2012 Buick Verano Takes Quiet Tuning to a Whole New Level

The all-new 2012 Buick Verano luxury sedan, which is just now arriving at our dealership, is expected to deliver one of the quietest driving experiences in the industry – better than key competitors Lexus IS 250 and Acura TSX.

The 2012 Verano is Buick’s first compact luxury sedan and is the third new model in the past two years from the brand. Buick noise and vibration engineers fine-tuned Verano to the highest standard of quietness by replicating the hushed interior of another luxury sedan – the Buick LaCrosse. MSRP for the base model is $23,470 and fully loaded should be about $30,000 – less rebates and/or incentives.

Additional interior standard and available features include:
• Push-button engine start
• Dual-zone climate control with standard air conditioning (automatic climate control available)
• Heated steering wheel
• Heated leather-appointed seating
• Electronic parking brake
• Console armrest that slides and locks
• Power windows with express up/down in the front and express down in the rear
• Steering wheel radio controls
• Uplevel front and rear reading lamps.

Verano’s heated steering wheel and heated seats are linked with the remote start feature. In temperatures lower than 45 F (7 C), the steering wheel heater and seat heaters automatically activate.

Power comes from the 2011 Buick Regal’s 2.4L Ecotec 4-cylinder engine making 177-hp and 170 lb-ft of torque. Mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, the 2012 Buick Verano will run from 0-60 mph in 8 seconds and should get 31 mpg on the highway. GM says that a 2.0L turbo engine will be offered in the near future. We’re guessing that will be the same 2.0L 4-cylinder Ecotec turbo from the Regal lineup, which produces 220-hp and 258 lb-ft of torque – now that should be an interesting matchup.

A dozen noise-reducing and noise-cancelling technologies are used throughout Verano’s body structure for increased cabin isolation and quietness – all without adding net weight to the car. This includes acoustic-laminated windshield and side glass, extra acoustic insulation throughout the vehicle, specially tuned air intake and exhaust systems to quiet the engine, and improved suspension components.

In addition, Verano uses heat-activated baffles in various pillars, crossbars and other structural members to seal and close sections of the body structure that could transmit noise or allow water leaks. The heat-activated baffles are inserted at strategic areas of the body structure and expand in paint ovens to fill the structural cavities.
The sound of silence in the Verano resulted from hundreds of virtual and physical tests on the car’s body structure, tires, chassis, interior and powertrain under a variety of conditions to eliminate or reduce noise, vibration and harshness. Road noise was measured on a variety of surfaces and in a wind tunnel, as well as in thermal and cold chambers. A four-post shaker rig was used to evaluate squeaks and rattles.

Verano’s acoustic engine cover, alternator and refined engine accessory drive system are designed for quiet operation, and its six-speed automatic transmission allows the engine to operate at lower – and less noisy – speeds on the highway. The use of more than 60 percent high-strength steel in Verano’s structure helps eliminate squeaks and rattles because the body is stiffer.

The 2012 GMC Sierra HD is coming

There are no major changes, or redesigns planned for the 2012 GMC Sierra HD. The Sierra HD is the heavy-duty version of GMC's full-size Sierra 1500. The GMC Sierra HD models will differ from the Chevrolet's Silverado HD models in the front-end appearance.

Sierra HDs for 2012 will offer a three-quarter-ton 2500 and a one-ton 3500 series in WT (Work Truck), the SLE, an upscale SLT, and a the luxury Denali trim. Interiors come in "Pure Pickup" and "Luxury Inspired" designs. Cab styles are a 2-door regular, a 4-door extended cab with rear-access doors, and a crew cab with 4 full-size front-hinged doors. All can be ordered with front bucket seats or a 40/20/40 split bench. The extended and crew cab include a 3-person rear bench with a flip-up cushion that's split 60/40. The 2500 regular cab and 3500 regular and extended cab come only with an 8-foot "long" cargo bed. The 2500 extended and crew cab and 3500 crew cab also offer a 6.5-foot "short" bed.

Two power plants are available. Standard on all is a 360-horsepower 6.0-liter V8. A 397-horsepower 6.6-liter turbodiesel V8 is available. Both engines pair with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The diesel engine incorporates an exhaust-brake system that captures exhaust gases to assist in slowing the truck on steep descents. Maximum towing capacity is 21,700 pounds. Buyers can choose rear-wheel drive or one of two four-wheel-drive systems with low-range gearing: A part-time setup that is not designed for use on dry pavement, and a full-time system that can be. An automatic-locking rear differential is standard.

Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain-side airbags, and front-side airbags. Optional equipment includes an off-road package with an uprated suspension and chassis skid plates, rear-obstacle detection, remote engine start, power-adjustable pedals, and power-sliding rear window (except regular cabs). Also available is an "EZ Lift" tailgate-assist feature and bed-wall cargo rails with sliding anchorages for various accessories. Among other options are a swing-out bed extender, heated front seats, a touchscreen navigation system, and DVD entertainment.

2012 Buick Regal eAssist and GS Pricing Announced

Buick’s Regal offerings will double this fall, with the arrival of the new technologically advanced 2012 Regal with eAssist and the performance-oriented 2012 Regal GS, which are expected to broaden the appeal of the hot-selling midsize luxury sport sedan. Regal with eAssist will start at $29,530, and Regal GS will start at $35,310; both prices include $860 in destination charges. The eAssist system is a $2,000 option on the Regal base model, mated to a 2.4L Ecotec engine. Buick will continue to offer the base model without eAssist as well as the 2.0L turbo

Regal with eAssist uses a variety of advanced technologies and body enhancements to deliver an EPA-rated 25 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, the latter being unsurpassed by the higher-priced Lexus HS Hybrid and Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. With gas prices near $4 a gallon, the option on Regal should pay for itself in about 3 ½ years.

The fuel economy boost that Regal with eAssist offers comes from pairing the direct-injected 2.4L four-cylinder Ecotec engine with a state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery system and electric motor-generator that enables regenerative braking capability. This “light electrification” system also is available on the 2012 Buick LaCrosse.

Regal GS has been SAE-certified to deliver 270 horsepower (201kW) and 295 lb.-ft. of torque. Its exclusive Ecotec 2.0L direct-injected turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivers more torque than Acura TSX V-6, Audi A4 Sport, Lexus IS 250 and Volvo S60 T5. Torque is the twisting force that gets a vehicle moving and what the driver feels when accelerating.

The GS’s engine is mated to a standard six-speed manual transmission, and gets an estimated fuel economy of 27 mpg on the highway. A six-speed automatic transmission will be available later in the model year. The GS powertrain is covered by a five-year, 100,000-mile warranty. Regal GS also features push-button start; a leather-wrapped, flat-bottom sport steering wheel with audio controls; metal sport pedals; and leather-appointed, heated and 12-way adjustable sport seating. A Harman Kardon premium 336-watt, 5.1 Matrix Surround Sound system with nine speakers is also standard.

Regal GS is also equipped with an Interactive Drive Control System, which adapts damping and other driving functions that allows the driver to choose a standard adaptive setting, a Sport mode, and a GS mode, which is tuned for those who enjoy a higher level of ride and handling performance.

Later in the year, Regal GS and Regal with eAssist both will come with standard Buick IntelliLink, which uses Bluetooth or USB to connect the driver’s smartphone to a new 7-inch, high-resolution, full-color touch screen display radio. IntelliLink expands on Buick’s current Bluetooth and USB capabilities to allow smartphone control via voice activation and steering wheel-mounted controls. It also enables streaming stereo audio from the phone through services like PANDORA® Internet radio and Stitcher SmartRadio®.