By David Colman

Hypes: One of the Best Drivelines Period
Gripes: A-Pillar Trim Mismatch, Cheapo Passenger Seat

A lot of years have passed since Buick built a hot rod called the GNX. Since the drag racing reign of the GNX ended in the mid 80s, Buick has focused on fine tuning their product line to appeal more to Chinese buyers, who value ersatz luxury and plush ride over performance attributes. The Buick Division’s focus on comfort and polish has made it GM’s number one sales leader in China. But back home, in the USA, where drivers remain performance oriented, Buick has had little to offer until the advent of this Verano Turbo, a sizzling rendition of their smallest sedan.

Prior to introduction of the Turbo model, Verano has been an innocuous four-door without particular merit for the enthusiast driver. Based on the same platform that Chevrolet utilizes for its hot selling Cruze, the Verano recasts the clean stylistic look of the Cruze with such vestigial Buick DNA markers as a toothy chrome grill and hood-mounted triple porthole emulators. These heritage devices look rather out of place on the Verano’s otherwise streamlined shell. Inside, Buick designers have done a better job of breaking with the marque’s customary serenity by offering up a strikingly bold two-tone cabin that posits mocha panels against chocolate trim to make an eye appealing combination.

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By David Colman

For: Practical, Affordable, Made in USA
Against: Limited Side Vision

The best way to learn about a car’s aerodynamic efficiency is to wash it by hand. Does your sponge snag on trim? Does the car’s shape shed water or retain it? When I finished washing and drying this nifty little Buick sedan, I was impressed by the unimpeded flow of its skin, the cleanly sculpted face it presents to the wind. Good mileage figures (21 MPG City/32 MPG Highway), as well as a sepulchrally quiet interior, bear testament to the efficacy of the Verano’s air management program.

A lot of keen features belie the Verano’s bargain basement price of $25,965. Cabin furnishings head the list of surprises, with leather trim, dual zone climate control, express window lefts at all 4 doors, and 3-month free XM Satellite Radio subscription, all making for driving satisfaction. Best of all, the Verano, which is based on Chevy’s Cruze platform, uses a superior engine unavailable in the Cruze. That would be Buick’s Ecotec 2.4 liter, 4-cylinder unit good for 180hp. Coupled to its standard 6-speed automatic, this engine provides quietly adequate motivation under all circumstances. Leave the floor mounted stick in Drive, and the Verano will putter around town in high gear while returning excellent mileage. But if the sporty mood overtakes you, slap the stick into its manual gate and tap it backwards for downshifts, forward for upshifts. Buick doesn’t give you steering wheel paddles, but their absence is moot because the floor shift method works so dependably.

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Buick has announced their plans to release the 2012 Buick Regal with eAssist (light electrification), joining the 2012 LaCrosse as the second Buick to feature this fuel-saving technology. With an estimated fuel economy of 26 mpg city and 37 mpg on the highway, the eAssist system features a 115V lithium-ion battery system, 15 kW electric induction motor-generator, and regenerative braking capability, that provides up to 15 kW of electricity to charge the battery, which will all improve fuel economy. The eAssist system also uses power stored in the battery to provide needed electrical boost in driving situations and allows the Ecotec engine to shut down fuel delivery in certain deceleration situations to save fuel. The eAssist power pack that contains the lithium-ion battery pack, the integrated power inverter and 12V power supply will be located between the rear seat and trunk, for a slightly reduced trunk space and eAssist system’s electric induction motor-generator is mounted to the engine in place of the alternator.

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Article and photos by Megan Green

Porsche 918 RSR
At a 6:30 a.m. press conference in snowy Detroit, the press gathered around in anticipation of the first reveal of the day. With smoky fanfare, Porsche rolled out their 918 RSR , a high-end hybrid sports car. The best of the 2010 Spyder concept and 911 GT3 R hybrid were combined to create the fluid yet powerful two-seat coupe powered by a V8 mid-engine. Two electric motors on the front axle contribute as well as store power while braking, utilizing its flywheel accumulator – taking the place of a second seat to the right of the driver. On the console, modern touch technology is eschewed in favor of rocker switches. Finishing aesthetic touches include brown leather bucket seats and steering wheel, wing doors, with the body painted a cool blue accented with bright orange racing stripes and brake calipers. It’s just a shame that the 918 RSR didn’t stick around for more admiration during the public show days.

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By Kurt Gensheimer

Blings:

• Interior silent as a monastery
• Incredible amount of rear legroom
• Beautifully crafted inside and out

Dings:

• Visibility so bad it should come with a Surgeon General warning
• Torque steer (yes, it’s front-wheel drive)
• Low rear door clearance devours heads

Ruling: It might be riddled with blind spots, but the new LaCrosse is also riddled with style, performance, luxury and value.

Never before has an automotive brand represented two completely polar opposite demographics as Buick does in the United States and China. In the U.S., the cache of Buick has grown as old and decrepit as it owners, whereas in China, Buick has emerged as the automotive brand representing a thirtysomething’s arrival into the material world. In China, the average Buick owner is a youthful 32. In the U.S.? More than twice as old.

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The completely redesigned 2010 Buick LaCrosse luxury sedan is the newest example of the globally influenced product renaissance at Buick. It offers all-wheel drive, a suite of advanced intelligent personal technologies and safety features, as well as three efficient, powerful engines.

I was able to test drive this vehicle last week, and I am still amazed at the amount of car you get for the price (approx. $32,000-$38,000). The car handles well and has power pulling away from stops in the city. What impressed me the most? First, the overall look. The body design reminds me of a Lexus. When I walked up and viewed it initially, I thought it was anything but a Buick. After studying it at length, I found several refreshing updated Buick-style elements within the body. Right down the street, there was an ’09 LaCrosse, and it’s like the ‘10’s little stepbrother. This is a completely different car from front to back. It looks like a luxury high-end vehicle, but it’s affordable and stylish, with good size and great fuel economy (around 32 mpg highway).

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By Twain Mein

My grandparents always owned Buicks; they were GM’s high-end line that featured luxury without the pretense of Cadillac. I’ll never forget their gargantuan ’72 Estate wagon with its 8 mpg 455CI V-8 and rear window that would roll up into the roof, and the ’76 Riviera with it’s torquey 460CI V-8 and power everything. In the sixties and seventies, Buicks offered lots of power and creature comforts with distinctive styling. But during the ‘80’s and ‘90’s, Buick sort of lost it’s way as GM struggled to segment and differentiate their brands. Recently, Buick has come back with the refreshingly styled Lucerne and Lacrosse. And their boldest new entry is the Enclave crossover.

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By Kurt Gensheimer

Blings:

• 4.6 L V8 High-Performance Northstar
• Sweet, Hollywood overdub exhaust note
• Taught, yet not offensive ride quality

Dings:

• A-pillar limits visibility in corners
• Over-sensitive steering
• The old fogey Buick rep

Ruling: A satisfying mix of responsive handling and comfortable luxury cruising.
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Maybe I should be posting this press release on our sister-site, GolfReview.com (?)

I think Tiger Woods far out-distances any Buick on the road today. Of course, that is just my opinion. And I’m not even a fan of golf. If you won the grand prize, would you ask Tiger to be your caddy or choose Tiger Woods’ personal Buick with the autographed plaque? Read the press release below for all the details…

DETROIT – Buick, the premium international automotive brand of General Motors, is giving one lucky person an exclusive opportunity to play golf alongside Tiger Woods, the world’s top golfer. Only this time, Woods will serve as the winner’s personal caddy in Buick’s new “Tee-Off with Tiger” online contest that begins today and runs through Sept. 28, 2008.

Contestants who register at www.teeoffwithtiger.com will have an opportunity to vie for the grand prize to partner with Woods or to win a high-end collectible only Buick can provide: Woods’ personal Buick vehicle – driven by the golf phenom himself – at several tournaments in which he competes during the promotion window. Every Buick vehicle Woods drives will come with a Tiger Woods autographed plaque, which is authenticated by Upper Deck.

“This is going to be as much fun for me as it is for the winners,” said Woods. “I’m looking forward to sharing some golf tips, maybe a few jokes and certainly a lot of laughs,” he said. Read the rest of this entry »