The '
Buick Enclave' (and similar '
GMC Acadia' and '
Saturn Outlook') is a
full-size crossover SUV launched for the 2008
model year by the
Buick division of
General Motors. The three vehicles share the new
GM Lambda platform. The Enclave was previewed at the 2006
North American International Auto Show, officially as a
concept car, making it the first Lambda vehicle to be displayed. The Enclave is partially based on the
Buick Centieme shown at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show.
The Enclave replaces both of Buick's current
SUVs, the minivan-based
Rendezvous, the truck-based
Rainier, as well as the
Terraza minivan, and becoming the only people-mover vehicle in the Buick lineup. It features seating for at least six, and up to eight with a third row with a foot well, generous interior space, and either
front- or
all-wheel drive.
Like its Lambda siblings, the Enclave is powered by a 275
hp 3.6
L High Feature V6 engine mated to a six-speed
automatic transmission. A
V8 engine was reportedly going to be offered on the
GMC and Buick versions, but when pricing and options information were released for the 2008 Buick Enclave, there was no V8
engine available, although it is still rumored one will be added at a later date. The Lambda vehicles are built at
GM's new
Delta Township Assembly plant near
Lansing, Michigan, and production of the Enclave commenced on
April 11,
2007, with the first vehicles reaching certain dealers by the end of the month. The Enclave debuted with a starting price of $32,790.
[1]. Initial sales of the Enclave have been very strong, with demand far exceeding production capacity, forcing GM to add a third shift to the Delta Township plant
[2].
External Links
Buick Website
References
★
Buick shows off Enclave crossover concept; production version due in '07