Spy Shots: 2008 Buick Enclave
We've seen the 2007 Saturn Outlook. We've seen the 2007 GMC Acadia. We've been waiting on the final member of this triad, and while General Motors hasn't officially unveiled the 2008 Buick Enclave, we do have these excellent spy shots from Cheers and Gears. Not only do these shots show an exterior that differs little from the Buick Enclave concept that debuted at the 2006 Detroit auto show, but we also get a peek at the interior, which looks markedly more luxurious than its down market siblings. C&G is reporting that while the Enclave will share virtually all of its mechanicals with Outlook and Acadia, including a 3.6-liter V6 and six-speed automatic, GM is keeping a V8 in reserves for the 2009 model year that will put even more distance between the Enclave and its Lambda platform mates.[Source: Cheers and Gears]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jsmiles 7:44AM (7/19/2006)
this is my favorite cross-over on the road, even when it is not in production. it look like a mix between the chrysler pacifica, and the nissan murano.
The other automakers should be very worried right now. I'm surprised this is a buick in the first place it could pass as a cadillac. if there were a alliance between nissan and gm nissan needs this.
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J-Z. Wheel 8:03AM (7/19/2006)
Buick "signature" wheels? Aren't those the wheels shown on the production Saturn Aura and elsewhere?
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Mike 9:08AM (7/19/2006)
I am very interested in seeing these triplets in person soon as they are nearing the top of my shopping list. Having said that, I am quite curious why they do not offer the V8 right out of the box? If they are going to the trouble of putting the (too long coming) 6 speed auto in this to improve gas mileage, why not couple that with the displacement on demand V8?
Personally, I'd sure hate to buy a V8 version of this vehicle that would make more horsepower and torque while at the same time get superior mileage over the V6. Just wouldn't make sense....
GM seems to have gotten 95% of the clue. Although I am still very interested in this vehicle, I will now have to wait until MY '09 to see if they get it right!
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Brandon 9:41AM (7/19/2006)
jsmiles all that may be true, except for one simple fact... It's a Buick! There are only like two Buicks I would own and the rest you would have to make me a REALLY good deal on. (I said I would own only two of their cars and that is only based on their potential not the way they came out factory, ie Grand National or 71 GSX). Aren't like almost all Buick buyers over 60?
Of course, I could be wrong. I never thought Dodge would make a come back. Well, I still think their crap but people do buy 'em.
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Drewboy 9:53AM (7/19/2006)
This doesn't look bad to me. Actually, the interior looks very nice for a GM car! What would make it even nicer? REAL WOOD.
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Ken 10:00AM (7/19/2006)
I really like it, but will probably go with the Outlook or Acadia to save a few bucks.
I wonder why they feel the need to camouflage a car that really has already debuted at the NY Auto Show. I understand that was a concept, but Buick readily admits the final product will be virtually identical to the concept minus some interior features like the tray tables and sound bar thingie.
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laserwizard 10:12AM (7/19/2006)
Butt ugly front end - huge whale mouth - likely not much more than a tarted up Outlook/Acadia - another set of badge engineering triplettes from the company of the lying, resume-padded Bobby Putz. The interior is nice - but if that is fake wood, that one compliment will be immediately revoked.
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Ken 10:46AM (7/19/2006)
laserwizard,
I hate fake wood too, but have come to realize it's almost unavoidable. The only way to be safe is not to buy any car that has anything in it that might resemble wood. I was in a Lexus LS400 a couple years ago that had fake wood and was appalled. If you're going to pay that kind of money for a car it better have real wood or no wood.
What bothers me is that everyone bags on the American companies for using fake wood, but few people bag on Lexus when they do it. To me it's more of crime when they do it considering what they are asking for their cars.
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AR 11:13AM (7/19/2006)
"The other automakers should be very worried right now."
Boy, everyone's a comedian these days!
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fake wood 11:49AM (7/19/2006)
They put so much plasticizer over the wood that it makes no difference if it's real or not. The only thing is how it looks.
I've seen plenty of arguments over how shameful the fake wood in particular cars is when the wood is actually real! For example, the Lexuses spoken of here. Lexus uses real wood. Often real boring wood, but real wood. This might even be the case there, that wood looks real to me (it's not a great picture though).
What I guess you're saying is you find the pattern in the wood/wood-like substance to be woring. Okay, maybe they could spice it up a bit then. Use the burlwood like in my car. But personally I don't care. As long as they don't put it on the steering wheel. Wood in cars always feels like hard plastic and I don't want slippery hard plastic on my steering wheel. I'll take leather instead.
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Chris 12:30PM (7/19/2006)
I really like the interior except for that camel hump above the center stack. That just looks strange. Anyone else agree?
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Lithous 12:35PM (7/19/2006)
I bought a piece of Eddie Bauer Lane furniture on clearance from $3000 to $700 when they were discontinuing it at a furniture store. Moving a few years later it got dented and I soon realized that the whole thing was veneered "plywood". They say plywood is stronger though.
The point is that it is expensive and it envolves trees. Gee, how upsetting that more trees aren't cut down instead of plastic being used. LMAO. As pointed out, who cares, it is clear coated up that it doesn't matter.
If you are that worried about it start your own dash trim company which supplies real wood components; otherwise, live with it.
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Puff Chippy 12:40PM (7/19/2006)
Pricing???
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Shame 1:15PM (7/19/2006)
>The point is that it is expensive and it envolves trees. Gee, how upsetting that
>more trees aren't cut down instead of plastic being used. LMAO. As pointed >out, who cares, it is clear coated up that it doesn't matter.
unless it's manufactured outide the u s of a then you rip it off your dash and replace it with something hand carved you made in your wood shed, lithous
this is your conscience speaking get off the internet and back to work you re lucky your clearance kept your job from going to banglore
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the chad 2:42PM (7/19/2006)
GM has failed.
Again.
Where are the gorgeous sculpted wheel wells? Gone.
All the subtle (and a few not so subtle) exterior styling cues that made the concept the hit it was? Gone.
Cheers & Gears is both right and wrong:
"...we're happy to report that its not that exciting. Why? Because it looks quite identical to the stunning concept vehicle first shown seven months ago at Detroit."
Yeah, its not that exciting alright.
But not because we already knew what it looked like.
Its not exciting because it is just another Acadia/Outlook.
If people like the concept, then build it just like the concept. Fools.
Failed....Again.
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Ryan 3:24PM (7/19/2006)
"If people like the concept, then build it just like the concept."
Anyone remember the Suzuki X-90 that was HIGHLY regarded in concept form and virtually unchanged, then it went down in history as one of the biggest car flops of all time.
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MikeW 4:40PM (7/19/2006)
Does GM have a 60 degree V8 yet or coming?
If it is stretched to fit a 90 degree Vee, it may look a little too much like the dustbuster minivans
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Chris 9:14AM (7/20/2006)
15. The concept was a prototype body. All the same curves on the exterior.
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Tom Design 1:54PM (7/22/2006)
Other than Cadillacs, the last cars that GM made with real wood were the Buick Park Avenue, and the 2003 Olds Aurora with real walnut. Can anyone think of others? I have worked with a lot of cabinet makers and furniture design, and what people think is cheap plasticky is often the highest lacquered and brightly stained exotic wood. The average Autoblog reader's taste is influenced by plastic wood laminate applique's and not by the Maybach and Bentley interiors. Unfortunately, their taste runs towards the honey oak and red pine slathered around U.S. suburban homes, and their extensive uncarpeted great rooms with laminate wood floors.
The type of wood and exotic colorations, and high polish finish that is found in luxury cars is unappealing to the unsophisticated eye. It is often a laminate, since there is no reason to waste an entire thickness of panel with wood. You don't see into it like a pearl or a mineral. So it's perfectly appropriate to use a razor thin laminate in a Maybach over a durable substance, and then stain the laminate a gorgeous natural stain, and use the new polyurethanes in any finish you desire, lacquer shiney, satin or matte.
The wood in this Bentley Arnage would look plasticky to most Autoblog readers. If you told them it was a Buick they would be screaming cheap looking!
http://www.rrab.com/bentley/ar-2g.jpg
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KimM 5:31PM (7/26/2006)
Aren't there any chick moms out there looking at this stuff? Who cares about wood??? Gimme a car that moves the family in style. I am worn out on options that require me to step up two feet into the driver's seat. I'm actually the family breadwinner, my spousal unit (husband) needs the soccer mom car. I just need something for family of 6 for the fun trips. And something that moves since I deliver babies...Can't wait to drive it.
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