Enclave ushers in the arrival of Buick’s new luxury sub-brand

NEW YORK — Debuting with the 2018 Buick Enclave, the new Avenir sub-brand represents the highest expression of Buick luxury. Avenir offers unique styling cues and an extensive set of standard features and premium materials throughout the vehicle. New and versatile functionality, interior spaciousness, and intuitive technologies build on the Enclave’s established popularity.

Smart innovation and style come standard on the 2018 Buick Enclave Avenir. Buick-first Evonik Acrylite exterior lighting illuminates the road ahead with the power of more than 100 LEDs across the vehicle. A Rear Camera Mirror provides a clearer, broader view of what’s behind. And in-vehicle ionization leaves the air cleaner and fresher. It’s all packaged within an elegant design that combines concept car inspiration with improved interior luxury amenities and roominess for up to seven passengers.

“The Enclave has been a successful formula for the Buick brand, with sales results that have defied traditional product cycles, and 90 percent of customers purchasing in the top two trim levels,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Global Buick and GMC. “It’s a beacon for the modern, attainable luxury Buick stands for and is a natural place to launch Avenir.”

Enclave Avenir highlights

• Avenir model comes standard with extensive active safety, connectivity and luxury features for a simple and convenient buying experience.
• It has an all-new body structure for safety, strength and mass efficiency, plus 17 radar, camera and ultrasonic sensors when fully equipped.
• It accommodates seven passengers comfortably and offers more cargo volume behind the first row than the Acura MDX, Audi Q7 and Infiniti QX60.
• Standard hands-free power-programmable liftgate with a Buick tri-shield logo illuminates the ground below the hidden sensor and power-folding third row.
• Avenir-exclusive 3-dimensional mesh grille, badging, pearl nickel 20-inch aluminum wheels and luxurious interior materials are standard.
• Buick-first Rear Camera Mirror is standard on Avenir.

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Sleek appearance, excellent driving performance and unexpected flexibility

DETROIT — With the 2018 Regal Sportback, Buick builds on its track record of making bold moves outside traditional vehicle segments to deliver unique customer offerings that fit modern lifestyles. The Regal Sportback provides a sleek, sporty, coupe-like design, the spirited performance of a premium sports sedan and unexpected versatility in one sophisticated package for a perfect balance of form and function.

The coupe-like roofline captures the expressive style and passion customers want, while the five-door layout enables easier access to cargo space. With the split-folding second row seats in place, the new Regal Sportback offers 31.5 cubic feet of cargo space, more than twice as much as the 2017 Regal.

In keeping with its sporting nature, the Regal Sportback’s cabin takes a driver-centric approach, with the center stack skewed towards the driver for a cockpit feel. The cabin’s craftsmanship is characterized by clean lines, uncluttered surfaces and premium seating materials.

“The new Regal Sportback was developed with today’s active, independent, premium car customer in mind,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president, Global Buick and GMC. “They have an SUV in the garage and are looking to complement it with a sport sedan, but have an appreciation for the usefulness of a versatile cargo space when an occasional need arises.”

Regal Sportback highlights:

• Available intelligent all-wheel drive (AWD) with active twin-clutch for improved vehicle control and efficiency in any conditions.

• AWD models have an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel-drive models have a nine-speed automatic.

• The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces a GM-estimated 250 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque (FWD) and 295 lb-ft of torque (AWD).

• The discreetly integrated rear opening has a tri-folding 40/20/40 rear seat available and a 60/40 split-folding seat standard.

• Safety innovations include a Buick-first active hood pedestrian safety system, Front Pedestrian Braking and Lane Keep Assist.

• There’s more overall cargo space than the Audi A5 Sportback and BMW 4-series Gran Coupe, with 60.7 cubic feet behind the first row.

• Signature Buick QuietTuning includes all-new tire insulation to help reduce road noise on front-wheel-drive models and premium five-link rear suspension on AWD models.

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Rugged utility and upscale amenities are purpose-built for active lifestyles

DETROIT — Coming off a historic year with record sales, four new vehicle launches and awards validating Buick’s quality and customer experience, the brand’s introduction of the all-new Regal TourX brings the latest product to broaden the brand’s lineup in the U.S. Like the successful Encore and Cascada, TourX proves Buick continues to make bold moves outside traditional vehicle segments.

“Regal TourX is a crossover in the truest sense of the word, with the drive dynamics of a car and the versatility of an SUV,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president, global Buick and GMC. “Additionally, it continues a trend set by the Cascada and Encore of bringing Buick’s contemporary design and attainable luxury credentials to new segments where customers are looking for more. TourX enters a vibrant segment with passion and youthful energy where drivers are able to experience the new Buick.”

The TourX rides higher than its Sportback counterpart, enabling greater capability. Its rugged exterior appearance, standard roof rails, interior amenities, standard intelligent all-wheel drive (AWD) with active twin-clutch and functional cargo area epitomize upscale utility, capability and convenience backed by the quality and safety expected from Buick.

With the new Regal TourX and Sportback, Buick now offers two new products that expand the expectations and opportunity for individuality in the premium midsize segment. One is a sports sedan with sleek, coupe-like design with five-door versatility; the other, a vehicle with the drive dynamics of a car but with all the usefulness of an SUV.

Highlights of Regal TourX:

• It has more overall cargo space than the Volvo V60 Cross Country, the Audi A4 Allroad, BMW 3-series Sport Wagon and the Subaru Outback, with up to 73.5 cubic feet behind the front seats.
• Standard intelligent AWD with active twin-clutch provides improved vehicle control and efficiency in any condition.
• The purpose-built exterior’s ride height increased over the Regal Sportback and it has durable fascia and fender moldings.
• The hands-free power liftgate has a Buick tri-shield logo lamp that illuminates the ground beneath the sensor, standard on upper trim levels.
• The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces 250 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.
• Customer-minded available accessories including a variable roof rack, portable Bluetooth speaker and keyless keypad entry.
• An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard.
• Safety innovations include a Buick-first active hood pedestrian safety system, Front Pedestrian Braking and Lane Keep Assist.

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(This article originally appeared on Buick.com)

Prepaid OnStar 4G LTE plan provides unlimited data for only $20 per month

NEW YORK — NCAA March Madness tips-off tonight and Buick owners in the U.S. with an in-vehicle OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot¹ don’t have to worry about missing a moment of the action thanks to a new unlimited prepaid data plan enabled by AT&T. The plan is only $20 per month² and available across Buick’s entire 2017 retail portfolio of vehicles.

Buick drivers and their passengers already love being able to access email, check social media and live stream video from their vehicles³, and now passengers can stream all their favorite sporting events without being concerned about running out of data or missing any game-winning plays. Last year, Buick owners increased their OnStar 4G LTE data usage by 285 percent compared to 2015.

As a longstanding NCAA partner, Buick is especially excited to have this plan available for March Madness, one of the most streamed sporting events of the year. March Madness streaming reached 65 million people in 2016 and total live streaming of the tournament hit an all-time high of 1.1 billion minutes.

“Our customers’ lives are increasingly more mobile and it is important we provide connectivity solutions that meet their on-the-go expectations,” said Duncan Aldred, Vice President, Global Buick and GMC. “We are providing our owners with a data plan where the only limit is turning the car off.”

In addition to the 4G LTE connection enabled by AT&T, the OnStar Basic Plan⁴ comes standard on all new Buick retail models. The Basic Plan includes select remote vehicle services and the OnStar AtYourService marketplace via the myBuick mobile app⁵ among other features.

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(this article originally appeared on Buick.com)

Buick returns to Super Bowl with new ad spotlighting Cascada convertible and Encore compact luxury SUV

DETROIT — Today Buick unveiled a new Super Bowl ad starring NFL MVP Cam Newton and supermodel Miranda Kerr. The spot invites fans to “Experience the New Buick” by resetting expectations about the brand’s modern vehicles. The lighthearted commercial shows surprising reactions to the beauty and sophistication of Buick vehicles such as the Encore SUV and Cascada convertible and provokes viewers with its “That’s a Buick?” theme.

A 60-second version of the ad will air in the first quarter of Super Bowl 51. It is Buick’s second year in a row advertising during the game, part of a broader advertising campaign to promote a fast-growing brand in the process of launching seven new models in under 24 months.

“Buick is experiencing unprecedented sales success and consumer awareness backed by remarkable third-party quality and reliability validation,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Global Buick Sales, Service and Marketing. “Our latest vehicles like the Encore and Cascada belong in the spotlight on a global stage only the Super Bowl can offer.”

The ad, aptly titled “Pee Wee,” takes place at a Pee Wee football game where two dads are in the stands watching their kids play. As a Buick pulls into the parking lot, one of the men says, “Check out that Buick!” with delight. The other dad says, “If that’s a Buick, then my kid is Cam Newton,” and an interesting turn of events follows. The full ad is viewable on Buick’s YouTube channel: youtube.com/buick.

Additionally, fans of Buick on social media can enjoy exclusive content in the days leading up to the Super Bowl.

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(this article originally appeared on Buick.com)

DETROIT — With OnStar Smart Driver, your Buick can now work with you to develop better driving skills. This recently launched opt-in service is available for most 2015-17 model year Buick vehicles as part of the OnStar Basic Plan¹ at no additional cost.

OnStar Smart Driver is designed to help Buick owners maximize their vehicle’s overall performance, reduce wear and tear, monitor fuel efficiency and become better drivers – all factors that can help save owners money as well.

Once enrolled, customers have online access via OnStar.com to information about their driving behavior, including:

• OnStar Smart Driver score – calculated with driving data that can be sorted by day, week, month, year and lifetime
• Historical OnStar Smart Driver scores
• Total number of hard braking events and where they took place
• Total number of hard acceleration events and where they took place
• High-speed driving percentage
• Late-night driving percentage
• Total miles driven
• Average MPG and MPH
• Comparisons to the aggregate total of all other enrolled drivers
• Helpful tips on how to become a smarter driver

Customers may also choose to enroll in the Insurance Discounts Eligibility² portion of the service, which is a risk-free way to see if their driving behavior qualifies them for discounts, without revealing any personal details to insurance companies.

Participating insurance companies currently include Progressive, Liberty Mutual and Nationwide, and good driving behavior can lead to potential savings of up to 30 percent on car insurance.

¹ OnStar Basic Plan is available for five years from the delivery date of eligible 2015 model year and newer vehicles and is transferable. Basic Plan does not include Emergency, Security or Navigation services; these and other services require a paid plan. Visit onstar.com for details.

² OnStar, General Motors and their affiliates are not insurance providers and are not insurance producers, and do not endorse any particular insurance provider or insurance producer. You should only obtain insurance and insurance advice from a licensed insurance provider.

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(this article originally appeared on Buick.com)

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+ rating extended into 2017 when vehicle is equipped with front crash prevention and high intensity headlights

DETROIT — The 2017 Buick Envision AWD compact SUV has earned a five-star overall vehicle score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — an accolade achieved by every Buick model rated for two consecutive model years.¹

Earlier this year, the Envision also earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) best possible rating, a 2016 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+) when equipped with optional front crash prevention. Today that rating was extended into the 2017 calendar year as the Envision with optional front crash prevention and high intensity discharge (HID) headlights was named a 2017 IIHS Top Safety Pick+.

“Safety, quality and craftsmanship are designed into every Buick,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Global Buick Sales, Service and Marketing. “Earning top ratings from some of the industry’s most important safety organizations validates not only the excellence of the Envision, but further builds the Buick brand’s reputation as a leader in safety and quality, two attributes high on every shopper’s list.”

The Envision offers customers an extensive list of standard and available safety features, both active and passive. These safety technologies utilize a combination of five cameras and 13 radar and ultrasonic sensors around the vehicle to help offer owners peace of mind behind the wheel. Envision also features a robust body structure that incorporates extensive use of mass-reducing high-strength steel.

Envision’s available Forward Collision Alert and Forward Automatic Braking systems, which can help drivers avoid collisions, were vital to obtaining the 2016 IIHS TSP+ rating. That rating requires a vehicle to score Good on a multitude of IIHS crashworthiness tests and receive an Advanced or Superior score on front crash prevention, which was a new IIHS requirement in 2016. The 2017 IIHS TSP+ rating requires a vehicle to earn Good ratings in the crashworthiness tests, an Advanced or Superior rating for front crash prevention and a Good or Acceptable headlight rating.

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