1964 Buick Riviera Base Hardtop 2-door 7.0l on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Buick unveils new Verano hatchback in Guangzhou

This is a Buick Verano. We know, it doesn't look like a Verano – or at least not the version we get here. In fact it looks more like the new Opel Astra with a Buick grille. Which makes sense, because that's pretty much what it is. The vehicle you're looking at is the new Buick Verano Hatchback, unveiled just days ago at the Guangzhou Motor Show in China – arguably the only market that matters as much to the brand as the United States. Like the sedan revealed this past April in Shanghai, the hatchback is a newer model than the US-market version, based on the new Opel Astra, but with that signature waterfall grille. Otherwise, it looks virtually identical to the version sold as an Opel in Europe and a Vauxhall in the UK. Buick will be offering two versions of the Verano hatch in China. The base model pairs a 1.5-liter inline four good for 117 horsepower and 108 pound-feet of torque to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. The sportier Verano GS packs a more potent version of the same engine, rated at 166 hp and 184 pound-feet and paired to a seven-speed DSG. That's enough to propel it to 62 in 8.8 seconds, but displacing less than 1.6 liters, both versions come in under the Chinese tax threshold so they're taxed 50-percent less. Between the Verano and Astra, we've now seen this new model in three different body-styles being sold in markets around the world. The sedans, hatchbacks, and wagons seem to be proliferating like so many jackrabbits, but keep hopping away just out of reach. So here's hoping that the next leap it takes will be to US showrooms. Related Video: Buick Launches Verano Hatchback and Verano GS Priced from RMB 145,900 to RMB 205,900 2015-11-18 Guangzhou – Buick launched the new Verano Hatchback and Verano GS this evening in Guangzhou, China. The five variants of the two newest members of the Verano family are priced from RMB 145,900 to RMB 205,900. Buick's 740 dealerships across China have begun accepting pre-orders. The new Verano models have trendy, sporty styling along with European car-like handling, premium interiors and advanced technology. They are targeted at younger trend-setting consumers who are looking for a driving experience that is "born with sportiness." Stylish and sporty exterior The Verano Hatchback and Verano GS have adopted Buick's latest design language for sport sedans. The brand's signature waterfall grille has taken on a creative frameless design, with a newly added piano black finish.

2024 Buick Encore GX Cupholder Mega Test: Will the Nalgene bottle fit?

I recently reviewed the 2024 Buick Encore GX in its new Avenir trim, appreciating the updates from its mid-cycle refresh and assessing its comfortable driving style. What I didn't dive into, however, were the cupholders. Specifically, I wanted to know if it could accommodate in a convenient location what is my favorite hydration facilitator, a 32-ounce Nalgene water bottle. This, like other oversized water bottles, often can't find a cupholder that will fit it. Its a particularly American problem (we're more obsessed with cupholders than other markets), so can this American budget-luxury crossover satisfy my own obsession with this big, dumb bottle? Let's find out. Ideally, we could put it in the front cupholders. Few vehicles' cupholders are big enough, though, with the Chrysler Pacifica, Lexus GX and Toyota 4Runner being notable exceptions. We can't add the Encore to that list, unfortunately. The cupholders are far too small. Usually, the second best option, if possible, is to put it in the front door pocket. Voila! It fits. No Nalgene rolling around on the front passenger seat in this Buick. But what about in back? The center armrest in the Encore GX is a fine place to rest one's elbow, but what about a big-ass bottle of water? Alas, the rear cupholders are equally dinky as the ones up front, which is often the case. The last-gen Toyota Tundra was an exception, where the rear cupholders were bigger than those up front which is super weird to me. I'mm looking forward to see what's what with the new Tundra. The rear door pockets are much smaller than those up front. This does not look promising. It's just big enough that I can wedge the bottom of the bottle inside, but not big enough to keep it there when the car is in motion. Sorry backseaters, you'd better settle for your lesser bottles, suckers. I had almost overlooked this little cubby in between the front cupholders and center console armrest. It's an odd shape, but with some luck, the Nalgene will fit. That's the ticket! This is even better than putting it in the door. It's not the most secure fit, but it's not so huge a space that the bottle knocks around and falls over with every input to the steering wheel or pedals. This ended up being where I put the Nalgene every time I drove the Encore GX, and, subsequently, I remained content and adequately hydrated. And the cupholders remained open for alternative beverages. Interested in more than just the cupholders?

GM says safety is a reason it's dropping Apple CarPlay, Android Auto

Update: GM sent us a statement as a follow-up to its original comments seen in this post: "We wanted to reach out to clarify that comments about GM's position on phone projection were misrepresented in previous articles and to reinforce our valued partnerships with Apple and Google and each company’s commitment to driver safety. GM's embedded infotainment strategy is driven by the benefits of having a system that allows for greater integration with the larger GM ecosystem and vehicles." The original story can be read in its entirety below.   General Motors announced its intention to remove Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality from its upcoming EVs earlier this year, and internet comments sections haven't been kind since. As the first of many EVs to follow – the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV – hits the market, GM is expanding on its initial explanations for dropping the tech. Motor Trend spoke with Tim Babbit, GMÂ’s head of product for infotainment, to learn more. Attributed to Babbit, from the story: “They have stability issues that manifest themselves as bad connections, poor rendering, slow responses, and dropped connections. And when CarPlay and Android Auto have issues, drivers pick up their phones again, taking their eyes off the road and totally defeating the purpose of these phone-mirroring programs. Solving those issues can sometimes be beyond the control of the automaker.” Babbit suggests that a world without Apple CarPlay or Android Auto will be a safer one, as folks wonÂ’t be looking to control their infotainment systems via their phones. However, Babbit also tells MT that this theory hasnÂ’t been tested in either the lab or the real world yet. Instead of using a navigation or music-playing app powered through your phone, upcoming GM EVs will use a Google-based infotainment system called “Ultifi” that runs a ton of integrated Google apps. Google Maps will be the native navigation app in the system; youÂ’ll be able to log in to Spotify or other apps to load your music up, and so on. The idea here is that youÂ’ll have all the same apps that were on your phone available but integrated within the infotainment system instead, and you'll be able to use voice controls to control every last bit of it with no need to reach for a phone. That sounds amenable in theory, but how consumers react to the removal of a feature that they know and love now is a risky gamble.