The Buick Verano Debuts on Reality TV did you see Celebrity Apprentice?

Did you tune in to NBC this Sunday night (9 PM EDT) for Verano’s reality TV debut?  The Buick Verano had a starring role in this week’s Celebrity Apprentice episode -- the 4^thof the show’s new season.  In a battle of the sexes, the women’s and men’s teams are tasked with creating a Verano launch event in front of a live audience. 
The Verano integration features a number of Celebrity Apprentice “firsts”:
·         1^st time contestants interact with a car and actually drive during the show (thru a challenge course)
·        1^sttime they’ve utilized a Twitter feed into the show’s production
·        1^sttime Celebrity Apprentice has allowed a company to shoot a PR video during the show’s taping
 1^stuse of a synchronized app that allows viewer interaction with the show
Developed in conjunction with Buick, the Celebrity Apprentice app uses sound activation technology to interact as the show’s action unfolds – including suggesting who should be fired – which will generate a personal response from Donald Trump.  Other app features will allow users access Verano photos, videos, product specs and exclusive Celebrity Apprentice content.  Additionally, app users get a free download of the Neon Trees song “Everybody Talks”, which is featured in the new Verano “Tour Bus” TV spot.
But the biggest highlight of downloading the Celebrity Apprentice app is the chance to win a Verano and trip to New York for the taping of the Celebrity Apprentice season finale.
Buick will also run 3 Verano launch spots during the show.   

Spring Cleaning For Your Car Tip from Borcherding Buick GMC

Spring Cleaning for Your Car

Winter is the harshest time of year for cars. Those of you in the snow (rust) belt have it the worst. Corrosive road salt, loose stones and road debris from snow plows, traction sand, and repeated freezing and thawing can wreak havoc on your car’s body. To compound the matter, the cold winter weather probably kept you from washing your car as often as you should have. The first warm, spring weekend of the year, give your car a good spring cleaning, and check for any minor damage from the long winter before it turns into a costly or dangerous problem.

Here’s what you should do:

• Give your car a thorough hand-washing, inside and out, and do it the right way.

• Clean and vacuum inside first.

• Make sure you have soap that’s specifically for cars.

• Never wash your car in direct sunlight.

• Use a hose with a mist-spray nozzle to wet down the car and wash away debris.

• Using a bucket with tepid water and soap, sponge down all areas of the car gently, rinsing the sponge frequently. Do the fender and bumper areas last.

• Blast the undercarriage and wheel wells with the hose to remove as much salt buildup as you can.

• Dry the vehicle lightly with a chamois or natural-fiber drying cloth.

• Remember to clean the windows and mirrors!

Stay away from automated, commercial car washes on busy, winter-thaw days. Many of them recycle a certain portion of their water, to the point that they’re washing with salty water at those times. Otherwise, they’re alternatives for keeping your underbody clean and for when it’s too cold to hand-wash.

Look for stone chips, sand abrasions and rust. Look over the body completely for stone chips, including smaller surface nicks and scratches from traction sand thrown up by trucks. Repair them immediately with a touch-up kit (a small bottle of touch-up paint plus a special brush for application, usually inexpensive and available at the dealership). Make sure the spot is clean and dry, without any loose or sharp edges, and apply primer if bare metal is exposed. Have a body shop repair larger patches of rust.

Lubricate your locks and hinges. Consult with your owner’s manual and use a graphite lubricant on your locks if recommended. Applying a small amount of petroleum-based lubricant to door and trunk hinges might also silence any creaking that started during winter.

Inspect your weather-stripping. Get any that looks mildewy, cracked, or brittle replaced right away. According to advice from the International Carwash Association, spraying weather-stripping with silicone spray will ensure that the water will bead away.

Inspect your car’s underbody for rust and winter damage. If there are any suspicious areas, have a mechanic look at them, and fix them immediately if needed. Pay special attention to brake components (sticky calipers, corroded brake lines), and exhaust components (rusted clamps, crumbling tailpipes, holes forming in muffler) that might have salt or slush damage. Suspension and steering pieces such as bushings, strut mounts, springs and tie rods are also susceptible to winter damage.

Schedule Service 

Source: [AOL Autos]

VERANO DELIVERS THE UNEXPECTED

VERANO DELIVERS THE UNEXPECTED

From its captivating appearance and refined performance to its luxurious interior and purposeful technologies, the all-new 2012 Verano offers a distinctly thoughtful take on luxury.

Help "Green" Your Fleet and control Costs with GMC's Bi-Fuel Unveiled

2013 GMC and Chevrolet Bi-Fuel Pickups Unveiled

Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra gaseous option available in late 2012

DETROIT - Chevrolet and GMC today announced details of General Motors' bi-fuel 2013 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500 HD extended cab pickup trucks.  Fleet and retail consumers can place orders beginning this April.

The vehicles include a compressed natural gas (CNG) capable Vortec 6.0L V8 engine that seamlessly transitions between CNG and gasoline fuel systems. Combined, the trucks offer a range of more than 650 miles. The Silverado and Sierra will be available in standard and long box, with either two- or four-wheel drive.

"The bi-fuel Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra provide customers with choices in advanced propulsion technology, and because CNG is a clean-burning, domestically produced fuel, it has wide appeal, "said Ed Peper, general manager, GM Fleet and Commercial Operations. "The addition of a full-size bi-fuel pickup truck to GM's fleet portfolio is another milestone in putting the customer first in everything we do - by offering great products, innovative solutions and a great customer experience."

GM is the only manufacturer to offer a single-source option for its gaseous fuel vehicles.  The bi-fuel trucks are built with a specially designed engine, the fuel system is installed by GM's Tier One supplier and the completed vehicle is delivered directly to the customer. This process makes ordering the bi-fuel option as seamless and efficient as a standard vehicle.

"The bi-fuel truck provides businesses with added re-fueling flexibility and eases consumer range concerns that typically come with CNG, all while reducing emissions and controlling costs,"  said Joyce Mattman, director, GM Commercial Product and Specialty Vehicles. "This turnkey ordering process, combined with the best warranty in the industry for a commercial product, makes our bi-fuel truck an attractive option, especially for commercial customers."

The bi-fuel commercial trucks will be covered by GM's three-year, 36,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty and five-year, 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty and vehicle emissions warranty, meeting all Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) emission certification requirements. It is the most extensive warranty offered by any manufacturer on commercial products.

The trucks are built in Fort Wayne, Ind., and then sent to the Tier One supplier for installation of the CNG bi-fuel delivery and storage system.  The entire gaseous fuel system meets GM's strict quality, durability, safety testing and is covered under the extensive warranty.

Source: GM

Performance Tech Helps Make Buick Regal GS User Friendly

DETROIT - Some of the same technologies that make the 2012 Regal GS sport sedan the brand's top performance car contribute to the stability and comfort that defines Buick.

Buick's HiPer Strut system is an example of the best-of-both-worlds approach. Short for High Performance Strut, this piece of hardware creates a better separation between the front suspension's steering and shock-absorbing functions through added components that enable the steering knuckle to rotate independently from the strut tower. Ideal suspension geometry is maintained, reducing torque steer and improving camber control.

What that means to drivers is that torque steer - the sensation of the car pulling the steering wheel to one side - is virtually eliminated, steering response is improved, and overall control is better. It delivers some of the advantages of all-wheel drive, but without the added weight and complexity.

"HiPer Strut raises the limits of how a front-drive car can perform." said lead engineer Bill Rietow.  

The stability allowed by HiPer Strut let engineers package an advanced four-cylinder turbocharged engine with the highest horsepower-per-liter ratio General Motors has ever produced. At 135 horsepower per liter, it is also the most power-dense engine ever certified by the Society of Automotive Engineers. The car's 270-horsepower rating wouldn't be possible without fuel-saving technologies like spark ignition direct injection (SIDI) and variable valve timing.

Computer controls that smooth engine performance and increase efficiency also allow predictable response to the driver's gas pedal inputs.

Buick Interactive Drive Control System, standard on the Regal GS, puts control over the balance of performance and comfort at the driver's fingertips. Through a set of "Sport" and "GS" buttons, drivers can alter suspension, steering, and gear shifting characteristics. "Sport" suspension is 20 percent stiffer than the base setting, while "GS" is 20 percent stiffer than "Sport." While the car is moving, the engine computer constantly analyzes road conditions - thousands of calculations each second - to fine-tune suspension characteristics.

Other driver controls in the Regal GS are tuned for a pleasant experience. With a six-speed automatic transmission, shifts are smooth and programmed to save fuel during normal driving. When in "GS" mode, the transmission shifts are firmer and quicker to sharpen performance.

Regal GS caters equally to manual transmission enthusiasts. While these drivers select their own shift points, they are aided by a Hill Start Assist feature that, when the car is stopped on an incline, automatically engages the brakes for a few seconds while the driver releases the clutch, preventing the jolt that comes when a car rolls back.

"I've been driving manuals my whole life, but I still find the security of Hill Start Assist reassuring," said Rietow.

The engine control module in the GS also briefly cuts fuel and reduces spark advance when the driver depresses the clutch, allowing to turbocharger to maintain boost for quick and smooth "no-lift" shifting at wide-open throttle.

"The Regal GS uses purposeful technology to create an intelligent brand of performance," said Rietow.

GS recently won a Car and Driver sport sedan comparison test against the 2012 Volvo S60 R-Design and was recognized on the Hagerty Insurance "Hot List" of future collectible cars.  

Source: GM

Official 2013 Buick Encore Reveal at Borcherding Buick GMC Cincinnati

Some of our most memorable experiences

are those we didn't plan. This is an "enjoy

 

life as it comes" way of living. Being able to

make the most of every moment. This is one

of life's great luxuries. Your kind of luxury.

A spur-of-the-moment detour takes on new possibilities when technology is your travel companion. An available navigation system1 leads you in the right direction, and your favorite tunes provide the soundtrack thanks to Buick IntelliLink2 interactive radio and the available Bose® Premium Sound System.

 

You're out and about, wouldn't it be cool to easily adapt to whatever comes your way? Like being able to pick up that vintage piece of furniture you just happened upon? Or having plenty of seating so you and your friends can travel in style? The answer is a resounding yes.

It's amazing where you can go when all wheels participate. All-wheel drive is available so you can throw caution to the wind, rain or snow and go anywhere you want. And exceptionally nimble handling helps you maneuver around obstacles

and turn tight spaces into your next parking spot.

Where will your next whim take you?

Soon, just about anywhere.

You'll quickly discover the all-new 2013 Buick Encore is the luxury traveling companion you've always wanted-but it never existed, until now. This is a new kind of luxury designed to be as active, spontaneous and agile as you are. Personalized technology

like Buick IntelliLink voice-activated radio gives you access to audio apps from Pandora® internet radio, StitcherTM SmartRadio and lots more. Fold-flat seats and 48.4 cubic feet

of flexible cargo space1 adapt to your every whim. While versatile all-wheel drive 

and nimble handling make it easy to go everywhere. Even with all of that, there's still plenty of room for 10 standard air bags,2 plus available front and rear park assist

and a rearview camera to maneuver in and around tight spots.

1

2012 Hagerty Hot List: 10 Future Collector Cars Under $100,000

Hagerty, the world leader in classic car insurance and host to the largest database of classic cars, today announced its annual "Hagerty Hot List" of new vehicles that stand above their mass-produced peers. The announcement comes on the heels of the annual Scottsdale collector car auction week, a Mecca for classic car enthusiasts and the place where collector car values are established for the year ahead. With so many world-record breaking sales and increasing values, consumers may be wondering what cars have the best future collectability.


"After more than twenty years of witnessing car-collecting trends, we have the unique ability to look at new cars through the eyes of a collector," said McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty Insurance. "This year's Hot List includes cars that are sure to develop a cult-like following because their characteristics resonate with driving enthusiasts."


Each year Hagerty asks its team of valuations experts to select which mass-produced vehicles with a MSRP of less than $100,000 will one day become collectible. The 2012 Hagerty Hot List (along with base price) is:


1. Buick Regal GS ($32,535) – It has been quite a long time since we could say "that isn't your Grandpa's Buick." Surprisingly, at a time when allegedly more sporting makes don't offer real three-pedal manual transmissions, Buick is doing it with the Regal GS.


2. Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca Edition ($48,100) – Ford is calling this a "race car with a license plate," and it pays homage to the original and very collectible Boss 302. It is a beast on the race track, yet tame enough to drive on the street – and all for less than $50,000.


3. Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 ($61,785) – Let's face it, Americans love SUVs. The problem is most SUVs don't handle as impressively as they look. The SRT8 version of the Grand Cherokee takes the rugged, go-anywhere look of an SUV and combines it with performance characteristics that would earn respect on a race track.


4. Fiat 500 Abarth ($22,000) – With a 160 horsepower, 1.4-liter turbocharged engine, Abarth-tuned suspension, brakes and dual exhaust, the latest in-house-tuned Fiat recalls the "small but wicked" models from the past. Fiat's performance division also includes complimentary admission to the Abarth Driving Experience with each purchase. The cognoscenti line has formed.


5. Volkswagen Golf R ($36,000) – The Golf's ancestor, the MK I GTI from the early 1980s, is now a legitimate collectible, and the rare 2004 Golf R32 is headed in that direction. The new, all-wheel drive Golf R is geared towards someone who enjoys driving and evokes the same "pocket-rocket" characteristics of its forbearers.


6. Porsche 911 ($82,100) – The Porsche legacy is built around the 911. Every generation runs the course from being fun used cars for good buys to eventually swelling in value. If you are most concerned about a car holding its value over the long term, then this is the car on this list to buy now and lovingly keep.


7. Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 ($54,095) – Since 2005, the current generation of Shelby Mustangs has owned the king-of-the-hill position in the pony car segment. The new ZL1 Camaro with 580 horsepower brings Chevy back into the hunt and demonstrates that old-school muscle is alive and well.


8. Nissan GT-R Black Edition ($95,100) – Until this year, this is the car that young people in the U.S. have only been able to experience on video games. It manages to squeeze 530 horsepower out of a six-cylinder engine. While the invoice price is out of reach for most in the younger generation, we predict they will remember these cars years down the road after their student loans are paid off.


9. Dodge Charger SRT8 ($46,795) – What won us over is the giant touch screen in the center of the dash. And not for the reasons you are thinking. It has "performance pages" that feed input to the driver about performance statistics such as available horsepower and torque.


10. Audi TT RS ($56,850) – For people who won't buy a Porsche because they haven't won Le Mans in quite a while, the Audi TT RS is the answer. This is a car with global appeal, which means it will have global demand several decades down the road.




Source: Hagerty