Archive for category Buick
Overview of the Citroen DS3
Posted by in Buick on June 29, 2011
Top Gear announced its car of the year for 2010, and surprisingly, Citroen claims the top spot for the first time in the contest’s 11 year history, winning the title with the fantastic little Citroen DS3. The DS3 fended off competition from a dozen of the most desirable cars of the last 12 months, and it is easy to see how.
Since its release in spring 2010, it has been strong competition for the small hot hatch used car market, including the Mini, Fiat 500, Audi A1 and Fiesta to name but a few. With its super cool looks and stand out from the crowd colours, and colour options it is difficult to find two the same! A used Citroen, especially a diesel used Citroen is becoming a very popular option – mainly as they are so economical, and getting even more stylish then ever!
The used Citroen DS3 is available with a good choice of petrol and diesel engines, so it is easy to pick something super economical and high in performance without compromise! And with the three petrol engines also being designed by BMW, it has the same engine as its biggest rival the Mini. A used Citroen DS3 will not have a resale value as great as the Mini though. Starting with the entry level 1.4VTi, which gives you 95bhp, it manages the 0-62mph test in a healthy 10.6 seconds and still gives you a very useful 49mpg. Which when compared to the rest of the range is certainly not poor, and with the two diesel engines giving a return of around 70mpg and one with emissions as low as 99g/km Co², this really is an economical sporty little used car.
When I was lucky enough to get myself one of these fantastic little used Citroens, I chose to go with the 1.6HDi 90bhp, and picked up the extremely well equipped “White Edition”, this came with the LED diodes, chrome door mirrors, 17″ ‘Belone’ black diamond tipped alloy wheels (which were in excellent condition for a used car), air conditioning and sculpted front seats to name but a few, and continues to deliver on average 72mpg. Read the rest of this entry »
Buick Verano Gives Brand An Important Stake
Posted by in Buick on June 29, 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.
Buick Renaissance
Buick’s rise is fitting giving its overwhelming success in China where it sells many times the number of Buicks there than it does in the United States. Down the line, the Buick Lucerne will likely be phased out and a possible coupe or roadster could be brought in. No matter, the Buick line is far different than the one we saw in 2008 and earlier years, a premium brand now being considered by younger drivers. Read the rest of this entry »