Saturday, November 24, 2007

Edmunds Information on the Buick Enclave















Click link to watch the video:

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/autoshows/losangeles/2007/2008buickenclave.html

2008 Buick Enclave
See the most recent coverage of the LA Auto Show What is it?2008 Buick EnclaveWhat's special about it?The 2008 Buick Enclave is the first Buick specifically built as a luxury crossover, in contrast to the Rendezvous, which is a crossover cobbled together by plopping a sport-utilitylike body onto a minivan architecture. The result is a contemporary, elegant and cohesive design inside and out. In fact, the production Enclave is virtually identical to the concept version unveiled earlier this year. The Enclave comes with either front- or all-wheel drive. It is outfitted with a new V6 engine with variable valve timing rated at 275 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque. It is paired with GM's new six-speed automatic transmission, the first ever six-speed for a Buick. A fully independent, coil spring suspension is used on all models along with standard 18-inch wheels and tires; 19-inch wheels are optional. Meticulously engineered to remain "library quiet," according to Buick, the Enclave employs numerous noise-suppressing technologies. The list includes an acoustic-laminated windshield, laminated safety door glass, triple door seals, flat-blade windshield wipers, strategically placed sound-deadening material and outside rearview mirrors and tires designed to minimize noise. The interior can be configured for seven or eight passengers with plenty of room for luggage or four golf bags. The cargo bay behind the third-row seats has 18.9 cubic feet of space, more than the trunk of the Cadillac DTS. There's also a cargo space beneath the floor. With second-row seats folded, the space expands to 116.2 cubic feet, more than that of the Enclave's prime competitors — the Acura MDX, Audi Q7, Lexus RX 350 and Volvo XC90, Buick claims. The rear seat has what must be the largest, deepest center console in the business.Michael Burton, director of Enclave design, described the midsize crossover as having "a sense of swagger and a sense of romance." Inspired by the cabin of a private jet, the interior has soft curves and appears well crafted. Touches of Tiffany Blue are also used on the instrument panel. Standard safety features cover the gamut: antilock brakes; stability control with rollover mitigation technology; tire-pressure monitoring; traction control; and six airbags — dual front, two seat-mounted front airbags, and side curtain airbags for all three rows, which add a rollover sensor that keeps the airbag inflated longer during a rollover crash. GM's latest OnStar system is standard with turn-by-turn navigation an option. Xenon headlamps are standard with adaptive headlights optional.The Enclave, which shares its new crossover underpinnings with the Saturn Outlook and the GMC Acadia, will be available in CX and CXL trim levels; the main differences are cloth or leather upholstery and tire size. Eight exterior and three interior colors will be offered. The Enclave goes on sale early next summer although no prices have been announced.What's Edmunds' take?This is an attractive, contemporary and practical Buick that should attract buyers other than blue hairs — if they can get past Buick's image as a nameplate for older drivers. — Michelle Krebs