2012 Buick Verano Luxury Sedan Review

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, will be revealed at the North American International Auto Show. Buick 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 Buick LaCrosse and Buick Regal. Like them, Buick 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 Buick 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), 0-60 mph performance of 8.0 seconds and an estimated 31 mpg on the highway. A 2.0L turbo engine will be offered in the future.

Verano expands our lineup, continues Buick’s momentum and gives us a great opportunity to attract a new generation of customers with a product that delivers on their expectations for design, performance and technology,” said John Schwegman, vice president of Buick marketing. “It is a smart choice that delivers unexpected luxury in a compact sedan and it will compete head-to-head with competitors from Audi and Lexus.

Verano carries the modern Buick design cues introduced on the Enclave and interpreted for the
LaCrosse and Regal. They include a bold, detailed black chrome waterfall grille, prominent blue
translucent projector beam headlamps, portholes, chrome accents, premium wheels and a
tailored body-to-wheel relationship. An arching roofline connects a steeply raked windshield and
fast-sloping rear pillars to give the car a sporty profile that’s complemented by large, 17-inch
standard multi-spoke forged alloy sterling silver-finish wheels. Two premium 18-inch wheel
designs are available. “Verano translates Buick’s sculptural design language in a new size, with all the refinement and attention to detail pioneered by the Enclave and LaCrosse,” said Dave Lyon, design director. “Beyond all that, it’s simply a great-looking car. It has great proportions and sophisticated details that will look great for years to come.” 

Unique to Buick Verano are translucent blue projector-beam headlamps, which give the car a
distinctive, upscale appearance. A palette of rich colors enhances the premium look, including
Claret Red Tintcoat and White Diamond Tricoat. Other exterior color choices include Black,
Olympic White, Switchblade Silver Metallic, Cyber Gray Metallic and Mocha Bronze Metallic.

Complementing Buick Verano’s precisely crafted, premium-accented exterior is an interior marked by exceptional seat comfort and support, as well as premium soft-touch materials, including ambient lighting inspired by the LaCrosse. Metallic and wood trims and warm ambient lighting make the cabin an inviting environment. Neutral and medium titanium colors are offered on interiors with leatherette/fabric seating surfaces, while ebony, cashmere and a unique Choccachino color are offered on the available leather-trimmed interiors. Buick Verano uses the same premium leather material for the seats that is used on the LaCrosse. The instrument panel blends with an integrated center stack that houses the infotainment display, climate controls and radio controls. Flush-mounted components within the center stack
have a gap tolerance of less than 1 mm, while the instrument panel to door panel gaps are less
than 5 mm. Those tolerances are among the best in class.


Buick Verano’s headliner cover is made of a knit material that is one of five layers of an acoustically designed headliner to help quiet the passenger compartment. The interior pillar and other moldings are color- and grain-matched to the headliner. Additional interior standard and available features include: Push-button engine start, Dual-zone climate control with standard air conditioning (automatic climate control available), Heated steering wheel, Heated leather appointed seating, Electronic parking brake, Console armrest that slides and locks, Power windows with express up/down in the front and express down in the rear, Steering wheel radio controls and Uplevel front and rear reading lamps. The Buick Verano’s heated steering wheel and heated seats are linked with the remote start feature. In temperatures lower than 45 F (7 C), the steering wheel heater and seat heaters automatically activate.

A power-dense Ecotec 2.4L four-cylinder, with dual-overhead camshafts, variable valve timing and E85 capability, is the standard engine in the Buick Verano. It produces an estimated 177 horsepower (132 kW) and 170 lb.-ft. of torque (230 Nm). Direct injection technology helps it produce more power with less fuel and lower emissions including up to 25-percent reduced hydrocarbon emissions when compared with a multi-point fuel injection engine. The engine is matched with a six-speed automatic transmission that helps the Buick Verano deliver an estimated 31 mpg on the highway. Electric power steering and a more efficient transmission design help optimize fuel economy. The front suspension uses decoupled MacPherson struts for better isolation, providing greater separation of extreme road conditions large potholes, for example from everyday driving conditions. At the rear, a technically advanced Watts Z-link design helps center the rear axle during cornering, which helps keep the Buick Verano’s handling responses symmetrical on both lefthand and right-hand turns. The linkage’s capability to center the axle during cornering delivers a more-balanced driving experience because the rear suspension better follows the lead of the front suspension.

The Z-link design is also lighter and requires less space than a typical fully independent rear suspension. The lower weight contributes to Verano’s fuel economy, while the compact design
enables more trunk space. Steering inputs are executed by an electric power steering system, featuring a dual-pinion rack. Electric powering steering helps save fuel because it removes the conventional power steering pump from the engine’s driven accessories. Engineers tuned the speed-sensitive system to provide quick, direct reaction to steering actions and a strong on-center feel. The system has a ratio of 15.5:1 and requires only slightly more than two turns, lock to lock. Stopping power is handled by a four-wheel disc brake system with standard anti-lock and electronic brake force distribution, as well as StabiliTrak electronic stability control with traction control.

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2012 Buick Regal GS Excotice Cars Review

Allow us to introduce the 2012 Buick Regal GS, the newest member of our family. Joining Regal and Regal Turbo, it boldly announces its arrival with signature front and rear styling. The front features vertical air intakes and the rear integrated dual satin-metallic exhaust outlets. Rocker panel extensions and a rear spoiler complete the unmistakable GS persona. Slip inside and “racing-inspired” fills your thoughts. Shift into gear and suddenly you remember a lot of places you’ve been meaning to visit. It’s a Buick Regal GS available fall 2011. ll possible in the Buick Regal GS. Enter Buick Regal GS and you’re instantly focused on the driving experience. You’ll find its controls and gauges put you in the perfect position to command performance. It also features a sport steering wheel and metal pedals, along with leather-appointed, 12-way power-adjustable driver and front-passenger heated seats (including four-way power lumbar). The Buick Regal GS Ebony interior is accented tastefully with satin-finish elements on the instrument panel, steering wheel and console.

Built on the sport-injected foundation of Buick Regal, Buick Regal GS is designed to be your luxury sport sedan. Its performance comes from a high-output ECOTEC 2.0L turbocharged DOHC Variable Valve Timing (VVT) engine with direct fuel injection. The engine delivers 270 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. A 3-inch diameter exhaust system reduces backpressure for better breathing, allowing the turbocharger to produce higher boost pressure without compromising efficiency or durability. It’s paired with a silky-smooth 6-speed manual transmission (a 6-speed automatic will be available early 2012). Transferring its power to the road are 19-inch five twin-spoke alloy wheels. For even more fun, 20-inch wheels are also available.


Buick Regal GS and Buick Regal Turbo’s class-exclusive Interactive Drive Control System offers two driver-selectable modes that adapt to your driving style by adjusting suspension, steering and automatic transmission (when equipped) in real time to personalize your driving adventures. In Regal GS, select the Regal GS mode and your ride becomes dynamic and highly responsive. It optimizes GS’s stability at high speeds for spirited driving, recalibrating the suspension and steering to handle tight curves. To handle the increased horsepower of Buick Regal GS, we created the HiPer (short for High Performance) Strut Front Suspension. The most significant attribute of HiPer Strut is what you don’t feel. Torque steer is minimized (when steering pulls to one side during full acceleration); the normal tugging and vibration felt through the steering wheel on rough roads is significantly reduced. You experience a smoother, controlled and balanced driving experience in dry and wet conditions, giving you a direct feel of the road. Regal GS also features high-performance Brembo front brakes for controlled stopping.

 It doesn’t take an engineering degree to appreciate Regal’s nimble handling. Designing and calibrating all of its precision intricacies certainly does. Regal’s confident driver-tuned agility comes from its uncanny ability to seamlessly respond in sync with your steering wheel commands. You encounter a tight curve, and Regal stays exactly where you place it, carving a precise line through the turn’s arc. Regal combines the heightened steering feel of variable-effort steering with the excellent ride tracking of its four-link independent rear suspension. This helps keep Regal on track when set on line, making it easy and, of course, fun to drive.


The engine in the Buick Regal Turbo certainly does –with 125 million thoughts a second. Each one optimizes the performance of the 2.0L ECOTEC DOHC VVT intercooled turbocharged engine with direct cylinder fuel injection. With 220 hp, 260 lb-ft of torque and dual-scroll turbo technology, it generates nearly instantaneous acceleration. The Buick Regal turbo combines up to 20 psi of potent boost through an intercooler to help pack the cylinders with cooled air. Intake temperature is reduced by nearly 212 degrees Fahrenheit (100 degrees Celsius) to enhance performance because cooler air is denser for optimal combustion. This results in an impressive fuel economy of 20 city and 32 hwy mpg1 with the available 6-speed manual transmission. A lot of thinking also goes into producing efficiency without sacrificing performance. Buick Regal’s available new eAssist technology offers an impressive 36 hwy1 mpg. eAssist integrates a powerful electric motor and a lithium-ion battery with the direct-injected ECOTEC engine. The system shifts from gas to electric power when the vehicle is stopped and then instantly switches back when your foot lifts off the brake pedal. 


Your kind of luxury means being able to choose exactly what matches your taste in music, news, sports, etc. That’s why we’ve brought you the wireless connectivity and customizable infotainment of the new Buick IntelliLink interactive radio. Using Bluetooth, it connects your compatible smartphone to an LED back-lit high-resolution, 7-inch touch-screen. With the ease of advanced voice recognition software (and steering-wheel-mounted controls), you have access to audio apps from the likes of Pandora internet radio, Stitcher SmartRadioTM and SiriusXM. There’s also a USB port 4 to connect your iPod. You’re doing all of this while keeping your hands on the wheel and eyes squarely on the road. Late availability.

What good is performance if you can’t share it with friends? That’s why we gave Buick Regal plenty of room for five to sit comfortably with leather-appointed French-seam stitched seats throughout and heated ones up front. Making your ears equally as comfortable, Regal also packs a lot of entertainment power. With an available new Harman Kardon 336-watt, 5.1 Matrix surround sound system, your ears are in for quite a ride. All nine speakers are positioned to optimize Regal’s unique acoustical environment. And since Regal is all about making the most of your drive, its available touch-screen-activated Navigation System1 with multi-function controller helps you discover new places to explore.

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2012 Buick Lacrosse Best Acceleration Review

The optional push-button start is much more than a modern way to ignite Buick LaCrosse’s responsive performance. It represents an appropriate beginning to a journey that unites engine, transmission and suspension in a formidable configuration. The Buick approach to motion is all about you possessing power as well as the ability to handle it. As you’ll discover, once you press Start in the Buick LaCrosse, an elaborate series of technologies begin communicating in anticipation of the driver’s shift into Drive. At that very moment, highly sophisticated systems spanning engine, transmission, available all-wheel drive, suspension, handling and safety are sharing data all in preparation to go. Sitting behind the wheel of a Buick means having the knowledge to discover and explore new lands. To help you navigate, the available voice and touch-screen-activated hard-drive-based Navigation System1 in Buick LaCrosse offers over 6 million miles of North American roads.
 
To save time, optional XM NavTraffic incorporates real-time traffic and road conditions right into your Nav screen, directing you around trouble spots and toward the most efficient route. And while you’re on the road, your hands don’t have to leave the wheel thanks to available Bluetooth. Buick LaCrosse lets you pair your Bluetooth-enabled phone with hands-free features to talk, store numbers and receive calls through the audio system. So go forth. There’s no telling what you’ll discover.And to entertain back-seat passengers, the Buick LaCrosse offers integrated dual rear seatback-mounted DVD screens (each one allows for independent video playback or use of an auxiliary device like a gaming console) with available companion wireless headphones.


Buick LaCrosse ensures that half the fun of getting there is the sights and sounds you discover inside. Buick’s QuietTuning process reduces, blocks and absorbs noise to make Buick LaCrosse an acoustic haven. The laminated windshield, triple door seals, minute body panel tolerances and other acoustical technologies throughout help outside noises stay outside. So then you can hear the optional Harman Kardon 5.1 Matrix surround sound system and its 11 speakers pumping out 384 watts of your favorite tunes. Speaking of which, there’s an available USB port1 to sync your iPod. Buick LaCrosse also offers an optional hard drive packing 40GB of navigation power and musicstoring capacity for thousands of songs. Like your home DVR , you can pause and replay live radio. If you’re listening to a game on available XM  and your cell phone rings, hit pause, take your call and after hanging up, pick up the action where you left off.

Is it a highly advanced piece of engine technology or a work of art Yes. Being a Buick means performance isn’t merely measured in numbers. It’s determined by how the driver uses, controls and channels that power. So while the optional 3.6L V-6 uses direct fuel injection and variable valve timing to generate 280 hp and 259 lb-ft of torque, that’s not the entire story. Pair it with an electronically controlled 6-speed automatic transmission, and now you’re fully maximizing performance while still delivering remarkable fuel efficiency. The controlled “hands-on” experience comes when you simply move the gear selector to the left for the clutchless manual operation of Driver Shift Control. A quick tap is all that’s needed for smooth, crisp shifts. You’ll also find a technological marvel inside the 2.4L 182-hp ECOTEC four-cylinder engine. Dual overhead cams, variable valve timing and direct fuel injection deliver the optimal balance of low-end torque and high-end horsepower. This ingenious engineering produces enhanced performance and an impressive 19 city/30 hwy mpg.

Fortunately, we never leave well enough alone in this case, traditional front suspensions. With all of LaCrosse’s horsepower, we created the HiPer (short for High Performance) Strut Front Suspension on the CXS model to handle it. Buick LaCrosse’s chief engineer describes it best: “The most significant attribute of HiPer Strut is what the driver doesn’t feel. Torque steer will be minimized (when steering pulls to one side during full acceleration); the normal tugging and vibration felt through the steering wheel on rough roads is significantly reduced. They simply experience a smoother, more controlled and more balanced driving experience.” In other words, it improves grip in dry and wet conditions, as well as the direct feel of the road.

The intelligent All-Wheel-Drive (AWD ) system available on the LaCrosse CXL model turns handling into a team sport. It’s one of the most advanced all-wheel-drive systems on the road. Combined with an electronic limited-slip differential, AWD helps optimize traction by distributing power to the wheels with the most grip. In low-traction situations, it can send up to 50 percent of engine torque to an individual front wheel and up to 85 percent to either rear wheel (as illustrated at right). Seamlessly integrated with StabiliTrak and traction control, AWD helps handle dry, wet and snowy roads.


Architects. Buick designers. At times like this, it’s hard to tell them apart. They both create one ofa- kind designs that reinvent what has gone before or in this case, The New Class of World Class. Using the very finest materials, they astound all who visit. The sweeping lines of LaCrosse never seem to end. Seductive and uninterrupted, they lead you from one curve to the next. This sense of continuity is found throughout LaCrosse. Like how wraparound headlamps flow into the side sweep spears, which merge seamlessly into the LED taillamps. Along the way, they complement Buick’s signature chrome portholes and waterfall grille. It’s been said by many an admirer, ”It takes you places even standing still.“ And isn’t that really the beauty of the world’s most striking designs?

 The Buick Design Philosophy of uninterrupted, flowing lines continues inside the sculpted LaCrosse interior. The ice-blue ambient lighting welcomes and calms you. Highly crafted, premium materials like contrasting French-seam stitching, smoked chrome accents and dark poplar wood grain appliqués surround you in style. Ventilated and heated leather-appointed front seats and a heated steering wheel are available for year-round comfort. As is a power rear-window sunshade. And the soft-touch instrument panel with real stitching not only provides a tactile feel, but its “low and away” design gives the cabin a sense of openness.

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2012 Buick Enclave Luxury Crossover Review

Once in a great while something comes along that disrupts (in a good way) our vision. That’s exactly the design philosophy behind Buick Enclave. And why it was crafted to never blend but rather to stand far apart. Curves sweep from one end to the other. Up front, wraparound high-intensity discharge xenon headlamps provide a brighter light than halogen to help you see road signs better. From there, the signature waterfall grille, chrome portholes and sculpted lines flow undisturbed into three-dimensional, multi-lens taillamps. They’re all hallmarks of Buick design introduced by Enclave. Discovering new places on your own is great; sharing them with seven of your closest friends is even better. We did the numbers and gave Buick Enclave three rows of first-class seating for up to eight something not found on any luxury crossover. And with SmartSlide, getting to the third row is simple thanks to second-row seats that easily slide forward using only one hand.
 
Plenty of storage space also comes along for the ride. Fold down the second- and third-row seats
to create a level load floor, freeing up 115 cubic feet1 (that’s room for enough food to fill five fullsize refrigerators for your next dinner party). With the third row down, you have 65.9 cubic feet, plenty of luggage space for a family of four. And with both rows up, you still have 23.3 cubic feet behind the third row for that end table you just have to have. On top of plenty of leg room, there’s lots of wide-open space up above. Bring the outside in to illuminate the spacious interior with an available power sunroof and companion 3-foot by 4-foot skylight. The sunroof tilts up or slides open while the skylight offers a sunshade to control all those rays. You’ll thrill to the joy of open-air driving.


Take the driver’s, for instance. Beyond its warm camphor wood tones and brushed aluminum at-a-glance gauges, the driver’s seat in Buick Enclave is command central. Responding to you from its genuine mahogany-inlaid steering wheel placing buttons for cruise control, speaker volume and Bluetooth at your fingertips. Passengers can enjoy the comforts that result from 1,400 hours of real world evaluation. French-stitched seams highlight available leather seating surfaces infused with silk and perforated for breathing and sound deadening. The driver and front-passenger seats may be heated and cooled, with the driver’s power adjustable up to eight directions including lumbar, when you choose these options.

Don’t let the art-deco-inspired analog quartz clock fool you. We gave Buick Enclave all the latest technologies you need to find whatever you’re searching for. To help guide you, the available voice- and touch-screen activated DVD Nav igation System charts over million miles of North American roads. To navigate those roads, optional XM Nav Traffic incorporates real-time road conditions right into your NAV screen, directing you around trouble spots and toward the most efficient route. And while you’re on the road, keep your hands on the wheel thanks to Bluetooth connectivity. So get ready, the adventure is about to begin. Since music is recorded in an acoustically tuned room, we think you should hear it in a similar environment. That’s why Buick pioneered the Quiet Tuning process to reduce, block and absorb noise and vibration. Leaving outside noises outside, so you’re left with quiet solitude.
 
Nothing stands between your ears and the Bose 10-speaker 5.1 surround sound system. This available technology was engineered specifically for the Buick Enclave cabin. The system reproduces instrumental nuances and vocal inflections captured during live recordings so you won’t miss a single note. Plug your iPod into the available USB port and your tunes travel everywhere you do. Rear-seat passengers aren’t left out; they will enjoy the optional overhead DVD Enterta inment System with an 8-inch screen and two pairs of wireless headphones.

In Buick Enclave, it’s all about the power of teamwork. Intricately tuned shift points make the 6-speed automatic transmission one half of a high-tech powertrain. The other is a 288-hp 3.6L V-6 engine with direct fuel injection and Variable Valve Timing (VVT ). Together, they maximize performance and efficiency, producing better highway fuel economy than any other eight-passenger crossover. The gearbox is specifically engineered for either Enclave’s front-wheel- or all-wheel-drive configurations. A sophisticated 32-bit control module monitors its operation and enables smooth shifts even at high speeds to help minimize vibrations. And because we realize sometimes you can’t wait, you can start Buick Enclave and activate climate controls (based on previous settings) from nearly 200 feet away with a handy optional remote starter system.


In challenging situations, handling becomes utterly priceless. That’s where Buick Enclave’s available All-WheeL Drive (AWD ) comes in. When conditions demand more traction, the intelligent AWD system doesn’t ask you to push buttons. It’s activated automatically when you need it most. It constantly monitors traction at all four wheels, and when it detects slip, it delivers power to the wheels with the best grip. Unlike passive systems that merely react to wheel slippage, Enclave’s AWD reads a wide variety of vehicle conditions to continuously monitor and provide optimal power distribution between all wheels. This proactive system optimizes both handling and traction independently and simultaneously. Providing both slippery-surface traction and dry-road performance benefits.


From its curved lines to the ones in the road, Enclave happily marries form with function. It may be called a crossover, but when it comes to how it looks and acts, Buick Enclave is anything but. Underneath its unique bodylines, Buick Enclave boasts a four-wheel independent suspension with spring rates and stabilizer bars engineered to deliver a premium ride with stable cornering. All four wheels work in tandem with anti-lock brakes and Stab iliTra k’s electronic stability control system with rollover mitigation. Stabili Trak has the uncanny ability to constantly monitor Buick Enclave to help retain traction and assist you in maintaining your steering path for optimal control. The technology shines when traveling over ice, snow, gravel, wet pavement or uneven roads.

A holistically designed structure strategically positions high-strength steel to create a protective safety cage for occupant protection. This includes building in crush zones in the front and rear, and giving doors the reassurance of steel-reinforcing beams to help preserve occupant space in impacts. Inside, all rows have head curtain sideimpact air bags with rollover protection, along with driver and front passenger side-impact and dual-stage frontal air bags. Technology includes pretensioners (tighten belts to prevent you and your passenger from jerking forward during sudden braking) for front safety belts and side-impact door beams.


Enclave’s approach to safety also includes available high-intensity discharge articulating xenon headlamps to help you see around curves and beyond corners. A quick glance in the rearview mirror allows you to see objects behind you with the available bac kup camera . And with OnStar –standard for 6 months Automatic Crash Response can get you help fast even if you can’t ask for it. In the event of a crash, built-in sensors can automatically send an alert to OnStar. A lways use safety belts and the correct restraint for your child’s age and size. Even in vehicles equipped with the Passenger Sensing System, children are safer when properly secured in a rear seat in the appropriate infant, child or booster seat. Never place a rear-facing infant restraint in the front seat of any vehicle equipped with a passenger air bag. See the Owner’s Manual and child safety seat instructions for more safety information.  On Star acts as a link to existing emergency service providers. Visit onstar.com for details and system limitations.

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