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FRESH 2008 BUICK LINEUP INCLUDES ALL-NEW ENCLAVE LUXURY CROSSOVER, LUCERNE SUPER AND ALLURE SUPER

Buick continues to redefine itself with high-quality, QuietTuned, premium products that deliver luxury driving experiences wrapped in heritage-focused design. The product range for 2008 is substantially new and led by the all-new Enclave luxury crossover SUV.

The 2008 model year also marks the return of the Buick Super designation. The badge is reserved exclusively for Buick's most premium, powerful models and returns to Buick vehicles after 50 years. It will debut on the 2008 model year Allure and Lucerne sedans.

Enclave is Buick's first luxury crossover SUV. It melds elegant interior and exterior design and a confident ride in a quiet, well-crafted roomy cabin capable of carrying up to eight passengers with space for gear. It is built on an all-new crossover architecture and motivated by a sophisticated and powerful V-6 engine.

The Supers are engineered for Buick by the GM Performance Division to inspire performance on demand. The Allure Super is powered by a 300-horsepower (224 kW)* 5.3L small-block V-8 with GM's Active Fuel Management technology. The Allure Super's chassis has been sport-tuned to deliver responsive handling characteristics, and the vehicle maintains Buick's renowned quietness inside.

The Lucerne Super offers a more powerful version of the legendary 4.6L Northstar V-8. It is rated at 292 horsepower (218 kW)*, an increase of more than 6 percent over existing models. The Super has an enhanced chassis with a specially tuned version of Lucerne's Magnetic Ride Control system, for a refined, premium ride that simultaneously enables crisp, responsive handling.

A longstanding hallmark of Buick is quality, and all Buicks are covered by a four-year/80,000 km warranty. Buick consistently ranks among the leaders in several recent J.D. Power metrics. Buick's manufacturing facilities also received accolades befitting of a premium brand. In 2006, the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Centre, where Lucerne is built, captured the Bronze award by placing third in quality among all plants in North and South America. The plant also earned consecutive quality awards from J.D. Power & Associates in 2004 and 2005. GM's Oshawa, Ontario facility, where Allure is built, was ranked the top plant in North and South America by J.D. Power & Associates.

Enclave

The design of the Enclave infuses legendary design cues such as a new waterfall black chrome grille - with a bold tri-shield emblem - and portholes, while the interior retains the elegant design and craftsmanship that made the original concept vehicle popular.

Enclave is available in CX and CXL trim levels, with up to 10 exterior and three interior colours, front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, a new 275-horsepower (205 kW) V-6 powertrain featuring variable valve timing (VVT) and mated to Buick's first six-speed automatic transmission. The 3.6L V-6 VVT is a sophisticated dual-overhead camshaft engine based on GM's global V-6 architecture. The engine uses full four-cam phasing, rapid data processing and torque-based engine management to optimize power, economy and emissions performance.

A host of innovative features that are uncommon or unavailable in competitors' vehicles adds to the Enclave's standout status in the segment, including a second-row seat console that unfolds to contribute to a flat load floor when the seats are folded. The front row armrest slides back and forth for comfort and access to the lower console storage. This storage area is equipped with a pull-out tray that, when removed, reveals a deep space. Enclave also features a standard power-operated liftgate, Smart Slide second-row seat feature and an available DVD-based rear-seat entertainment system with one of the segment's largest display screens.

A comprehensive system of safety features surrounds occupants. Enclave is equipped with six standard air bags: two dual-stage frontal air bags, two seat-mounted side-impact air bags in the first row and two rollover capable head curtain side air bags that cover all three seating rows. Complementing the air bags is GM's rollover sensing system, which activates the roof rail air bags if sensors determine an impending rollover.

Lucerne

The '08 Lucerne lineup offers V-6 or V-8 power, five- or six-passenger seating configurations, and a lengthy list of innovative safety and security features. Available in four trim levels - the well-equipped CX, elegantly appointed CXL or the luxurious, performance-oriented CXS model and the flagship Lucerne Super, the broad model range is engineered to meet a wide variety of customer preferences and compete across a wide range of domestic and import entries in the upper midsize, full-size and entry-level luxury segments.

New for '08 is the new and technologically advanced Side Blind Zone Alert and Lane Departure Warning. Side Blind Zone Alert uses radar to provide drivers with more information about vehicles in hard-to-see area around the Lucerne. Lane Departure Warning uses a camera-based lane detection system to warn drivers of inadvertent lane changes.

Also, a black chrome grille is standard on CXS and available on CXL. Other changes and updates include XM Satellite Radio as standard equipment in all models and revisions to the customer-focused equipment packages. Lucerne's equipment packages include a variety of complementing safety, comfort and/or convenience features.

The Lucerne Super was engineered for Buick by the GM Performance Division to inspire performance on demand; it is powered by a more powerful version of the legendary 4.6L Northstar V-8, rated at 292 horsepower (218 kW).* The Super has an enhanced chassis with a specially tuned version of Lucerne's Magnetic Ride Control system, for a refined, premium ride that simultaneously enables crisp, responsive handling.

Allure

Buick added the V-8-powered Allure Super for 2008, as well as freshened appearance and enhanced features for the entire Allure lineup. The new front-end appearance of the Allure models signify the new face of Buick, with design cues inspired by the Velite convertible concept.

Inside, the '08 Allure continues to offer a well-equipped, comfortable and quiet interior. More comfort and convenience features are now standard for CX, CXL and CXS models for 2008. The Allure CX, for example, is a richer entry-level car, adding a leather-wrapped steering wheel, theft deterrent system, illuminated vanity mirrors, driver information centre personalization and more. All trim levels now have a chrome exterior appearance package, factory remote start feature, XM Satellite Radio, telescoping steering wheel column, redundant steering wheel controls and dual-zone climate control as added standard equipment.

The Allure Super is distinguished from its sibling models with a new exterior appearance that is highlighted by a new waterfall grille, new hood and a new front fascia that incorporates a lower grille opening with chrome trim and chrome fog lamp bezels. New portholes, rocker moldings, rear fascia with integrated park assist sensors, 89 mm (3.5-inch) diameter dual chrome exhaust tips, rear decklid spoiler and a Super badge also make the Allure Super instantly identifiable from any angle. Allure Super is offered in four exterior colours: Black Onyx, Platinum Metallic, Dark Mocha Metallic and Red Jewel tint coat.

The Allure Super's robust 5.3L V-8 small-block is rated at 300 horsepower (224 kW)* and 323-lb.ft (438 Nm)* of torque, helping to propel the Allure Super from 0-100 km/.h in 5.7 seconds. The 5.3L small-block V-8 uses GM's Active Fuel Management (AFM), an engine technology that seamlessly switches between four- and eight-cylinder power to save fuel. To support the performance capabilities enabled by the V-8 engine, the Allure Super features a specially tuned suspension system for steering precision, improved ride control and feel, and increased braking performance.