Buick teases baby Enclave, promises 2011 plug-in hybrid version
by Jonathon Ramsey on Aug 6th 2009 at 11:05AM 
Bob Lutz has gone on record worrying about Buick's advertising campaign, arguing that the messaging doesn't say the right things to the right people. If only Buick had been advertising this instead: a five-passenger "Baby Enclave" CUV that is coming next year, followed by a plug-in hybrid version in 2011.
General Motors expects the plug-in hybrid "to be the first commercially available plug-in hybrid SUV produced by a major automaker," and it looks like they don't plan on any shortcuts with it. The gas-electric Buick will use LG Chem li-ion batteries juicing up a reworked version of GM's 2-Mode hybrid drivetrain, and can be recharged in four to five hours.
But until that gets here you'll have to make do with the full-boat gasoline-powered Enclave. Those who don't need that much space but are keen on owning a Buick would be well advised to wait for the forthcoming Saturn Vue-based model, which will arrive with a 2.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine that is expected to get 30 mpg on the highway, and there will also be a 3.0-liter V6 version as well. You can read all about the new model in the press release after the jump.
[Source: General Motors]
PRESS RELEASE
New Buick Crossover Will Feature Plug-In Hybrid System
* Five-passenger crossover arrives in 2010 with family of fuel-efficient direct-injected gas engines
* Plug-in hybrid model debuts in 2011
* Expected to be first commercially available plug-in hybrid SUV produced by a major automaker
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. - General Motors' plug-in hybrid technology will be introduced in a new Buick crossover vehicle in 2011, Tom Stephens, GM vice chairman of product development, announced here today during the Management Briefing Seminars.
The yet-to-be-named Buick crossover will launch in late 2010 offering a family of fuel-efficient direct-injected gasoline engines, followed in 2011 by the plug-in hybrid model.
"Buick has always been at the forefront of new technology, so it is only fitting that the brand should debut our new plug-in hybrid technology in a beautiful new crossover," said Stephens. "This will firmly put Buick, and GM, front and center in the advanced technology game."
A new Buick for a new customer
The new five-passenger crossover will build on the success of the Buick Enclave, offering the brand's finely crafted execution and premium driving experience in a fuel-efficient package.
"Some customers who have been drawn to the Enclave were looking for something a little smaller, but they didn't want to give up craftsmanship or a quiet ride to get there," said Susan Docherty, general manager of Buick-Pontiac-GMC. "We believe this new Buick will excite those customers, and will continue to broaden the appeal of the brand."
The Buick crossover will be powered by an Ecotec 2.4L direct-injected four-cylinder engine with an optional 3.0L direct-injected V-6, and is expected to deliver 30 miles per gallon or more on the highway. Final fuel economy estimates, as well as additional vehicle details such as name and pricing, will be announced later.
Plug-in hybrid model
The Buick plug-in hybrid is expected to be the first commercially available plug-in hybrid SUV produced by a major automaker.
The Buick plug-in hybrid has the potential to achieve double the fuel economy of comparably-sized SUVs on short trips. This significant boost is achieved by combining a modified version of GM's proven 2-Mode Hybrid system with advanced lithium-ion battery cells and charging technology developed for GM's Voltec system, which will debut in the Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle in late 2010.
"LG Chem - the supplier of our battery cells for the Volt - has also been selected to supply the lithium-ion cells for the new Buick plug-in hybrid, and its Troy, Mich.-based subsidiary Compact Power will supply the pack," Stephens said.
The Buick plug-in hybrid will use the same manganese-spinel based chemistry and polymer battery cells as the Volt. The 8 kwh battery - containing half the energy of the Volt battery pack - will be packaged in a rectangular-shaped box under the cargo floor.
The lithium-ion battery can be fully recharged in four to five hours by simply connecting the vehicle to any standard 110V household electrical outlet. By recharging rather than refueling, the Buick plug-in hybrid significantly improves fuel economy and reduces petroleum use. In early testing, the plug-in hybrid is capable of electric-only propulsion for more than 10 miles at low speeds.
On the road, GM's 2-Mode plug-in hybrid system can use any combination of electric or gasoline engine power to move the vehicle, depending on the driving conditions. This differs from GM's Voltec technology, which provides the Volt with up to 40 miles of emissions- and petroleum-free electric-only propulsion, and an overall range of more than 300 miles with its flex-fuel engine-generator.
In addition to the lithium-ion battery pack, the Buick plug-in hybrid's powertrain features two powerful electric motors, sophisticated electronic controls and battery management systems and an efficient direct-injected 3.6L V-6 flex-fuel engine.
About General Motors: General Motors Company, one of the world's largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 235,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in some 140 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 34 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM's largest national market is the United States, followed by China, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Canada, Russia and Germany. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. General Motors Company acquired operations from General Motors Corporation on July 10, 2009, and references to prior periods in this and other press materials refer to operations of the old General Motors Corporation. More information on the new General Motors Company can be found at www.gm.com.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
mark 11:18AM (8/06/2009)
So let me get this straight, GM will rebadge a poor selling model (Saturn Vue) to Buick, yet they won't rebadge a well selling model (Pontiac G8) to Chevy. Thanks General. Now does that make any sense?
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fixitfixitstop 11:21AM (8/06/2009)
I've seen plenty of VUEs and only one G8 on the road. Don't forget that the G8 is not as fuel-efficient and bringing it to Chevrolet would hurt their CAFE numbers.
dave1w41 11:35AM (8/06/2009)
The G8 is not a good seller. Not by any stretch of the imagination.
Luis 11:47AM (8/06/2009)
Just because gearheads like it doesn't mean it's a good seller.
Jimbo 12:09PM (8/06/2009)
Can you honestly say GM gave the G8 a fair shake? It went on sale at the same time as the terrible G3 (talk about confusing the market about your intentions). It went on sale in a brand that only had the Solstice to represent its sporting intentions. It went on sale in a brand that GM was already reducing to niche status and wasn't even on most consumer's radar. It initially went on sale in very limited numbers and without it's interesting sister models (ute and wagon). It went on sale after the recession had already started. Halfway through it's first sales year, the auto market collapsed. Near the end of it's first sales year, GM announced that the Pontiac brand would die.
I'd say that GM did very little to ensure the success of the G8.
Adam 12:24PM (8/06/2009)
G8's strength over the past couple of months has been due in large part to huge piles o' cash on the hood...
inline6 12:38PM (8/06/2009)
The Vue is Saturn's best-selling vehicle, outselling all the other Saturns COMBINED. And to note, the article doesn't say (though it implied through the photoshopped pic) that the Buick will simply be a re-grilled Vue. If it'll be a "baby Enclave", it'll have totally different styling.
Plus, GM will continue to make the Vue through 2011 for Penske's Saturn. So I don't think that re-grilling it will happen.
The G8 has had a couple good months - and was actually out a full 18mos before the G3 came on board - but it was never going to be a hot seller because no one wanted to plunk down $30k for a Pontiac, no matter how good.
GM didn't give the G8 a fair shake, but it also didn't give the Astra a fair shake, and for similar reasons. Importing them became too expensive and squeezed profits too much.
Now that Oshawa is winding down W-car production - the Grand Prix stopped in '08, the LaCrosse soon, if not already, and the Impala's days are numbered - I don't see why GM doesn't just replace the W tooling with Zeta tooling. But that's just me.
hmmwv 4:09PM (8/06/2009)
Chinese car buyers will get a kick out of this.
Alex Nunez 11:17AM (8/06/2009)
And here I thought Fritz wasn't a fan of rebadging. Silly me...
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Nellydesign 1:18PM (8/06/2009)
Took the snark right out of my mouth. The G8 needs to die but THIS... this can stay.
WTF FRITZ??
PhattyDre16 3:25PM (8/06/2009)
That sure is a nice Buick Vue....... So much for "New GM"
As for the G8, I understand it doesn't make business sense to import it, but why not just build it here in the form of the new Impala????
Mr. Nunez, can you relay that message to Fritz for me? Thanks.
Wyce 11:17AM (8/06/2009)
Considering the availability of a hybrid and the shot of the front, rebadged Saturn VUE?
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Oh4Sh0 12:03PM (8/06/2009)
ching ching, winnar!
ebleyes 12:43PM (8/06/2009)
I don't this will be the final version, I remember some spy shots from a CBS news report before which looked quite good.
Mr.Oak 12:51PM (8/06/2009)
Now that Saturn is dead, what would you do with a less than 1 year old vehicle. Some of you here are just plain SILLY beyond belief.
Jimbo 1:40PM (8/06/2009)
Oak, the revised VUE has been on sale since early 2007 (as a 2008 model). By the time this hits the market as a 2011 model, it will be 4 years old.
garlinski 11:17AM (8/06/2009)
Ok... re-badge of the Vue?
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RicoChet 11:18AM (8/06/2009)
Oh cool another re-badged vehicle!! How innovative, good to see things moving along nicely
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Puddinpopper 11:20AM (8/06/2009)
This is where the vue ends up? As a buick? When is GM gonna stop making the lamest marketing decisions in the the world. Probably Lutz's idea.
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garlinski 11:19AM (8/06/2009)
Here I thought GM was moving forward... I guess with every 2 steps forward, they still need to take one back.
Nice to see 3 of us all had the same thought at the same time!
Thumbs down GM.
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