Buick originated as an independent motor car manufacturer, the Buick Motor Company, incorporated on May 19, 1903 by David Dunbar Buick in Flint, Michigan. In 1904 the struggling company was taken over by James Whiting, who brought in William C. Durant to manage his new acquisition.

Buick soon became the largest car maker in America. Using the profits from this, Durant embarked on a series of several dozen corporate acquisitions, calling his new mega-corporation General Motors.

In 1929, the Buick Motor Division launched the Marquette sister brand, designed to help bridge the price gap between Buick and Oldsmobile, however Marquette was discontinued in 1930.

At first, the different manufacturers who comprised General Motors competed against each other, but Durant put a stop to that. He wanted each General Motors division to target one class of buyer, and in his new scheme Buick was near the top, only the luxurious Cadillac brand had more prestige.

Even today, Buick retains that position in the GM lineup. The ideal Buick customer was comfortably off; possibly not quite rich enough to afford a Cadillac or not desiring the ostentation of one, but definitely in the market for a car a cut above the norm. Buick is the fourth oldest marque in the world.

The Buick Rainier shares its body shell and mechanical platform with GM’s other mid-size SUVs, the Chevrolet TrailBlazer and GMC Envoy. But of the three, only the Rainier offers a 300-horsepower V8 engine in the handier, standard-wheelbase configuration. For 2007, a one-year subscription to General Motors’ OnStar Turn-by-Turn navigation system and a tire pressure monitoring system now come standard.

Rainiers come with rear, or all-wheel drive. An electronically controlled rear air suspension is intended to produce a comfortable ride. A 291-horsepower, 4.2-liter inline-six-cylinder is standard, and a 302-hp, 5.3-liter V-8 is optional. A four-speed automatic is the sole transmission. On the exterior, clear headlights have offset high/low beam fixtures. Fog lamps with chrome surrounds are standard.

The Buick Terraza loses its all-wheel-drive model but gains more power for 2007, which, Buick says, will be this minivan’s final model year. It’s the costliest, most luxurious of the group. Terraza is front-wheel drive and comes in CX, new-for-2007 CX Plus, and top-line CXL models. All are equipped with a 240-hp 3.9-liter V6 engine that replaces a 201-hp 3.5 V6. A 4-speed automatic remains the only transmission. Anti-lock Brake System and traction/antiskid control are standard.

Terraza seats seven. It has 2nd-row bucket seats that fold and remove and a 50/50 3rd-row bench that folds flat atop the cargo floor. Front and 2nd-row side airbags that provide head and torso protection are standard on CXL, optional on CX Plus, unavailable on CX. Curtain side airbags are unavailable. Load-leveling suspension and DVD entertainment are standard on CX Plus and CXL. Rear obstacle detection is also available.

The Buick Rendezvous, also in its final model year, loses its optional V6 engine and available all-wheel drive for 2007. This SUV shares a basic platform with Buick’s Terraza minivan. Rendezvous seats five with a standard three-place 2nd-row split bench seat that slides fore and aft. A two-passenger 3rd-row seat is optional, as are twin bucket seats to replace the 2nd-row bench.

Rendezvous has front-wheel drive with available traction control. A 195-hp 3.5-liter V6 and 4-speed automatic transmission comprise the sole drivetrain; an optional 242-hp 3.6 V6 has been dropped. Anti-lock Brake System, rear obstacle detection, and OnStar assistance are standard. Front side airbags are available. No curtain side airbags are offered.

For 2007, several new luxury features become standard on Buick’s midsize sedan, the LaCrosse, including General Motors’ OnStar Turn-by-Turn navigation system. Three versions of the LaCrosse are offered this year – the CX, the midlevel CXL and the performance-oriented CXS. CX and CXL models use a 3.8-liter V-6 engine that produces 200 horsepower and 230 pounds-feet of torque. A 3.6-liter V-6 with variable valve timing goes into the CXS and delivers 240 hp and 225 pounds-feet of torque. Both engines team with a four-speed automatic transmission. Three levels of traction control, including General Motors’ StabiliTrak electronic stability system, are offered.

In the 2007 Buick Lucerne, three trim levels are available: CX, CXL and CXS. Buick emphasizes the QuietTuning of the Lucerne, which the automaker claims will reduce or tune out unwanted wind, road and powertrain noise.

In the CX or CXL, the 3.8-liter V-6 meets Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle standards and produces an estimated 197 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 227 pounds-feet of torque.

Standard in the CXS and optional in the CXL, the 32-valve dual overhead cam all-aluminum 4.6-liter V-8 delivers an estimated 275 hp at 5,600 rpm and 295 pounds-feet of torque. Both engines work with a four-speed automatic transmission, run on regular-grade gasoline and feature electronic throttle control.

Buick began consolidating its lineup in 2005, replacing the Century and Regal with the LaCrosse, and the LeSabre and Park Avenue with the Lucerne in 2006.

The company plans to replace both of its SUVs, the Rendezvous and Rainier with the Enclave within 18 months. However, for 2007 Buick is going all out with its line up.

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General Motors Corp.’s Buick division has launched two new vehicles outside the United States: one in China and in Canada.

Shanghai General Motors (Shanghai GM) has recently introduced the Buick Park Avenue luxury sedan, the newest model of Buick’s product lineup. Named after the popular and well-off street in New York City, the Buick Park Avenue offers a wide range of advanced in-car technologies and other luxurious amenities for Chinese car fans.

According to Ding Lei, President of Shanghai General Motors: “The Park Avenue is the perfect blend of tranquility and power. It shows Buick’s ability to move with the times while continuing to leverage GM’s global resources and our local knowledge. Designed especially for business leaders and other elites, it is a component of our effort to maintain our leadership position in China by addressing the needs of all of our customers.”

The Buick Park Avenue embodies GM’s newly developed rear-wheel-drive (RWD) global platform, measuring 5,175 mm in length, 1,899 mm width, 1,480 mm in height, and 3,009 mm wheelbase length.

As for a luxury sedan model, the Buick Park Avenue offers an elegant, comfortable, and safe interior equipped with numerous standard interior amenities and safety components. The Park Avenue comes with 8-way power adjustable front seats made of genuine leather and features massage function, high-quality entertainment system with LCD panels, advanced heating system, advanced ventilation and air conditioning system, and six standard intelligent air bags for the driver and passengers, just to name the few. In addition, the Buick Park Avenue also features an available Bluetooth mobile phone system and GPS navigation system. Moreover, GM Local Area Network (GM-LAN) high-speed communication system is also available, providing real-time driving information for efficiency and safety.

The Buick Park Avenue rolls out in Chinese markets with two AlloyTec V-6 engine displacements for the customers to choose from. The 2.8-liter engine pumps out a maximum output of 201 hp (150 kW) at 6,000 rpm and delivers 195 lb.-ft. (265 Nm) amount of peak torque rotating at 3,000 rpm. For customers who wanted more power and torque output, the 3.6-liter engine is available that is capable of delivering 250 hp (187kW) at 6,500 rpm and a peak torque output of 251 lb-ft (340 Nm) at 3,200 rpm. The Park Avenue also comes with sleek Buick exhaust. Specific Buick Park Avenue model trims include 3.6-liter Flagship, 3.6-liter Elite, 2.8-liter Luxury, 2.8-liter Elite, and 2.8-liter Comfort.

Meanwhile, General Motors of Canada has released the new 2008 Buick Enclave luxury crossover SUV and announced its manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRP). The all-new 2008 Buick Enclave will roll out in Canadian markets carrying a base MSRP of ,895 for the front-wheel drive (FWD) Enclave CX model, ,895 for the all-wheel-drive (AWD) Enclave CX model, ,295 for the Enclave CXL with FWD configuration, and ,295 for the AWD version of Buick Enclave CXL.

Highlights of the new 2008 Buick Enclave include second-row Smart Slide captain’s chairs, third-row seat, Buick’s standard QuietTuning, roof rail head curtain air bags, dual-stage frontal air bags, ABS, StabiliTrak electronic stability control system with rollover mitigation, 275-horsepower 3.6L V-6 engine with variable valve timing, six-speed automatic transmission, and Buick exhaust system.

“The new Buick Enclave was designed to be a segment-leading luxury crossover and expresses the new face of Buick. With its stylish design, relevant technologies, luxury features and quiet, and well-crafted interior, we believe the 2008 Buick Enclave is well positioned to attract new customers.” said Jeff Monforton, Marketing Manager for SUVs, GM of Canada.

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Buick brings back a name from its history marking 20th-century past to start of a new level of refinement: Super. The name is designated exclusively for Buick’s most premium, powerful models after 50 years. It will be witnessed on the 2008 model year LaCrosse and Lucerne sedans.

The ‘Supers’ are engineered for Buick by the GM Performance Division to give inspiring performance on demand.

The LaCrosse Super is powered by a 300-horsepower (224 kW)* 5.3L small-block V-8 with GM’s Active Fuel Management technology. Its chassis has been sport-tuned to give responsive handling characteristics. The vehicle maintains Buick’s renowned quietness inside.

The Lucerne Super’s horsepower is rated at 292 (218 kW)*, a significant increase of more than 6 percent over existing models. It has an enhanced chassis with a especially tuned version of Lucerne’s Magnetic Ride Control system, for a refined, premium ride that simultaneously enables crisp and responsive handling.

The Super Buicks have elevated design, power and performance. Design elements on the LaCrosse Super and Lucerne Super denote a face lifted Buick. Design cues resemble those seen on the popular Velite convertible concept vehicle – and recently introduced on the Buick Enclave luxury crossover SUV – including a new waterfall grille and portholes.

The LaCrosse Super is the first and only model offered with Buick’s four per side iconic portholes.

In addition to distinctive design, both ‘Supers’ give a leading-edge performance and refinement with the 5.3L and 4.6L V-8 engines, which are renowned for balancing performance and fuel economy. They are complemented by especially tuned suspension systems.

To reduce, block and absorb noise from entering the interior, LaCrosse and Lucerne Supers, just like all Buick models, are built with an exclusive engineering process called Quiet Tuning. Laminated side window glass, sound-deadening material in the body structure, hydraulic mounted in the engine compartment reduce interior noise even better. Even exhaust nodes were tuned for overall sound quality. These features contribute to a quiet, refined driving experience.

Buick mufflers contribute a lot to this silence as these are more enhanced to fit the ‘Super’ name. LaCrosse’s Buick muffler is same as Lucerne’s.

Standard to all Buick models are the industry’s best coverage, including a four-year/50,000-mile vehicle warranty, and a five-year/100,000-mile power train warranty. The Buick LaCrosse Super will be available for dealerships this summer as a 2008 model, while the Lucerne Super is expected to go on sale in spring 2008, as scheduled. However, pricing for both vehicles has not been released, probably a week before their availability in dealerships.

Buick General Manager Steve Shannon said they are bringing back the ‘Super’ badge to represent their most premium models. These ‘Supers’ are not just about increased horsepower. They have elevated designs, premium content and ride characteristics, which are worthy to be tagged as ‘Super’.

I can’t believe that the rabbit hasn’t folded in half yet. Sorry about leaving the more boring parts in but for some reason the video editor I used to use doesn’t work with the new camera so I can’t trim the videos.
Video Rating: 5 / 5

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