Buick Celebrates 110 Years of Building Cars Happy Anniversary from Borcherding Buick GMC!

DETROIT – The Buick brand celebrates its 110^th birthday this weekend. After a few years of experimenting with automobiles built at his home in Detroit, David Dunbar Buick – a former plumbing inventor and businessman – incorporated the Buick Motor Company on May 19, 1903. A State of Michigan historic site marker outside General Motors Global Headquarters at the Renaissance Center commemorates the day.

The first production vehicle, the Buick Model B, was offered to retail customers the following year. Today, Buick produces a range of luxury vehicles including the Encore and Enclave crossovers and the LaCrosse, Regal and Verano sedans.

Source: GM Media

2014 Sierra Brings Bold Refinement to Full-size Trucks

2014 Sierra Brings Bold Refinement to Full-size Trucks

DETROIT – The all-new 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 full-size pickup is the most powerful, most advanced and most refined truck in the brand’s 110-year history. Sierra’s bold new exterior houses one of three all-new EcoTec3 engines, a fully updated cabin with available next-generation IntelliLink connectivity and other features designed for the most discerning truck owners.
“Our engineers and designers left nothing on the table when developing this latest Sierra pickup,” said Tony DiSalle, vice president of GMC Marketing. “These trucks have all the power and capability that’s expected in today’s market, excellent fuel efficiency, plus a lot of unexpected, purposeful features developed with truck owners in mind.”
In addition to all-new design and technology, the 2014 Sierra boasts the longest list of standard features ever for a full-size GMC pickup. From connectivity solutions, to a standard tie-down system in the rear, to the segment’s only standard projector beam headlamps, many premium features are found on each and every all-new Sierra.
New EcoTec3 engines
Sierra’s engine portfolio is updated for 2014 with the goal of increased in power, torque and fuel efficiency across the board. There will be a 4.3L V-6, a 5.3L V-8 and a 6.2L V-8 offered, all from a shared EcoTec3 engine family. Each engine features standard direct injection, continuously variable valve timing and Active Fuel Management, which means they seamlessly switch to run on four cylinders during light-load driving to save fuel.
The increased power and efficiency of the new engines are the result of more than 10 million hours of sophisticated computer modeling, more than half of which were used to make the best of the combustion process.
The new 4.3L V-6 EcoTec3 engine will offer improved torque and towing capacity for the six in 10 truck owners who tow.
“Rather than adapting a V-6 intended for use in passenger cars, we built a new engine from the ground up based on the unique demands of a truck,” said Jordan Lee, powertrain chief engineer. “Sierra’s 4.3L shares its basic design architecture with the latest iterations of the V-8 engines that GMC owners have trusted for generations.”
Today’s Sierra offers the best V-8 fuel economy in the industry and the new 5.3L EcoTec3 engine features significant updates intended to make it even more efficient. The available 6.2L V-8 EcoTec3 is engineered to provide outstanding capability.
SAE-certified horsepower and torque ratings and EPA fuel economy estimates for the new Sierra are not yet available, but are expected to be finalized early next year.
With the new engine designs and additional developments, customers should expect Sierra’s second-generation Active Fuel Management to be more seamless and capable of operating longer in four-cylinder mode.
All three engines use lightweight aluminum blocks and heads and are mated with durable six-speed automatic transmissions. A “cruise grade braking” feature down-shifts the transmission on downgrades, which is intended to reduce brake wear. V-8 models use new, larger 9.5- and 9.76-inch rear axles with the strength to accommodate the engines’ higher output. Final power and torque ratings will be announced later.
Duralife brake rotors and electric power steering
Strong brakes are important for stopping trucks, whether they’re full of people, payload or both. The 2014 Sierra features four-wheel disc brakes with Duralife brake rotors, which feature a hardened and strengthened surface to reduce corrosion. Duralife rotors – a GM-exclusive technology – are expected to last twice as long as conventional rotors and provide quieter braking with less vibration.
The 2014 Sierra also uses electric power steering. An electric motor in place of an engine-driven hydraulic pump saves fuel and allows for tuning that’s expected to result in a more consistent, crisp steering feel and plenty of assist for parking maneuvers.
The new standard in truck interiors
Premium materials, attention to detail and purposeful technology define Sierra’s all-new cabin. New soft-touch materials and available aluminum trim line an interior that’s focused on usable and productive space.
“Truck owners want a well-crafted cabin, but also one that still feels like a truck,” said Helen Emsley, Sierra interior design director. “They want a purposeful interior, not one that’s flowing like you’d find in a car or crossover.”
Sierra has an upright instrument panel designed for visibility and accessibility. Knobs and buttons are large, legible and within reach. All knobs are coated using a rubber-over-mold technology, so they’re easy to grip even through gloves.
A new instrument cluster on all models features six gauges with an available centrally located, 4.2-inch color Driver Information Center with vehicle status information, a trip computer, and other information, like radio and navigation.
A second, high-mounted glove box with a flat floor joins the traditional box below. Each of Sierra’s doors has storage crafted to hold most beverage containers and other personal items. Along the center stack and center console are additional cupholders, discreet compartments large enough for most laptop computers, and connectivity options. Sierra is available with a 110-volt outlet, up to five USB ports, four 12-volt outlets and an SD card slot.
“Sierra sets a new standard for what’s expected of a pickup truck interior,” said DiSalle. “Our customers told us how they use their trucks and we listened. The combination of comfort, safety, space and technology is unprecedented in the segment.”
Available IntelliLink connectivity uses an available high-definition, fully reconfigurable eight-inch color touchscreen with an intuitive layout and easy-to-read icons that control audio features, a Pandora app, Bluetooth phone features, and available navigation with all-new map displays. Many of the system’s features can be controlled by voice command, allowing the driver to keep eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.
Sierra’s seats use dual-density foam designed to stay comfortable over long hours and continue to look great after years of use. Leather and cloth will be offered, and Sierra’s new high-wear cloth is designed to last longer and resist staining. A spilled drink will bead on the fabric, not soak in. Heated seats are available with cloth seats and standard with leather.
New door and bed configurations
For the first time on Extended Cab models, the 2014 Sierra has new front-hinged rear doors with outside pull handles at the rear, providing improved access in tight parking spaces. Unlike trucks with rear-hinged doors, Sierra’s layout allows rear passengers to enter and exit the vehicle with the front doors remaining closed.
Crew Cab customers, who represent more than 60 percent of retail Sierra customers, can choose between two bed lengths; in addition to the current 5-foot, 8-inch box, a new 6-foot, 6-inch box is available. Regular cabs continue to be available with the 6-foot, 6-inch or 8-foot box lengths, while the extended cab will come exclusively with a 6-foot, 6-inch box.
Cargo box innovations
Sierra’s rear bumper features standard corner steps that make climbing into the bed easy, regardless of whether the tailgate is up or down. The steps are paired with grips formed into the top of each bed side. Four movable upper tie downs are also standard. They can be placed in nine different locations and can bear a 500-pound (227 kg) load. Available LED cargo lights integrated beneath the bed rails will illuminate the bed when a tonneau cover is in place. The available EZ Lift and Lower tailgate uses an integrated torsion bar and damper to ease lifting and lowering.
Driver Alert Technology
A suite of active safety features will be optional for the 2014 Sierra, including Forward Collision Alert, which uses a forward-facing camera to notify the driver of an imminent collision, and Lane Departure Warning, which uses the same camera to track the truck’s position in relation to a road’s lane markers.
The camera technology was recently named a “Top Ten Tech Breakthrough of 2012” byPopular Mechanics.
Paired with Forward Collision Alert and Land Departure Warning is GMC’s first-ever Driver Alert Seat, which generates vibrating pulse patterns on the left and/or right side of the lower seat cushion bolster to alert the driver of potential dangers, such as an un-signaled lane change or approaching another vehicle too quickly. According to GM research, the seat’s vibrations may direct driver attention to the location of a potential collision more quickly and accurately than audible alerts. Drivers have the option of selecting either audible or vibrating alerts.
Quieter, stronger, more aerodynamic
Quietness doesn’t only come from factors within the cabin. The 2014 Sierra features new aerodynamic measures that benefit fuel efficiency and reduce wind noise. Updated mirrors that reduce wind turbulence, triple-sealed inlaid doors, as well as roof and tailgate design features all help air flow smoothly quietly over the Sierra. Additional sealing around the grille, headlights and space between the cab and box are also designed to lower drag for the new trucks, along with new aerodynamic spats located in front of the rear wheels.
Updates to Sierra’s body and chassis are designed to improve ride and handling, comfort and capability. The fully boxed frame uses high-strength steel and hydroforming to provide more strength and rigidity with less weight. New cab structures incorporate high-strength steel in the A-pillars, B-pillars, roof rails and rocker panels, while ultra-high-strength steel segments of the rocker panels provide added protection for shallow offset crashes.
Sierra’s hood is aluminum, saving approximately 17 pounds versus a comparable steel hood. At the rear, a roll-formed box is stronger, lighter and more durable than a traditional stamped steel box.
Sierra uses aluminum for some suspension components for additional rigidity and weight saving, and new lightweight wheels are paired with low-rolling-resistance tires in most applications. The tires, along with new shear-style and redesigned hydraulic cab mounts, are designed to help reduce noise and vibration in the cabin.
“Pickups aren’t just a tool for GMC owners – they’re part of their everyday lives, and Sierra needs to be as useful on the way to the movies as it is on the way to a job site,” said DiSalle. “The most important thing about the engineering behind this new truck is that it benefits owners in so many different ways.”
Attention to detail
GMC designers approached the exterior of the 2014 Sierra with respect for its predecessors, evolving its familiar shape while adding distinctive details like standard projector headlamps, available LED signature accent lighting and detailed new grilles. All Sierra models have chrome grille surrounds and premium black wheel arch moldings. Different trim levels feature chrome belt moldings, mirror caps and door handles, as well as unique wheel designs and grille details.
Other new features include available front Park Assist, in addition to the rear Park Assist already available, and a sliding rear window with a defroster.
Distinctive All-Terrain model
Sierra All-Terrain has all-new styling for 2014. It includes a unique exterior appearance with a painted grille and less chrome, and is available as an extended cab or crew cab in a limited number of colors.
Standard equipment for Sierra All-Terrain includes the Z71 off-road suspension with monotube Rancho shocks, hill descent control, front recovery hooks, a transfer case shield and unique wheels and tires, along with an automatic locking rear differential that reacts in milliseconds in low-traction situations to improve safety and confidence on wet, snowy or muddy surfaces.
Sierra All Terrain is available exclusively with an ebony interior and with front bucket seats on SLE models. A carbon fiber-look seat accent is standard on SLT models.

Source: [GM Media]

What's New in the 2013 Buick LaCrosse

New for 2013 Buick IntelliLink is standard on all LaCrosse models, including vehicles equipped with available GPS-enabled navigation system Available XM Travel Link (Sirius XM Satellite Radio subscription required) includes refueling locations with pricing information, weather and movie theater locations (later availability) Buick signature blue ring added to the Xenon high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps Fuel-saving electric power steering replaces hydraulic power steering on 3.6L V-6 with front-wheel drive Revised rearview mirror position to improve visibility Passive entry chrome button on each door handle replaces capacitive touch pad Exterior colors: Mocha Bronze Metallic, Champagne Silver Metallic, Atlantis Blue Metallic Revised look to OnStar buttons BUICK LACROSSE SEDAN BLENDS ELEGANCE AND EFFICIENCY The Buick LaCrosse luxury sedan introduced Buick’s reinvented passenger sedan lineup that now includes the Regal and Verano. Its sculpted design, craftsmanship, premium materials and advanced technologies have helped change consumers’ perceptions about Buick. LaCrosse is available in a five trim levels, including LaCrosse (1SB), Leather (1SL), Premium I (1SP), Premium II (1SR) and Touring (1ST) trim levels. LaCrosse offers two powertrains: an Ecotec 2.4L engine with eAssist light electrification technology (standard on 1SB and 1SL) that achieves an EPA-estimated 36 mpg on the highway; or an efficient 3.6L direct-injected V-6 with E85 capability (available on 1SB and 1SL and standard on 1SP, 1SR and 1ST.) LaCrosse is available in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. Buick’s easy-to-use IntelliLink color touch radio that debuted last year on the LaCrosse is now also available in combination with GPS-enabled navigation for 2013. Buick IntelliLink uses Bluetooth or USB to connect the driver’s smart phone – via voice activation and steering wheel-mounted controls – to an eight-inch, high-resolution, full-color touch-screen display radio. IntelliLink also enables streaming stereo audio from the phone through services such as PANDORA ®Internet radio and Stitcher SmartRadio ®. Later in the model year, XM Travel Link (SiriusXM Satellite Radio subscription required) will be available. It includes refueling locations with pricing information, weather and movie theater locations. Buick IntelliLink enables seamless integration of stowed portable devices, allowing drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. LaCrosse design Designed to represent modern elegance, the LaCrosse exterior and interior are a balance of contrasts: The outside is characterized by taut lines with sensuous accents and surfaces. Inside, a flowing, uninterrupted design theme wraps around the instrument and door panels. It includes smoked chrome accents, warm wood, first-class leather and materials combined with ice blue ambient lighting to create an inviting environment. Meticulous attention to detail includes tight gap tolerances, analog instrument cluster, chrome offset by dark woodgrain accents, and contrasting stitching on the instrument panel. Buick’s signature QuietTuning – a Buick-exclusive engineering process to reduce, block and absorb interior noise – provides a distraction-free cabin. LaCrosse standard and available equipment As expected of a premium sedan, the entry level (1SB) LaCrosse offers a comprehensive list of standard equipment, including: Six air bags, including side curtain air bags StabiliTrak electronic stability control Traction control Four-wheel anti-lock brakes with Intelligent Brake Assist OnStar (complimentary six months of Directions and Connections service) Premium audio system with AM/FM/SiriusXM Radio (with three months of service), Bluetooth, USB port, CD player, auxiliary input jack, steering wheel-mounted controls, Buick IntelliLink eight-inch color touch-screen radio Leather-wrapped steering wheel Dual-zone automatic climate control Remote keyless entry Power windows with driver and front passenger express up/down Heated and power outside rearview mirrors Electric parking brake High-resolution driver information center Auto-dimming inside rearview mirror Four-way power driver lumbar Remote start Universal Home Remote. LaCrosse trim levels progressively add standard equipment with packages. Five trim levels and eight packages allow customers to easily configure their ideal LaCrosse. LaCrosse Leather (1SL) – Adds Leather Package: leather-appointed seats, heated front seats, front passenger eight-way power seat adjuster, front halogen fog lamps with projector technology; Comfort and Convenience 2 Package: rear park assist, driver’s side memory seat and mirror settings, auto-dimming outside rearview mirror with LED indicators and auto-dimming feature, and rear backup camera LaCrosse Premium I (1SP) – Adds Luxury Package: perforated leather-appointed and ventilated front seats, leather and wood grain heated steering wheel, power rear sunshade, passive entry/push-button start LaCrosse Premium II (1SR ) – Adds Entertainment Package: harman/kardon audio system, 11-speaker 5.1 Matrix surround system and power outlet; and Sport Package: 18-inch chrome wheels and HiPer Strut front suspension LaCrosse Touring (1ST ) – Adds Touring Package: 19-inch painted, machined alloy wheels and P245/40R19 tires; rear H-arm suspension; continuously variable real-time dampening and sport mode selectivity; Driver Confidence Package: Side Blind Zone Alert, head-up display, articulating high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps; and GPS-enabled navigation system. Efficient, proven powertrains, including eAssist The LaCrosse is equipped with a choice of two efficient engines: the standard Ecotec 2.4L four-cylinder engine with e Assist light electrification technology, rated at 182 horsepower (136 kW); and an available 3.6L V-6 that is E85 ethanol-capable. Both are mated to efficient six-speed transmissions. LaCrosse was the first GM passenger car to offer eAssist: It achieves EPA fuel economy of 25 mpg city and 36 mpg highway using a lithium-ion battery system and electric motor-generator to enable regenerative braking capability. Instead of providing all-electric propulsion, the system provides power assistance to the internal combustion engine. The e Assist system also allows the engine to shut down fuel delivery in certain deceleration situations, which saves additional fuel. While in fuel shut-off mode, the motor-generator unit continues spinning along with the engine to provide immediate and smooth take-off power when the driver presses the accelerator. Other fuel-saving attributes on the LaCrosse with eAssist include aerodynamic features such as front lower active grille shutters and underbody aero panels, as well as low rolling-resistance tires and single-outlet hidden exhaust. A next-generation six-speed transmission is paired with the Ecotec 2.4L engine with eAssist . Changes to clutch controls and hardware provide reduced spin losses while improving shift response and time. An auxiliary, electric-driven oil pump keeps the transmission primed and fluid flowing when the engine shuts down at a stop. An efficient, 3.6L direct-injected V-6 is available on 1SB and 1SL, and standard on 1SP, 1SR and 1ST. Introduced to LaCrosse in the 2012 model year, it delivers an SAE-certified 303 horsepower (226 kW) at 6,800 rpm. LaCrosse ride and handling All LaCrosse models are equipped with technologies that help provide exceptional ride and handling and vehicle control. An available all-wheel-drive system (available on 1SL and 1SP) provides full-time function. The system automatically decides how to distribute torque based on vehicle speed, throttle position and individual wheel slip, and it is integrated with the electronic traction control system to provide outstanding capability in inclement weather. Four-wheel disc brakes with four-channel ABS and intelligent brake assist include large front discs and solid rear discs with lightweight, aluminum-body calipers at each corner. Under heavy braking; the system senses the severity of a braking situation and applies additional pressure when needed. HiPer Strut on 1SR and 1ST equipment packages is a unique front suspension design that improves ride and handling by reducing torque steer; improving vehicle sensitivity to tire irregularities and wheel balance; more linear and communicative steering through improved camber control; and improved impact isolation on bumps and rough surfaces. For 2013, electric power steering replaces the hydraulic power steering system on front-wheel-drive LaCrosse models equipped with the 3.6L V-6 engine. The LaCrosse Touring Package also includes real-time damping and Sport Mode Selectivity, which uses four electronically controlled dampers to constantly “read” the road and make adjustments within milliseconds. LaCrosse is offered with a family of 17-inch, 18-inch and 19-inch wheels. LaCrosse with eAssist: Standard 17-inch machined alloy wheels and low rolling-resistance tires. LaCrosse with 3.6L V-6 (1SB, 1SL 1SP): Standard 18-inch machined-face painted alloy LaCrosse 3.6L V-6 (1SR): Standard chrome-plated wheel (available on 1SL, 1SP with V-6) LaCrosse 3.6L V-6 (1ST): Standard 19-inch nine-spoke painted, machined alloy. LaCrosse safety and crash-avoidance features LaCrosse offers standard and available safety features designed to protect occupants before, during and after a crash. When testing the 2011 LaCrosse, the federal government gave the LaCrosse a top safety score of five stars. Safety-enhancing features include: Six standard air bags including dual-stage frontal and side-impact air bags Available rear-seat thorax air bags Three-point safety belts in all seating positions and a ir bag passenger sensing system to detect the presence of a small adult or child in the front passenger seat. StabiliTrak electronic stability control to help mitigate rollover crashes, and traction control Four-wheel anti-lock brakes with Intelligent Brake Assist Available ultrasonic rear parking assist Available Side Blind Zone Alert technology that notifies the driver if a vehicle in the adjacent lane is traveling in the driver’s blind spot. The available rearview camera features a display in the navigation system screen Standard tire pressure monitoring system. OnStar details Six months of OnStar Directions and Connections service is standard on LaCrosse. OnStar is the global leading provider of connected safety, security and mobility solutions and advanced information technology. OnStar’s RemoteLink Mobile App allows smartphone users to control vehicle functions, access vehicle information and send directions directly to the vehicle. A new, opt-in service called FamilyLink allows subscribers to stay connected to loved ones by checking the location of their vehicle online or by signing up for vehicle location alerts. LaCrosse features new OnStar button icons. Drivers will notice an updated look for the Hands-Free Calling button, blue OnStar button and red Emergency button. Source: [Buick Media]