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The Buick Enclave SUV that debuted at the 2006 North American International Auto Show is officially a concept, but the luxury crossover SUV with high-tech features is expected to be in production during 2007.
Claiming benchmark products such as the Gibson guitar, Eames chair, Cannondale bicycle and even the iPod as their inspiration, Buick’s designers talked up the craftsmanship behind their show car with descriptions such as “bold and romantic,“ “the new face of American luxury” and “elegant without excess.”
It’s hard to believe that Enclave will become a design icon of the caliber of its creators’ inspirations, but there’s no doubt it’s an attractive and well-balanced design. With thoroughly modern engineering and styling, it’s a confident statement about the future during troubled times for parent company General Motors.
Bold in appearance but not aggressive, the Enclave has a wide, solid stance, sculpted hood and short overhangs. It’s dubbed “SUV-like, not truck-like” by Ed Welburn, vice president of global design, and the close ground clearance, tapering roofline and inward-curved sides bear out his claim.
Attractive detailing includes chrome window surrounds and taillight surrounds. 21-inch, seven-spoke wheels give the vehicle a modern, athletic look. Three small “portholes” on the trailing edges of each side of the hood and a “waterfall” grille suggest the Enclave’s Buick heritage. Inside, oval air vents and jeweled analog clocks continue the theme.
Inside is a welcoming and tasteful cabin finished in surprisingly high quality materials. Six passengers are accommodated in three rows of two individual seats. Wood trim in the steering wheel, inserts on the door panels and instrument panel, and wood-finish fold-down tables provided for passengers in the second and third rows of seats.
The powertrain is a high-tech 3.6-liter V6 featuring dual overhead cams with variable valve timing mated to a six speed automatic transmission. Unitized body construction, and fully independent suspension complete the picture of vehicle using thoroughly modern production techniques.
While the car on display is officially a concept, Buick executives made it clear that they definitely have plans to put the Enclave into production. Although details may change before the design is finalized, Welburn described it as “close—very close” to the production version.
In practical terms, that probably means the shape, engineering, and look and feel will stay much as you see it today, but that costly or hard-to-build features will be deleted. So don’t count on seeing the half-wood steering wheel, ambient lighting below the door handles and sills, or individual DVD screens (including one that cleverly doubles up as the passenger’s visor mirror) in your local showroom. |
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