Buick Verano Gives Brand An Important Stake
Posted by in Buick on July 2, 2011
When General Motors remade itself following its bankruptcy restructuring of summer 2009, the company began a process to shed itself of four unwanted brands: Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Hummer. The fact Buick remained behind seemed a curious one at first, given Pontiac’s stronger sales.
GM’s decision, initially panned by some critics, has proven to be the right one. Combined Buick-Pontiac-GMC showrooms are now Buick-GMC, selling premium cars, trucks and sport utility vehicles without the burden of having to make room for Pontiac. The Buick brand is being remade with new models such as the LaCrosse and Regal being sold alongside the Enclave crossover and full-size Lucerne. For 2010, Buick sales were up by 52 percent, the best performance of the four surviving GM brands and, indeed, the best performing brands sold in America period.
Compact Buick
But, GM is not stopping there with its premium brand. Buick is situated between Chevrolet and Cadillac, but it also targets entry-level luxury car buyers who might consider an Audi A3 or other smaller models, a premium car segment that will soon offer the Buick Verano as yet another option.
The Buick Verano is based on the same platform as the compact Chevrolet Cruze, but unlike past GM cloning practices, badge engineering will be absent. The five-passenger Verano will have a fresh grille, different hood and other exterior treatments unique to itself. Underneath, much of the same underpinnings found in the Cruze will be in the Verano, but the Buick will have a different and larger engine to offer, the same engine powering the standard Buick Regal.
Cabin Amenities
Inside, the Buick Verano, which is expected to go on sale later in 2011 as a 2012 model, will offer a cabin unique to GM compact cars. Typical Buick styling will be used, with leather seating options, wood and aluminum trim and enhanced sound system standard or available. Expect OnStar GPS navigation to be standard and XM satellite radio to be available.
The same 10 airbags found in the Cruze will also be offered, underscoring just how much GM values safety in its C segment models. Anti-lock brakes, brake assist, traction control, blind spot intelligence and collision warning are other features likely for the Verano.
Further differentiations will be noted in the way the Buick Verano rides, handles and how it keeps noise out. Indeed, Buick has been getting a lot of attention for how quiet its cars are, making good use of the latest sound deadening materials to control outside noise. Read the rest of this entry »
The Brabus C-Class
Posted by in Brabus on July 2, 2011
The new C-class was only recently been introduced in Germany and already the tuning giant Brabus is set to give the new C-Class some engine upgrades and a modified bodykit with some accessories.
If Mercedes-Benz would like to keep its latest AMG-fettled creation under wraps until the New York Show then it’s entirely a different story for the people in Brabus since they simply just can’t wait to showoff what they did with the new W204 C-Class.
Brabus installs a special crankshaft together with some large pistons which increase the displacement to 4.0 liters. The four-valve cylinder heads were optimized for gas flow and were fitted with special camshafts. The other modification done includes a stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system with metal catalysts together with some newly programmed engine electronics. This conversion has resulted in a maximum power output of 244 kW and a peak torque of 420 Nm at 4200 r/min making the petrol-powered Brabus model capable of sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in a matter of 5.6 seconds while reaching a top speed of 275 km/h.
Every detail and component of the C-class was not exempted from the attention of the Brabus from the Mercedes ignition coil to the oil burners; etc.—all received the company’s PowerXtra performance kit for the C200 CDI. The first stage of modification D2 (III) includes increasing the power of the 2.0 liter common-rail diesel by 29 kW while the torque soars to 450 Nm.
The Barbus D3 (III) kit increased the power stakes for the C200 CDI by delivering 143 kW while the torque remains the same as the D2 (III). The top of the range C320 CDI gets the D6 (III) kit which revs out an additional 36 kW and boosts the torque to a seismometer-tripping 590 Nm which according to Brabus will allow the C320 CDI to reach 0 to 100 km/h in as short as 6.9 seconds and reaching a top speed of 250 km/h.
The Brabus stainless-steel quad sport exhaust system is offered for all engine variants together with a pair of performance braking systems, custom-made alloys of up to 20 inches in diameter, lowering kits and sway bars.
The Brabus will also offer a striking body kit with time in the wind tunnel that has resulted in a mean looking vent front spoiler, three-piece rear spoiler and a utilitarian rear apron. There are also carbon-fiber mirror covers and an optional LED entrance lights which adds to the attractive styling of the Brabus C-Class. Read the rest of this entry »