Archive for January, 2010

2011 GMC Acadia Denali – Revealed In Detroit

Saturday, January 23rd, 2010

Picture 3The GMC Acadia was first brought to the market in 2007, and it was GMC’s first CUV or Crossover Utility Vehicle.

The Acadia had the leading fuel economy for it’s segment and some interior features that were unique like the adult sized 3rd row seat configuration.

The new 2011 Acadia Denali has taken that innovative interior to the extreme by bringing the most sought after technology and comfort.

The interior is outfitted with a premium sound system, leather seats with matching leather door trim, heated and cooled driver and passenger seats, a leather wrapped steering wheel with mahogany inlays and woodgrain is optional on the instrument panel and center stack.

The distinctive look of the Denali brings along with it unique characteristics with front and rear bold looking fascias, high intensity headlamps, unique moldings and a dual exhaust with chrome tips. Oh, and the 20-inch two-tone chrome wheels which the suspension was modified to accept.

The Acadia Denali is offered in 5 exterior colors Quicksilver Metallic, Summit White, Carbon Black, Red Jewel Tintcoat and White Diamond Tricoat. The exterior attractiveness of the Denali is complimented by it’s rich interior and luxury is all one would expect with the Denali brand.

Get in and you’ll see the technology that’s built in from the heads-up display, sun roof, Bose sound system, these are all part of what the Denali package brings to the table. In addition you’ll get the Onstar, bluetooth connectivity, trizone automatic climate control, rear seat DVD, rear view camera system and remote vehicle start.

Denali was 1st launched to 1999, and since then half of all Yukon sales are Denali models. Offering the Denali package on the GMC Acadia made perfect sense.

Powering the Acadia Denali is a 3.6 liter direct injection V6 with VVT that optimizes performance and fuel economy, as well as a 25% reduction in cold start emissions. It has a 6-speed automatic transmission and can tow up to 5,200 pounds, with a suspension that is tuned specifically for Denali.

No Denali package pricing has been released by GMC yet but it shouldn’t exceed the price difference of the Yukon which is around $9,000. If it were $8000, total price would be slightly under $40,000 for the 2011 GMC Acadia.

New Buick Regal GS Gets A Boost In Performance

Friday, January 8th, 2010

The Buick Regal GS is no doubt going to get some attention once the decision to add a turbocharger was made.

Anyone who remembers the infamous Buick Grand National from 84-87 will probably be anxious to see what this will have to offer. According to a recent interview with GM’s VP of Sales, Service and Marketing Susan Docherty’s, Buick wants to get back in touch with their earlier days of turbo Buick performance.

The Buick GS is going to have a lot to live up to if people start demanding anything remotely as sinister and respected as the Buick Grand National. The new Buick GS will make 255 horsepower, sport a six speed manual transmission, all-wheel drive, so it seems they are certainly aiming to live up to it.

The 80’s Buick Grand National created a serious enthusiast community behind the turbocharged V6 engine. This move by Buick would be sure to get a lot of people in that community listening closely.

While it’s just the auto show, and the Buick Regal GS isn’t slated for production yet, this car could carry deep meaning for GM, it’s like they’ve been waiting to play this card since 1987 when their fastest US production car said it’s goodbyes with the GNX. Occasionally, one will surface, with only a handful of miles on the odometer and a price tag that’s well into six figures.

If this car becomes a reality watch out for something that looks like a family car, but beware of judging a book by it’s cover should one meet you at a light. Its those situations that made the GN unleash it’s viciousness and sound of a jet engine that left many a Porsche owner wondering what just happened.