The Buick Wonders of 2007
Buick Motor Division, which claims one of the most
dramatic and important chapters in the history of the American automobile,
celebrated its 103rd anniversary in 2006.
The founder of the company, David Dunbar Buick, was building gasoline
engines by 1899, and Walter L. Marr, his engineer, built the first
automobile to be called a Buick between 1899 and 1900. But officially, Buick
dates its beginning in the year 1903. That was the year the company was
incorporated and moved from Detroit to Flint.
The company’s history has been exciting from the beginning. Buick recovered
from near bankruptcy in 1904 to become the number one manufacturer of
automobiles in 1908 - exceeding the combined production of Ford and
Cadillac, its closest competitors.
Buick was the financial pillar on which General Motors, today the world's
largest automaker, was created.
From the beginning, "motor" has been a key word in Buick's name. Their
original patented overhead valve single cylinder was unbelievably powerful
for its time. And today's 3.8-liter 3800 V6, widely described as world class
in smoothness, performance and reliability, is a result of the Buick V-6
used in the 1962 Buick Special-- the first V-6 ever offered in a mass
produced U.S. car. Today, Buick offers V-6 engines in most of its models,
including a supercharged 3800 in its flagship Park Avenue Ultra.
The Buick Rainier shares its body shell and mechanical platform with
GM's other mid-size SUVs, the Chevrolet TrailBlazer and GMC Envoy. But of
the three, only the Rainier offers a 300-horsepower V8 engine in the
handier, standard-wheelbase configuration. For 2007, a one-year subscription
to General Motors' OnStar Turn-by-Turn navigation system and a tire pressure
monitoring system now come standard. Rainiers come with rear or all-wheel
drive. An electronically controlled rear air suspension is intended to
produce a comfortable ride. A 291-horsepower, 4.2-liter inline-six-cylinder
is standard, and a 302-hp, 5.3-liter V-8 is optional. A four-speed automatic
is the sole transmission. On the exterior, clear headlights have offset
high/low beam fixtures. Fog lamps with chrome surrounds are standard.
The Buick Terraza loses its all-wheel-drive model but gains more
power for 2007, which, Buick says, will be this minivan's final model year.
It's the costliest, most luxurious of the group. Terraza is front-wheel
drive and comes in CX, new-for-2007 CX Plus, and top-line CXL models. All
are equipped with a 240-hp 3.9-liter V6 engine that replaces a 201-hp 3.5
V6. A 4-speed automatic remains the only transmission. Anti-lock Brake
System and traction/antiskid control are standard. Terraza seats seven. It
has 2nd-row bucket seats that fold and remove and a 50/50 3rd-row bench that
folds flat atop the cargo floor. Front and 2nd-row side airbags that provide
head and torso protection are standard on CXL, optional on CX Plus, buy
sadly are unavailable on the CX. Load-leveling suspension and DVD
entertainment are standard on CX Plus and CXL. Rear obstacle detection is
also available as an option.
The Buick Rendezvous, also in its final model year, loses its
optional V6 engine and available all-wheel drive for 2007. This SUV shares a
basic platform with Buick's Terraza minivan. Rendezvous seats five with a
standard three-place 2nd-row split bench seat that slides fore and aft. A
two-passenger 3rd-row seat is optional, as are twin bucket seats to replace
the 2nd-row bench. Rendezvous has front-wheel drive with traction control
available. A 195-hp 3.5-liter V6 and 4-speed automatic transmission comprise
the sole drivetrain; an optional 242-hp 3.6 V6 has been dropped. Anti-lock
Brake System, rear obstacle detection, and OnStar assistance are standard.
Front side airbags are available. No curtain side airbags are offered.
For 2007, several new luxury features become standard on Buick's midsize
sedan, the LaCrosse, including General Motors' OnStar Turn-by-Turn
navigation system. Three versions of the LaCrosse are offered this year —
the CX, the midlevel CXL and the performance-oriented CXS. CX and CXL models
use a 3.8-liter V-6 engine that produces 200 horsepower and 230 pounds-feet
of torque. A 3.6-liter V-6 with variable valve timing goes into the CXS and
delivers 240 hp and 225 pounds-feet of torque. Both engines team with a
four-speed automatic transmission. Three levels of traction control,
including General Motors' StabiliTrak electronic stability system, are
offered.
In the 2007 Buick Lucerne, three trim levels are available: CX, CXL
and CXS. Buick emphasizes the QuietTuning of the Lucerne, which the
automaker claims will reduce or tune out unwanted wind, road and powertrain
noise. In the CX or CXL, the 3.8-liter V-6 meets Super Ultra Low Emissions
Vehicle standards and produces an estimated 197 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and
227 pounds-feet of torque. Standard in the CXS and optional in the CXL, the
32-valve dual overhead cam all-aluminum 4.6-liter V-8 delivers an estimated
275 hp at 5,600 rpm and 295 pounds-feet of torque. Both engines work with a
four-speed automatic transmission, run on regular-grade gasoline and feature
electronic throttle control.
Buick’s promise, at the onset, was to continue enhancing its reputation for
product leadership, and that is exactly what they have been doing for most
of the last 103 years. Their line up for the 104th year also looks quite
impressive to the majority of Buick fans. |
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