2008 Saturn Vue(Opel Antara), 2008 Buick Enclave

[jetsetter]

2008 Saturn Vue



LOS ANGELES – Saturn today introduced the all-new 2008 Saturn Vue, a compact five-door crossover vehicle with European design and sporty ride and handling. The vehicle was revealed at the Greater Los Angeles International Auto Show.

The new Vue is the latest Saturn model to showcase the brand's new design character and intensified focus on driving characteristics. When it becomes available in the second quarter of 2007, it will be the fourth all-new Saturn model since the beginning of 2006 calendar year. The other all-new models are the Sky roadster, Aura sedan and the larger Outlook crossover utility.

"The 2008 Saturn continues the product revitalization at Saturn," said Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak. "The all-new Vue is versatile, technologically advanced and loaded with safety equipment. Saturn customers will be as pleased with the vehicle as they are with the customer treatment they've always received at their Saturn retailer."

Saturn also confirmed that it will continue to offer the Green Line hybrid version of the Vue, beginning later in the 2008 model year. When it debuted in the 2007 lineup, the Vue hybrid was the first vehicle to use GM's new affordable hybrid powertrain.

In addition to the hybrid, the new Vue will be available in XE, XR and Red Line trim levels. These models will offer a wide range of powertrains, including a more powerful four-cylinder engine, and two V-6 choices mated to six-speed automatic transmissions. Later in the model year, a five-speed manual transmission will be available. All-wheel drive is available with both V-6 engines.

Ride and handling
At the core of the Vue's European driving character is a stiff, steel body-frame integral structure. Ride and handling is augmented by model-specific tuning of spring rates and wheel travel. Front and rear stabilizer bars, MacPherson strut independent front suspension and independent multi-link rear suspension, along with a double-isolated engine cradle, add to the smooth ride. Hydraulic power-assisted steering on V-6 models, standard four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, standard traction control and standard GM StabiliTrak electronic stability control provide outstanding vehicle control.

A towing package with hitch and wiring is available on all Vues. A towing stabilization system uses active braking to help control the vehicle in trailering situations. The Vue (except Red Line) can also be towed as an RV "dinghy vehicle" with all four wheels on the ground.

Safety
In addition to the handling features that help drivers avoid crashes, the all-new Vue helps protect occupants with a long list of standard crash protection safety features. Dual-stage front seat air bags, front seat side thorax air bags and head curtain air bags covering front and rear rows are standard on all models.

Complementing the air bags is GM's rollover sensing system, which uses sensors to proactively predict vehicle tip-up on a flat road surface and apply brake force to the outside front and rear wheels to reduce lateral force in the vehicle. It also activates the roof rail air bags if sensors determine an impending rollover. Other standard safety features include front-row dual safety belt pretensioners, disengaging collapsible pedals and active head restraints.

Like all Saturn vehicles, the Vue comes standard with GM's OnStar safety and security system, including a one-year subscription to the Safe & Sound plan. The OnStar service includes Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN), making crash data available to emergency services to potentially dispatch the appropriate life-saving personnel and equipment to crash scenes faster. If the vehicle is in a crash that activates an air bag, the system automatically notifies an OnStar advisor, who will contact the occupants and summon emergency help if necessary. OnStar also provides remote door-unlocking service and can assist authorities in locating a vehicle if it is reported stolen.

Exterior
The new Vue's exterior exhibits Saturn's new European design cues, with a look that is clean, sculpted and distinctively sporty. Tight wheel-to-body relationships, large jeweled headlamps and a sweeping upper profile line contribute to the Vue's striking design. The tapered roof line is one of the design cues drawn from the PreVue concept shown at the 2006 New York Auto Show.

Another cue inspired by the PreVue concept is the fender accent molding located vertically along the forward front door line. The styling feature is molded in charcoal color and incorporates a side repeater turn signal. Bright accents surrounding the side glass add to the appeal of the vehicle's profile. The grille proudly displays Saturn's recognizable chrome brand bar with a large Saturn badge.

Sixteen-inch alloy wheels are standard on XE models, while larger 17-inch alloy wheels come with the uplevel Vue XR. XE and XR models are further distinguished from each other with specific fascias, rockers and wheel opening trim. The Red Line model, to be unveiled later, will sport its own performance-inspired design cues.

Interior
Inside, the Vue continues the upscale theme with refined materials and precise fit and finish. Designers used lighter colors to bring a sense of spaciousness to the cabin, and incorporated an array of useful storage solutions.

The interior offers a host of comfort and convenience features, many of which are uncommon in the segment. These include optional eight-way power driver's seat; standard flip-down second-row armrest with storage; standard CD stereo with MP3 capability; standard driver information center in instrument cluster; available automatic climate control system with electronic controls; available navigation system; and an optional enhanced convenience package that includes an automatic rain-sensing wiper system, remote start, universal home remote and heated windshield washer system.

Other cabin highlights include:

Rich materials including chrome accents on the air vents, center stack controls, instrument cluster and speakers
Bolstered seating upholstered with two levels of flat-woven fabric with specific inserts; leather seating is available on most models
Low-gloss, low-glare upper instrument panel with embossed grain
Amber backlighting in the instrument panel and center stack control faceplates
Ample covered, flocked and damped storage, including a locking glove box big enough for a medium-size purse
A sliding storage bin under the front passenger seat
Flat-folding 60/40 split rear seatback
A rear cargo management system that uses upper and lower rails and storage nets to accommodate storage nets for everything from beverage bottles to home-improvement accessories

Powertrain
No other vehicle in the segment will offer as wide a range of engine choices as the 2008 Vue. The XE FWD and Vue Green Line models are equipped with the 2.4L Ecotec with variable valve timing. It produces 164 horsepower (122 kW) at 6,300 rpm* and 160 lb.-ft. (221 Nm) of torque at 4,500 rpm.* It is mated to the Hydra-Matic 4T45, four-speed, electronically controlled transaxle. A five-speed manual will be available on four-cylinder Vue XE models in early 2008.

All-wheel-drive Vue XE models come equipped with a 3.5L V-6 engine, delivering 215 horsepower (260 kW) at 5,900 rpm* and 220 lb.-ft. (304 Nm) of torque at 2,800 rpm,* with a broad torque curve and good low-end torque for quick acceleration.

Vue XR and Vue Red Line, are powered by GM's sophisticated, high-feature 60-degree dual overhead cam 3.6L V-6 VVT that delivers 250 horsepower (186 kW) at 6,500 rpm* and 243 lb.-ft. (329 Nm) of torque at 4,400 rpm.*

All Vue models equipped with V-6 engines receive the new Hydra-Matic six-speed automatic transmissions, which helps maximize powertrain performance and economy.
http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/29/l...-vue-unveiled/


2008 Buick Enclave



General Motors has unveiled the production version of the 2008 Buick Enclave. "Enclave is the new face of Buick and everything we want in future Buicks," said General Manager Steve Shannon. "It's an absolutely stunning, high-quality crossover SUV that delivers all the product attributes that define the new Buick – a confident ride, relevant technologies, more luxury features, elegant design and a quiet, comfortable and well-crafted interior. These are the hallmark traits of future Buicks."

Enclave will be available in CX and CXL trim levels, with eight exterior and three interior colors, front-wheel or all-wheel drive, a new 275-horsepower V-6 powertrain featuring variable valve timing (VVT) and mated to Buick's first six-speed automatic transmission. The 3.6L V-6 VVT is a sophisticated dual-overhead camshaft engine based on GM's global V-6 architecture.

On the outside, the production Enclave appears virtually identical to the concept car shown at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in January. Inside, the interior retains many of the design elements of the concept, with a slightly more practical implementation. GM insists the craftsmanship that made Enclave concept popular is carried over to the production model.
http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/11/...led/#more-4462




Before you all complain please just look up what these vehicles are replacing. I like them both.

[BlaRo]

The Vue's not bad. RX300 headlights, Suzuki Grand Vitara treatment in the tailights, and Nissan Murano in the rear window. It's clearly going to be as dull and inoffensive as possible, so what's with the side vents? How much horsepower do those add?

The last one looked like assbarf, so this one is clearly better.

As for the Buick, I don't know. GM touted this for like 80000 car shows saying that it's a concept, and now that it's in production it's lost the subtle details. It was a great-looking concept, but why does it look cross-eyed and idiotic in those pictures above? And why does the grille look cheaper when it's not painted dark grey? I'm assuming that it looks a lot better in pictures, because the rest of the car looks sharp and the interior isn't half bad either. Finally, an original Buick!








Of course, they're both American cars, and SUVs at that. So expect lots of people to say "z0mg that suks lawl americansss r fat n sto0pd wtf". Just don't bother arguing with them, you'll just sound like a broken record.

[C53A_4G63T]

I work for Buick and I can not wait to beat the piss out of the first one I get. I'm sure we will get one a little earlier than they officially go on sale. So If we do, I will write up a nice review.

[NAIDANAC A]

The enclave is pretty nice. What frame is it on? The Tahoes?

The Vue is better but...still.

[KaJuN]

The Vue is a big, big, biiiig improvement over the last one's looks. The Buick is kinda neat too. It has a cool futuristic space ship look to it.

[teletubby-warrior]

The Enclave looks promising; it's even ...

Tiger Woods Approved!

[NAIDANAC A]

Or he was payed millions to strike that pose :

[teletubby-warrior]

Originally Posted by NAIDANAC A

Or he was payed millions to strike that pose :

That was supposed to be a secret! Now, look what you've done...

[bartboy9891]

they are just minivans that are trying not to be minivans

[Vette Boss]

Nissan Murano is still a better car. If you buy a grey one, it blends into the background like any other car.

Why do both cars look as if they've just eaten some lemon? Such an embarrassing look.

[jetsetter]

Originally Posted by Vette Boss

Nissan Murano is still a better car.

How can you be so sure? Wait, you can't.

[SL65]

Originally Posted by Vette Boss

Nissan Murano is still a better car. If you buy a grey one, it blends into the background like any other car.

Why do both cars look as if they've just eaten some lemon? Such an embarrassing look.

Originally Posted by jetsetter

How can you be so sure? Wait, you can't.

Haha you guys disagree in every thread

[Vette Boss]

Originally Posted by jetsetter

How can you be so sure? Wait, you can't.

Oh, but I can. The Nissan doesn't appear to have been sucking on sour grapes.

[jetsetter]

Originally Posted by SL65

Haha you guys disagree in every thread

Well, I didn't say he was absolutely wrong. But until there is a comparison test we can't really know. These vehicles are not even on the market yet.

[Vette Boss]

Originally Posted by jetsetter

Well, I didn't say he was absolutely wrong. But until there is a comparison test we can't really know. These vehicles are not even on the market yet.

Does that mean we get to see another one of your lovely charts?

[jetsetter]

Originally Posted by Vette Boss

Does that mean we get to see another one of your lovely charts?

If I'm right I'm right. You bitch but you really don't know what you are talking about. And in this case you really can't know because these vehicles are not on the market yet. You come into almost every thread with an American auto and say basically the same thing over and over again.