News at Southgate Buick GMC
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DETROIT: Buick is trying to break into the market for small luxury SUVs with its new Encore.
The company wants the Encore, unveiled Tuesday at the Detroit auto show, to
be more upscale than the Toyota RAV-4 and Honda CR-V, which are also small SUVs
build on car rather than truck frames.
These "crossovers" are increasingly
popular.
The new Encore is will compete with the BMW X1 and Audi Q3. Its price was not announced. The Encore is due in showrooms early in 2013.
General Motors Co., which owns the Buick brand, thinks luxury buyers will want a crossover that's smaller than its midsize Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain. The Encore will still have high seating, maneuverability and amenities normally reserved for larger luxury vehicles
Here are the highlights of the Encore:
POWER: Engine is a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, similar to one that makes 138 horsepower and runs the Chevrolet Cruze.
LOOKS: Like a sleek version of the RAV-4, with Buick's trademark grille and plenty of chrome accents.
INTERIOR: GM says it's upmarket with soft plastic surfaces, wood grain and brushed aluminum. The Encore is built to haul stuff, too. It's got a hatch and fold-flat rear and front passenger seats.
NOISE: Engineers tuned the Encore to be quiet, with engine and suspension isolation techniques used in the larger Buick LaCrosse sedan. Encore has a thick laminated glass-and-plastic windshield to cut down on wind noise and electronic noise cancellation technology.
MILEAGE: GM says it'll be above 30 mpg on the highway.
MANEUVERABILITY: GM claims the Encore will handle well, with a tighter turning radius than the smaller Mini Clubman.
SAFETY: 10 air bags. GM says it expects top safety ratings from the government and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
CHEERS: Small crossover should fill a niche for those who want the
versatility of a larger SUV but the efficiency and maneuverability of a compact
car.
Article courtesy of Associated Press.
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2012 Buick Regal GSBold, sporty design with unique exterior details and an aggressive stance
High-output Ecotec 2.0L turbocharged engine and six-speed manual transmission
Adaptive all-wheel-drive system and electronic limited-slip rear differential
0-60 in less than 6.0 seconds
Buick's class-exclusive Interactive Drive Control System
The Regal GS is also equipped with Interactive Drive Control System (IDCS)
chassis technology (also offered on Regal CXL models with the 2.0L turbo
engine). It delivers enhanced vehicle stability and greater driving safety,
while also adapting the driving characteristics of the car to the driver's
preferences. The driver selects among three operating modes normal, sport and
GS that change the suspension settings, throttle response and steering
sensitivity through the variable-effort steering system.
The exterior design features unique front and rear fascias, with the front fascia incorporating prominent, vertical air intake slots and specific grille treatment ? with the vertical elements accented in a satin-metallic finish. The rear fascia has a pair of integrated, satin-metallic trapezoidal exhaust outlets. Rocker panel extensions and an integrated rear spoiler are also woven into the design. The GS cuts a sportier stance, too, with a slightly lower ride height than other models and aggressive 19-inch, 5-Twin Spoke alloy wheels and all-season tires (20-inch, 5-Twin Spoke polished alloy wheels with performance tires are optional).
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Buick Regal - Best New Family car (over $30,000).
2012 Buick Regal GS
*Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
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What are people saying?
"Buick's newest model looks like the best in its segment" - Jeremy Cato Globe & Mail.
"When I attended the Canadian Launch of the all new Euro-Designed and German built Buick Regal CXL , I wasn't just impressed with General Motors - I was blown away. We had a chance to retest the top-of-the-line Regal CXL (non-turbo version) and the Buick impressed mightily all over again. A firm, but not harsh, suspension delivers sporty handling." - Tim Yip Edmonton Journal about the Regal
The RemoteLink navigation enhancement will be available in the Android and iPhone marketplace on Aug. 30. Current users of the app will receive an update notification on their Smartphone. New users who download the application will receive the updated version.
RemoteLink leverages OnStar's unique connection to the vehicle, providing drivers with up-to-date vehicle information such as oil level, tire pressure, fuel level and lifetime miles per gallon. The app has been downloaded more than 450,000 times in North America and has accumulated more than 4.5 million service interactions.
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