A new array of pics featuring Buick’s Shanghai Show Riviera Concept have founded their way in the net, thus giving us a clearer view of the car. Penned at PATAC (Pan Asia Technical Center) in Shanghai, the “Gullwing-door” prototype allegedly previews Buick’s future global design language. Take away a few Lexus inspired elements, and we find it quite interesting and especially refreshing in comparison with the US-penned Buick’s.

Source:carsto

No thanks to a leak that occurred a few days ago, GM’s Shanghai worldwide surprise  premier wasn’t well, that much of a surprise as we’ve already had the chance to get a taste of the Riviera 2+2 Coupe Concept. No doubt, the “gullwing–door” concept that was developed by GM – Shanghai’s joint Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) in China, is an impressive and elegant coupe. However, there’s also no doubt that if you take out Buick’s grille, the Riviera could easily be mistaken for a Lexus prototype.

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You gotta love eBay for the things you find, or in this case, what our reader “Mitch” found; a third generation 1993 Mazda RX-7 equipped with a 1987 Buick Grand National 4.1-litre V6 engine! Before you start knocking your head on the wall and although personally we wouldn’t attempt an engine swap on a RX-7, this is not your everyday Buick V6 powertrain. According to the seller, the V6 engine was heavily modified including the addition of Turbonetics 70 MM turbo pushing output to 621HP at 25psi on the dyno. And that’s not all; power is delivered to the road via a Dodge Viper derived, Dana 44-4 Hydra-Lok speed-sensing limited-slip differential.

Source:carnews

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating as many as 175,000 Buick Terraza, Chevrolet Uplander, Pontiac Montana SV6 and Saturn Relay minivans built in 2005 and 2006, due to reports that power sliding doors opened without prompting while the vehicles were on the move.

Asked about the inquiry, GM’s spokesman Alan Adler said, “We are not aware of any instances where the door opened on the open road. There have been no reports of injuries or crashes related to the doors, and the company is cooperating with the investigation”. According to NHTSA though, the agency received nine complaints of sliding doors that had a mind of their own opening at various speeds.

Source:bmw

According to GM, the new LaCrosse sedan’s exterior styling is strongly influenced by the Buick Invicta Concept that debuted at this year’s Beijing Auto Show. The new sedan is expected to go on sale in the U.S. next spring. While details are scarce, don’t be surprised if GM offers the new LaCrosse with entry-level 4-cylinder engines alongside the larger V6 units.

Source:automobile

General Motors will be sending letters to more than 944,000 owners worldwide, 857,735 of which are located in the U.S., due to voluntary recall that affects 16 cars and SUVs from 2006 to 2008. The huge recall involves vehicles fitted with a heated washer fluid system that could short circuit causing other electrical features to malfunction and lead to smoke or even fire. According to GM spokesman Tom Wilkinson, up until now, there have been three reported fires related to the problem.

Source:car

Shanghai GM, a joint venture between General Motors and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) has taken the wraps off the new Chinese market Buick Regal. With the exception of a few minor styling details like the new grille, the side air-vents and the addition of turning signals on the exterior mirrors, the Regal is in essence a rebadged Opel Insignia. Even though Opels are offered in the domestic market, GM execs considered that the Insignia would sell better as a Buick since -believe it or not- the American brand is more popular among Chinese consumers.

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The 2009 Buick Lucerne has undergone some major transformations since the previous model year like an entirely new engine, upgraded technological features, and even alternative fuel adaptability. A revamped, high-end trim level has been introduced, and former upgrades have become standard features in the latest edition. Overall, the 2009 Lucerne maintains its reputation as a quality full-size sedan, beating out the likes of the Nissan TSX in interior room, but surpasses past model years with more bang for a buyer’s buck.

Under the hood of the Buick Lucerne’s entry level trim, the CX, buyers can expect a more powerful V6 than 2007’s model year. The 3.9L GM 3900 V6 produces up to 233 horsepower and gets around 240-lb per foot of torque. This entry level model also comes equipped with Bluetooth capabilities. Bluetooth enables drivers to utilize their cell phones through a handsfree program installed directly into the vehicle’s dash. Also, a new XM Satellite Radio is available with navigation and traffic updates incorporated into the stereo system. This way, drivers will no longer need a separate navigation unit to get directions or find local points of interest.

A long list of safety features are included in the 2009 Buick, but the most impressive are the anti-lock brake system, front and side curtain airbags, an anti-skid program, and traction control. OnStar is still a standard feature on the model and comes equipped with immediate collision alerts. Many insurance companies are now offering discounts to motorists who own vehicles with this innovative safety feature as well.

One of the most talked about new features in the 2009 Lucerne is the available flex-fuel system. This system allows drivers to power their Lucerne with more efficient, cleaner E85 fuel. The ethanol mixture burns cleaner so that fewer pollutants are emitted into the environment. The most attractive feature of this system is that Buick will equip the model with it at no extra charge, while most other manufacturers charge an additional cost to fit their models with the system. With an estimated combined 25 MPG, the Lucerne beats most of the competition. While estimated MPG statistics have not been released for the E85 version, drivers will be happy to know that the fuel economy is certainly even better than the gasoline-powered edition.

The exterior and interior are virtually unchanged in the 2009 Buick Lucerne, but the premier trim - the Lucerne Super - gets a more efficient 4.6L V6 and sportier suspension. By and large, the newest Lucerne is a well rated full-size sedan that can fit the whole family. The lower trims seat six passengers, while the Super trim can seat five. Also, the NHTSA gave this model the coveted five-star frontal crash test rating. List priced at $28,415, the Lucerne should be affordable for most families as well.

The 2009 Buick Enclave is a sophisticated up to eight-passenger sport utility vehicle. This model year includes a bump of thirteen horsepower and an optional navigation unit with a real-time traffic feature - perfect for the commuter. Those that aren’t impressed with OnStar’s turn-by-turn directions provided by a live representative will be pleased with the in-dash navigation unit’s digital display and ease of use. Also optional on the 2009 Enclave is Bluetooth capabilities for handsfree calling and a rearview back-up camera. The rearview camera is available on both models that are or are not equipped with the navigation unit, a surprising option. Among Enclave’s competitors is the Mercury Mariner, another stylish and luxurious SUV.

The interior of this 2009 Buick comes with power programmable door locks and power windows, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, three rows of comfortable seating, and a trial subscription to XM Satellite Radio. The third row of seating is a flat folding 60/40 split bench seat, so owners can easily accommodate larger cargo in the rear of the model. The auto-dimming rearview mirror is a helpful addition to prevent a harsh glare and provide improved visibility - especially in the dark. Buyers can upgrade to features like power adjustable driver and front passenger seating, heated front seats, and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system - a worthwhile addition for families with small children and teens. Tri-zone automatic climate control is standard on the Enclave, which allows each row of seating to determine their preferred temperature.

Under the hood, the 2009 Enclave is equipped with a restrained 286 horsepower 3.6L V6. However, potential buyers might be disappointed by the lack of engine options. Not only that, with only a six-speed automatic transmission with overdrive available, consumers might turn to a model with a wider selection. Anti-lock brakes, four-wheel independent suspension, and traction control give the Enclave a leg up on the competition, while the 4,500-lbs towing capacity (with Trailering Package) is an impressive feat for a V6 SUV. The base trim gets 17 city MPG and 24 highway MPG, a massive head-butt on other eight-passenger SUVs.

With safety features like a tire pressure monitoring system, dual-stage airbags, and Stabilitrak, it’s no wonder that the NHTSA gave the Enclave the highest in frontal and side-impact crash test ratings. The tire pressure monitoring system includes a digital display located in the instrument cluster. It keeps watch on the pressure in all four tires, letting drivers know if a tire has too much or too little pressure. The dual-stage airbags will automatically determine the force with which to deploy in order to avoid further injuries in the event of an accident.

Overall, the 2009 Buick Enclave is a solid SUV built more for families than young consumers. With a base price of $34,130, it is competitive with other similar models. However, those that are on a budget might want to look elsewhere, as the price can jump quickly once available features are added.