2008 BUICK ENCLAVE: A LUXURY CROSSOVER
08/01/2007
Buick
Enclave is the vehicle that is going to change perceptions about Buick. It blends a graceful, romantic exterior with an elegant, well-crafted interior. Enclave is smaller on the outside, but lives bigger on the inside, combining segment-leading fuel efficiency with room for up to eight passengers and space for cargo.
Starting at less than $33,000 MSRP, the Enclave is priced to challenge its luxury competitors, offers better fuel economy and is quieter and roomier inside. It is also loaded with standard equipment and offers the industry's best warranty coverage.
"Enclave sets the tone for the revival of Buick in North America ," said Buick-Pontiac-GMC General Manager Jim Bunnell.
Enclave is available in CX and CXL trim levels, with eight exterior and three interior colors, front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, a 275-horsepower (205 kW)* V-6 powertrain featuring variable valve timing (VVT) and mated to Buick's first six-speed automatic transmission.
With EPA fuel economy ratings of 16 city and 24 highway for FWD models and 16 city and 22 highway for AWD models, Enclave is the most fuel efficient eight-passenger SUV on the road (fuel economy ratings based on EPA's new, reformulated test procedures that are required for all manufacturers' vehicles starting with the 2008 model year).
Integrated features
Much of the Enclave's standard equipment is focused around customer convenience and comfort. For example, the front-row center console armrest slides back and forth for personalized comfort and access to the lower console storage area. The storage area is equipped with a pull-out tray that reveals a deep space of more than 60 cubic inches (1 liter) for storing items such as bottled water or a small purse. Enclave's elevated footrest, or "dead pedal," adds comfort for drivers with high-heel shoes while the power liftgate activates conveniently with a touch of one button.
Other key standard features include:
Xenon high-intensity discharge headlamps
Tire pressure monitoring system
StabiliTrak electronic stability control system with rollover mitigation technology
Traction control
QuietTuning to reduce, block and absorb noise
Leather-wrapped, real mahogany wood-accented steering wheel
Tri-zone climate control
Six-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission
Smart Slide second-row seat
Dual exhaust with chrome tips
Tilt and telescoping steering wheel
Stylish analog clock with quartz movement
Six standard air bags
Power liftgate
XM Satellite Radio
OnStar with Turn-By-Turn voice-guided navigation and more
A comprehensive safety system protects occupants in all three rows. Enclave is equipped with six standard air bags: two dual-stage frontal air bags, two seat-mounted side-impact air bags in the first row and two rollover-capable head curtain side air bags that cover all three seating rows. Complementing the air bags is GM's rollover sensing system, which activates the roof rail air bags if sensors determine an impending rollover.
Safety is enhanced with the optional Ultrasonic Rear Park Assist and rear back-up camera, which work together to provide visual and audible references of objects directly behind the vehicle. Displayed on the navigation system screen, icons and audible chimes provide an easy-to-understand reference to items behind the vehicle.
Enclave also is equipped with adjustable outside mirrors that can be programmed on CXL to automatically angle downward when the vehicle is in reverse, providing a view of the curb or parking lines. The mirrors on the CXL can be programmed so that one, both or neither of the mirrors provide this view.
For added security and flexibility, Enclave has more than two dozen storage areas, including an optional second-row center console with a deep storage compartment and 12-volt power outlet, two cupholders and pull-out tray. It is also capable of folding flat into the load floor.
True Buick design
The Enclave delivers on the promise of the stunning concept vehicle that debuted at the 2006 North American International Auto Show. The exterior design of the Enclave is a virtual twin of the concept version and the interior retains the elegant design and craftsmanship that made the concept Enclave popular.
Buick's luxury crossover hints to the brand's legendary design cues, such as a new waterfall black chrome grille - with a bold tri-shield emblem - and portholes. Enclave's grille represents the new face of Buick that will be shared across future product offerings. The portholes, which are similar in design to those on the new Lucerne sedan, form a distinct "V" shape as they flow out from the grille and into the hood.
Standard xenon high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps and three-dimensional taillamp housings epitomize the Enclave's design and craftsmanship. A blue ring integrated into the lighting units gives the Enclave a distinctive appearance. The HID headlamps are standard, and GM's articulating headlights are available. They turn with the direction of the front wheels, providing enhanced illumination around corners.
Large, 18-inch flangeless wheels are standard on CX models; 19-inch machined wheels are standard on CXL, while chrome, seven-spoke, 19-inch wheels are available on CXL. Twenty-inch wheels and tires are available though Buick Accessories.
Roomy, finely crafted interior
Enclave's interior is designed as an extension of the exterior, with complementing curves and warm, inviting colors, as well as premium, soft-touch, low-gloss materials. The instrument panel and other interior elements have precise attention to fit, finish and flushness throughout.
Buick's exclusive QuietTuning engineering process reduces, blocks and absorbs unwanted noise from entering Enclave's cabin. Some noise-reducing components include an acoustic-laminated windshield, laminated safety door glass, triple door seals, flat-blade windshield wipers, strategically placed sound-deadening material in more than two dozen locations throughout the vehicle and outside rearview mirrors and tires designed to minimize noise. The result is a library-quiet interior that allows passengers seated in the third row to hear a conversation between first-row occupants.
When it comes to function and roominess, Enclave looks smaller on the outside but lives bigger inside. The vehicle can be configured for seven or eight passengers, with three rows of seats, and still have space for gear behind the third row. Enclave offers 18.9 cu. ft. (535.2 L) of cargo space behind the third-row seat when in the upright position - a trunk capacity of some large sedans and room that some crossovers cannot match. It also offers 115.1 cubic feet (3,259 L) of cargo room behind the first row when all rear seats are folded - that's more maximum cargo volume than the 2008 Lexus RX350 (84.7 cu. ft.), 2008 Volvo XC90 (85.1 cu. ft.), 2008 Audi Q7 (71.8 cu. ft.) and 2008 Acura MDX (83.5 cu. ft.).
All seats have a tailored appearance, with premium cloth standard on CX models and perforated and heated leather seats standard on CXL models. The first row includes two bucket seats, while the second-row seats come standard with two captain's chairs. A second-row 60/40-split bench (three passengers) seat is also available.
Second-row seats feature GM's Smart Slide, which allows easy entry to the third row with the pull of one handle. With Smart Slide, the second-row seat cushion flips up while the seatback slides forward, compressing the space occupied by the seat. The seats also have fore/aft adjustment. When adjusted rearward, the second-row seat provides more legroom for taller passengers; when adjusted forward, it provides more storage space or additional legroom for third-row passengers.
The third row features a standard 60/40-split bench seat that can accommodate three adult passengers. For extra support and comfort, individual sections of the third-row bench are bolstered and tuck away when the seat is folded flat.
Entering and exiting Enclave's third row is made easy by maximizing the door opening and reducing the space between the rear door and leading edge of the door opening.
Enclave's step-in heights for the front and rear doors also contribute to easy entry and exit.
Luxury car driving experience
The '08 Buick Enclave crossover blends the size and capability expected of a sport utility with the confident, quiet driving characteristics and fuel economy ratings of a luxury sedan. A stiff structure, purpose-built suspension and aerodynamic shape are the core elements for the Enclave's car-like driving experience.
Enclave rides on a long, 119-inch (3,023 mm) wheelbase and wide, 67.3-inch (1,709 mm) front and 67.1-inch (1,704 mm) rear tracks. The long wheelbase and wide track help the Enclave deliver a confident ride and precise handling. Enclave's aerodynamic shape yields a 0.358 coefficient of drag (Cd) - an impressive figure considering that SUVs with a comparable "footprint" to the Enclave have a Cd of 0.420 or higher.
Enclave's smooth and controlled driving feel features standard variable-effort power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering supported by independent front and rear suspensions. The front suspension features a MacPherson strut design, with a direct-acting stabilizer bar that helps provide a more immediate feel during turns. The tops of the struts are mounted to the chassis through isolated strut mounts, with ball bearings that reduce steering friction. The inboard pivot points of the lower control arms are mounted to a rigid engine cradle, which is fully isolated from the chassis to reduce transmission of road noise to the cabin.
The front lower control arms use two bushings that are positioned geometrically to allow the arms to be laterally stiff for handling, and softer fore and aft for a smoother ride. One bushing is fluid-filled and damped for even better ride impact performance. The steering knuckles are made of aluminum to provide a lower unsprung weight, which helps wheel control on rough driving surfaces. Enclave also features standard power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering, with variable-effort steering available.
The rear suspension is a linked "H" arm design that provides kinematics that precisely position the rear wheels through their travel and while cornering. It is also compact, which enable a low load floor - a feature that helps the Enclave offer generous passenger and cargo space. It also allows for a high load-carrying capacity.
The suspension meets the road via standard 18-inch wheels and tires, with 19-inch wheels available - and 20-inch wheels available as a dealer-installed Buick accessory. Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS are standard. The Enclave also offers features that enhance ride and handling, as well as safety: StabiliTrak electronic stability control system with rollover mitigation technology; traction control; and a tire pressure monitoring system.
An available, intelligent all-wheel-drive system provides full-time function. It enhances both dry road handling and provides increased traction on wet, snow and ice-covered roads. The system works by delivering a controlled amount of torque to the rear wheels. There is no driver intervention; the system automatically decides how to distribute torque based upon vehicle speed, throttle position and individual wheel slip. The AWD system is integrated with the electronic traction control to provide outstanding capability in inclement weather. Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, traction control and StabiliTrak electronic stability control with rollover mitigation technology are standard on all models.
Powertrain
The Enclave is powered by an advanced V-6 powertrain featuring variable valve timing (VVT) and mated to Buick's first six-speed automatic transmission. It delivers 275 horsepower (205 kW) and 251 lb.-ft. (340 Nm) of torque - and is designed to deliver its performance with world-class smoothness, quietness and durability.
The aluminum-intensive 3.6L V-6 VVT is a sophisticated dual-overhead camshaft engine that features four -cam phasing operation of the variable valve timing system. This ensures linear delivery of torque across the rpm band, while features such as electronic throttle control deliver crisp, immediate response and feedback. The engine uses electro-hydraulic vane-type phasers, allowing infinitely variable combinations to optimize performance, fuel efficiency and emissions performance.
A new Hydra-Matic 6T75 electronically controlled six-speed automatic transmission backs the 3.6L V-6 VVT engine. It is an advanced transmission with clutch-to-clutch shift operation for front- and all-wheel-drive Enclaves. Clutch-to-clutch operation allows for reduced complexity and compact packaging.
A wide, 6.04:1 overall ratio helps the transmission deliver both performance and fuel economy, enabling up to 7-percent improved performance and up to 4-percent improved fuel economy when compared to current front-wheel-drive four-speed automatics. The transmission has been designed so that the Enclave can be flat-towed in FWD and AWD configurations. Enclave can tow up to 4,500 pounds (2,041 kg) when properly equipped.
Safety features
The 2008 Buick Enclave has a comprehensive safety system designed to protect passengers before, during and after a crash. Four-wheel anti-lock brakes, StabiliTrak electronic stability control system - with rollover mitigation technology - and GM's tire pressure monitoring system are standard. Traction control is standard on all models.
Enclave is equipped with six standard air bags: two dual-stage frontal air bags, two seat-mounted side-impact air bags in the first row and two roof rail air bags that cover all three seating rows. Complementing the air bags is GM's rollover sensing system, which activates the roof rail air bags if sensors determine an impending rollover. Because rollovers are typically longer events than non-rollover crashes, the roof rail air bags stay inflated longer to provide increased occupant protection and containment. Additionally, first-row positions feature safety belt pretensioners, which activate at the moment of a crash to take up any slack in the safety belt and hold the passengers in place.
Enclave also includes a Panic Brake Assist feature. When panic braking is detected, the system automatically develops additional brake pressure to more quickly engage ABS, potentially reducing overall stopping distance by eliminating the delay caused by not braking hard enough and/or soon enough.
All Buicks, including Enclave, come standard with OnStar Generation 7 (with a one-year Directions & Connections plan), which features the Advanced Automatic Crash Notification system. If a crash activates an air bag, the OnStar system automatically notifies an OnStar advisor, who immediately calls the vehicle and/or summons emergency help.
The 2008 Buick Enclave is priced less than the luxury competition and backed by the industry's best warranty. The front-wheel-drive Enclave CX starts at $32,790, while the all-wheel-drive model starts at $34,790. The front-wheel-drive Enclave CXL begins at $34,990, while the all-wheel-drive version starts at $36,990. Prices include a $735 destination charge. Enclave comes with a four-year, 50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, as well as five-year, 100,000-mile powertrain coverage.
Enclave is built at GM's new Lansing Delta Township assembly plant in Lansing , Mich. The state-of-the-art, flexible manufacturing complex is designed with people-focused production processes that ensure high build quality and represent the best of GM's manufacturing systems from around the globe.
*SAE certified.