Thursday, May 31, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
2012 Buick Regal eAssist Review
About 15 years ago when this author began to ride motorcycles, we were inundated with advice from experienced riders on surviving riding out on the street. Advice ranged from watching out for anyone using a cell phone or eating in a car, to avoiding riding behind semi trucks that could shred a tire or block a rider’s view of road debris, etc. And we were cautioned to never follow a Buick, because the old man or blue haired granny driving it would be traveling 10 mph slower than the posted speed limit, have their right turn signal on for miles and then make a left turn with no warning.
We drove the base Regal when it first came out and we were enamored with the car. Derived from the German Opel Insignia, the Regal feels like a taut German sedan. But alas, the standard 182 hp 2.4-liter motor feels underpowered. Now with the average age of Buick owners dropping faster than American’s approval ratings for Congress, that’s no longer true. In fact, today it would be more accurate to admonish riders to steer clear of Honda Accords or Toyota Camrys. A younger crowd has discovered that Buicks have a lot to offer as understated luxury cars with excellent technology, much-improved driving characteristics and plenty of value. When the turbocharged model arrived, boosting horsepower to 220 ponies and 260 lb-ft of torque, we were smitten. Now the chassis had a worthy engine. A 4-CYLINDER WITH ELECTRIC BOOST
Now we’ve spent a week with the Regal eAssist. The power sits between the base and Turbo models, but the gas mileage increases to 25 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, and still provides enough power to make the Regal an enjoyable car to drive as a commuter, and to challenge some twisty bits of tarmac.
First let’s talk about the eAssist technology. It is designed to improve a vehicle’s fuel efficiency by adding a compact electric motor and state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery to a 2.4L four-cylinder engine, improving fuel economy by about 25 percent, and boosting performance a bit. Power on the base engine remains at 182 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque, though the electric motor can provide as much as 15 hp extra and 79 additional lb-ft of torque. The electric boost comes on under certain conditions like taking off from a stop light or ascending a hill, and it allows the 6-speed transmission to operate more efficiently.
One of first GM vehicles available with eAssist, additional fuel saving features include regenerative braking and a start-stop function, with the power being generated from braking stored in the lithium-ion battery pack and then used to power various accessories like the radio and climate control when the car is in start-stop mode.
COMFORTABLE YET ENGAGING
The body structure is rigid and solid, which aids in a quiet ride and supports the precise suspension tuning. Body roll in tight corners is limited and nicely controlled, and yet on rough road surfaces, the Regal still provides an excellent and well damped ride quality, aided by a generous 107.8” wheelbase. Steering is light yet precise and offers good feedback while the brakes are strong with good pedal feel. Everything feels solid, taut, and athletic, like a quality European sedan should.
Slipping behind the steering wheel, the driver is greeted by a handsome and comfortable cabin. The front leather covered seats are wide and comfortable with three-position heating for both the seat cushion and seat back. Ideal for cold weather climates, one can fry an egg on setting number three.
Legroom is excellent thanks to seats that can be moved very far back although headroom in the rear might be a bit tight for folks over 6-feet. The cabin is whisper quiet at speed, meaning Buick has worked out the aerodynamics well, including making it slippery underneath the car to attain such good gas mileage.
There are a lot of soft touch materials in all the right places in the Regal, including the tops of the door sills, armrests, console, and dash. The drivers gauge package is easy to see and operate with a large round tach and speedometer and two smaller ones for fuel and an “Eco” gauge to give you instant feedback on your driving habits. It even switches into the “off” mode at stops to let you know the gasoline engine is off. Plus, the information screen between the large gauges offers lots of good info, and is easy to toggle through the system to get the info you want. And the whole dash is nicely lit up at night.
There is ample storage in the door pockets and in the glove box which is lined with a velvety material - a nice touch. The console is a bit small but has a divided compartment for an iPod or phone and has a USB, Aux. port and a power outlet. A second power outlet is located at the lower portion of the center stack.
THE VERDICT
The Regal continues to be a surprising mix of luxury and sport that will satisfy those looking for understated elegance, a comfortable ride and an engaging drive. Of course the turbo model offers much more power, but the eAssist adds just enough oomph to the base engine to make the package enjoyable, all while offering the best fuel economy in its class.
And herein lies much of the reason why the Regal eAssist is so appealing. While we don’t want to take anything away from it, there really is no other hybrid available in this category. As a result, if you’re looking for high mpg in this size and type of machine, the only other place left to go is to the conventional mid-size sedan set.
Courtesy of autoguide.com 
2012 Buick Regal eAssist Review
About 15 years ago when this author began to ride motorcycles, we were inundated with advice from experienced riders on surviving riding out on the street. Advice ranged from watching out for anyone using a cell phone or eating in a car, to avoiding riding behind semi trucks that could shred a tire or block a rider’s view of road debris, etc. And we were cautioned to never follow a Buick, because the old man or blue haired granny driving it would be traveling 10 mph slower than the posted speed limit, have their right turn signal on for miles and then make a left turn with no warning.
We drove the base Regal when it first came out and we were enamored with the car. Derived from the German Opel Insignia, the Regal feels like a taut German sedan. But alas, the standard 182 hp 2.4-liter motor feels underpowered. Now with the average age of Buick owners dropping faster than American’s approval ratings for Congress, that’s no longer true. In fact, today it would be more accurate to admonish riders to steer clear of Honda Accords or Toyota Camrys. A younger crowd has discovered that Buicks have a lot to offer as understated luxury cars with excellent technology, much-improved driving characteristics and plenty of value. When the turbocharged model arrived, boosting horsepower to 220 ponies and 260 lb-ft of torque, we were smitten. Now the chassis had a worthy engine. A 4-CYLINDER WITH ELECTRIC BOOST
Now we’ve spent a week with the Regal eAssist. The power sits between the base and Turbo models, but the gas mileage increases to 25 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, and still provides enough power to make the Regal an enjoyable car to drive as a commuter, and to challenge some twisty bits of tarmac.
First let’s talk about the eAssist technology. It is designed to improve a vehicle’s fuel efficiency by adding a compact electric motor and state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery to a 2.4L four-cylinder engine, improving fuel economy by about 25 percent, and boosting performance a bit. Power on the base engine remains at 182 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque, though the electric motor can provide as much as 15 hp extra and 79 additional lb-ft of torque. The electric boost comes on under certain conditions like taking off from a stop light or ascending a hill, and it allows the 6-speed transmission to operate more efficiently.
One of first GM vehicles available with eAssist, additional fuel saving features include regenerative braking and a start-stop function, with the power being generated from braking stored in the lithium-ion battery pack and then used to power various accessories like the radio and climate control when the car is in start-stop mode.
COMFORTABLE YET ENGAGING
The body structure is rigid and solid, which aids in a quiet ride and supports the precise suspension tuning. Body roll in tight corners is limited and nicely controlled, and yet on rough road surfaces, the Regal still provides an excellent and well damped ride quality, aided by a generous 107.8” wheelbase. Steering is light yet precise and offers good feedback while the brakes are strong with good pedal feel. Everything feels solid, taut, and athletic, like a quality European sedan should.
Slipping behind the steering wheel, the driver is greeted by a handsome and comfortable cabin. The front leather covered seats are wide and comfortable with three-position heating for both the seat cushion and seat back. Ideal for cold weather climates, one can fry an egg on setting number three.
Legroom is excellent thanks to seats that can be moved very far back although headroom in the rear might be a bit tight for folks over 6-feet. The cabin is whisper quiet at speed, meaning Buick has worked out the aerodynamics well, including making it slippery underneath the car to attain such good gas mileage.
There are a lot of soft touch materials in all the right places in the Regal, including the tops of the door sills, armrests, console, and dash. The drivers gauge package is easy to see and operate with a large round tach and speedometer and two smaller ones for fuel and an “Eco” gauge to give you instant feedback on your driving habits. It even switches into the “off” mode at stops to let you know the gasoline engine is off. Plus, the information screen between the large gauges offers lots of good info, and is easy to toggle through the system to get the info you want. And the whole dash is nicely lit up at night.
There is ample storage in the door pockets and in the glove box which is lined with a velvety material - a nice touch. The console is a bit small but has a divided compartment for an iPod or phone and has a USB, Aux. port and a power outlet. A second power outlet is located at the lower portion of the center stack.
THE VERDICT
The Regal continues to be a surprising mix of luxury and sport that will satisfy those looking for understated elegance, a comfortable ride and an engaging drive. Of course the turbo model offers much more power, but the eAssist adds just enough oomph to the base engine to make the package enjoyable, all while offering the best fuel economy in its class.
And herein lies much of the reason why the Regal eAssist is so appealing. While we don’t want to take anything away from it, there really is no other hybrid available in this category. As a result, if you’re looking for high mpg in this size and type of machine, the only other place left to go is to the conventional mid-size sedan set.
Courtesy of autoguide.com
Thursday, May 24, 2012
High-Mileage Sierra Owners Search for Durability Limits
DETROIT – When a new generation of the GMC Sierra fullsize pickup heads into production, it will have already absorbed hundreds of thousands of miles of hauling, towing, use and abuse testing. It’s the kind of durability exam customers in the real world administer for years and even decades.
Tammie Roeber, Dave Cleveland and Don Impson are three of those customers. Together, their trucks represent more than 2 million miles and two-and-a-half decades of proven GMC engineering.
“I signed the papers on my new Sierra 3500HD one-ton pickup in 2006, hitched up a trailer, and have been on the road since,” said Roeber, who has recorded more than 1.2 million miles on the original Duramax diesel engine and Allison transmission in her GMC. Roeber makes a living transporting horses across the eastern United States. “From 30 below zero in Minnesota to 100 degrees in Miami,” she said.
“I had two Ford pickups prior to owning my GMC, but I was replacing a transmission every year. If that rate continued, I’d be through my sixth transmission with the miles I’ve put on the Sierra.” Most of Roeber’s miles have been driven pulling trailers, including a 48-foot, 16,000-pound trailer holding as many as nine horses. She maintains her truck religiously, sticking to a 15,000-mile oil change schedule. At her pace, that’s just three weeks between service visits.
Among Roeber’s favorite features are the truck’s engine braking capability – she often encounters 6 percent to 7 percent grades that stretch for miles – that’s allowed her four-wheel disc brakes to last longer, as well as the comfortable crew cab. With most of her life lived on the road, the rear seat often doubles as a bed.
Dave Cleveland uses his 2002 Sierra 1500 extended cab to travel from his home near Chicago to trade shows as far away as Florida and Colorado. Between those travels and his daily 60-mile commute, he’s accumulated 420,000 miles over the past decade. The truck shares a driveway with his wife’s 2010 Sierra.
“This truck runs as good today as the day I bought it,” Cleveland said. “The engine and transmission are original. I haven’t even replaced the brake rotors or shocks. Other than a rear pinion gear replacement and regular oil changes, it’s just had one major tune-up at 200,000 miles.”
Don Impson, a semi-retired veterinarian in Arkansas, has stretched his miles out longer than the others. He started accumulating his 520,000 miles – mostly by making farm visits tending to animals in a three-county area around his home – when he bought his GMC pickup new in 1986.
“Everyone down around us owns trucks, but no one ever talks about this sort of mileage on one engine,” Impson said. In addition to the original engine, his manual transmission still has its original clutch. “I bought a red and white two-tone truck off the lot because the colors were done wrong for a local construction company, but it’s actually become somewhat of a calling card. Everyone knows my truck.”
“In 1995, I bought another GMC ¾-ton pickup truck thinking mine may quit on me,” he continued. “Man, how wrong I was. The 1995 truck has mostly sat while my ’86 continues to get the work done. We’re both getting older, but me and the truck may still be hankering to make a cross-country trip and I bet we could make it.”
Customers like these help GMC make advancements in durability by providing real-world test results.
“Customer stories are great to listen to, and they provide useful data for planning new trucks,” said Jim Mikulec, lead development engineer for Sierra Heavy Duty pickups. “We test our vehicles based on where and how our trucks are used to assure consumer demands are met. Vehicle testing takes us high in the mountains, low in the deserts, colder than -50 degrees in Canada and up past 120 degrees in Arizona. These stories show that our diligence is paying off.”
Mikulec’s favorite testing involves driving Sierra 3500HD Duramax diesel trucks up Eisenhower Pass in Colorado with 20,000-pound trailers attached. “With the inclines and altitude, there’s no more demanding place to drive a truck and trailer. It’s a task to stay with traffic all the way to the top, and it has been satisfying seeing publications prove that GMC is the leader in that regard.”
In an August 2011 PickupTrucks.com test, a 2012 GMC Sierra 2500HD Diesel ascended Eisenhower Pass, the highest point on the U.S. Interstate System, faster than comparable Ford or Ram trucks. It also performed better during the descent with its exhaust brake outperforming its competitors.
“Technology also allows us to get data more quickly than we could in the past,” added Mikulec. “In today’s labs, we can simulate stress tests and various weather changes to help refine frames, suspension components and cooling systems.”
Mikulec’s top tip for truck drivers looking to go the distance? “A truck is like a human body. It needs care, and the best way to ensure it lasts longer is regular preventative maintenance.”
Courtesy of media.gm.com
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Regal GS Seeks Repeat Performance in Open Road Rally
DETROIT – The 2012 Buick Regal GS sport sedan, along with two Buick engineers, will compete in the Nevada Open Road Challenge on May 20 seeking to repeat a class victory in the event.
In September 2011, GS lead development engineer Bill Rietow with GS powertrain engineer John Townsend as his navigator won the 120-mph class of the Silver State Classic Challenge, which takes place on the same open road course. The team also won a “Most Accurate Rookie” award with a 0.019-second deviation from the perfect 45-minute time to complete the course.
“We learned a lot about the intricacies of the course on our first time out” said Rietow. “We now know that the segment known as ‘the Narrows’ can be safely negotiated at 90 mph. By planning the slow down into and the acceleration rate out of the Narrows, we can more accurately control our pace to the target average speed. At times, we’ll need to run at the GS’s top speed.”
In this month’s race, the Regal GS will compete against world class sports cars in the more difficult 135-mph class.
“The competition in this class was really good last fall and we look forward to competing,” said Townsend. “Weather is going to be an interesting factor this time around, with headwinds as high as 20 mph possible.”
The Nevada Open Road Challenge, like the September event, takes place on a remote, two-lane, 90-mile-long segment of Nevada State Highway 318. Rather than a test of who finishes a course the fastest, the goal is average speed consistency. In the Regal’s class, the team that averages closest to 135 mph over the entire course wins. In many instances, the top three finishers are just hundredths of seconds off the target time.
The Regal GS being piloted by Rietow and Townsend is a stock 2012 model, with modifications limited to safety equipment such as a roll hoop and five-point harness seat belts, as well as data collection computers.
“This is another great opportunity to showcase the GS and its comfort and capability at real-world condition high speeds,” Rietow said. “Stability, body control and durability are all being tested to extremes. Events like these provide safe conditions for us to get away from the test track to gather unique data that will benefit future development of our vehicles.”
Courtesy of media.gm,com
Monday, May 21, 2012
Keeping Kids Safe Project at Bob Brown Buick GMC
Keeping Kids Safe Project
Brought to your community by:
Bob Brown Buick-GMC
1405 SE Oralabor Ankeny, IA 50021
Friday, June 15th Saturday, June 16th
2 PM - 6 PM 9 AM - 5 PM WHO
Children of all ages. We welcome families from the community to come attend this community child safety event featuring one of the top child safety programs in the country! There is no age limit. WHAT
FBI quality digital fingerprints and photographs. S.I.P. Kids will take a child’s picture and fingerprints, using a digital inkless fingerprint capture device, and include them as part of the child’s file which is then provided to the parent. The parents can use the copy they receive to turn directly over to authorities anywhere in the world to instantly aid in an investigation. This specialized equipment tours the country and will be in your area during these dates only! WHY
So many children are reported missing each day in the U.S. Most are found within minutes or hours and have happy endings. Police officials say that time is critical in the recovery of missing children. One major problem that costs precious time is the gathering of current photographs, fingerprints, and statistical information to assist law enforcement agencies.
Local Contact:
Tim Manning - (515) 278-7825
Keeping Kids Safe Project by S.I.P. Kids Cedar Falls, Iowa
Phone 319.268.4111 www.KeepingKidsSafeProject.com Visit us on Facebook!
This is a not for profit event - FREE for all families
This is not a school district publication. It is being distributed through the school district as a
community service of the district to inform you of other community activities or services available.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Maintenance Tip: Deep Water & Flooding
- On encountering deep water, get out and check the depth. Water which comes above the bottom edge of your door can cause problems with the engine. Water can get splashed up into the engine compartment, leading to stalling.
- If some cars have driven through the water, remember the path.
- Keep an eye out for oncoming traffic and vehicles that may approach you from behind too fast.
- If you are driving in water, drive slowly and steady. Put your vehicle in 1st gear or 2nd gear and maintain a slow, steady speed. You should avoid braking and sudden acceleration.
- If you do stall in deep water, do not try starting engine again, or the water will come into engine through the tailpipe. Get someone to tow you out. If you are unsure of the depth of the water, or if it is moving water, stay in the vehicle and await rescue. Use your mobile phone to call for assistance.
What shall we do after fording the water?
- After driving through a flooded section of road or a ford across a river, test your brakes (whilst still driving slowly) and be prepared to drive them off by touching the brake pedal very lightly with your foot.
- Walk around your vehicle looking for any obvious scratches, bumps, cracks or things hanging off.
- Look underneath the vehicle for stuck-on dirt, mud, grass and bits of debris. If you spot any, wash it off as soon as possible to avoid it causing damage to the undercarriage.
- Check your electrics (lights, indicators, wipers) and if any have failed you must not continue.
If you find any problem, have them checked out as soon as possible.
Courtesy of Car-Use.net
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
2012 GMC Acadia Denali AWD Review
Three of GM’s most successful products are the trio of full-size, three-row crossovers assembled in the Lansing, MI, Delta Township plant - Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse and this week’s tester, GMC Acadia. This one is loaded with the Denali trim level and all-wheel drive. All three are modestly updated this year, but unless you pay attention closely or happen to own one you’ll probably not notice the differences.
Replacing the ultra-practical minivans of yore these crossovers have led sales since their introduction in May of 2007 as 2008 models. In the beginning there were GMC, Buick and Saturn versions. The Chevy Traverse was introduced to the lineup not long before the Saturn brand went away
Our tester is the top-of-the-line GMC Acadia Denali with a base price of $44,690. The entry level SL comes in at just $33,415 and there are three trim levels in between. All come with the same V6 powertrain, OnStar, Sirus XM radio, Stabilitrak, hill-hold assist, extra power outlets and lots more stuff. The Denali comes with massive 20-inch wheels and tires, HID headlamps, dual chrome exhaust tips and unique facias front and rear with body flares and special color schemes. Our touchscreen navigation with rear camera adds $1,890 and the DVD-based entertainment system with headphones adds another $1,445. Along with the optional White Diamond Tricoat paint for $795 and the $895 destination charge we’re looking at a sticker price of $51,615 for this beauty.
While the Buick Enclave is the prettiest of these GM siblings, in my humble opinion, and the Chevy Traverse a bit plain, the GMC Acadia projects an upscale appearance and offers solid content. It needs to in this market segment where some mighty nice, high tech vehicles vie for attention. See our recent story on the new Infiniti JX, for example.
Visually, this thing is big. Weighing in at darn close to two-and-a-half tons with the all-wheel drive, and over 4,600-pounds with front-wheel drive, it can’t help but feel substantial. The 118.9-inch wheelbase allows for impressive passenger and cargo volume. With all the seats in place we have over 24 cubic-feet for our stuff in back and with the second and third rows folded we have an impressive 117 cubic-feet. The SL model comes with a second row bench seat making an 8-passenger configuration, but the other four trim levels come with second row captains seats (bench seat optional) for a 7-passenger arrangement. The seats fold quite easily and the third row is easily accessed by pulling one lever and sliding the seat forward. I would advise sending the youngest and most agile riders back there though.
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From the driver’s seat, where I spent much time this week, we have a comfortable and classy environment. Excellent materials fit well and project a fairly luxurious feel throughout. Controls are easily and sensibly managed with everything residing where we expected. The dark wood grain trim across the dash and on the doors add a very subtle measure of luxury. The navigation screen is not the most attractive, in my view, but quite functional. I’m not drawn to the deep technology so tend not to explore these systems in as much depth as my colleagues, but I’m annoyed if they aren’t easy to use for the basics. This one annoyed me not at all.
Under the hood is one to the 10 best engines in the world, according to Ward’s. It is a direct-injected, normally aspirated, 3.6-liter V6 with 288 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque, mated to GM’s trusty 6T75 6-speed automatic transmission. On full throttle it gets up and goes, singing nicely to near 7,000 rpm. In hilly northern Michigan it felt a bit tepid at freeway speeds trying to climb the longer grades, but it is pushing a lot of air. It downshifted smoothly when it needed to. Loaded with kids and gear towing a trailer I expect you’d want some more power. Acadia’s towing capacity is a decent 5,200 pounds. That’s enough for a medium size boat or travel trailer.
The EPA rates the Acadia with all-wheel drive at 16-mpg in the city and 23 on the highway. On our 400-mile round trip to Traverse City - about 85% freeway - we managed 20.9 mpg on regular fuel. With a 22-gallon fuel tank we made it there and back without refueling.
Suspension is well balanced and compliant on a variety of road surfaces. Some of our local roads are falling apart and lurching into potholes can be disconcerting with some bigger vehicles if they are too softly sprung. The Acadia handled them well feeling plenty stiff and firm without being too harsh. Again, we did not test it loaded, but I would predict that the suspension tuning would not be a problem. I thought the road noise on some coarse-surfaced concrete roads at higher speeds intruded a bit more than it should.
Safety features include all the usual air bags, chassis dynamics and body reinforcements that are common on most vehicles today. NHTSA gives a perfect 5-star overall score resulting from frontal, side and rollover testing.
GM’s standard warranty covers the Acadia powertrain for 5 years or 100,000 miles and the whole vehicle for 3 years or 36,000 miles.
I was surprised that nearly everyone we encountered this week seemed awed by the Acadia Denali. It may have been the striking 20-inch, six-spoke, shiny wheels or perhaps the sparkly White Diamond paint. We were stuck by the sheer size inside and the luxurious feel. It was a dream on our long drive to the beautiful North Country.
While some of the three row crossovers cost less and some include more gadgetry we thought the Acadia offered a good balance. You might want to put it on your shopping list.
Courtesy of By Steve Purdy, TheAutoChannel.com 
Monday, May 14, 2012
Friday, May 11, 2012
Delicious Basic Crepes
Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE 
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Directions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and the eggs. Gradually add in the milk and water, stirring to combine. Add the salt and butter; beat until smooth.
- Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each crepe. Tilt the pan with a circular motion so that the batter coats the surface evenly.
- Cook the crepe for about 2 minutes, until the bottom is light brown. Loosen with a spatula, turn and cook the other side. Serve hot.
Courtesy of allrecipes.com
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Towing Skills Can’t Be Swayed on GMC Crossovers
DETROIT – Feeling queasy on the water can be a consequence of rough seas. But getting watercraft and other items in tow to their destination is a steady proposition with Trailer Sway Control on the GMC Terrain and Acadia crossovers.
Both vehicles offer improved fuel efficiency and maneuverability versus traditional truck-based tow vehicles and are capable of towing many of today’s most popular sport boats, camping trailers or a pair of dirt bikes.
Terrain, the brand’s small SUV, tows up to a class-leading 3,500 pounds, while the eight-passenger Acadia midsize crossover has a towing capacity of up to 5,200 pounds.
StabiliTrak stability control with Trailer Sway Control is standard on all GMC vehicles. The feature uses sensors that measure the yaw created by unexpected side-to-side motions created by a trailer. The vehicle automatically corrects those motions by applying individual brakes to bring the vehicle and trailer back in line.
Terrain and Acadia both have a rearview camera system standard on most or all trim levels, making hitching up a trailer easier.
“GMC customers have high demands for comfort, performance, and capability,” said Robert Krause, lead trailering engineer for General Motors. “Those qualities have to stand up to the boaters, bikers, and campers who own our vehicles.”
According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, 95 percent of the 17 million boats registered in the United States can be towed. A typical 19-foot bowrider-style pleasure boat is within the Terrain’s limits with trailer, fuel, and gear weight factored in, while the Acadia has the capability to tow many boats over 20 feet long.
“For most uses, there are very few sacrifices that come with downsizing a tow vehicle,” said Krause. “The vast majority of consumers are towing smaller boats and even the smallest GMC can handle a sizeable boat and trailer. Drivers simply need to match with the necessary performance level.”
The 2013 Terrain, coming later this year, will be the only vehicle in its class with the combination of a 301-hp V-6 and a 3,500-pound tow rating. The advanced 3.6L engine features direct injection and continuously variable valve timing, resulting in power and torque levels designed to make passing and climbing boat ramps even easier.
“GMC brings big truck towing technology like StabiliTrak with Trailer Sway Control as standard features to its family-friendly Arcadia and Terrain crossovers,” said Boating World executive editor Alan Jones. “Throw in standard back-up cameras on most trim levels along with affordable towing packages and trailer boaters can finally own an urban-friendly vehicle that tows like a big boy rig.”
With the standard 2.4L I-4, Terrain has a tow rating of 1,500 pounds – enough for dirt bikes or jet skis – and delivers an EPA-estimated 32 highway MPG when the trailer is left at home.
GMC offers a factory towing package for Terrain costing $350, less than similar options from Ford and Toyota.
Acadia, which is also powered by a 3.6L V-6 and has a longer wheelbase to help stabilize larger trailers, offers a towing package for $525. It includes upgraded cooling for heavier loads and costs less than optional equipment from Ford, Toyota, Honda and Dodge.
Courtesy of media.gm.com
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Take advantage of our latest incentive for the 2012 GMC Yukon XL!
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2012 GMC YUKON XL
Tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment extra. Price not available with special Ally finance or lease offers. Take delivery by 07-02-2012. Residency restrictions apply.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Behind the Scenes of the 2013 Buick Enclave Design
DETROIT – In the design world, improving a successful product can be a bigger challenge than starting with a clean sheet. The Buick Enclave, the industry’s top-selling three-row luxury crossover, also carries the weight of being the originator of the brand’s current design philosophy.
For the new 2013 Enclave, designers evolved the vehicle’s exterior by refining details while preserving the overall identity.
The 2013 Enclave delivers a high level of craftsmanship and comfort. The sculpted exterior design evolves the sophisticated elegance of the segment-leading crossover. The new exterior includes revised front and rear fascias, LED lighting, a new hood and black-chrome waterfall grille, integrated exhaust outlets, new wheel designs, and more monochromatic design elements than the current model.
Working with the nuances of a vehicle that had its best sales in its fifth year of existence fell to lead sculptor Nick Barkley and a design team. In addition to manipulating full-scale clay models, much of Barkley’s creative work is done in the digital space with three-dimensional modeling programs.
“Buicks have been some of the toughest work I’ve done because they are so sculptural,” said Barkley, a General Motors designer for 12 years. “There are so many concave and convex forms. To make an organic, hand-shaped look show through the forms is both difficult and rewarding.”
Asked to name the most-challenging element of the Enclave’s design, Barkley immediately pointed to the traditional waterfall grille that went through countless iterations before a final form emerged that met both the design team’s standards and manufacturing capabilities. The production part remains true to the earliest clay mockups.
Barkley is most proud of what he calls the “check mark” along the bottom of each headlamp and the recessed intersection in the fascia just below. “Designers start with two-dimensional sketches where surfaces aren’t fully imagined. It’s my job, and really my signature, to add surface quality and execute form and intersections in 3D. It’s like completing a puzzle.”
In his free time, Barkley uses his skills in a home studio to create life-size clay and wood sculptures inspired by works of iconic artists like Michelangelo and Bernini.
“My work at home is completely free of constraints and lets me work with my hands more, but I’d like to think my art benefits my work on car design,” he said. “Some cars I see seem to be designed around lines and the surfaces between them feel forced. Inspired by my art, I like to create vehicles that instead have the surfaces influence the lines. The Buick Enclave is a great example of that.”
But Barkley deflects the credit for the Buick’s continued design renaissance. He had lots of help.
“A car designer is like a composer,” he said. “Sculptors like me are the first violins of the design organization. Our job is to play the music.”
Courtesy of media.gm.com
Monday, May 7, 2012
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Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Buick Encore
The Buick Encore is a subcompact crossover model that for the 2013 model year enters a new segment of the market for Buick and General Motors—and one that’s barely represented yet in the U.S.
With about the parking footprint of a subcompact like the Chevrolet Sonic or Honda Fit but with a taller body, the Encore appeals to small urban families who need a vehicle that parks easily, is extremely maneuverable, and fits into a tight space. The Encore, at just 169 inches long and with a wheelbase that's just above 100 inches, should take on the likes of the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, as well as the upcoming BMW X1 and Audi Q3—or factor in as a more mature, luxurious alternative to the Kia Soul or Scion xB.
Luxury, comfort, and interior appointments are one of the cornerstones of the Encore, which has seating for five (four adults should be okay) plus Buick Quiet Tuning measures such as extra sound deadening, an acoustically treated headliner, and active noise cancellation. Inside, cloth or leatherette seats come in rich, warm colors and interior trims overall look and feel luxury-grade. Available features include remote vehicle start, dual-zone climate control, and rain-sensing wipers. Just as in most hatchbacks or crossovers, the rear seats fold down, to make 48.4 cubic feet of cargo space available (or 18.8 cubic feet with them up in place).
With a 140-horsepower, 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine—the same one that's offered in the Cruze and Sonic models—and a suspension that’s tuned for ride quality, and to go along with the Quiet Tuning philosophy, the Encore will by no means be a high-performance machine. But its six-speed automatic transmission, with a tall overdrive gear, should return highway fuel economy figures of more than 30 mpg. .
Safety should be up to the top-tier standards set by recent GM small vehicles like the Buick Verano, Chevrolet Cruze, and Chevy Sonic. There are ten standard airbags in the Encore, while forward collision alert, front and rear park assist, and lane departure warning systems are available, along with a rear camera system.
The Encore is already sold as the Opel Mokka (or Vauxhall Mokka) in other markets.
If the name Encore is still giving you a sense of deja vu, mentioning Renault might jog your memory. The French automaker, with AMC, first sold a small car of the same name through much of the 1980s, but with most of those retired at this point, Buick seized the nameplate.
Courtesy of thecarconnection.com
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