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2009 Buick Enclave: From Concept to Reality
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By Matthew C. Keegan
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General Motors has been taking a beating for over a year now dueto sales dips, make/model image problems, and labor and legacyissues. Truly, if there was a better time to jumpstart thecompany, I don't know what it would be. Fortunately, someone inGM's walnut-trimmed boardroom is getting the message: build whatwe want and we will buy it. The Buick Enclave, a luxury SUVmaking the rounds of the U.S. auto shows, appears to be one suchwinner.
I realize that I am in the minority of car critics, but I thinkthat Buick is on the right track. The Lucerne, a full sized carbased on the Cadillac DTS, is a beauty and Buick's next newestmodel, the mid sized Lacrosse, is another attractive lookingcar. Still, Buick's remaining fleet has been scaled back withonly two SUVs and one crossover vehicle, the Terraza, left. Attimes it isn't clear what plans GM has for its "near luxury"division, but if the Enclave is one example, then Buick has apromising future.
Without having pictures available to show you, it can bedifficult to describe the Enclave. When I viewed pictures onvarious web sites, I couldn't help but think that the Enclavewas similar to the Subaru B9 Tribeca. Before you get yourknickers twisted in a wad, the Enclave is a swan in comparisonto the ugly Subaru.
Sporting a front end akin to the Lucerne, the back end looks alot like the Tribeca. Overall lines are somewhat car like butthe Enclave certainly does sport an SUV look with calmer lines.
What we know about the Enclave at this point is fairly limited.The vehicle sits on a 119 inch wheelbase and is powered by a3.6L V6. So, it appears that Buick will replace the smallerRendezvous with the Enclave and keep the larger Rainier. Or,perhaps, the Rainier will be retired altogether. The Enclave hasall the amenities a Buick owner is accustomed to including:leather appointments, power everything, OnStar, a variety ofentertainment options, responsive handling, and a quiet cabin.Pictures reveal 21" tires with seven spoke wheels. Seating isfor six, spread out over three rows. No couch seating either;individual bucket seats are planned for all six passengers.
There is no official word yet whether the Enclave will see thelight of day at least in its present interpretation. Still, thevehicle is a fresh look for a refreshed division, something thatBuick certainly needs in order to keep the momentum going.
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