.

G.M. introduced the Buick Regal last December at the Los Angeles auto show. At the time, Buick said the Regal would release a turbocharged 2-liter version, with 220 horsepower, late this summer. The Regal GS pushes the performance threshold a bit more.

Buick Regal GS Concept

2010-01-07T10:27:00.000-08:00

2010 Detroit auto show -- is any indication of things to come.

Conceived as a "21st-century successor" to the vaulted Skylark Gran Sports and Regal Grand Nationals, the show car -- like the production 2011 Regal itself -- has European roots. Much of the car stems from the high-performance OPC version of the Opel Insignia, including the lowered stance, aggressive front fascia, and large 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Regal GS sports an all black interior, highlighted by special Recaro front buckets (donated from the Insignia OPC), and a flat-bottom sport steering wheel.

The GS show car is powered by GM's turbocharged 2.0-liter Ecotec I-4, but receives a bump in power to live up to the Gran Sport legend. GM says the engine is pumping out about 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, allowing it to propel the Regal GS from 0-60 mph in under six seconds. Power is put to the ground via a six-speed manual transmission and an advanced all-wheel-drive system, developed in part by Haldex. The system uses an electronic limited-slip rear differential to help push the car through corners, giving it a balanced, rear-drive feel. Further helping to instill that balanced feel are the unique "HiPerStrut" struts up front, which reportedly help to quell torque steer while improving steering feel.

Similar to Audi's "Drive Select" controller, Regal GS show car allows drivers to modify the car's ride control, steering effort, and throttle response through the "Interactive Drive Control System." IDCS has three settings -- normal, sport, and GS -- to allow drivers to tailor the car for soft cruising or hard driving. You'll know if you've selected either the sport or GS setting -- the instrument cluster will glow a soft blue hue.

High-End Car Buyers Switch to Buick

2009-12-27T22:59:00.001-08:00

Recent market studies have shown that some luxury car buyers are switching to more cost effective models or brands. The picky shoppers though aren't willing to sacrifice options they've come to expect when buying a new car.

In 2009, some 14-percent of wealthier car buyers have moved from a "luxury" brand to Buick models or the high-end Hyundai Genesis. Some shoppers have simply moved to a smaller offering of the same brand they have driven for years, say from a Mercedes E-class down to a C-class. The seemingly low number of people who have switched out of a traditional luxury brand is up from 4-percent of buyers in 2006. Most of the causes of the migration are due to the economic downturn over the last year. With diminished home and portfolio values, public perception of wealth is at a low.

High-end shoppers expect heated leather seats, navigation, Bluetooth, and other niceties when shopping for a new vehicle. Many of these comforts previously only found in ultra-luxury offerings are becoming more mainstream by the day.

Buick, for one, is thrilled with the recent results. It has found its newly designed LaCrosse sedan is a hit among switching consumers. With entry pricing starting at $27,835 including $750 for destination, the LaCrosse is easily reachable for the wealthier crowd. Buick will soon be offering an even lower cost model in its sporty Regal, which should be priced around $26,000.

Hyundai has seen great success with its range-topping Genesis sedan. The luxurious sedan can cost up to $15,000 less than a similarly equipped model offered by a luxury car maker. Hyundai has seen its Genesis sales grow 52-percent over November of last year.

2011 Buick Regal Photo Gallery

2009-12-27T22:57:00.000-08:00

2011 Buick Regal

2011 Buick Regal
2011 Buick Regal

2011 Buick Regal

New Buick Excelle debuts in China

2009-12-26T08:11:00.000-08:00

2011 Buick Excelle XT

Back in August, when General Motors gave the media a tour of its design studios to show off pieces of its upcoming lineup, one of the cars we saw was a compact four-door Buick sedan. That sedan was essentially a re-grilled and trunked version of the recently introduced Opel Astra, but GM did not say what badging the car would receive in North America. However, the five-door hatchback version has just debuted in China at the Guangzhou Motor Show as the newest baby Buick.

In what is Buick's largest market, the compact is badged as the Excelle, and we wouldn't be surprised to see that name come to the U.S. provided there aren't any issues with the similarly named (and defunct) Hyundai Excel. The car we saw in August was identical to the Excelle shown above from the B-pillars forward. It only differs at the rear where the hatch was originally a traditional trunk.

Sporty Buick Regal GS

2009-12-23T07:06:00.000-08:00

Upcoming 2011 Buick Regal is essentially a rebadged version of the Opel Insignia, a car that won the prestigious 2009 European Car Of The Year award the year it was launched.

What a lot of readers may not know is that in Europe, the Insignia is offered in several different variants, including one that’s available with a 325 horsepower turbocharged V-6, a manual transmission and a sophisticated all-wheel drive system. This high performance Insignia is the OPC (Opel Performance Center) model and as recently as last month Bob Lutz hinted that the car was under consideration for the U.S. market.

Speaking previously with Car and Driver, Lutz explained that manual-transmission and all-wheel drive versions of the Insignia are being considered for the U.S., and of course the OPC model are among these.

The Regal name has been linked with sporty Buicks in the past, with models like the Grand National, GNX, GS and GSX all springing to mind, and today we have reports claiming that a new iteration of one of these, a modern-day Buick Regal GS, will be unveiled at next month’s 2010 Detroit Auto Show.

2010 Buick LaCrosse

2009-12-21T08:48:00.000-08:00

The last time I spent any considerable time in a Buick was as a tot when my parents owned a really sweet wood-paneled Buick Century wagon. From the looks of the sleek, new LaCrosse, Buick certainly isn’t aiming at that market anymore.

Love: Backup indicator lights
As much as I loved the heated steering wheel in the frosty Chicago weather, my favorite feature was the backup indicator lights, which are being phased out these days in favor of fancier backup cameras. The version I drove didn’t have a camera but did have a series of three lights over the rear window that lit up in succession as I got closer to obstacles behind the car.

The LaCrosse is a substantial sedan with a high trunk, so some sort of backup aid is almost necessary. Placing the lights over the rear window was incredibly smart, and I preferred relying on the lights as opposed to a fisheye lens backup camera.

Hate: The visibility

The low-profile windows limit visibility significantly. Add to that the enormous front and rear pillars, and there were a few times I felt like I was piloting a submarine instead of luxury auto. The bulky side mirrors don’t help matters when trying to navigate cross-traffic at a four-way stop. On more than one occasion, a cyclist or small car almost completely disappeared behind the A-pillar and mirror. But at least my hands were nice and toasty on the heated steering wheel as I double- and triple-checked my blind spots.

Buick Adds Four-Cylinder Engine, Price for LaCrosse

2009-12-18T08:43:00.000-08:00

In addition to its 3.0- and 3.6-liter V-6 engines, Buick will add a third engine option for the 2010 LaCrosse: an Ecotec 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with direct injection. This option will come with a price tag of $26,995. The price puts it a hair below the previous base LaCrosse CX with the smaller V-6, which starts at $27,085.

The more fuel-friendly engine will be matched with a six-speed automatic transmission that Buick expects to deliver a mileage rating of 20/30 mpg city/highway (the EPA hasn't rated the new engine for official numbers). This would put the LaCrosse at the top of its segment in terms of fuel economy. The Ecotec engine brings with it 182 horsepower and 172 pounds-feet of torque. Its closest competitor, the Acura TSX with a four-cylinder engine, starts at $29,310.

Four-Cylinder 2010 Buick LaCrosse CX Priced From $26,995

2009-12-18T08:39:00.000-08:00

Potential 2010 Buick LaCrosse customers will soon have a third engine option to choose from, with the announcement today that a new entry-level model equipped with a four-cylinder engine will be offered next year.

The LaCrosse CX with a fuel-efficient direct injected Ecotec 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine will be priced at $26,995 and promises fuel economy of 20 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.

The Ecotec 2.4-liter four-cylinder joins the lineup in the first quarter of 2010 as the standard engine in the LaCrosse CX. Direct injection technology helps it deliver 182 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque, and Buick expects that roughly 25% of customers will opt for this engine.

Every engine in the LaCrosse lineup is direct injected and matched with a fuel-saving six speed automatic transmission. Along with the Ecotec 2.4-liter, a direct injected 3.0-liter V-6 is also offered as well as a larger-displacement and more powerful 3.6-liter V-6 standard on the LaCrosse

Sweeney named head of Buick-GMC

2009-12-16T20:49:00.000-08:00

General Motors Co. tapped Buick GMC general sales manager Brian Sweeney as the new head of the brands, replacing Michael Richards who resigned last week after nine days on the job, according to sources.

Sweeney has been the interim head of Buick-GMC since Richards' departure. The appointment, which is expected to be formally announced Thursday, solidifies management ranks upended last week by the surprise retirement of Chevrolet Vice President Brent Dewar and Richards' resignation. Dewar had been appointed to lead the automaker's largest and most important brand five months ago.

The appointment also continues the trend of moving younger executives into critical positions at GM -- a trend started last summer by the appointment of Bryan Nesbitt, 40, as general manager of Cadillac.

Susan Docherty, head of GM sales and marketing and former head of Buick-GMC, would neither confirm nor deny Sweeney's appointment.

Sweeney was instrumental in marketing the Buick, GMC and Pontiac brands through one channel and the consolidation of three marketing and advertising agencies, Docherty said.

"People talk about (GM north American President Mark) Reuss having oil running through his veins; Brian Sweeney not only has it running through his veins, but his heart," Docherty said. "He is a tireless leader who can command the respect of dealers."

Sweeney, 42, has held several posts at GM including vice president of sales at Saab Cars USA and sales manager of GM's north-central region. He started his GM career at GMC in 1990 and has worked as truck merchandising manager and later manager of sales and service promotions for Pontiac-GMC. He has held regional divisional marketing manager positions for Pontiac-GMC, Chevrolet and Oldsmobile.

Buick LaCrosse 2010 Top Review and Images

2009-12-16T20:44:00.000-08:00

Production June 15, 2009- present
Model year(s) 2010–
Assembly Kansas City, Kansas, USA
Shanghai, China
Body style(s) 4-door sedan
Layout FWD / AWD
Platform GM Epsilon II platform
Engine(s) 2.4 L Ecotec I4
3.0 L HFV6 V6
3.6 L HFV6 V6
Transmission(s) 6-speed automatic
Wheelbase 111.7 in (2,837 mm)
Length 197.0 in (5,004 mm)
Width 73.1 in (1,857 mm)
Height 58.9 in (1,496 mm)

Buick LaCrosse 2010

Buick LaCrosse 2010

Buick LaCrosse 2010

Buick LaCrosse 2010

Buick LaCrosse 2010

Buick LaCrosse 2010

Buick LaCrosse 2010

Buick LaCrosse 2010

Buick LaCrosse 2010

The 2011 Buick Regal strikes back

2009-12-15T20:51:00.001-08:00

2011 Buick Regal

First it was the cannonball shot of the 2010 Buick LaCrosse across the bow of Lexus that had everyone talking about this long considered dead near luxury brand. And now, raiding into its historical nameplates yet again (when do we get a Roadmaster?), Buick has come up with another absolutely stunning home run.

Based on the highly successful Opel Insignia from Europe, the design is a true winner and should help lower Buick’s average age of owners. Too bad GM didn’t bring any of the diesels or manual transmission models to the United States. A manual transmission in a diesel Buick? Desperate times call for desperate measures, my friend.

While the LaCrosse is a lovely automobile with one of the finest interiors of any American car, the Buick Regal takes it a step further. It is not only lovely but it is also cool looking. When your friends first sit in the back bench or passenger seat and see the perfectly hued leathers, softly grained materials and angular metallic shapes they are going to think you “made it.” Suddenly they will look at you like that successful friend who paints and owns a loft. We all know how cool he is.

Wait a minute? A Buick making you look cool? Well if that is a step too far to believe loft-dwellers will trade in their first generation Scion XBs for a Buick then consider this. Compare the Buick Regal to the Lexus ES330 or Acura TL or (heaven help you) Volvo S80. Driving the new Regal doesn’t sound so bad now does it?

Buick Lacrosse

2009-12-15T20:50:00.001-08:00

Buick LaCrosse

At the end of a recent business meeting, I walked to the parking lot with another participant, continuing the discussion that had gone on in the session. As coincidence would have it, we were parked next to each other.

"That's a really nice-looking car," she said of the LaCrosse that Buick had loaned us for this review before getting into her Acura.

Back in Detroit, a Buick executive should have experienced a giddy moment of joy. Drivers like her are the very people Buick hopes to reach with the completely redesigned 2010 LaCrosse sedan - people who have abandoned American luxury cars for foreign nameplates.

"We've gotten a lot of surprised comments from people who say, 'That's a Buick?'" said Steve Parsons of Parsons Buick of Plainville. He said the first LaCrosse he sold was to a buyer who traded in a 2009 Acura TL with 1,200 miles.

"We had ordered the car with him in mind, but when it finally arrived, he told us that he had won the Acura in a drawing and that he was out of the market," Parsons said. "The salesman said OK, but invited him to come in and take a look at the car. When he did, he found the LaCrosse more comfortable, quieter and nicer to drive. He decided to trade."

The new LaCrosse has the best of all worlds: Good handling that should please the import buyer, a comfortable and quiet ride and an attractive design inside and out.

There are three LaCrosse trim levels. The base CX is anything but basic with a long list of standard equipment. Our mid-level CXL was even more luxuriously outfitted with leather upholstery. At the top of the lineup is the CXS that targets buyers who want a sportier sedan.

The CX and CXL are powered by a 255-horsepower, direct injection, 3.0-liter V-6, and are paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. This engine also powers the new Cadillac SRX.

CXL buyers have the option of stepping up to an all-wheel drive; this should be a popular option in New England. Buick promises to add a four-cylinder engine during the 2010 model run.

At the top of the lineup is the CXS, with a 280-horsepower, direct injected, 3.6-liter V-6. It too uses a six-speed automatic but is offered only with front-wheel drive. To sharpen the handling, a sport suspension is included.

The car's performance with either V-6 is more than adequate and highly refined. Our review vehicle, with the 3.0-liter V-6, reached 60 miles per hour in 8.4 seconds. The car felt livelier than that performance suggests; much livelier, actually. Trials in California of the CXS, with its 3.6-liter V-6, produced a more competitive 7.6-second time for the dash to 60 miles per hour. Both engines were precise while accomplishing this run; the transmission also turned in a flawless performance. The automatic gearbox, however, sometimes delayed downshifting when it came time to pass or merge. The ride is quiet, soft, comfortable and well-controlled. That is a difficult combination to pull off effectively, but Buick has done it. One ES 350 owner who took a brief ride called the LaCrosse highly competitive with his Lexus. That should have brought another moment of joy to the Buick executive.

GM's Buick chief is out after 8 days on the job

2009-12-15T20:48:00.000-08:00

Talk about sticking around the corporate suite long enough for a cup of coffee.

Eight days after joining General Motors as the new chief of the Buick and GMC brands, Michael Richards has left the automaker.

GM said Thursday morning that Richards, a former high-tech executive from Austin, Texas, left to pursue other career opportunities. "We wish him the very best," the company said.

Buick's number one new product -- the LaCrosse -- is being built in Kansas City, Kan., at the Fairfax assembly plant.

Richards was named to the post after Susan Doherty was promoted to head GM sales. The automaker's chairman Edward Whitacre is pushing for faster change at GM. He now has another executive to hire, in addition to filling the chief financial officer job.

Buick Prepares A Compact Sedan

2009-12-08T20:16:00.000-08:00

Buick made public, with the occasion of the launch of his new model, Regal, some sketches of his next compact sedan, which will underpin Opel Astra Sedan’s technical platform.

General Motors, has big plans for the Delta 2 platform. After it was used to build the Chevrolet Cruze model, the America automaker wants to use it for the future Opel Astra generation, which if we look at the Opel Insignia – Buck Regal pair, could look just like the model shown in the picture. The Buick officials presented the sketches at the Los Angeles Auto Show 2009, saying that we are talking about a premium compact sedan, which will be launched next year.

At the engine chapter, we are expecting forced-induction gas engines, pretty exotic for the American market, with a 1,4 and 1,6-liter cylinder capacity plus some diesel engines borrowed from their German subsidiary Opel.

Check out the video below:

Buick Lacrosse

2009-12-08T20:15:00.000-08:00

LA Auto Show | 2011 Buick Regal

2009-12-08T20:14:00.000-08:00

This will defy preconceived notions about driving a Buick,” Craig Bierley, the brand’s marketing director, said at the auto show introduction. (Buick had released details about the car a week earlier.)

What they didn’t say: Yes, this level of luxury, refinement and brand engineering could once only be found in North America at, ahem, Saturn. Could this sedan, early in its gestation period, have been planned as one?

What makes it tick? Take your pick of 4-cylinder engines, either a 182-horsepower 2.4-liter or a 220-horsepower 2-liter turbo. Either will get at 30 m.p.g.; neither will stack up well against Regal’s V-6-powered rivals (think Lincoln MKZ or Nissan Maxima). Sadly, buyers in the United States won’t be able to get the high-m.p.g. diesel engine from the European model.

How much, how soon? No official word, but figure it will be around $25,000 to start — undercutting the Acura TSX, its main competition. The Regal arrives as soon as the ships from Germany dock here.

How’s it look? The Insignia — oops! — Regal is a very worthy example of a midsize luxury sedan from Europe. In fact, let’s give the basic car its due — it’s the reigning European Car of the Year.

2010 Buick LaCrosse Looks like a Lexus

2009-12-08T20:12:00.000-08:00

2010 Buick LaCrosse CXS Front View

2010 Buick LaCrosse CXS Black Series

2010 Buick LaCrosse CXS Wallpaper

2010 Buick LaCrosse CXS Side View

2010 Buick LaCrosse CXS Interior

2010 Buick LaCrosse CXS Rear View

2010 Buick LaCrosse CXS Display

2010 Buick LaCrosse CXS Picture

2010 Buick LaCrosse CXS Sport Car

An attractive, premium-looking sedan pulled up, and for a moment I thought I had been given the wrong car — a Lexus. But no, it was the 2010 Buick LaCrosse, with Lexus-like styling, that caused the confusion.

The LaCrosse, Buicks newly revamped, mid-size sedan, is surprisingly different from stereotypical Buicks. Styling is modern, and the interior in the top-of-the-line CXS has upscale appeal. Even the instrument gauges are jazzy, with light blue background and eye-catching font.

There are two good engine choices — both V-6s with direct injection like that found in some German powerplants. A more fuel-thrifty, 182-horsepower, four-cylinder is coming later in the model year.

The ride is smooth and quiet, even blocking out most road chatter from the tires.

Also not to be missed: The LaCrosse carries an across-the-board 5 out of 5 stars from the federal government for frontal and side crash protection. The LaCrosse also is a top safety pick of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which conducts tests for frontal, side and rear crashes.

Pricing is competitive for the upperscale mid-size sedan segment. Manufacturers suggested retail price, including destination charge, for a base, front-wheel drive, 2010 LaCrosse with 255-horsepower V-6 is $27,835.

This compares with $28,695 for a base, 2010 Toyota Avalon with 268-horsepower V-6; $35,675 for a base, 2010 Lexus ES 350 with 272-horsepower V-6; and $34,965 for a base, 2010 Lincoln MKZ sedan with 263-horsepower V-6.

All models are front-wheel drive and come standard with automatic transmissions and seats for five. But note that unlike the major competitors, the LaCrosse is offered in all-wheel drive, too. This model starts at $32,570, which is still below the starting prices of the ES 350 and MKZ with two-wheel drive.

The 2010 LaCrosse is based on a new, improved platform. Atop the new platform is a new body with correct proportions, short-clipped overhangs, a prominent grille thats not overdone and a graceful rear end.

The quietness of the interior was pleasing. Not only were passengers well insulated from outside noises, they could barely notice the engine was on during idle. But this wasnt an old-style quiet car, where so much attention is spent on keeping driver and passengers isolated from the ride.

Rather, the steering in the CXS test car gave the driver good hands-on feel, even if it wasnt exactly sporty. The suspension — front MacPherson struts and rear four-link independent configuration — managed road bumps without fuss and yet gave the sense of the car being well-connected to the road.

The LaCrosse CXS test car was, simply, the best-handling Buick I have ever had the pleasure to drive.

Sure, there was some trepidation on my part when I sent this 4,000-pound-plus car speedily down an off-camber, downhill curve. But the LaCrosse maintained its poise and rewarded me with confidence.

The engine in the CXS is the upscale 3.6-liter, double overhead cam V-6 with variable valve timing and direct injection. It uses regular unleaded to develop 280 horses and a commendable 259 foot-pounds of torque at 4,800 rpm.

Coming through a six-speed automatic transmission, the power felt strong, steady and well-managed in the CXS test car, and it provided relaxed driving in both city and highway travel.

Unfortunately, the government fuel economy rating isnt the greatest at 17 miles per gallon in city driving and 27 mpg on the highway. In combined city/highway driving that admittedly was not skewed for fuel economy, I managed just 19.4 mpg.

The base V-6 available for the LaCrosse is a smaller, 3-liter, double overhead cam engine with variable valve timing and direct injection. It generates 255 horses and 217 foot-pounds of torque at 5,100 rpm. Despite the slightly lower performance numbers, though, the LaCrosse with this V-6 and front-wheel drive has the same 17/27-mpg rating as the LaCrosse with the 280-horsepower V-6.

The roominess of the LaCrosse back seat is exemplary. There are 40.5 inches of legroom back there, or 4.6 more than in a Lexus ES 350. As I sat in the LaCrosse back seat, I could extend and even stretch my legs. The comfort continues with large door openings for easy entry and exit. And while the 37.3 inches of headroom in the back seat is less than the 37.8 inches in the back seat of Lincolns MKZ, its a tad more than whats in the ES 350.

Keep in mind that the 16.4-foot-long LaCrosse is 6 inches longer in overall length than the Lexus ES 350 and 9 inches longer than the MKZ.

But the LaCrosses 13 cubic feet of trunk space is less than the 16.5 cubic feet thats in the MKZ and the 14.7 cubic feet of the ES 350.

Leather-trimmed seats in the tester had a realistic, pliable feel and wouldnt be confused with vinyl. They were black with perfectly-done white stitched accents. The metal pillars at the sides of the windshield, however, are large and easily block views. I was glad to have the optional backup camera, because it was difficult to see behind the vehicle as I backed up.

The long doors could use better positioned handles or grab spots for short-statured passengers. I nearly fell out of the driver seat reaching for and trying to close the driver door.

Theres no dead pedal to the left of the brake pedal in the LaCrosse, so I kept banging my left ankle against the plastic wall trim down there.

GM to begin production of 2011 Buick Regal in Canada

2009-11-30T08:20:00.001-08:00

General Motors Co. announced Wednesday that it will begin North American production of the new 2011 Buick Regal at the Oshawa Car Assembly plant in Canada during the first quarter of 2011.

The Detroit automaker plans to begin selling the Regal in the United States during the second quarter of next year and has said that initial assembly will occur in Europe.

"The new Regal gives Buick a modern performance sedan, and its production here in Oshawa is terrific news for our employees, the CAW, dealers and suppliers," Arturo Elias, president of GM Canada, said in a statement. "Combining Buick's top position in the industry in terms of brand quality with the Oshawa Car Plant's long-standing reputation for top quality assembly means customers' highest expectations will be met with this midsize sport sedan."

GM needs new Buick Regal, Chevy Cruze to be hits

2009-11-30T08:17:00.000-08:00

Two General Motors cars due in showrooms next year must be hits to help the automaker turn around sales and pay back its big debt to U.S. taxpayers.

The Buick Regal midsize sedan and Chevrolet Cruze compact, both sold in key segments of the U.S. car market, face stiff competition and other obstacles to success.

GM was to roll out the Regal on Thursday in Los Angeles, and it's counting on the sleek-looking sedan to claw out a new market for the once-stodgy Buick, now the official brand of bingo night at the senior center.

Buick has been absent from the tough midsize market since 2004, while the Cruze was recently put on hold because GM wasn't happy with how it drove.

Executives have high hopes that the Regal, much of it designed by GM's Opel engineers in Ruesselsheim, Germany, can help bring younger buyers to Buick, crucial to the brand's long-term growth. Currently the median age of a Buick customer is around 68, but GM is targeting new models for those in their 40s and 50s, said Craig Bierley, Buick's product marketing director.

"Clearly having a midsize entry is absolutely critical for us," Bierley said.

Buick sales so far this year are down 33 percent compared with last year, worse than the overall U.S. market, which is off 25 percent.

Midsize cars like Toyota's Camry, the perennial sales leader, are attractive to young families and baby boomers who are downsizing their vehicles. They typically can haul five people and have decent trunk space. Also, several entries get well over 30 mpg on the highway, making them the default buy for those who need space but are concerned about the return of $4 per gallon gasoline.

So far this year, the midsize segment is the biggest part of the U.S. car market, making up 47 percent of sales. Camry dominates the segment with 294,000 sales.

GM has no margin for error with the Regal or any other new vehicle, said David Koehler, a clinical marketing professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

"Their success in the future is riding on these new launches," he said.

The new Regal, due in showrooms in the second quarter of next year, is aimed at those who want a car that's fun to drive yet is practical. The Regal has three ride settings (normal sport and touring) and is smart enough to tailor the car to the way people drive, Bierley said.

The Regal is designed to compete with the sporty Acura TSX made by the Honda luxury brand, and the Volvo S60.

Pricing wasn't announced, but it will be between the mainstream midsize Chevrolet Malibu at $21,325 and the $27,835 base price of a larger new Buick, the LaCrosse, aimed at luxury buyers.

The flabby old Regal, discontinued five years ago in part because it couldn't compete with the Camry and Honda's Accord, bears little resemblance to the new one, which Bierley said is equipped only with four-cylinder engines to boost fuel economy.

At first the car will have only one engine choice, a 2.4-liter, 182 horsepower powerplant that gets around 30 mpg on the freeway. By next summer, a 220-horsepower 2-liter turbocharged four with power comparable to a V-6 also will be available.

Stephanie Brinley, an analyst with the AutoPacific marketing and consulting firm, predicts that GM will sell about 40,000 Regals in its first full year, not a huge number but enough to bring critical profits to GM. Last year, Acura sold almost exactly 40,000 TSX models.

"It doesn't really matter how many they sell of the Regal. It matters if it's profitable," she said.

Koehler said even more is riding on the smaller Cruze, which must sell in larger numbers than the Regal because of its lower profit margins. The Cruze will be targeted at younger entry-level buyers as well as those seeking fuel economy. It's supposed to get around 40 mpg on the highway.

But GM postponed the Cruze's April build date about three months, said Mark Reuss, GM's vice president of global vehicle engineering.

The company, he said, wasn't happy with the Cruze's performance, especially with the six-automatic transmission.

2011 Buick Regal First Drive

2009-11-25T01:18:00.000-08:00

2011 Buick Regal Picture

You see, one of the vehicles that we recently drove around southeastern Michigan was actually an Opel Insignia, a straight-up European sedan that we wrote about when we drove it in Europe. Two of the other vehicles we drove were Opel Insignias with the suspension settings that the U.S.-market Buick Regal will use when the model goes on sale here next spring. One was equipped with a six-speed automatic and one carried a six-speed manual, both of which will make it to American showrooms. What we didn't drive was the vehicle that Buick had on hand that actually wore Buick badges.

But, you know what? It doesn't matter. So close is the Regal to the well-loved Insignia in mechanical specification, appearance and basic demeanor that badges don't really mean much.

And with this foray into sporty sedans, Buick must be desperately hoping that badges don't mean much to prospective buyers, either. Because to the people who are shopping the Acura TSX and Volvo S60, the Buick name is, well, it's not currently even close enough to be in consideration to have even a negative impression.

It reminds us of an old Jon Stewart joke in which a Canadian friend approaches Stewart with what he claims is a common question up there in Canada. That is, what do Americans really think of Canadians? After a long pause, Stewart answers, "Um, we don't."

Like Discovering a $50 Bill in Your Coat Pocket
Like the 2004-'06 Pontiac GTO and the 2008-'09 Pontiac G8 before it, the 2011 Buick Regal is a kind of found-money car for General Motors in that a nearly identical car already on sale somewhere else in the vast GM universe turned up with just the right credentials for a slot in the North American market. Unfortunately the GTO turned out to be a $5 bill instead of the $50 bill the company hoped for and the G8, well, rest in peace, brother.

We think the 2011 Buick Regal has the best chance at success of any of them, not the least because we think GM isn't going to kill Buick any time soon and unlike the GTO, the Regal doesn't look like a half-used bar of soap.

We can't say how potential buyers will react to this genuinely attractive, Euro-style sporty sedan from the geriatric division of GM. What we can say is, if Buick can somehow convince people to test-drive the thing, the Regal's got a good fighting chance at success. Or, let's say, if it fails, it won't be the fault of the car.

Those Boisterous Euros
We were lucky to start our day of driving in the fully Euro-spec Opel Insignia, powered by the same basic turbocharged, direct-injection 2.0-liter inline-4 that will be the optional power plant for the Regal. The Insignia is a nice piece, solidly put together yet nimble thanks to trusty, linear steering. It feels relatively lightweight, at least compared to the German sedans that are a step or two up on the prestige scale. Like other sedans direct from the roads of Europe, though, the Insignia isn't ideally suited to the crappier selection of American roads. On our warty byways, the Insignia's suspension feels awfully busy, noisy and simply too stiff for duty in a luxury-brand midsize sedan. Nevertheless, the Insignia's body is well controlled over the undulations on its MacPherson strut front suspension and multilink rear suspension.

325 Horsepower Buick Regal GS Rumored

2009-11-19T04:46:00.000-08:00

So, not only is the Buick Regal nameplate returning to the American market after a long absence, but there are growing rumors that Buick will be bringing back a 325 Horsepower GS version of the Regal. Great news to me. The Grand Sports of old were serious cars, not to be trifled with at stop light drags, or real quarter mile strips for that matter.

Now, whether the supposed new GS will be that fearsome remains to be seen, but what is known is that “plain” Regal probably won’t be anything to be underestimated either. The inbound and new for 2011 Buick Regal will be a rebadged version of corporate sibling Opel’s Insignia. The Insignia won the celebrated 2009 European Car Of The Year award the when it debuted.

It seems that one element that is fueling these rumors is what options are available for the original Opel Insignia. One of the Insignia variants that’s roaming around The Continent is a 325 horsepower turbocharged V-6, sporting a manual transmission and a very advanced all-wheel drive system.

That takes us to the second element in the rumored Regal Grand Sport. The OPC model, which stands for Opel Performance Center, is the one with the aforementioned goodies, and according to Bob Lutz it’s under consideration for the U.S. market.

Oh really Bob?

Lutz enlighten Car and Driver that both all-wheel drive and manual-transmission versions of the Opel Insignia are being mulled over for the American market, and you’ll note how the OPC version of the Insignia has both of those nifty little attributes.

And it’s not like this would be a big stretch for Buick to make, either. Regals have been associated with hot rod Buicks in the past. Think of models such as the Grand National, GNX, GS and GSX for some examples.

Maximum Bob also let out that a Regal Sport Wagon is also under consideration. That seems like an easy fit too, since there’s already an Insignia Sports Tourer, i.e. a wagon, rolling around Europe. Not only is there an Insignia Sports Tourer hanging on the racks, but there’s even a high-performance OPC version of that ride too.

New Buick Regal as Premium Sport Sedan

2009-11-19T04:45:00.000-08:00

2011 Buick Regal.

Good thing General Motors held onto Opel, its German subsidiary. Otherwise, where would it get the platforms for new products?

On Thursday, Buick announced that its new Regal would go on sale in the second quarter of next year as a 2011 model. Based on the Opel Insignia, winner of last year’s European Car of the Year award, the Regal has been available in China since December. More than 64,000 have been sold.

Buick will formally introduce the new midsize car in America at the Los Angeles auto show next month. At first, it will be available only with a 2.4-liter, 4-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower. A turbocharged 2-liter, 4-cylinder with 220 horsepower will be added late next summer. The turbocharged version will come with bigger brakes. Both engines will come with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Inside the 2011 Buick Regal.

Buick said that the Regal equipped with the 2.4-liter engine would get 30 miles a gallon on the highway, while the turbo model would get 29.

Buick has not used the Regal nameplate since 2004, when the car fell squarely under the heading of family sedan. In its Thursday news release, Buick compared the 2011 Regal with the Acura TSX and the Volvo S60. Buick also called the new Regal a premium sport sedan, which means that people will no doubt compare it with the BMW 3 series and the Infiniti G37 (both rear-wheel-drive cars). All four competitors’ cars will provide the new Regal with tough competition because Buick is typically not associated with premium sports sedans.

2011 Buick Regal live in Hollywood

2009-11-15T00:31:00.000-08:00

2011 Buick Regal in Hollywood
On my way to the 2011 Buick Regal event , hosted yesterday (November 12) at the Hollywood Palladium, I had some time to kill at LAX while I waited for my ride. As I stood outside baggage claim, I tried to count how many Buicks drove past. It turns out it was a very easy job, besides an older Century and previous generation LaCrosse, nary a Buick sped by. That dearth of market penetration explained part of the reason why I was in LA to cover a Buick, two things you probably wouldn’t put together. Buick is changing and it would dearly love Californians to give it another chance.

View a slideshow of the 2011 Buick Regal live in Hollywood in the slideshow below this article. For official GM imagery, you can view this linked slideshow of the 2011 Buick Regal.

Buick has been on a bit of a roll. The Buick Enclave crossover has received a lot of notice and re-launched the brand. The recently arrived 2010 Buick LaCrosse kept that momentum going as one of the best looking Buick sedans in decades. Now Buick is turning to the 2011 Buick Regal to keep the ball rolling.

Both the LaCrosse and Regal share a common platform, Epsilon II, with the Regal coming in just a bit shorter than the LaCrosse (four inches less on the wheelbase and 6.7 inches shorter overall) . From an exterior perspective, the Regal is the plainer looking of the two cars. The Opel Insignia, on which the Regal is based, was going to be next Saturn Aura, but that plan was changed when the ringed brand was phased out. This shift in GM’s game plan allowed the Chinese Regal to arrive stateside. The Regal's front end has the traditional Buick waterfall grille, but its execution is less elegant that the LaCrosse. The side profile is clean, but you really miss drama of the LaCrosse’s sweep-spear. The trunk of the LaCrosse is a bit discordant to me, with its integrated ducktail spoiler, it doesn’t match up Buick’s design language.

2011 Buick Regal Photos and Info

2009-11-15T00:28:00.000-08:00

the 1992–1995 Skylark? Remember the nose it had? That lackluster automobile serves as a prime example of the old Buick, which pumped out cars with quality and styling so substandard we wanted to cry. Fortunately for Buick’s customers, crap cars don’t appear to be on the menu anymore, and the handsome design and high quality seen on the latest LaCrosse likely will carry over to the brand’s newest entry, the 2011 Regal.

The new Regal is based on the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia. Well, actually, it is the Insignia, albeit with Buick badging and a few tweaks to allow it to conform to U.S.-specific regulations. When it goes on sale in the second quarter of 2010, the Regal will slot in size-wise below the LaCrosse as—get this—an import-fighting sports sedan. Buick cites varied competitors: Acura TSX, Mazda 6, Volkswagen Passat, and Volvo S60. Lending further to its European-ness, the first year’s supply will be built in Europe, specifically the Russelsheim, Germany, plant where the Insignia is produced.

Epsilon Around the World

Designed from the start as a global car, the Insignia has already spawned a Buick Regal that has seen success in China, where the brand is beloved. Since sales started there at the end of last year, 64,000 have been sold to customers whose average age is 36. While the Americanized Regal isn’t intended to attract such young buyers, Buick has told us it is aiming the Regal at a younger crowd than the LaCrosse.

So the Regal is an Insignia, and it’s also basically a LaCrosse with four inches sectioned out of the rear doors—that car also shares the Epsilon platform. This positions the LaCrosse as the family-hauling luxury sedan and the Regal as the sporty, driver-focused Buick. The aforementioned Americanizing tweaks include different side-view mirror glass, modified headlight guts, and a different front-license-plate bracket (the filler insert is still Euro-spec wide). Jim Federico, the vehicle line executive responsible for the Regal, tells us the car’s tuning even matches that of the Insignia, with the only modifications being to the dampers to compensate for the fitment of all-season tires in place of the Insignia’s summer rubber.

Four-Cylinders, For Now

Power will initially come from GM’s direct-injected 2.4-liter four-cylinder, which makes 182 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque. Several months after its introduction, a 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder will be added as the optional engine, in this application producing 220 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Both will send power to the front wheels and be mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with manumatic shifting affected via the shift lever. Fuel economy is estimated as at least 20/30 city/highway mpg for the 2.4-liter and 18/28 for the 2.0-liter turbo.

When asked about a hybrid version, GM officials gave no specifics, but all but confirmed its imminence by saying it wouldn’t be the brand’s first hybrid offering. There was also a lot of talk about Regal heritage, leading us to believe (hope) that a performance variant—a revived turbo-six Grand National, perhaps?— might be in the cards. Hatchback and wagon body styles are feasible (however unlikely) since both are offered with Opel and Vauxhall badges in Europe. All-wheel drive is likewise possible but not guaranteed.

2010 Buick Lacrosse CXS

2009-11-08T09:36:00.000-08:00

2010 Buick LaCrosse (Courtesy of GMC media, Buick Division)
For years, sales of the Buick brand have been high overseas, especially in places like China, which buys more of the product that any other country in the world.

The Lacrosse is one of the reasons that Buick has such a good name as it exudes a feeling of quality among its buyers. It is equipped with a 3.6-liter direct injection V-6, real-time active-dampening suspension (optional), perforated leather-appointed, heated, and ventilated seats, and chrome-plated 18-inch alloy wheels. The engine comes in a 6-speed automatic transmission that generates 280 hp and 259 lb.-ft of torque.

Looking from the driver's seat (Courtesy of GMC media, Buick Division)

Heated and ventilated seats kept me warm in Dallas when our first cool front came through last week. The ambient blue lighting in the instrument panel, on the doors and at other often-darkened corners made for happy and comforting night riding.

Pricing for the 2010 Lacrosse starts at just a little under $28,000. The top base model, and the one I got to test-drive for a week, was just a little over $33,000. The mileage was 17 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. I averaged a little less in the city and a little better on my trip out west.

Buick also offers an optional 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine. It doesn’t carry all the amenities or luxury accessories of the 3.6L, but gets around 30 mpg. At my slightly slumping age and increasing profile, I prefer the larger engine with the luxuries. But lop off 30 years and 35 pounds and I would be in the market for the smaller engine. Regardless of which engine you choose, the interior of the vehicle is spectacular and the comfortable ride gives you a taste of luxury.

2011 Buick Business Concept

2009-11-05T10:31:00.000-08:00

The Buick Business Concept, a new concept vehicle designed to showcase Buick’s future vision of “business class on the road,” made its global debut today at Auto Shanghai 2009.

The multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) was developed in China by the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC), a design and engineering joint venture between General Motors and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), with global design input.

The Buick Business Concept Vehicle captures the essence of the Buick form language in a thoroughly elegant and expressive design, with its taut surfaces, double sweep spear belt line, strong front and rear identities and dynamic presence.

“The Buick Business Concept Vehicle has a grand presence and makes a strong statement when it pulls up to the front of any establishment,” said Ed Welburn, GM Vice President of Global Design.

“The Chinese market and business person have some unique requirements. Our team has responded with an elegant solution to their business and personal needs.”

Classic Influences in Modern Design

According to Cao Min, PATAC Concept Car Chief Designer, the design team set out to create a modern global design for Buick, yet include a subtle Chinese essence and influence.

To achieve this balance, they sought to draw from their heritage outside the automotive industry – from classic shapes to arts and ancient relics.

The Buick Business Concept Vehicle’s dynamic exterior surfaces and “yin and yang” interior tones are drawn from diverse inspirations including the 2008 Buick Riviera concept car, Chinese artifacts and modern electronic icons. The vehicle, inside and out, communicates an orderly elegance that transcends cultural boundaries and conveys the tranquility and power of Buick.

Exterior Design – A Sense of Presence and Buick Essence

To establish their design direction, PATAC designers took the global Buick design vocabulary of sculpturally beautiful and dynamic forms established by the Riviera concept car and successfully extended it to a tall, one-box architecture.

The Buick Business Concept Vehicle develops the Buick form language further and incorporates elements of Chinese culture and artistic influences into the details. It takes the Buick design treatment to a new level of sophisticated boldness.

The famous Buick waterfall grille takes on a bolder treatment. Intricate detailing gives it an even more prominent look. The backlit Buick tri-shield logo leads into the distinctive mid-hood crease prevalent in classic Buicks and consistent across the new Buick line today.

The prominent LED headlamps show influences of popular Chinese liuli glass through three-dimensional transparent and multifaceted surfaces. Liuli is a Chinese crystal sculpture art form that incorporates cultural and modern references. It has become a popular symbol of modern Chinese prosperity.

The elongated, jewel-like headlamps are connected to the body shoulder line through a strong chrome accent that flows the length of the vehicle from the hood to the body sides, accentuating a strong double sweep spear design until it finally comes to rest wrapped around the taillights. This is the most distinctive design element of the Buick Business Concept Vehicle, as it offers a modern approach to the classic Buick double sweep spear. Familiar Buick portholes are gracefully integrated into the chrome strip extending from the headlamps.

This distinctive double sweep spear shape not only provides expressive dynamism to the vehicle profile, it is also functionally important. It defines the window line from the body sides and incorporates the rail guides for the power sliding doors. Additionally, it lowers the rear passenger sightline and adds significant shoulder room to the rear compartment.

“This vehicle was inspired by the grace and gesture of great Buicks. PATAC designers have cleverly incorporated other design cues from traditional Chinese art, such as applying a huiwen motif on the turn signals and fog lamps,” Cao Min said.

The Zitan Purple exterior color was chosen to elicit the right level of attention and respect. The color is found in rare zitan wood used for sculptures and fine Chinese furniture. This deep burnt-purple color perfectly highlights the concept’s grandeur.

Power sliding doors with no B-pillar were selected for their ability to showcase an expansive view of the interior and ease of entrance and egress.

The Buick Business Concept Vehicle sits on 20-inch, 9-spoke forged aluminum wheels, with a polished mirror finish, and low-profile tires. The outside mirrors incorporate turn signals with the huiwen motif.

Interior Design – Functionality and Soothing Serenity

Serenity and advanced functionality come to mind when entering the vehicle. The use of deep burgundy suede and subtle creams, representing earth and wood themes, are conveyed through high-quality leather bucket seats, plush vehicle carpet and a luxurious padded steering wheel. Completing the tranquil feel is a roof comprised of two full-length sunroofs that offer a celestial connection for occupants.

“Through deep burgundy suede carpet, high-quality leather interior decoration with liuli and soft, ice blue ambient lighting, we wanted to create a mobile VIP lounge for passengers,” Cao Min said.

Interior trim and features befitting Buick prestige abound such as a power central console with a deployable tablet for writing or to hold a laptop computer. The console can be moved up and down the two rows of rear seats. The second row of power captain’s chairs slide on hidden rails and swivel 225 degrees, enabling them to be adjusted to an infinite combination of orientations. Traditional huiwen patterns are embroidered onto the seats and seat backs, bringing harmony to the entire design theme.

The three-dimensional instrument cluster reaches across the entire width of the front panel and features a multi-layer information display. The instrument cluster design reflects the liuli art influence but is utterly modern in design. It is complemented by a central console with touch pad controls on either side of a cylinder-shaped roller mouse. A large LED display crowns the central console. Once again, the huiwen motif shows up as details on the wings of the instrument panel.

The OnStar security telematics feature is easily accessible on the rearview mirror, with three prominently yet tastefully displayed call buttons.

“The design of the vehicle inherits Buick’s vision for business class on the road, creating a sense that space means possibility,” Cao Min said.

Next-Generation GM Hybrid System

PATAC designed the Buick Business Concept Vehicle to accommodate the next-generation GM Hybrid System, which will be introduced in China in the near future.

The next-generation GM Hybrid System will build upon the successful belt-alternator-starter hybrid technology currently available in the Buick LaCrosse Eco-Hybrid. An advanced lithium-ion battery will help make the next-generation GM Hybrid System more powerful than the current system, improving fuel economy of vehicles with this system by up to 20 percent, depending on engine and vehicle application.

The next-generation GM Hybrid System helps optimize fuel efficiency and reduce emissions by:

-Turning the engine off at idle
-Offering brief electric-only propulsion
-Using a more powerful electric motor to enhance engine efficiency
-Extending fuel cutoff during deceleration
-Extending regenerative braking to recapture more energy
-Performing intelligent hybrid battery charging

“Developing and launching the Buick Business Concept Vehicle in China underscores the diversity, strength and depth of GM’s global design network,” Welburn said. “It also reflects PATAC’s growing role within the GM design family and China’s significance as the world’s largest Buick market.”

How New Buicks Took Shape in China

2009-10-31T23:48:00.000-07:00

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.

GM Brings Back ‘Regal’ Nameplate for Next Buick Sedan

2009-10-26T17:41:00.000-07:00

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.

Road Test: 2009 Buick Enclave

2009-10-22T22:33:00.000-07:00

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.

Buick LaCrosse

2009-10-21T10:16:00.001-07:00

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

2009-10-21T10:14:00.000-07:00

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 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.

Buick Names New Mid-Size Sedan

2009-10-18T05:17:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-18T05:15:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-18T05:13:00.000-07:00

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.

Buick Allure Details and pictures

2009-10-10T08:46:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2009-10-10T08:45:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-10T08:44:00.000-07:00

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,

2010 Buick LaCrosse

2009-10-04T21:23:00.000-07:00

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.

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.

2010 Buick LaCrosse Engine Details

2009-10-02T20:17:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-02T20:16:00.002-07:00

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

2009-10-02T20:16:00.001-07:00

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

2009-10-02T20:13:00.000-07:00

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.

2010 Buick LaCrosse

2009-09-30T23:47:00.000-07:00

This week we are running our annual 10Best test, evaluating 59 cars and winnowing them down to ten winners. All week we’ll be bringing you thoughts from our notepads. Here’s the first from today:

Buicks tend not to register on our radar screens, which makes the LaCrosse a very pleasant surprise. Subdued exterior, but that’s typical of mid-size sedans in this price class. The interior is a different story. Nice goods in here—supple hides, comfortable seats, swanky design, nifty instrumentation, uniform panel gaps. Lots of features, lots of room, especially in the back.

Dynamics: a little more like traditional Buick here. Respectable steering feel, no unpleasant surprises, but unhurried responses, substantial body motions—the words “sports sedan” do not leap into the driver’s brain. On the other hand, other words do pop in there: smooth, competent, solid chassis, great forward sightlines, and library quiet.

How will Buick market this car? Hope the spin doctors don’t start making allusions to Germany’s big three—this isn’t the kind of car you take to the Nordschliefe. But in a head to head with a Lexus ES350, it’s even money the LaCrosse would hold its own in all the objectives and subjectives, then win the tie-breaker on price.

2010 Buick Allure

2009-09-27T18:32:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't you really rather have a Buick?" was the question posed by General Motors' up-market division years ago in its advertising copy.

If the same question were asked today about the 2010 Buick Allure, the response would have to be a resounding "yes."

When considering out-of-the-box planning, the Allure (called the LaCrosse south of the border), due out later this year, certainly breaks away from the pack. The car is based on the Invicta concept that was partially designed in China (Buick sells a whole bunch of cars there) and was first displayed at the 2008 Beijing Auto Show. In addition, the platform and the various body panels were developed with help from GM's European engineering team, while the powertrain components come from North America.

This global effort led to what GM design chief Ed Welburn called "modern elegance." Put another way, the new Allure is easily the best-looking sedan to roll down Buick's assembly line in years and makes the outgoing model appear instantly outdated. The gracefully shaped nose, muscular flared fenders that barely manage to envelop the (up to) 19-inch wheels, sensuously creased doors and tapered rear deck contribute to the car's planted appearance.

Crack open the doors and prepare to be doubly impressed. The shortcut-free cabin is yet another shining example of GM's interior design prowess. It's most welcoming characteristics include a two-tone dashboard/control panel that surrounds the front passengers in cocoon-like comfort. An understated ribbon of ambient lighting extends ring-like across the upper dash area and illuminates the console and door panels. Even the available faux wood trim attached to various surfaces (including part of the steering wheel) has been tastefully applied.

True to its full-size roots, the new Allure is dimensionally similar to the 2009 car in most respects, however it's more than 200 kilograms heavier than the outgoing model.

The base CX and mid-level CXL use a 255-horsepower 3.0-litre V6 that replaces the previous 200-horse 3.8-litre V6. For more spunk, the top-end CXS receives a 280-horsepower 3.6-litre V6.

Both powerplants are controlled through paddle-shift-equipped six-speed automatic transmissions, two gears more than the previous Allure used.

Not unexpectedly, the 300 horsepower 5.3-litre V8 installed on 2009's "Super" trim level appears to have been permanently excised from the lineup in the interests of fuel economy.

The Allure CX presents bargain-hunting Buick shoppers with plenty of standard content, headed by air conditioning, cruise control, cloth seats, various power-operated controls and 17-inch wheels.

Discerning buyers will likely shift to the CXL with its dual-zone climate control, leather seats (heated in front), fog lamps and 18-inch wheels. Selecting the CXL is mandatory for outfitting your Allure with Buick's on-demand all-wheel-drive setup.

The range-topping CXS receives its own active suspension that constantly adjusts the shocks and struts in accordance with road conditions to maintain maximum ride control. Heated and cooled perforated leather seats and chrome-plated 18-inch wheels (19-inch rims are available) also come on the CXS.

A Buick wouldn't be a Buick without an arm-stretching options sheet. Along with a upgraded audio components, navigation and DVD entertainment systems and automatically adjusting headlamps, you can spring for a power rear-window sunshade and a rearview camera. A heads-up display projects the speedometer reading onto the windshield while blind-spot monitors built into both outside mirrors warn when adjacent traffic is approaching.

On paper, the new Allure will tempt non-typical (as in younger) Buick buyers in its direction. It has most of the content you would ever want in a mid-luxury sedan and its shape is a cut above the competition.

A few years ago, the question of "wouldn't you rather have a Buick" might have gotten a mixed reaction. But today's Allure will get the nod from a wider range of buyers who might not have considered this 100-plus-year-old brand as being stylish enough or technically savvy.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW: 2010 BUICK ALLURE

TYPE Four-door, front- /all-wheel-drive full-size sedan.

ENGINES 3.0-litre DOHC V6 (255 hp); 3.6-litre DOHC V6 (280 hp).

TRANSMISSION Six-speed automatic with manual paddle-shift controls.

MARKET POS. Among the wide range of entry-luxury sedans, the Allure finally appears ready to mount a serious challenge and attract new buyers to the Buick brand.

POINTS *Most attractive Buick sedan in years and one of the best looking in its class.

* Interior styling sizzles. * Continuing to offer V8 option might have been a good idea while fuel prices remain low. * Technically oriented options should appeal to upscale, gadget-savvy buyers. * GM's Chinese design team should help out on more new products for North American and/or global markets.

SAFETY Front airbags; side-impact airbags; side-curtain airbags; anti-lock brakes; traction control; stability control.

THE NUMBERS L/100 km (city/hwy): 19/29 (3.0, est.) Base price: $29,000 (est.)

BY COMPARISON

LINCOLN MKZ

Base price: $36,500

Reshaped 2010 model has bolder look, more pep.

HYUNDAI AZERA

Base price: $36,000

Well-equipped, roomy sedan. Optional 3.8-liter V6 impressive.

GM's Buick Division Launching New Lacrosse Ads

2009-09-19T11:46:00.000-07:00

The new Buick LaCrosse, the first product intro from the "New GM" and the second major new Buick vehicle after the Enclave, is getting the support of a new advertising campaign positioning the car as "The New Class of World-Class."

Over the next six months, GM will run national television, magazine, outdoor and digital media starting Sept. 21 on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" season premiere with a 30-second spot focusing on the vehicle's design and how it grabs peoples' attention.

There will be three additional spots focusing on the navigation and entertainment system, the adaptive suspension and LaCrosse's competitive advantages. They will break over the next two weeks, per the company, on such networks as A&E, CNBC, CNN, ESPN, Discovery, Fox News, GOLF, HGTV, USA, and TNT.

Print will include two-page spread ads beginning in October magazines like Fortune, New Yorker, Food and Wine, Wired, Money, Sunset, Road and Track and Automobile.

The 2010 Buick LaCrosse

2009-09-14T13:32:00.001-07:00

Presented by the all new 2010 Buick LaCrosse and Continental Airlines, the official airline of The Broadway League, the annual free outdoor concert brought together stars and performances from current and upcoming Broadway productions to celebrate the beginning of the new Broadway season. The Broadway League and The Times Square Alliance produced the annual event which was hosted this year by Superior Donuts' star Michael McKean.

The All New 2010 Buick LaCrosse "performed" live on Broadway with the help of some the best dancers in town. The spirited group broke out with a energetic performance of Hairspray's "You Can't Stop The Beat", which you can watch it right here on STAGE TUBE!

Hairspray is based on the New Line Cinema film written and directed by John Waters, who serves as a creative consultant on the musical comedy. It features a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, and a score by five-time Academy Award nominee Marc Shaiman (who co-wrote the music and lyrics for the acclaimed animated musical, South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut) and lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman.

Buick is the premium global brand of General Motors, the worlds largest automaker. Founded in 1903, Buick is known for its luxury, design and performance which can be found in vehicles such as the LaCrosse, Enclave and Lucerne. For more information about Buick, visit www.buick.com.

GM's "60-day Buy Back" plan

2009-09-14T13:31:00.000-07:00

Another "Hail Mary" from GM? Or the real thing?

Starting today and running through November, General Motors is offering buyers of their Core Four brands, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick and GMC, a 60-day money-back guarantee on their new car and truck purchases. It's called the "60-day Satisfaction Guarantee."

The campaign marks GM's efforts to rebound after a 39-day bankruptcy and a $50 billion federal bailout. GM, which is shedding half of its US brands (Pontiac, Saturn, Saab, and Hummer) will try to boost their US market share that has fallen to 19.5% this year from a peak of 50.1% in 1962.

It's the second radical marketing move in just a few weeks by GM to try and resurrect consumer confidence in the company since the bankruptcy ended.
Could 60 days in a 2010 Buick LaCrosse convince import-buyers to make Detroit their car-maker of preference?

The first was begun last month in conjunction with online buying service Ebay. In that program, which has had only modest success but will continue for the time being, some 250 GM dealers in California are posting their new-car inventories for California-only buyers, some cars and trucks up for bid in a traditional auction environment, some marked with a no-haggle "buy it now" price.

Here are the details of the new money-back plan:

• Covers Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac models for the 2009 and 2010 model years.

• Allows customers to return their cars after 31 days and before 4,000 miles.

• Does not cover leased vehicles.

It's thought this program is the first of its kind for any major car-maker, though it does bear some philosophical resemblance to Chrysler's, "If you can find a better car, buy it!" sales program headed by then-company chief Lee Iacocca in the early 1980s.
This 1984 Chrysler K-car limousine was made during the time of the company's, "If you can find a better car, buy it!" campaign

While the GM campaign will be fronted by the company's new chairman, Ed Whiteacre, former chief of AT&T appointed to the GM post by the Obama Administration, it's thought that Bob Lutz, GM's powerful and outspoken vice-president with strong influence in the corporation's styling, marketing, public relations and advertising, is the "man with the plan" in this case.

We're at a happy stage in the automotive industry where, essentially, in the various price brackets, most things are equal between brands and makes and models.

For instance, the average price of a new car in the US is right around $32,000; driving all the cars in that price bracket will yield a lot of good experiences and very few negatives. Objectively, cars and trucks in each major price bracket reflect most of the same positives and quite few negatives.

Here's what we think of the new GM program:

Apart from price, safety, performance, appearance and fuel mileage, the most important part of the car-buying decision comes from the test drive. Many shoppers make the mistake of being timid during this critical part of the process, often allowing themselves to be "muscled" into driving the car only on certain roads (which will show-off the car's strengths) and for a specific period of time "recommended" by the salesperson.

But if buyers test-drove the new car in their own real-world situations, it would have a huge influence on which car they'd buy. In a very real sense, isn't this what GM is offering potential buyers with this new money-back scheme?
Buick's 2010 LaCrosse could do a lot to convince US buyers that US cars are up to import quality and even in some cases beyond

Even with objective things about the various cars being shopped very similar to most buyers, it's those subjective items --- how the switchgear feels, adjustability of the seats, rear seat room (which most buyers never check), how bright or dim the instrument panel can be made, if reflected sun makes the gauges hard to see in the daytime, if wide A-pillars make front/side vision difficult --- which can turn the buyer one way or another.

I usually drive one or more new cars a week to stay familiar with each car-maker's offerings and be able to answer your questions and make recommendations.

Recently, I spent a week in a 2010 Buick LaCrosse, and even though the early "pilot" model I drove was not off the actual assembly line (so some glitches are expected), this LaCrosse was more than a rival for its target: the Lexus entry-level luxury sedan, ES350.

LaCrosse's fit-and-finish, performance, appearance inside and out and styling are all impressive and even outdo the Lexus on many accounts.
GM used the Lexus ES350 as their target car for the 2010 LaCrosse; they've come close to hitting a bull's eye

Could 60-days-or-less in a LaCrosse convince a die-hard Toyota/Lexus/Asian-only buyer to go with an American car for perhaps the first time in several generations of his or her family?

In my opinion, absolutely.

2009 Buick Business Concept information

2009-09-13T21:34:00.000-07:00

2009 Buick Business Concept

The Buick Business Concept, a new concept vehicle designed to showcase Buick's future vision of "business class on the road," made its global debut at Auto Shanghai 2009.

The multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) was developed in China by the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC), a design and engineering joint venture between General Motors and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), with global design input.

The Buick Business Concept Vehicle captures the essence of the Buick form language in a thoroughly elegant and expressive design, with its taut surfaces, double sweep spear belt line, strong front and rear identities and dynamic presence.

"The Buick Business Concept Vehicle has a grand presence and makes a strong statement when it pulls up to the front of any establishment," said Ed Welburn, GM Vice President of Global Design. "The Chinese market and business person have some unique requirements. Our team has responded with an elegant solution to their business and personal needs."

Classic Influences in Modern Design

According to Cao Min, PATAC Concept Car Chief Designer, the design team set out to create a modern global design for Buick, yet include a subtle Chinese essence and influence. To achieve this balance, they sought to draw from their heritage outside the automotive industry - from classic shapes to arts and ancient relics.

The Buick Business Concept Vehicle's dynamic exterior surfaces and "yin and yang" interior tones are drawn from diverse inspirations including the 2008 Buick Riviera concept car, Chinese artifacts and modern electronic icons. The vehicle, inside and out, communicates an orderly elegance that transcends cultural boundaries and conveys the tranquility and power of Buick.

Exterior Design - A Sense of Presence and Buick Essence

To establish their design direction, PATAC designers took the global Buick design vocabulary of sculpturally beautiful and dynamic forms established by the Riviera concept car and successfully extended it to a tall, one-box architecture.

The Buick Business Concept Vehicle develops the Buick form language further and incorporates elements of Chinese culture and artistic influences into the details. It takes the Buick design treatment to a new level of sophisticated boldness.

The famous Buick waterfall grille takes on a bolder treatment. Intricate detailing gives it an even more prominent look. The backlit Buick tri-shield logo leads into the distinctive mid-hood crease prevalent in classic Buicks and consistent across the new Buick line today.

The prominent LED headlamps show influences of popular Chinese liuli glass through three-dimensional transparent and multifaceted surfaces. Liuli is a Chinese crystal sculpture art form that incorporates cultural and modern references. It has become a popular symbol of modern Chinese prosperity.

The elongated, jewel-like headlamps are connected to the body shoulder line through a strong chrome accent that flows the length of the vehicle from the hood to the body sides, accentuating a strong double sweep spear design until it finally comes to rest wrapped around the taillights. This is the most distinctive design element of the Buick Business Concept Vehicle, as it offers a modern approach to the classic Buick double sweep spear. Familiar Buick portholes are gracefully integrated into the chrome strip extending from the headlamps.

This distinctive double sweep spear shape not only provides expressive dynamism to the vehicle profile, it is also functionally important. It defines the window line from the body sides and incorporates the rail guides for the power sliding doors. Additionally, it lowers the rear passenger sightline and adds significant shoulder room to the rear compartment.

"This vehicle was inspired by the grace and gesture of great Buicks. PATAC designers have cleverly incorporated other design cues from traditional Chinese art, such as applying a huiwen motif on the turn signals and fog lamps," Cao Min said.

The Zitan Purple exterior color was chosen to elicit the right level of attention and respect. The color is found in rare zitan wood used for sculptures and fine Chinese furniture. This deep burnt-purple color perfectly highlights the concept's grandeur.

Power sliding doors with no B-pillar were selected for their ability to showcase an expansive view of the interior and ease of entrance and egress.

The Buick Business Concept Vehicle sits on 20-inch, 9-spoke forged aluminum wheels, with a polished mirror finish, and low-profile tires. The outside mirrors incorporate turn signals with the huiwen motif.

Interior Design - Functionality and Soothing Serenity

Serenity and advanced functionality come to mind when entering the vehicle. The use of deep burgundy suede and subtle creams, representing earth and wood themes, are conveyed through high-quality leather bucket seats, plush vehicle carpet and a luxurious padded steering wheel. Completing the tranquil feel is a roof comprised of two full-length sunroofs that offer a celestial connection for occupants.

"Through deep burgundy suede carpet, high-quality leather interior decoration with liuli and soft, ice blue ambient lighting, we wanted to create a mobile VIP lounge for passengers," Cao Min said.

Interior trim and features befitting Buick prestige abound such as a power central console with a deployable tablet for writing or to hold a laptop computer. The console can be moved up and down the two rows of rear seats. The second row of power captain's chairs slide on hidden rails and swivel 225 degrees, enabling them to be adjusted to an infinite combination of orientations. Traditional huiwen patterns are embroidered onto the seats and seat backs, bringing harmony to the entire design theme.

The three-dimensional instrument cluster reaches across the entire width of the front panel and features a multi-layer information display. The instrument cluster design reflects the liuli art influence but is utterly modern in design. It is complemented by a central console with touch pad controls on either side of a cylinder-shaped roller mouse. A large LED display crowns the central console. Once again, the huiwen motif shows up as details on the wings of the instrument panel.

The OnStar security telematics feature is easily accessible on the rearview mirror, with three prominently yet tastefully displayed call buttons.

"The design of the vehicle inherits Buick's vision for business class on the road, creating a sense that space means possibility," Cao Min said.

Next-Generation GM Hybrid System

PATAC designed the Buick Business Concept Vehicle to accommodate the next-generation GM Hybrid System, which will be introduced in China in the near future.

The next-generation GM Hybrid System will build upon the successful belt-alternator-starter hybrid technology currently available in the Buick LaCrosse Eco-Hybrid. An advanced lithium-ion battery will help make the next-generation GM Hybrid System more powerful than the current system, improving fuel economy of vehicles with this system by up to 20 percent, depending on engine and vehicle application.

The next-generation GM Hybrid System helps optimize fuel efficiency and reduce emissions by:

Turning the engine off at idle
Offering brief electric-only propulsion
Using a more powerful electric motor to enhance engine efficiency
Extending fuel cutoff during deceleration
Extending regenerative braking to recapture more energy
Performing intelligent hybrid battery charging

"Developing and launching the Buick Business Concept Vehicle in China underscores the diversity, strength and depth of GM's global design network," Welburn said. "It also reflects PATAC's growing role within the GM design family and China's significance as the world's largest Buick market."

LaCrosse leading off new Buick

2009-09-12T03:39:00.000-07:00

Take the 2010 Buick LaCrosse. It's on sale as the first in a planned lineup of new sedans designed, built and sold by GM worldwide.

Buick promises midsize and compact sedans and a crossover smaller than Enclave in a couple years for a broader lineup, not to mention lower cost and higher mileage. A plug-in crossover slated for 2011 has been scrapped, and Lucerne will be phased out midway through 2011.

That's the game plan laid out by Russ Clark, executive director of brand and product marketing for Buick-Pontiac-GMC, which sheds Pontiac after 2010, if not sooner. That leaves Buick and GMC to take on import luxury titans Lexus and Acura.

The redesigned LaCrosse is a good start. It features curved body panels similar to Japanese and German rivals, yet still sports its traditional chrome waterfall grille and chrome ventiports, moved to the hood from the fenders.

It comes in CX, CXL and CXS trim and will offer its first 4-cylinder engine in December, a 2.4-liter, 182-horsepower job rated at 30 mpg highway. That's in addition to 3-liter, 255-hp and 3.6-liter, 280-hp V-6s.

We tested the CXS and the 3.6, with V-8 spirit and an ample dose of low-end torque to get moving quickly. We even passed a Mustang on a country road, not a Shelby or V-8 GT, but a pony nonetheless.

Ride is smooth, as the suspension adjusts on its own to the road surface. Handling is very crisp with the 19-inch all-season radials, but slip the gear lever into manual sport mode and shift points are even quicker, while suspension settings and steering effort offer even more agile handling.

The interior pays attention to detail, with soft texture surfaces, fancy stitching and narrow gaps between trim. Faux wood doesn't sacrifice trees, Clark said, or beauty.

The sharply sloped, coupe-like roofline doesn't rob head room front or back, where leg and knee room are ample. Doors open wide for easy entry/exit. The rear deck is short, but the trunk has a massive amount of room for luggage or golf clubs. Rear seatbacks fold flat, if needed, and have a ski pass-through.

LaCrosse caters to younger buyers who love fiddling with electronics, such as voice-activated navi with real-time traffic and weather reports, a blind-spot warning system (coming this year), a USB port for the iPod and Bluetooth phone capability. Their safety demands are met with stability and traction control and side-curtain air bags.

An added plus, all-wheel drive ($2,250), is available in the CXL initially and probably the CSX later.

There are lots of nice touches, such as push-button start, standard power rear-window sunshade, soothing blue backlighting for gauges, backup camera with the navi system and a 110-volt outlet for the laptop.

A head-up display in the lower windshield, with large speedometer, tachometer and compass readings, is a concession to older drivers: Remember, those who buy Buicks, except Enclave, average 70. But that helps drivers of all ages. A DVD entertainment option with screens in the backs of the front seats to watch the same or different movies arrives this fall to occupy kids/grandkids.