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Archive for May, 2010

The 2011 Buick Regal marks the return of a midsize sedan to this General Motors division’s lineup. Last sold in the United States in 2004, the 2011 version shares elements of its basic design with the European-market Opel Insignia. Initial Regals will come in a single CXL trim level, with more versions due in the 2012 model year.

The standard engine is a 182-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder. Due later in the 2011 model year is an optional 220-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. A 6-speed automatic transmission will be standard with both engines at first; a 6-speed manual for turbocharged models is slated to arrive later in the model year.

Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain-side airbags, and front- and rear-side airbags. Standard on all models are 18-inch wheels, leather upholstery, heated front seats, and an 8-way power driver seat. An adjustable suspension is available on models equipped with the turbocharged engine. A navigation system with hard drive for storing digital-music files is optional. We have not yet tested the 2011 Buick Regal.

The 2009 Buick Lucerne gets a new V6 engine and more standard features. Buick’s largest sedan shares some of its basic front-wheel-drive design with the Cadillac DTS. Base CX, uplevel CXL, and sport-themed Super models are offered. CX and CXL have a new 227-hp 3.9-liter V6 engine, which replaces a 197-hp 3.8 V6.

The new V6 is capable of running on ethanol-blended E85 fuel. Supers have a 292-hp 4.6-liter V8 along with revised steering and GM’s Magnetic Ride Control suspension, which uses sensors to automatically adjust the suspension based on road conditions. All Lucernes use a 4-speed automatic transmission. CX and CXL can seat up to six; Supers seat five.

Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags. Lane-departure warning and blind-spot alert systems are optional. Heated front seats with memory programming and a heated steering wheel are newly standard on the CXL. A wireless cell-phone link is standard on all models.

The 2009 Buick LaCrosse gets a few new features. Three models of this midsize sedan are offered. CX and CXL versions have a 200-hp 3.8-liter V6. The high-performance LaCrosse Super has a 300-hp 5.3-liter V8, sport suspension, and unique trim. The CXS has been discontinued.

All LaCrosse models have front-wheel drive and a 4-speed automatic transmission. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, an antiskid system, and curtain side airbags. Satellite radio and OnStar assistance are standard.

An available front-bench seat for CX and CXL models raises passenger capacity from five to six. Also available are leather seating and rear-obstacle detection. A wireless cell-phone link is newly available, and heated power mirrors are standard on all models.

The 2009 Buick Enclave gets more available power and a few new features. This eight-passenger SUV is a crossover that shares its basic design with the Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Saturn Outlook. Enclave comes in CX and CXL trims. It is available with a 288-hp 3.6-liter V6 engine and 6-speed automatic transmission. The 2009 Enclave has 13 more hp than the 2008 model. Maximum towing capacity is 4500 lb. Front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive is available.

Seven-passenger seating is standard with 2nd-row bucket seats and a 3rd-row bench. A 2nd-row, three-person bench is optional. General Motors’ Smart Slide 2nd-row seats have flip-forward bottom cushions and sliding backrests. They’re designed to allow easier access to the 3rd row and are standard. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags that cover all seating rows, and front side airbags. Bi-xenon headlamps are standard.

A DVD entertainment system is available. New for 2009 is a navigation system with real-time traffic updates. Also new for 2009 are a wireless cell phone link, heated and cooled front seats, and a 110-volt inverter that is standard with all entertainment packages. A rearview camera is available with the Driver Confidence package–even on those vehicles without a navigation system.

The 2010 BMW Z4 sees no major changes following its redesign for the 2009 model year. Z4 seats 2 and comes as a convertible with a power-retractable hard top. Z4 comes in two trim levels, each with a 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine. The sDrive30i has 255 horsepower, while the sDrive35i is turbocharged and has 300 horsepower.

Both have a standard 6-speed manual transmission. A 6-speed automatic is optional on the sDrive30i. A 7-speed dual-clutch automated manual that behaves much like an automatic is optional on the sDrive35i. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, and side airbags that provide head and torso protection. BMW’s Dynamic Drive Control, which allows drivers to alter throttle, traction control, and steering response, is included as part of the optional Sport Package.

The Sport Package also includes adjustable shock-absorber control and 18-inch run-flat tires. Leather upholstery and automatic climate control are optional on the sDrive30i and standard on the sDrive35i. A navigation system is optional. The optional “through-loading” system includes a luggage pass-through for skis or golf bags to the passenger compartment.

The 2011 BMW Z4 lineup gains a new, high-performance model. Z4 seats 2 and is a convertible with a power-retractable hard top. Z4 comes in three trim levels, each with a 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine. The sDrive30i has 255 horsepower, while the sDrive35i is turbocharged and has 300 horsepower. New for 2011 is the sDrive35is, which has 335 horsepower.

The sDrive30i and 35i should have a standard 6-speed manual transmission. A 6-speed automatic is optional on the sDrive30i. A 7-speed dual-clutch automated-manual transmission that behaves much like an automatic is optional on the sDrive35i. The automated manual is standard on the sDrive35is. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, and side airbags that provide head and torso protection.

BMW’s Dynamic Drive Control, which allows drivers to alter throttle, traction control, and steering response is standard across the board. Leather upholstery and automatic climate control are optional on the sDrive30i and standard on the sDrive35i and 35is. A navigation system is optional. The optional “through-loading” system includes a luggage pass-through for skis or golf bags to the passenger compartment.

The 2010 BMW X6 lineup gains some new models, including a gas/electric hybrid and high-performance M. X6 seats 4, is slightly larger than BMW’s 5-Series midsize cars, and features a raised suspension similar to the company’s X5 midsize SUV. Conventional X6 models come in three trim levels, each with twin-turbocharged engines and standard all-wheel drive. The xDrive35i has a 300-horsepower 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder, and the xDrive50i has a 400-horsepower 4.4-liter V8. The X6 M uses a 555-horsepower version of the xDrive50i’s V8.

A 6-speed automatic is the sole transmission for gas models, and it includes steering wheel paddles for manual gear changes. The ActiveHybrid X6 uses a “two-mode” system that teams a 4.4-liter V8 with an electric motor for 480 horsepower total. It can run on one or both of its power sources depending on driving demands, and it requires no plug-in charging. It uses a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that behaves much like an automatic. Maximum towing capacity is 6,000 pounds.

Standard on all X6 models is BMW’s Dynamic Performance Control, which works with the AWD system to distribute torque between the individual rear wheels. The system is designed to improve steering feel and handling response. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain-side airbags, and front-side airbags. Standard on all is BMW’s iDrive control system, which uses a console knob to control entertainment, navigation, communication, and climate functions. Optional is BMW’s Active Steering, which is designed to quicken low-speed steering response. The X6 M has specific suspension tuning and trim.