The pickup truck has long been a mainstay of American byways and highways, and GMC has been there from day one. Originally used and respected by farmers, construction workers and small-business owners, GMC’s hauler was a basic workhorse known for its reliability and longevity. More recent times have seen GMC’s full-size truck adopt the name Sierra, which was previously an upscale trim level.

As with its rivals, the modern-day GMC Sierra 1500 full-size pickup is available with a wide variety of body styles, powertrains and trim levels. Thanks to this flexibility, the half-ton Sierra pickup is nearly as adept at serving as the weekday family car as it is at transporting home-improvement supplies or towing a boat on the weekends.

Older versions of the GMC Sierra 1500 pickup have been praised for their strong work ethic, but soundly criticized for their bland, cheap cabins. With the current model, fit and finish has improved to the point where the Sierra now stands proud in that area. Of course, there are other choices in the full-size pickup truck market, but the Sierra 1500 remains a solid pick no matter what the intended use.

Current GMC Sierra 1500

The GMC Sierra 1500 offers three body styles (regular, extended and crew cabs) and trim levels ranging from no-frills “Work Truck” to ultra-plush Denali. The most popular trim is the midlevel SLE, which provides desirable standard features like air-conditioning, full power accessories and a CD player.

Powertrain choices, traditionally a strong point, encompass everything from a frugal 4.3-liter 195-horsepower V6 to a muscular 6.2-liter V8 with 403 hp. Most Sierras, however, will be fitted with either a 295-hp 4.8-liter V8 or a 315-hp 5.3-liter V8. A four-speed automatic is standard on the 4.3 and 4.8, while a six-speed is fitted to the 5.3 and 6.2. Either rear- or four-wheel drive can be specified.

Calling cards of the GMC Sierra 1500 include strong performance, a refined and quiet ride (even with the heavy-duty towing package) and a comfortable, well-finished cabin. The few downsides we’ve noted in reviews include minor interior ergonomic issues and the hesitant downshifts of the four-speed automatic transmission. We have no quarrel with the excellent six-speed automatic, as it is smooth and spot-on in its performance.

Used GMC Sierra 1500 Models

The current GMC Sierra debuted for 2007 and there have been some powertrain changes since then. There was originally a 367-hp 6.0-liter V8 available, but that was dropped for 2010. The 6.2-liter V8 option for non-Denali models had arrived the previous year along with its six-speed automatic transmission. For 2009, that transmission was fitted to 5.3-liter-equipped models with the XFE package only — otherwise, that engine was equipped with a four-speed auto prior to 2010.

There were some notable feature changes as well. Satellite radio joined the standard equipment roster in ‘08, and optional Bluetooth arrived the next year. Most importantly, front side airbags, side curtain airbags and stability control became standard for 2010.

Many GMC pickup trucks considered by used-vehicle shoppers will be the previous-generation truck, which was sold for the 1999-2006 model years. Underneath the conservatively handsome styling, a family of new V8s debuted, ranging in size from 4.8 to 6.0 liters. They offered output ranging from 255 hp with the smallest 4.8-liter, to 345 hp from the high-output 6.0-liter V8 in the Sierra Denali. A base V6 was also available, but as expected, most Sierras came fitted with one of the V8s.

A unique four-wheel-steering option (called QuadraSteer), came on-line about midway through this generation and cut the truck’s turning circle down to 37.4 feet — around 10 feet less than a typical full-size pickup. Unfortunately, QuadraSteer was discontinued for 2006, as buyers were put off by the high cost of this option.

The previous generation of GMC Sierra 1500 pickups ran from 1988-’98. Standard cab and extended cab body styles were offered, as was a crew cab, though the latter was actually from the previous 1981-’87 generation. Although six-cylinder and diesel V8s were offered, chances are strong that most GMC trucks from these years will have either a 5.0- or 5.7-liter V8 mated to a four-speed automatic. In keeping with tradition, one could choose either rear-wheel drive (indicated by a “C”, e.g. “C1500″) or four-wheel drive (indicated by a “K”). Trim levels for these C/K1500 trucks include the bare-bones Special, base SL, midlevel SLE and top-line SLT. Strengths of these trucks include powerful, durable powertrains while weaknesses center on sketchy build quality and subpar materials within the cabin.

Source: [Edmunds]

The 2011 Buick Regal is aimed at a younger buyer and is therefore sportier. Buick will be equipping the Regal with an optional turbo, manual transmission, a high performance GS model and potentially other body styles to help set the Regal apart in buyers’ minds. Buick officials at the event said that they would be happy to see the average age of the Regal buyer fall in the mid-forties range.

Driving out of town and into the countryside, we were behind the wheel of a turbo model equipped with the optional real-time damping system. The turbo model’s has 220 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque proved to be adequate power for enjoying for driving twisty back roads that Buick staff had selected for us. The turbo model and the IDCS system offer Sport, Tour and Normal modes and it was fun to toggle between the two ends of the spectrum.

The interiors of the Regals we sampled were expertly assembled and all plastics that you touch or are soft and rich feeling.

Styling wise, the Regal is a handsome design that has a muscular look to it.

The challenge before Buick is to get the word out and get butts into seats to let buyers know: The old Buick Regal is dead; long live the new Buick Regal!

Source: [Huliq]

This one is worth getting some of that recognition and should be on your “to consider” list if you’re in the market for a small SUV. Terrain stands out especially for its 4-cylinder “Ecotec” engine that returns an EPA estimated 32 miles per gallon (highway) in the front-wheel-drive version and 29 mpg in the all-wheel-drive version that we tested.

Our test vehicle averaged 26.2 mpg in a variety of driving that included commuting to Boston and local shopping excursions. And that was without using the “Eco” mode, turned on by a button on the center console. That system works by lowering the torque converter lockup to 1,125 rpm. Coupled with an 18-gallon fuel tank, the Terrain can boast of a 576-mile cruising range (front-wheel-drive) or 522-mile range (all-wheel-drive). It also uses regular gas.

The four, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, was smooth and capable. It didn’t resort to annoying downshifts on hills and had enough oomph for passing, on-ramp accelerating, and lane changes. The Terrain, with 6.9 inches of ground clearance, is a suburban hauler – quiet on the highway.

The Terrain SLT-1 trim with all-wheel-drive comes with standard equipment that includes six airbags, stability control, anti-lock brakes, tire pressure monitoring system, OnStar, air conditioning, fog lamps, and a rear-vision camera system. GM gets kudos for making the rear-view camera not only standard but also separate from the optional navigation system that wasn’t on our test SUV.

Also standard were steering wheel audio controls, automatic climate control, premium Pioneer sound system, heated leather seats, and 18-inch machined aluminum wheels.

Our test vehicle came with options, including the sunroof, trailering package, carbon black metallic paint, cargo management system, power programmable rear liftgate, and destination charge. That liftgate can be set to open all the way, making it easy for six-footers to avoid whacking their heads, or only three-quarters of a lift so the gate won’t whack a garage ceiling, or the power feature can be turned off altogether. The adjustment knob is on the overhead front console; plus there’s a power button on the gate itself for lowering.

Another of the many things GM did right with the Terrain was legroom. There’s plenty for both front and rear-seat passengers. There’s plenty of room for most things, and the 60/40 reclining and sliding rear seat folds quickly and almost flat for larger items.

At first glance the Terrain looks bigger than its listed 185.3 inches of overall length. That’s 5.4 inches shorter than a Nissan Altima, for example. Part of the initial impression of the Terrain is that it’s immense, partly because of the steep front fascia with trademark GMC logo and three-element black grille set off with a chrome border.

There are plenty of bins and cubbies, including a dashboard-top compartment with a rubber liner and very deep box under the center console armrest.

Our Terrain’s leather upholstery was two-tone charcoal and light gray with red stitching. It looked overly contrasted when the vehicle was empty but nice ‘n homey when the car had a normal amount of “stuff” in it.

The center console also had USB and auxiliary plugs. The center stack is slanted away from the driver, making the steering wheel controls a welcome addition. The upgraded sound system / XM radio has enough options for all. Even though there were 36 possible presets, I enjoyed being able to have my favorite six (3 AM, 2 FM, 1 XM) in the same grouping, not having to change bands or “favorites grouping” before hitting a preset.

All the instrument lighting is a warm reddish tone and the fuel and engine temperature gauges are airplane style (needles pointing down instead of up). That’s towards the ground the Terrain covers.

Source: [Boston]

When General Motors Co. tossed aside brands like Pontiac and Saturn last year; there was a lot of muttering in the press and elsewhere about why GM was keeping Buick.

However, Buick retained much of its traditional character. Buick has always been near the top in quality, and its products have always had a great deal of poise and polish.

Moreover, Buick’s design is steadily improving, as the 2010 Enclave clearly demonstrates.

Crossover vehicles, as their name clearly implies, have always appeared sort of clunky as they mast together elements from cars, minivans and sport utility vehicles into one ungainly package.

GM’s designers have managed to sidestep most of the pitfalls in crossover design. The exterior has some good proportions and lines, particularly in the side profile, so it is relatively sleek.

In addition, the rear view has some nicely elegant touches, and even the front has a certain modest appeal. However, the inside as a seven- or even eight-passenger vehicle is where the Enclave really shines.

For one thing, the rear passenger seats are all accessible, which automatically makes the Enclave a smart choice for people, who handle the driving for children of all ages, clients or elderly parents.

The third-row seats fold down easily and the interior has plenty of room for cargo, sporting gear or tools. Once again, the Enclave’s overall versatility is a major strong point for anyone who uses the vehicle for diverse chores or for traveling.

The front third of the interior where the driver and front-seat passenger sit is comfortable, but also offers a touch of luxury in the form of nice design flourishes such as different textures on the interior trim, as well as ample storage space for personal items and an instrument panel that is neatly laid to furnish the driver with ample information.

The key controls are within easy reach and the overall visibility from the driver’s seat was very good. GM has worked hard on its interiors and the 2010 Enclave clearly demonstrates the steady improvement made during the campaign.

The Enclave comes with several other impressive features such as high-intensity discharge headlamps, front fog lamps, power windows, chrome roof rails, 19-inch tires, rear parking assist, articulating headlamps that turn with the lamp and tri-zone controls for heating and cooling

The list of standard equipment also includes keyless entry, child and safety latches, and a theft deterrent system.

The Enclave’s ride and handling also is very solid. The steering is responsive and the brakes have a nice, authoritative feel to them.

All-wheel-drive is optional, as is a back-up camera.

The vehicle’s overall stability is enhanced by stability control, traction control and power steering.

A 3.6-liter V6 engine that produces 281 horsepower, and is matched up with a 6-speed transmission, which helps the powertrain to deliver some modest fuel economy improvements, powers the Buick.

The Enclave also comes with a full array of safety features, such as front and head-curtain side air bags and side-impact air bags.

The Enclave earned five-star ratings in side- and front-impact government crash tests and four stars on the rollover, giving it 14 out of a possible 15 stars.

Source: [Morning Sun]

It has happened to every driver at one time or another; another vehicle hiding in your blind spot when you are trying to change lanes. Even when no crash results, your heart pounds from the adrenaline rush of the close call.

Help in preventing these all-too-frequent near misses is available in the form of a small orange icon that appears on the side mirrors of the 2010 Buick LaCrosse. The aptly named Side Blind Zone Alert system uses radar-equipped sensors to provide an extra set of “eyes” to monitor the vehicle’s side blind spots.

How prevalent are blind spot incidents? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says improper lane changes are a factor in up to 85 percent of all crashes.

“The blind zone technology system enables the car to see where it is difficult for the driver to see,” said Kent Lybecker, a GM Active Safety Systems Engineer. “This technology makes lane changes safer because it alerts driver’s to vehicles that otherwise might escape their vision.”

If the Side Blind Zone Alert system detects a vehicle in the adjacent lane, the system will illuminate a symbol on the side view mirror alerting the driver to a potential collision. If the driver activates the turn signal in the direction of the detected vehicle, the symbol will flash. Otherwise it remains illuminated until the other vehicle has left the blind zone.

The system uses alternating radar beams that sweep outward from the vehicle, covering a zone of about one lane wide on both sides of the vehicle. The zone also extends back approximately 10 feet from the rear of the vehicle for an added layer of protection.

The LaCrosse is one of 27 new vehicles to be named a Top Safety Pick for 2010 by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.  The award recognizes vehicles that do the best job of protecting occupants in front, side, rear and rollover crashes based on Institute testing.

Other GM vehicles offering Side Blind Zone Alert for the 2010 model year are the Buick Lucerne; Cadillac STS, DTS and Escalade ESV; Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL

Although Side Blind Zone Alert is intended to help drivers avoid lane change mishaps, the driver still needs to turn to check blind zones manually before changing lanes.

Source: [Auto News Cast]

General Motors Co. said today it will invest $893 million to upgrade five North American factories to make its next-generation V-8 engines more fuel efficient.

The new V-8s will differ from the current versions by using direct injection and a new combustion system, spokeswoman Sharon Basel said. The next-generation engines will also be lighter. GM will build them exclusively from aluminum, compared with the current versions’ aluminum and iron makeup, Basel said. All of the engines will be able to run on E85 ethanol.

GM is designing the engines to meet this decade’s federal fuel economy standards, the automaker said today in a statement. Fuel economy requirements will increase to a fleet average of 35.5 mpg in the 2016 model year, compared with 27.3 mpg in 2011.

New York gets biggest project

To build the engines, GM will renovate or retool powertrain factories in Tonawanda, N.Y.; Bay City, Mich.; Bedford, Ind.; Defiance, Ohio; and St. Catharines, Ontario. The investment will create or save positions for about 1,600 workers, GM said.

Tonawanda will get $400 million, creating or preserving more than 710 jobs; St. Catharines, $235 million and about 400 jobs; Defiance, $115 million and up to 189 jobs; Bedford, $111 million and about 245 jobs; Bay City, $32 million and more than 80 jobs. Any new hires would first come from GM’s pool of laid off workers, which currently numbers more than 4,000 in the U.S., spokeswoman Kim Carpenter said.

GM has yet to determine the timing for the renovations and hiring, Carpenter said. The spokeswomen declined to say when GM intended to bring the new engines to market or what vehicles they would be in.

GM uses its current V-8 family of engines in full-sized pickups, SUVs, vans and some performance cars, Basel said.

Fuel economy

GM is boosting spending on more fuel-efficient engines ahead of tougher fuel economy standards and in anticipation of another rise in gas prices that would spur consumers to buy fuel-sipping vehicles.

“There is no doubt that a major differentiator going forward will be powertrain technology,” said Michael Robinet, vice president at research firm CSM Worldwide in Northville, Mich. “Heavy investment and improved fuel economy will be on every company’s agenda.”

The plans to retain or create powertrain jobs are the latest of GM’s rehiring moves since it exited bankruptcy in July. GM said its post-bankruptcy production announcements have restored or created more than 9,100 jobs.

Source: [Automotive News]

J.D. Power and Associates recently announced that Buick ranked third in vehicle dependability for 3-year old models, further demonstrating Buick’s commitment to vehicle quality and reputation.

Buick has ranked in the top 10 brands in the dependability study for the past nine years. The study tracks vehicle issues over a three-year ownership period and this year evaluates 198 problem areas, which provides insight into the reliability and dependability of a brand and specific model as they approach the end of a typical warranty period.

The previous generation Buick LaCrosse received top honors in the midsize car segment for the second year in a row. The Buick Lucerne is among the top three models in the large car segment and the Buick Terraza came in third in the midsize van segment.

“The Buick brand has always been defined by quality and craftsmanship, and we are pleased to see that Buick scored as the third-highest brand in the J.D. Power and Associates annual Vehicle Dependability Study,” said John Schwegman, U.S. Marketing Vice President, Buick GMC. “Our customers have come to expect dependability, performance and premium features from Buick, which remains a driving force behind the design and development of each vehicle.”

Buick vehicles continue to be recognized with numerous awards, “recommendation” and “best buy” designations by leading consumer magazines and websites, including:

• Consumers Guide 2010 Best Buy and Recommendation Award, Buick LaCrosse and Buick Enclave
• 2010 North American Car of the Year finalist, Buick LaCrosse
• Edmunds.com’s 2010 Most Recommended Vehicles, Buick LaCrosse
• 2010 MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Award for Best Luxury Sedan, Buick LaCrosse

Source: [Vadvert]

The long and winding road is a little less treacherous with head lamps on the 2010 Buick LaCrosse that partially follow the curves and help spot that deer before it’s in the headlights.

The Adaptive Forward Lighting System, or AFL, is an advanced lighting system in which the front headlamps swivel or rotate in concert with the direction of the steering wheel.  Heading into a curve or turning around a corner, the headlamps swivel up to 15 degrees at varying speeds, depending on the severity of the curve and the speed the vehicle is traveling.

The system works with both low and high beam.  AFL improves visibility compared to traditional headlamps, making nighttime and inclement weather driving easier and safer.

AFL incorporates a Bi-Xenon or High Intensity Discharge (HID) projector.  This high-tech light source doubles light output, while decreasing energy consumption by 33 percent compared to a traditional halogen headlamp bulb (35 vs. 55 watts).

“The AFL technology provides the driver a much better view of the road ahead,” said Shannen Borngesser, a GM exterior lighting engineer. “AFL assists the driver by increasing visibility, both on straight and winding roadways.”

AFL helps improve the driver’s ability to see things on the side – pedestrians, animals, etc. – before they become a hazard.

Source: [General Motors]

General Motors recently announced an innovative way to build more of its hot-selling GMC Terrain crossover.

GM dealers have said they can’t get enough of the Terrain crossovers, which are made at GM’s CAMI Automotive plant in Ingersoll, Ontario. The plant has been running at full capacity and does not have room to paint or to do final assembly of more Terrain vehicles.

But since taking charge as GM North America President in December, Mark Reuss has been working on ways to boost production of some of the automaker’s hottest new vehicles to meet customer demand.

On Friday, GM said it will expand CAMI’s body shop to produce extra Terrain bodies that will then be shipped about two hours to GM’s Oshawa plant for paint and final assembly along with two other GM models.

“This plan for CAMI and Oshawa allows us to meet customer demand for hot products while avoiding a potential production overcapacity situation by creatively using our assets and facilities,” Reuss said in a statement.

GM executives have been wary of reopening a plant that locks the company into making extra vehicles way into the future even if demand falls off.

The solution announced Friday would seem to allow GM to use workers and space it already had at minimal added cost.

“This is really a good way to take care of it,” Joe Langley, an industry analyst from CSM Worldwide, said. “This agreement is pretty cost-effective and they could easily get 50,000 to 60,000 units of … production online pretty quickly,” he said.

The plan calls for a third shift to be added at the Oshawa plant in October, bringing about 600 laid-off workers back to work. At CAMI, about 70 jobs will be created to handle the extra body-shop work, GM said.

“I cannot think of one plant right now in North America that is shipping bodies to another plant for assembly,” said industry analyst Michelle Hill of Oliver Wyman.

According to GM, the Terrain averaged 13 days to sell once at a dealer, compared with 54 days for the industry average.

In February, the Free Press reported that GM was considering unique solutions to boost production of hot new vehicles. Internal discussion this year at GM included the possibility of bringing some work to GM’s Spring Hill, Tenn., plant, or, perhaps, a facility in Janesville, Wis. said Kim Carpenter, a GM spokeswoman, “Spring Hill and Janesville remain on standby status and are available if market demand and business conditions dictate a need.”

Source: [Free Press]

The 2010 Buick Enclave is a crossover SUV with mini van like features. It is ideally designed for families who wish to buy a vehicle with classy styling, plush interiors and a combination of practicality. It is an intriguing alternative to luxury crossovers from Lexus, Mercedes Benz, Acura and BMW.

What’s it offer?

The 2010 Buick Enclave offers many new features with the introduction of new top of the line CXL2, standard 19 inch wheels, optional 20 inch chrome wheels, a USB jack for the optional Bose stereo. It receives quicker downshift for its automatic transmission.

Silhouette

The 2010 Buick Enclave has a very bold, stylish and sleek exterior. This edition has been artistically designed with smooth lines which gives a smaller look to this edition.  The body line has retro influences. The curvy body style with chrome and bold grille works enhances the overall look of this edition.

Overall this edition has curvy exteriors which are classy and tasteful and sure to draw the attention of all auto buffs.

Inside the cabin

The 2010 Buick Enclave’s interiors are tastefully done with chrome trim and wood grain inlays. The cabin is quite roomy and can comfortably seat seven to eight passengers. The seats are dressed in soft stitched leather which offers a pleasing look.  This edition offers abundant storage space with approximate 19 cubic feet behind the third row. The second and third row seats fold to provide additional cargo space.

Features of 2010 Buick Enclave

The 2010 Buick Enclave crossover SUV is available in three trims CX, CXL1 and CXL2.

The base CX trim features 19 inch alloy wheels, fog lamps, partial power front seats, power lift gate, heated outside mirror, bi xenon  HID headlights, cloth upholstery, a tilt telescoping steering wheel, automatic climate control, Bluetooth, a six speaker CD/MP3 audio system with satellite radio and auxiliary audio jack and OnStar telematics.

The mid level CXL1 gains leather upholstery, driver seat memory functions, heated power front seats, rear parking sensors, back up camera, small rear view  mirror display, and remote ignition.

The plush CXL2 adds active headlamps, power tilt telescoping steering wheel, power folding heated outside mirror with driver side auto dimming, cooling function for the front seat, and a ten speaker Bose surround sound system with USB audio jack.

Buick offers option of high tech packages which can be added to CXL1 and CXL2 trim. A rear seat entertainment package which features Bose Audio system, a DVD player and a 9 inch flip down screen. The navigation package includes navigation package with back up camera display and rear audio controls.

2010 Buick Enclave Powertrain

The 2010 Buick Enclave is powered by 3.6 liter V6 engine that generates 288 horsepower and 270 pounds feet of torque. It can be teamed with front wheel drive or all wheel drive and six speed automatic transmission is standard on this edition.

This burly edition offers an EPA estimated fuel economy of 17 mpg city levels, 24 mpg highway and 19 mpg combined for front wheel drive and 16 mpg city levels, 22 mpg highway and 18 mph combined on all wheel drive.

2010 Buick Enclave Safety

The 2010 Buick Enclave is equipped with front seat side airbag, full length side curtain airbag, and stability control.

During the various crash tests conducted to check the efficiency of this edition it scored a perfect five stars for both frontal and side impacts.

Conclusion

The 2010 Buick Enclave crossover SUV is ideally designed with upscale interiors and slick exterior styling. The main highlights of this edition are sleek design inside and out, abundant cargo space, roomy cabin, smooth and quiet ride and impressive crash test scores.

The main drawbacks that can be noted are size hampers maneuverability, compromised outward visibility, no optional V8 engine, and excessive interior chrome trim reflects sunlight. 

Source: [Automotive Craze]