The new Encore might be incredibly small, but it is possibly the most important car in Buick’s modern history. It is a well-engineered, beautifully-made, well-equipped, fuel-efficient crossover, and these days a car with such characteristics is an instant hit. It’s a great car. You only have to decide whether or not you like the way it looks. This promo video Buick released for the car might help you with that.

The new Buick Encore makes its world premiere at Detroit Motor Show, and that, at the very least, means no more annoying teasers!

Oh, the car. Yes, it’s very good. A very small and agile crossover garnished with room for five and lots of luxury amenities not typically found in vehicles of its size. It is very practical as well, offering up to 1,372 liters of storage space and that’s more than what BMW X1 or Audi Q3 offer.

Design-wise, it seems Buick put the Enclave int a copier machine and set it at 60 percent to make the Encore. It’s got very similar features to the big Buick, including a waterfall grille, chrome accents and surrounds, portholes on the hood and painted lower panels. That’s not a necessarily bad thing, as the Encore is a rather handsome machine. It will be offered with nine exterior colors and three interior color combinations.

Powering the Encore is an Ecotec 1.4L turbocharged four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission. It develops 140 horsepower (103 kW) and 148 lb.-ft. of torque (200 Nm), which doesn’t sound like enough – even for the Encore’s microscopic size.

But it’s efficient. and it’s efficiency is complemented with low-rolling-resistance tires, electric power steering, neutral idle feature and optimized aerodynamics.

The 2013 Encore is such a well-equipped car for its class. The luxurious cabin is lavishly trimmed with leather and wood, and is packed with features including a large, full-color, seven-inch LCD display for the IntelliLink voice-activated radio system.

Some of the standard and available feaures of the Encore include

• Remote vehicle start
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Rainsense wipers
• Bose premium sound system
• Heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls
• Six-way, power-adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar adjustment and driver memory

In terms of safety you get 10 standard air bags, plus

• Standard StabiliTrak electronic stability control
• Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and electronic brake force distribution
• Cornering brake control and brake assist
• Available all-wheel-drive system that seamlessly shifts power to the rear wheels when required for better traction and handling
• Available forward collision alert and lane departure warning
• Available front and rear park assist
• Available rear vision camera.

The third teaser image of the all-new Buick Encore is in fact the only useful shot of the car they’ve released. It also makes the next teaser pointless, because, well, not much else left to be revealed. As for the car, the Encore seems like a nice little crossover, definitely not just a trimmed down version of the Enclave as we were first anticipating. The design is completely in tune with the times. Can’t wait to see it in the metal. The car will be fully unveiled in a couple of days and then makes its world debut at the Detroit Motor Show.

The third teaser shot for the new 2013 Buick Encore was released for as this week’s take, revealing a bit more of the car.

And we can’t help but think how unsurprising the car looks. I mean with Buick’s teasing campaign revealing one picture each week until Detroit Motor Show, you’d think this is one special vehicle. But based on what we’ve seen of it so far, it’s just a baby Enclave. A smaller version of a car that is not very interesting in the first place. So what’s all this fuss about we don’t know either.

Buick Encore is the company’s contender for the rather busy small crossover segment, powered by small and efficient engines. More on the car closer to the 2012 Detroit Autoshow.

As promised Buick is revealing a new teaser picture for the new 2013 Enclave on its Facebook each week prior to its Detroit Motor Show reveal.

Here’s this week’s take, which is basically useless because it doesn’t reveal any facts about the car. It’s just the windscreen and the bonnet, what are we supposed to do with that!

As for the car itself, the Encore is Buick’s contribution to the small crossover segment. It is basically a smaller version of the Enclave, and based on what we’ve seen so far of the car, it also looks like it. Come to think of it, all Buick models look pretty much the same, don’t they. They are instantly recognizable as a Buick, but then you would struggle to figure out which one.

The Encore goes on sale next year as a 2013 model.

Buick Encore is an all-new five-seat crossover by GM, to be revealed at the 2012 Detroit Motor Show next month.

This is the first teaser shot of the car they released. There will be a new one each week leading up to the reveal, with the last one being a complete picture. So it’s like a puzzle or something.

Not much details on the car has been revealed, Buick just says it has contemporary styling, signature QuietTuning technology, and a host of features and amenities customers expect from Buick. Very good!

Buick family is growing rapidly, with new models and variants, including Verano compact luxury sedan, the Regal GS sport sedan, and fuel-efficient eAssist “light electrification” technology on both LaCrosse and Regal.

GM is getting very specific about the details of their cars. For instance they had their engineers study lots of bottoms to make comfortable seats, and now they made a car with headrests designs to accommodate ponytails!

It might sound silly at first, thinking about a passenger’s hairdo, but it shows they are thinking about the little things that make driving more comfortable and more enjoyable. That is very nice, kind of.

The new seats which took more than 1000 hours  development, and are offered in 2012 Buick Verano, also prevent “hot spots” from happening on long drives. Verano uses the same grade of premium leather, support foam and plush padding as LaCrosse, but the compact’s seat bolsters are designed to offer more side support to hold passengers in the most-comfortable position possible.

Other highlights include French-stitched leather, adjustable console arm rest, padded door arm rests and bolsters. So if seat comfort is the only important factor for you while choosing a new car, or if you have a ponytail, the Verano is the perfect car for you.

The Verano goes on sale later this year with a starting price of $23,470 including $885 in destination charges.

If you try to explain fuel saving technologies, say start/stop system, to people they either leave or just nod off from boredom. But Buick’s came up with a nice and easy way of explaining how the eAssist system saves fuel in your car. This is one of those commercials with a genuinely good idea behind it.

The dashing, spacious and well-equipped Buick Verano 2012 will go on sale in America in a couple of months, priced between $23,470 and $26,850.

All models are powered by a fuel-efficient 2.4L four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that delivers 180 hp at 6,700 rpm with 171 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,900 rpm. They also features 18-inch multi-spoke, forged alloy, silver-finish wheels, with a premium 18-inch split spoke wheel design available on certain models.

Standard equipments on the base 23 grand model include leatherette seating, high-resolution 7-inch diagonal LED backlit color-touch radio display with IntelliLink technology and 10 standard air bags. Automatic climate control, remote start, power windows and steering wheel radio controls are also standard.

The more expensive 28 grand version adds items like seat heaters, remote start function, along with rear defogger on all models and heated outside mirrors, as well as a heated steering wheel. You can also specify Buick IntelliLink system infotainment and a nine-speaker Bose sound system.

Buick announced pricing for the new fuel efficient Regal eAssist and the high-performance GS, cars that are ought to broaden Buick’s customer base.

According to Buick, Regal with eAssist will start at $29,530, and Regal GS will start at $35,310; both prices include $860 in destination charges. The eAssist system is a $2,000 option on the Regal base model, mated to a 2.4L Ecotec engine. Buick will continue to offer the base model without eAssist as well as the 2.0L turbo.

The eAssist option might be a bit expensive, but it results in an excellent 25 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway fuel economy. In the Regal this system adds a state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery system and electric motor-generator to the direct-injected 2.4L four-cylinder, that enables regenerative braking capability.

Standard features with the eAssist system include : driver-selectable, fuel economy-optimizing mode for the air conditioning system, enabling more frequent and longer-duration engine stop periods; ECO gauge on the instrument panel that continuously responds to driving behavior, enabling the driver to drive with greater efficiency; and powerflow readout in the color infotainment or driver information center that shows the flow of energy through the electric assist system, such as battery charging from regeneration and electric power directed to the engine.

As for the GS, it’s got a 270 horsepower (201kW) and 295 lb.-ft. of torque (400Nm) Ecotec 2.0L direct-injected turbocharged four-cylinder engine, mated to a standard six-speed manual transmission, and gets an estimated fuel economy of 27 mpg on the highway. A six-speed automatic transmission will be available later in the model year.

Regal GS also features push-button start; a leather-wrapped, flat-bottom sport steering wheel with audio controls; metal sport pedals; and leather-appointed, heated and 12-way adjustable sport seating. A Harman Kardon premium 336-watt, 5.1 Matrix Surround Sound system with nine speakers is also standard.

The new Buick Regal GS will hit the showroom floors this fall, powered by the Ecotec 2.0L turbo engine.

The Regal GS offers 270 horsepower (201kW) and 295 lb.-ft. of torque (400Nm), decent numbers for a 2.0 liter – specially the torque, while averaging 28 mpg on the highway. Thanks to the enormous torque  it can go from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 6.7 seconds. It comes with a manual gearbox but a six-speed automatic transmission will be available later.

Thanks to the Opel Insignia on which this car is based, it comes with high-tech stuff such as Interactive Drive Control System chassis technology, which delivers enhanced vehicle stability and let the driver change the settings for suspension, and steering sensitivity through the variable-effort steering system. Regal GS also features a four-wheel-independent suspension, with a unique High Performance Strut (HiPerStrut) front suspension design.

One very good feature of the car is the high performance braking system a large diameter four-wheel disc brake system featuring big, four-piston Brembo front calipers. The StabiliTrak electronic stability control with integrated, full-speed traction control is also very good. The car comes with 19-inch, 5-Twin Spoke alloy wheels and all-season tires (20-inch, 5-Twin Spoke polished alloy wheels with performance tires are optional).

Here’s a video of the car in action around Milford Road Course at the Proving Grounds in Milford, Michigan, in the hands of Buick engineers:

“The Regal GS 2.0L turbo delivers the highest specific output of any production engine GM has ever offered, and at 135 hp per liter is the most power dense engine ever certified by SAE,” said Mike Anderson, Ecotec global chief engineer and program manager. “We’ve been combining direct injection and variable valve timing with boosted engines since 2006, and there’s no question the Regal GS turbo has the responsiveness and acceleration of some V-6s, while delivering the fuel economy you’d expect of a four-cylinder.”

The eco-minded eAssist version of the 2012 Buick LaCrosse is priced at at $29,960 before an $860 destination charge.

So all the money you might be able to save on fuel, as the car does 37 mpg highway fuel economy, you have to spend in advance on the car! On the upside, the LaCrosse eAssist is not like the other eco cars of this class, slow and dull. It is actually quite sprightly thanks to its 303 horsepower (226 kW) and 264 lb.-ft. of torque (358 Nm) 3.6 liter V6. They even offer an all-wheel-drive version.

The fuel economy boost that LaCrosse with eAssist offers comes from state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery system and electric motor-generator that enables regenerative braking capability.

The car is also well-equipped with dual-zone climate control, 17-inch alloy wheels, full-color driver information center, and Bluetooth and USB connectivity. Later they will even offer the Buick IntelliLink for the car, which uses Bluetooth or USB to connect the driver’s smartphone to a new 8-inch, high-resolution, full-color touch screen display radio.

“LaCrosse with eAssist is the smart choice for those who want great fuel economy without sacrificing the driving dynamics and passenger comfort that have made Buick the fastest-growing major automotive brand in the United States,” said Tony DiSalle, U.S. vice president of Buick Marketing.

America’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration just done testing the 2011 Buick LaCrosse and awarded it with five stars, maximum score.

Thanks to its extensive range of active and passive safety features, the new LaCrosse received five-star ratings for both the Overall Frontal Crash and Overall Side Crash in NHTSA’s rigorous crash tests.

One of the most innovative features of the car is the dynamic locking latchplate, which is part of the front safety belt system. It locks under dynamic crash loading to help securely restrain the occupant’s pelvis, and it works in concert with the safety belt load limiting feature to control loads on the occupant’s upper torso.

The LaCrosse offers these safety features:

• Intelligent technologies delivering a “360-degree” field of vision behind the steering wheel for a greater feeling of comfort, control and safety
• Side blind zone alert technology notifying the driver if a vehicle in adjacent lanes is traveling in the driver’s blind spot
• Rearview camera system featuring a display integrated into the navigation system screen
• Front- and side-impact air bags as well as roof-mounted head-curtain air bags that help protect occupants in the event of a rollover crash
• An advanced front-seat safety belt system including a dynamic locking latchplate, dual pretensioners that help tighten the safety belt for earlier restraint of the occupant during the onset of moderate to severe crashes; and load limiters that help limit the forces on the occupant to help reduce the risk of injury
• GM’s StabiliTrak stability- and traction-control system
• OnStar (included for the first year of ownership)

The Buick Envision crossover made its official debut at the Auto Shanghai 2011 and here’s the first official details and images of this PHEV plug-in hybrid car.

The Envision features a daring new design which is major departure from Buick’s usual design. Of course you can’t expect to see all these features in the upcoming production models, specially those scissor doors which frankly look stupid even on the concept car!

It does have a couple of special features which might have a chance for future use, such as the two-layer traditional Buick waterfall grille, which regulates air intake to meet the demand of the power system and achieve optimized aerodynamic performance, or the porcelain-like daytime LED lamps house five “Chinese pillar-like” LED bulbs. The same sort of design is repeated at the back. The concept also features 22-inch doubled-layered aluminum alloy wheels with silicon sports tires.

This being a family crossover the car is pretty spacious inside and some unique features that to be honest are too fancy to have a chance for production. For example traditional rearview mirrors have been replaced by three micro-cameras to catch and relay images of the road to the dashboard. When the car is moving, speed, fuel consumption and navigation details are projected onto the windshield in 3-D so that the driver does not have to take his or her eyes off the road.  has some more convenient features too, such as Bluetooth DUN Intelligent Internet system allows users to connect to the Web with their cell phones.

As for the technicalities, it’s powered by a 2.0-liter SIDI intelligent direct injection turbocharged engine coupled with two electric motors, linked to a dual automatic/manual eight-speed transmission with AWD. One cool feature of it is solar energy roof to provide additional charge for the battery pack.

The Envision’s compact, lightweight chassis is composed of carbon fiber, magnesium and aluminum. Mounted on an MRC electromagnetic suspension with the energy-recycle function, it offers one of the fastest magnetic ride control systems in the world. Damping can be actively regulated according to road conditions to optimize handling. With the Envision’s intelligent all-wheel-drive system, the torque output of each wheel can be adjusted at any time for all-weather driving pleasure.

Buick wanted to keep the Envision crossover concept a secret until the car’s official unveiling at the Shanghai motorshow, but a couple of pictures of this futuristic concept have already leaked on to web. Well, not real pictures, but official sketches of the car. And they are enough to give you a good look at the Envision, and enough for you to laugh at those insane doors! They are just something to hook up all the idiots at the show, those who think it’s a supercar because its doors open like this!

Apart from that, the car seems to be a good base upon which a new crossover could be built. Little is known about this car at this stage, except that it’s powered by a plug-in hybrid system. More details and pictures are expected to be released soon.

via: Autoblog.it

General Motor’s Chinese branch announced a new Buick concept SUV called the Envision, set for debut at Auto Shanghai 2011 on April 18.

This car is apparently made entirely in China and Americans had nothing to do with it, as it’s jointly developed by Shanghai GM and the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC). Although it uses Buick’s “dynamic, fluid, quiet and comfortable” design, they’ve included local aesthetics for the China market. The Envision is also a green car, powered by an advanced plug-in hybrid system and loads of other new technologies, as a preview of what Buick will be using in future models.

The teaser image doesn’t reveal the face of the Envision, but its back-end looks promising! There’s still no word if Buick’s going to make a global model based on this concept or is it just a design exercise.

The new Buick Regal Turbo features an industry-first E85 ethanol-capable direct-injected turbocharged Ecotec 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine. Using E85, the Flex-Fuel Regal emits less CO2.

GM engineers have tried to arrive at the best compromise between fuel efficiency and performance with this engine. So they’ve used direct injection and turbochargers, as well as the ethanol capability. In fact GM wants to offer more than 50 percent of its production in flex-fuel models by the end of 2012.

Other changes to the turbo engine for 2011 go well beyond the addition of flex-fuel capability.  The 2.0-liter Ecotec turbo has a new precision sand cast aluminum cylinder block that provides better durability while transmitting less noise and vibration than lost foam casting used previously.

Since ethanol requires a richer air-fuel mixture than gasoline, flex-fuel engines need higher flow-rate injectors.  However, a flex-fuel engine can potentially have any combination of gasoline or up to 85 percent ethanol in the tank, so a sensor in the fuel system measures the blend in real-time.  This allows the engine management system to automatically adjust the mixture to provide improved performance and reduced emissions and fuel consumption.  Stainless steel fuel lines provide extra corrosion resistance to ensure that the Regal Turbo meets GM’s stringent durability requirements.

“Lag and reduced vehicle launch response is one of the age-old concerns with previous turbo engines,” said Ecotec chief engineer Mike Anderson.

“Drivers would step on the gas to accelerate and then have to wait for boost and power to be generated,” he said. “The twin-scroll turbocharger helps the engine generate power and torque when the driver needs it for passing maneuvers or merging onto a highway even at low engine speeds.” “The 2.0-liter Ecotec turbo produces 258 pound-feet of torque from 2,000 to 5,500 rpm making it feel like a much-larger V6 engine while still delivering four-cylinder efficiency.”

Following the LaCrosse, Buick Regal is the next model in the range to get eAssist fuel-saving technology, an electronic system that improves fuel economy by 25 percent. 2012 Buick Regal eAssist is capable of 26 mpg city and 37 mpg on the highway.

eAssist in essence, uses a state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery system, electric induction motor-generator and regenerative braking capability to improve fuel economy. So inlike most of the other fuel saving technologies it doesn’t really have an effect on the performance of the car.

The system can be had on all models of the car with 2.4L and 2.0L Turbo (with manual transmission) models, as well as the upcoming Regal GS. On sale from Fall 2011, the Regal eAssist also features:

* Lightweight 17-inch alloy wheels and tires with lower rolling resistance
* A driver-selectable, fuel economy-optimizing mode for the air conditioning system, which enables more frequent and longer-duration engine stop periods
* An ECO gauge on the instrument panel that continuously responds to driving behavior, enabling the driver to drive with greater efficiency
* A powerflow readout in the 7-inch infotainment screen, which shows the flow of energy through the electric assist system, such as battery charging from regeneration and electric power directed to the engine.

eAssist details

Mated to Regal’s 2.4L Ecotec direct injection four-cylinder engine and next-generation six-speed automatic transmission, the eAssist system uses power stored in the battery to provide needed electrical boost in various driving scenarios, optimizing engine and transmission operation. An advanced 115V lithium-ion battery and latest-generation 15-kW induction motor-generator unit help increase fuel economy through:

* Regenerative braking, which provides up to 15 kW of electricity to charge the battery
* Providing up to 11 kW (15 hp) of electric power assistance during acceleration
* Automatic engine shut-off when the vehicle is stopped
* Aggressive fuel cut-off during deceleration down to zero vehicle speed, enabled by the torque smoothing provided by the induction motor-generator unit
* Intelligent charge/discharge of the high-voltage battery.

“The capability to deliver electric boost to the powertrain system during heavy acceleration and grade driving enables the engine and transmission to operate more efficiently,” said Steve Poulos, global chief engineer of the eAssist system. “Full fuel shutoff at stops and during deceleration complements electric boost and regenerative braking with additional fuel savings.”

Regal with eAssist technology also features improved underbody aerodynamics and tires optimized for performance and fuel economy. It also features a hill-assist system that captures brake pressure to help the driver more comfortably accelerate from a stop on a moderate or steep grade. It does this by greatly reducing the tendency of the vehicle to roll backward with the engine in shut-down mode.

The eAssist system’s 115V air-cooled lithium-ion battery bolsters the 2.4L Ecotec four-cylinder engine with approximately 11 kW (15 hp) of electric power assist during heavy acceleration and 15 kW of regenerative braking power. The system also enables the Ecotec engine to shut down fuel delivery in certain deceleration conditions, which saves additional fuel. While in fuel shut-off mode, the induction motor-generator unit continues spinning along with the engine to provide immediate and smooth take-off power when the driver presses on the accelerator. Then, as the vehicle comes to a stop, the induction motor-generator unit spins the engine, bringing it to a smooth stop – properly positioned for a smooth restart.

“The battery system is designed to provide power assistance to the internal combustion engine, rather than store energy for all-electric propulsion,” said Poulos. “It’s really an extension of the conventional internal combustion engine, not a replacement for it.”

The eAssist power pack contains the lithium-ion battery pack, the integrated power inverter and 12V power supply. It is located in a compartment between the rear seat and trunk; and it is surprisingly compact and lightweight, weighing only about 65 pounds (29 kg). Trunk space is slightly reduced when compared with 2011 models with the four-cylinder/six-speed powertrain, but still offers 11.1 cubic feet (314 liters) of storage. A quiet electric fan cools the power pack, drawing air from a vent located in the package tray, behind the rear seat.

The eAssist system’s electric induction motor-generator is mounted to the engine in place of the alternator to provide both motor assist and electric-generating functions through a unique engine belt-drive system. The induction motor-generator is a high-performance, compact induction motor that is liquid-cooled for increased performance and efficiency.

Before its debut at the North American International Auto Show, Buick revealed images and details of the 2012 Verano, the brand’s first contender for the compact luxury segment. The Verano is a feature-rich and rather economical mid-size sedan which can attract some of the Chevy Cruze buyers. Is GM shooting one of its legs?!

2012 Buick Verano goes on sale in the fourth quarter of 2011 powered by an Ecotec 2.4L mated to six-speed automatic powertrain developing 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 (all figures estimated). Later on a 2.0 liter turbo engine will be added o the range.

The Verano has an acceptable design for its class, with feature derived from other Buick models, including a black chrome waterfall grille, blue translucent projector beam headlamps, portholes and chrome accents. We quite liked the interior, which is very nice cozy and seems to be made of very high quality materials.

Verano also promises a very comfi ride as well, thanks to acoustical laminated glass, triple door seals, refined chassis dynamics and specially manufactured 17-inch standard forged alloy multi-spoke wheels, which minimize road noise. It is more tuned for comfortable city and highway driving rather than sport and fun, even though it gets a sophisticated Watts Z-link rear suspension and four-wheel disc brakes with standard anti-lock brakes, full-function traction control and StabiliTrak electronic stability control.

As mentioned the new Buick Verano is also very well equipped with convenience and safety features that enhance the driving experience and are rare for the segment, including 10 standard air bags, a next-generation radio, touch screen navigation and advanced connectivity technologies powered by OnStar.

More details and pictures in the press release below…

Sculpted design

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 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.

Luxurious interior

Complementing 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. 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. 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
* Uplevel front and rear reading lamps.

Quiet tuning

Verano delivers the library-quiet driving experience for which Buicks have become known. Quiet-tuning systems, processes and components are built into every facet of the vehicle’s architecture. All are designed to block or absorb sound and dampen or eliminate vibrations.

Hydraulic ride bushings, for example, and an isolated engine cradle reduce or eliminate vibration pathways that could be transmitted to the passenger compartment. Similarly, a number of noise-reducing and noise-cancelling technologies are employed throughout the body structure, including:

* The steel front-of-dash panel is sandwiched between two damping mats
* Nylon baffles are used in various hollow portions of the body structure and filled with sound-absorbing foam that expands when the body enters the paint oven
* The headliner comprises five layers of thermal fiber acoustic material, including a premium woven fabric on the visible outer layer
* Patches of sound-damping material are applied strategically throughout the body structure and melt into place when the body passes through the paint oven, allowing the patches to follow the contours of the sheet metal below
* Sound insulation material between rear-body structural components that is made from recycled denim
* Triple-sealed doors that feature fiberglass “blankets” serve as water, airflow and noise barriers. The doors are also beta-braced, meaning they close with a solid, precise sound and no resonance
* Optimized windshield and side glass for quietness, with 5.4-mm-thick laminated windshield and 4.85-mm laminated side glass
* The engine’s intake and exhaust systems are tuned for quiet performance
* Isolated brake and fuel lines prevent vibrations.

The Chinese division of General Motors located in Shanghai revealed an all-new model of the Buick GL8 luxury MPV. The GL8 has been present in Chinese domestic market since 1999, and 330,000 units of it have been sold since then. The 2011 model, going on sale from January, features improvements in terms of in design, space and safety, technology, power, features and quality.

The passengers of the GL8 won’t have to worry about space, since it has a length of 5,256 mm, a width of 1,878 mm, a height of 1,800 mm and a wheelbase of 3,088 mm. But there’s much more to it, as it comes with ice-blue atmosphere lighting and a 360-degree wraparound design inspired by luxury yachts.

Among the other amenities available are two-tone ergonomic genuine leather seats; a two-piece panorama sunroof; an electric anti-pinch sliding door and one-touch electric lift rear door; a 10-speaker, 5.1-channel Bose sound system; a 7-inch touch screen up front and 10.2-inch WVGA HD display in back; and the OnStar in-vehicle safety, security and communication service.

Buick has also retuned the suspension system with independent front-and-back sub-frames for better ride comfort and even quieter cabin. The car also gets Bosch 8.1 ESP system, large-size tires and disc brakes, with six air bags available on selected models, as well as multi-dimensional blue ray Bi-Xenon HID headlights and crystal-like chrome LED taillights.

The new GL8 comes with a choice of a 3.0-liter V-6 SIDI intelligent direct injection engine or a 2.4-liter Ecotec engine with segment-leading fuel efficiency. GM’s advanced 6-speed automatic transmission comes standard, providing unrivaled power in the luxury MPV segment.

There’s still no word on the GL8′s availability in the American market.