Buick's portfolio transformation continues for 2011, with the new, sporty Regal joining the LaCrosse and Enclave in the lineup. Buick's revamped product lineup is one of the freshest in the industry, which has helped Buick become the fastest-growing major automotive brand in the United States.
"With the current pace, Buick's annual sales volume could double in the next couple of years," said John Schwegman, Buick's vice president of marketing. "We believe the key to this growth is great new products, and that's exactly what we have on tap."
The 2011 Regal, LaCrosse and Enclave share globally influenced brand character traits that will define future models, including sculpted designs, luxurious interiors, quality, technology and refined performance.
Efficiency is another trait shared among all Buick models, with LaCrosse, Regal and Enclave all benefiting from technologies such as direct injection, variable valve timing and six-speed automatic transmissions. They contribute to greater fuel economy, optimized performance and lower emissions. Regal and LaCrosse are offered with the Ecotec 2.4L four-cylinder that helps each achieve 30 mpg on the highway, while the V-6-powered Enclave (2WD) is rated at 24 mpg on the highway.
Here is a look at Buick's 2011 portfolio:
RegalArmed with turbocharged horsepower, a driver-selectable suspension system and a firm, European-tuned chassis, the all-new Buick Regal delivers a driving experience that rivals the best import sport sedans in the segment.
The new Regal takes on competitors such as the Acura TSX and Volvo S60. It has a longer wheelbase and greater trunk volume than those vehicles, along with standard features - including a six-speed automatic transmission, 18-inch alloy wheels and OnStar - that aren't standard on either competitor. And with an estimated 30 mpg on the highway, it delivers excellent fuel economy, too.
The well-equipped Regal CXL - the only trim level offered in 2011 - includes the following standard or available features:
- Standard Ecotec 2.4L direct injected engine rated at an estimated 182 horsepower (136 kW)
- Available Ecotec 2.0L turbocharged and direct injected engine rated at an estimated 220 horsepower (164 kW) - available late 2010
- Both engines have a six-speed automatic transmission standard with driver-shifting control
- A six-speed manual transmission will be available following the introduction of the turbocharged model
- Estimated 30 mpg on the highway with the 2.4L and 29 mpg highway with the 2.0L turbo engine
- MacPherson strut front suspension and four-link independent rear suspension
- All-new Interactive Drive Control available with the 2.0L turbo, offering driver-selectable suspension settings and automatic driver suspension setting adaptability
- Four-wheel disc brakes with four-channel anti-lock braking system, brake assist and electronic parking brake
- Standard StabiliTrak stability control system and full-function traction control
- Standard dual-stage frontal air bags, side-curtain air bags and pedal-release system; rear-seat thorax air bags available
- Available navigation system, Harman Kardon sound system, internal flash drive (1GB), hard drive with 10GB for music and USB port
- Standard 18-inch alloy wheels (19-inch alloy wheels standard with Interactive Drive Control).
The Regal also features amenities including standard 12-way power, leather and heated driver seat; leather and heated passenger front seat; Bluetooth for the phone; XM Satellite Radio and OnStar.
LaCrosseRedesigned in 2009 from the ground up, the Buick LaCrosse luxury sedan rolls into 2011 building on the attributes that have made it an unqualified success. In a still-recovering market, LaCrosse sales are up more than 200 percent compared to the model it replaced.
The LaCrosse offers a great design, all-wheel drive, a suite of advanced personal technologies and safety features, and a choice of two fuel-saving powertrains. A fuel-efficient, direct injected Ecotec 2.4L four-cylinder engine is the standard engine in CX models (it was added to the lineup in mid-2010).
Backed by a fuel-saving six-speed automatic transmission, the Ecotec 2.4L powertrain delivers an EPA-rated 30 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg in the city - making LaCrosse one of the most fuel-efficient cars in its segment. Buick expects about 25 percent of LaCrosse customers will opt for the engine.
The 2011 LaCrosse is offered in three models - CX, CXL and CXS:
- CX - the Ecotec 2.4L engine and six-speed automatic transmission are standard, along with cloth seats, a rear spoiler, XM Satellite Radio and more.
- CXL - equipped with a 3.6L direct injected V-6, it adds leather-appointed heated seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, fog lamps, outside rearview mirror with LED turn indicators and puddle lamps, and 18-inch alloy wheels. An advanced all-wheel-drive system with electronic limited-slip differential (eLSD) is available. Electronic limited-slip differential splits torque across the axle to whichever wheel has more grip to enhance control in icy or wet conditions.
- CXS - also equipped with the 3.6L direct injection V-6; the CXL also offers real-time active-dampening suspension; perforated, leather-appointed, heated and ventilated seats, and chrome-plated 18-inch alloy wheels (19-inch optional with the Touring package).
New features for 2011 include a number of available features for the CXS, including articulating high-intensity discharge headlamps, rear thorax side air bags and a premium Harmon Kardon sound system.
EnclaveBlending style and grace with precision, Enclave delivers comfort for up to eight, plenty of space for cargo and at 24 mpg highway (2WD), better fuel economy than any eight-passenger SUV. The Enclave also offers a starting price that beats luxury brands by thousands, even though it offers a host of standard equipment and the industry's best warranty coverage.
Enclave features a fuel-efficient 3.6L direct injected V-6 VVT engine that blends power, smoothness, efficiency and technical sophistication for a SAE-certified 288 horsepower (215 kW)* and 270 lb.-ft. (366 Nm) of torque.* It is designed to operate with regular unleaded gasoline - which saves money compared to luxury brands that require premium fuel - and produces power similar to many V-8 engines.
Enclave delivers an impressive level of roominess and functionality. With three rows of seats, Enclave comfortably accommodates seven or eight occupants, and still provides 24.1 cu. ft. (682 L) of cargo space behind the third-row seat when the cargo management is removed. That's the trunk capacity of some large sedans and room that many crossovers cannot match. Enclave also offers 115.9 cubic feet (3,282 L) of cargo room behind the first row when all rear seats are folded - that's more maximum cargo volume than the Lexus RX350 (80.3 cu. ft.), Volvo XC90 (85.1 cu. ft.), Audi Q7 (72.5 cu. ft.) and Acura MDX (83.5 cu. ft.).
New for 2011, 19-inch, nine-spoke chrome-clad aluminum wheels are standard on CXL2 and available on CXL1. Also for 2011, Cyber Gray Metallic, Dark Ming Blue and Gray Green Metallic join the exterior color palette.
LucerneThe Lucerne delivers comfort, convenience and uses advanced technology to enhance safety, with available features including Side Blind Zone Alert and Lane Departure Warning.
Updates for 2011 include the addition of a USB port to the center console on five-passenger models, as well as standard StabiliTrak with full-function traction control on all models and two new radio systems on five-passenger models. The new radios include an AM/FM stereo with a USB port, auxiliary input jack, CD player and MP3 playback; and a radio system with similar features integrated with the available navigation system. That radio is controlled via the system's six-inch touchscreen.
The 2011 Buick Lucerne is offered in CX, CXL, EXL and Super models. All include a comprehensive list of standard equipment, with CX models offering six-way power passenger seat; heated power outside rearview mirrors; an extended-range key fob and 17-inch aluminum wheels. CX models are available with cloth seating in five-passenger configurations. Six-passenger seating is available.
More standard luxury features are also found on CXL and EXL, including eight-way heated driver and front-passenger seats; power lumbar adjustments; memory settings; heated leather steering wheel and 17-inch aluminum wheels.
Buick is a modern brand with premium, high-quality vehicles characterized by sculpted designs, luxurious interiors with personal technologies, and responsive-yet-efficient performance. Buick is attracting new customers with its portfolio of award-winning vehicles, including the Enclave crossover, LaCrosse sedan and Regal sport sedan. A new compact sedan and small crossover will join the portfolio in the next few years. Buick's sales continue to increase in North America, and it remains a best-selling brand in China, with continuing record growth.
