Best Sport Car Gallery: Buick

Showing posts with label Buick. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Nurburgring Webcam Captures Prototype Models

The Nurburgring webcam (click here) is one of our favorite free-time activities as the fact that you never know what you're going to stumble upon makes it rather addicting. Just a few minutes ago, after a couple of bimmers, a Volkswagen Scirocco and a Ford Focus RS, we saw two camouflaged prototype models. We are not 100 percent sure, but we reckon that the first car up front is the 2010 Opel Astra followed closely behind by Buick's small-sized sedan. What's your guess?

2010 Buick LaCrosse: GM Adds 182HP 2.4-liter Four-Cylinder to the Mix

As predicted, General Motors has confirmed the availability of a more fuel-efficient four-cylinder power plant for its new 2010 Buick LaCrosse semi-luxury sedan. The engine of choice is none other than GM's direct injected 2.4-liter Ecotec unit that churns out 182 horsepower and 172 lb-ft. of torque (233 Nm), and is matched to a six speed automatic transmission. GM expects that its entry-level Buick LaCrosse will deliver a fuel economy rating of 30mpg highway (7.8lt/100km) and 20mpg city (11.8lt/100km).

Along with the Ecotec 2.4L, is also offered with a direct injected 3.0L V6 with 255HP and a 3.6L V6 producing an estimated 280HP. With the exception of the 3.0L V6 model that is also available with all-wheel drive, the rest of the range is strictly front-wheel-drive.

GM has not disclosed prices for the 2010 LaCrosse 2.4L model, but the company previously announced that prices for the V6 lineup start from $27,835 for the 3.0L V6 CX model and rise to $30,395 for CXL FWD 3.0L V6, $32,570 for the CXL AWD 3.0L V6 and $33,765 for the 3.6-liter V6 CXS -all prices include a $750 destination charge.

The 2010 LaCrosse that is based on the second-generation Epsilon platform shared with the Opel Insignia, targets the semi-luxury sedan segment rivaling cars such as the Lexus ES 350 and Lincoln MKZ.

Monday, January 10, 2011

2012 Buick Verano Sedan: China's Excelle GT finally Makes it to the States

If you've been following the news on Carscoop, the 2012 Buick Verano won't come as a surprise as the new compact sedan is the North American version of GM's China market Buick Excelle GT that was revealed in the first half of 2010. The two Buicks are identical in styling right up to the somewhat gaudy chrome eyebrows over the tail lamps.

The small Buick is essentially the sedan version of the European market Opel Astra, something that is visible from the profile styling as well as the interior, and is built on the same platform and shares basic engine architecture with the Chevrolet Cruze.

The VW Jetta-sized Verano measures 183.9 in. (4,671 mm) long, 71.4 in. (1,815 mm) wide and 58.4 in. (1,484 mm) tall, featuring a 105.7 in. (2,685 mm) long wheelbase.

Under the skin, the Verano's front suspension uses decoupled MacPherson struts and the rear a Watts Z-link design. Steering inputs are executed by an electric power steering system, featuring a dual-pinion rack, while stopping power is provided 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.

At launch, the new Buick Verano will offered with a standard 2.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine delivering an estimated 177 horsepower (132 kW) and 170 lb.-ft. of peak torque (230 Nm), with a six-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. GM says the basic Verano will return a 0-60 mph [96 km/h] performance of 8.0 seconds and an estimated 31 mpg [7.6 lt/100km] on the highway.

The Detroit automaker said a more powerful 2.0-liter turbo engine will be offered in the future. In China, the Verano's twin sibling is available with a naturally-aspirated 1.8-liter producing 145HP and a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-pot delivering 181HP.

The 2012 Verano compact sedan will receive its world premiere at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next week and go on sale in the States in the fourth quarter of 2011. Pricing has yet to be released, though an allegedly official document that was leaked online suggests that the Verano will start at around $21,000.

GM Introduces Cell Phone Charging Mats at CES, Production Begins in 2012

Thanks to induction technology, mobile electronic devices, such as phones, can be wirelessly charged, just by placing them on special pads. At the 2011 CES in Las Vegas, General Motors announced plans to introduce the wireless charging technology in many future Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac products, beginning from the second half of 2012.

The Detroit automaker revealed that is has signed a commercial agreement with an Israeli company called Powermat that specializes on the new technology. GM Ventures, the company’s venture capital subsidiary, will invest a total of $5 million in Powermat to help accelerate its development and support efforts to grow Powermat’s business globally, the company said in a statement.

The new technology is said not only to eliminate the need for charging cords, but, according to Powermat CEO Ran Poliakine, it’s also safer and more efficient.

The Chevrolet Volt will be one of the first cars to benefit from the new equipment.

“Imagine a mat or shelf where you could put your iPhone, your Droid or other personal device and charge it automatically while you commute to work, run errands or as you’re driving on a family vacation”, said Micky Bly, GM’s lead electronics executive. “The Chevy Volt will be one of the first applications, but we intend to expand it across our vehicle portfolio”, Bly added.