Buick Launch Envision Plug-in Hybrid SUV Concept

Many major automotive companies during the show season and saw a lot of new concept vehicle debuts that give clues on the future of the brand and the direction it would with a new design and technology. Buickhas announced a new concept vehicle that debuted at the Auto Shanghai exhibition 2011. Envision SUV concept vehicle is using a plug-in hybrid technology. Car design is based on the Buick's "fluid dynamics and comfort of peace" design.

"The Envision was developed jointly by GM Shanghai and the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC)," said Shi Hong, Director of Marketing at Shanghai GM's Buick. "It introduces the future direction of product development Buick's SUV to the market."

The design concept is certainly appealing to the eye, but the technology underneath it is really interesting. Having Bluetooth DUN generation Intelligent Internet integrated in the system. This system allows the people in the car to access the web with mobile phones and allows access to the server cloud. That access the cloud allows users to share information with other vehicles.

The rearview mirrors have been replaced with three micro-cameras that relay images for the road to the dash. Other information like speed, fuel economy, and navigation are projected onto the windshield in 3D so the driver can keep eyes on the road. The main screen inside the car is an OLED touch screen and it has speech functionality too. The little cameras prevent blind spots so the driver can safely change lanes and be aware of their surroundings.

The plug-in hybrid system the vehicle uses combines battery power and a gasoline engine just like any other hybrid platform. The concept will run on battery power alone when started, parked, and running at low speeds. When more power is needed or the battery runs low the gasoline motor kicks in and acts as the main power source and the gasoline engine can charge the battery pack as well. The internal combustion engine is a 2-liter SIDI intelligent direct injection turbocharged unit and the car has a pair of electric motors. The battery pack is a lithium battery and it has a solar panel on the roof to gather more power.

Land Rover also recently announced plans for a hybrid SUV. dailytech.com

Buick Regal 2011 Review, Specs And Price

Mention the words of the Buick Regal and you definitely will get one of three responses. Some people will give you a blank stare. Others may remember the rise and nice but the sedan is stated prominently with the name (who retired after 2004). And parents may remember hood ornaments, velor pillowed bench seats and soft tops Landau. With all-new 2011 Buick Regal, the company wants to change all that and gave the name to the more modern persona and memorable.

Distrust this ignores two simple and obvious truth. First, if Buick is to have a future, it must compete with imports such as Acura, Audi, and Volvo and can not simply meet an aging demographic. Second, reviving the instructions were easy to do. And that's because Regal is a rebadged Opel badge is built, such as Opel, at a factory in Rüsselsheim, Germany, which complements the car with either automatic or manual transmission. (The first year of Regals supply will come from Europe; thereafter, it will be built in Canada.)

Transplantation of personality that comes with the European way - donors who General Motors' Opel division. 2011 Buick Regal is based on the Opel Insignia at the moment and as such shares the right sedan's smart, athletic handling and communicative steering. Regal is a medium sedan, but rides on a wheelbase 107.8 inches, which is about 4 inches shorter than what you'll find at the Buick Lacrosse recently introduced. This means that Regal is a little smaller, with a tight rear seat. Basically, you can consider this to be Buick's entry-level car.

The Regal will be launched with a 2.4- liter, direct-injection four-cylinder making 182 horsepower, followed a few months later by a 2.0-liter, DI turbo four that produces 220 horses. Initially, both engines will be offered with six-speed automatics, with a manual coming onstream for the turbo model slightly later. GM execs have no idea how many manuals the company will sell, but we predict they will be as rare as Chupacabras. In time, there’s a very good chance that a high-performance GS variant will be added. A concept car at the Detroit auto show previewed this all-wheel-drive version, powered by a 255-hp turbo four.

They’re good cars, way more interesting to drive than the previous Regal, which might sound a bit like saying Lindsay Lohan’s acting is way better than her singing. But this is no backhanded compliment. The turbo engine is refined and quiet, and it gives admirable performance: We predict a run from zero to 60 mph in the low-seven-second range. The manual is Audi direct rather than Acura slick, but the Aisin-sourced automatic is a honey. And the ­handling is predictable, anchored by nicely linear steering.

The ride is composed, the brakes are powerful, and it’s a very competent all-around package. The Regal goes on sale in late spring, likely priced in the high-$26,000 bracket for the 2.4, rising to about $30,000 for the turbo. That’s competitive with the TSX, as is the whole car. And that’s a lot more surprising than Buick offering it with a manual.

Specification:
BRAKES
Brake Type Pwr
Brake ABS System 4-Wheel
Brake ABS System (Second Line) N/A
Disc - Front (Yes or ) Yes
Disc - Rear (Yes or ) Yes
Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness N/A in
Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness N/A in
Rear Drum Diam x Width N/A in
CARGO AREA DIMENSIONS
Trunk Volume 14.2 ft³
COOLING SYSTEM
Total Cooling System Capacity N/A qts
ELECTRICAL
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary) 512
Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps) 120
ENGINE
Engine Order Code LAF
Engine Type Gas L4
Displacement 2.4L/147
Fuel System SIDI
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM 182 @ 6700
SAE Net Torque @ RPM 172 @ 4900
EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase 107.8 in
Length, Overall 190.2 in
Width, Max w/o mirrors 73.1 in
Height, Overall 58.4 in
Track Width, Front 62.4 in
Track Width, Rear 62.5 in
Min Ground Clearance N/A in
Liftover Height N/A in
FUEL TANK
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx 18 gal
Aux Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx N/A gal
INTERIOR DIMENSIONS
Passenger Capacity 5
Passenger Volume N/A ft³
Front Head Room 38.8 in
Front Leg Room 42.1 in
Front Shoulder Room 56.7 in
Front Hip Room 55.4 in
Second Head Room 36.8 in
Second Leg Room 37.3 in
Second Shoulder Room 54.4 in
Second Hip Room 52.3 in
MILEAGE
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy 30 MPG
Cruising Range - City 342.00 mi
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City 19 MPG
Fuel Economy Est-Combined 23 MPG
Cruising Range - Hwy 540.00 mi
STEERING
Steering Type Pwr
Steering Ratio (:1), Overall N/A
Lock to Lock Turns (Steering) N/A
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb N/A ft
Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall N/A ft
SUSPENSION
Suspension Type - Front MacPherson strut
Suspension Type - Rear 4-Link
Shock Absorber Diameter - Front N/A mm
Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear N/A mm
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front N/A in
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear N/A in
TIRES
Front Tire Order Code QKE
Rear Tire Order Code QKE
Spare Tire Order Code P76
Front Tire Size P235/50VR18
Rear Tire Size P235/50VR18
Spare Tire Size N/A
TRAILERING
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. N/A lbs
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. N/A lbs
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. N/A lbs
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. N/A lbs
TRANSMISSION
Drivetrain Front Wheel Drive
Trans Order Code MH7
Trans Type 6
Trans Description Cont. Automatic
First Gear Ratio (:1) 4.58
Second Gear Ratio (:1) 2.96
Third Gear Ratio (:1) 1.91
Fourth Gear Ratio (:1) 1.45
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1) 1.0
Sixth Gear Ratio (:1) 0.75
Reverse Ratio (:1) 2.94
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1) 3.23
VEHICLE
EPA Classification Midsize Sedan
EPA Greenhouse Gas Score 5
WEIGHT INFORMATION
Base Curb Weight 3600 lbs
WHEELS
Front Wheel Size 18 x 8.0 in
Rear Wheel Size 18 x 8.0 in
Spare Wheel Size 16 in
Front Wheel Material Aluminum
Rear Wheel Material Aluminum
Spare Wheel Material Steel