Showing posts with label Technology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Technology. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 06, 2025

2025 Buick Enclave Avenir – Sculpting A New Standard In Luxury SUV Class

Bold statement approach design of the Buick Enclave Avenir. Image Credit: John Grafman (2025)

2025 Buick Enclave Avenir – Sculpting A New Standard In Luxury SUV Class
Article & Images With Permission By: John Grafman - AutoDesignO - August 6, 2025

What kinda SUV is that? Honestly, there’s a lot of similarities between designs of competing brands. Consumers might bemoan the lack of deviation and a sense of homogenization in the offerings. On the other hand, models that are out of step in terms of style compared to what’s the soup du jour are often relegated as second choices by buyers. This can be attributed to our herd instinct that’s baked into our DNA. Buick got dinged from this in the past, despite having solid products, but the 2025 Buick Enclave Avenir is aiming to change that. The Enclave now has less of an over-inflated look compared with the prior generation and it features a leaner, sharper image.  

Buick Enclave Avenir. Image Credit: John Grafman (2025)

A Design That Stands Out
The new design of the 2025 Enclave that debuted in the prior year does share some familiar forms found in products from other OEMs, including other GM brands. As such, it has a comforting feeling about this massive people mover. It also has unique touches that owners will find special. When it debuted, the design team, engineers, and bean counters also pulled off a bit of magic by creating a product that comes across as being more expensive than the sticker price indicates. “The exterior of the 2025 Enclave was penned to be bolder and offer a more profound presence on the road. And the influence of the 2022 Wildcat concept is clearly visible on the new face – from the wide-set, wing-shaped lamps to the shark nose and high-mounted badge – the exterior details are beautifully sculptural and technical,” states Aaron Riggs, Buick Designer.


Premium Execution Inside and Out
Abundant room is just one reason to appreciate this Buick. Therese Pinazzo, Director – Buick and GMC Interiors, says, “For the Enclave’s interior, visual interest was created by applying textures, unique embellishments and thoughtful ambient lighting to the overall sculptural form to reinforce the premium execution. Take for example the Avenir trim level, where we added diamond-quilted perforated leather to the first- and second-row seats.” Pinazzo is correct, the details only amplify an already attractive exterior form and interior accommodations. “Inspired by sleek lines and sculptural elements, the interior of the 2025 Buick Enclave delivers a beautiful, yet intuitive, experience for customers,” states Blake Allen, Buick Designer. “The team focused on creating a sculptural space within the interior, which can be seen in the shape of the ultrawide 30″ curved infotainment display and the encapsulation of technical details. And the integration of tech was thoughtfully imagined to be a simple, uncluttered and effortless experience for the customer.”


Sculptural Craftsmanship in Design
As is often the case, there is a blend of digital and the physical modeling. The computer crafts the concept. Clay will allow for refinement and feel that delights the senses. Blake Allen explains how the design process played out. “With Buick being a very sculptural brand design-wise, it was important to balance the benefits of digital sculpting and clay sculpting. Often times the team would work out sections of the design in a digital capacity before milling them on clay for further evaluation.” In the end, the result is pleasing. It’s the graceful, subtle forms deserve mention. The hood has delicate line edges that fade off that are more sophisticated than the exaggerated, oversize, in-your-face approach taken by other OEMs in their products. And the 22” wheels on the Enclave Avenir have more dimensionality and style. In short, these look more expensive to produce. At least the consumer can actually see the value, unlike the technology that often operates in the background.


Buick’s Resurgence in the Market
For far too long, the Buick brand got lost in the shuffle at GM, but no more. Overall, the entire lineup of Buick vehicles has not only shaped up, but these machines now share a decent amount of family resemblance with each other. And it exhibits a healthy dose of class and appeal, yet in 2025 this comes in at nearly half the price of a similar Cadillac Escalade. The Avenir interior does provide inviting and flowing shapes along the dash that not only make the form interesting, but it makes the generous width feel even larger. Likewise, the contrasting forms and materials throughout the cabin are a blend of purposeful refinement without becoming dull. The Cool Gray Leather and blue piping combo in our model does create a roomy, airy atmosphere. So, when the occupants get bogged down in traffic, it’s not depressing. The choices of wood trim and brushed metal finishes properly break up the surfaces. It’s nice enough to function as an executive car, limo, an escape capsule from the daily grind, or a luxury ADU on wheels, sans kitchen and bathroom.




Spacious Utility Meets Modern Needs
A SUV means different things to different people, and that has morphed over the past few decades. The Buick Enclave does tick most of the boxes during our encounter. Utility is baked in with abundant interior room. The sizable exterior is on the upper end of all SUVs on the market. It doesn’t just tick off the boxes, but the Buick Enclave Avenir accommodates far more inside than one would imagine. This comes with three rows of seats, with buckets up front, and the rears fold down and up with a touch of a switch. The prior generation Buick Enclave was definitely large. The 2025 exceeds all those exterior dimensions being longer at 207.6”, wider (87.9” w/mirrors), and taller (70.98”). When the 2025 Enclave Avenir comes rolling down the avenue, it’s hard to ignore.


Performance and Efficiency
A 4,713 lb. curb weight is substantial, albeit reasonable for a product of this size, and requires some juice to squeeze out some forward momentum. The Buick Enclave does offer up 328 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 326 lb.-ft of torque at 3,500 rpm. What is surprising is a small 2.5-liter turbo DOHC SIDI with Variable Valve Timing (VVT) engine can generate that much power. That’s an impressive 131 ponies per liter. And this AWD SUV does manage to squeeze out mileage that’s in-line with this at 19 / 24 / 21 (city / highway / combined). The FWD version does slightly better at 20 / 27 / 23 (city / highway / combined). The fuel tanks can handle 21.7 gallons (AWD) or 19.4 (FWD), depending on the model.


Driving Dynamics and Technology
Highway travel is a pleasure. In spite of the size, the Enclave does maneuver through city life with aplomb. In part, the navigation aids and Super Cruise control make this not as challenging as it otherwise could be. With the adjustable drive modes, The Buick firms up and handles with precision and a responsive feel. The Buick Enclave Avenir front suspension is MacPherson strut set-up with direct-acting stabilizer bar, and Continuous Damping Control on Avenir, while lesser models come with passive plus dampers. The rear end is tamed with a five-link independent suspension with coil springs and a stabilizer bar. Again, all models come with passive plus dampers, but the Avenir comes with Continuous Damping Control. The button to adjust the suspension and drive is on the lower portion of the instrument panel to the left of the steering wheel. While it’s within easy reach, it is sandwiched between other nearly identical plastic buttons and thereby requires eyes on the matter so that the parking brake or other buttons aren’t engaged. On that topic, this Buick has an abundance of digital touch-sensitive buttons and controls. These too require the driver shift attention from the road, as with the Apple CarPlay. This is getting to be the norm in the industry. In time, consumers become quicker at activation of each and every function, and thereby less of a challenge. Other features, like the heads-up display (HUD), only have to be adjusted on occasion.




Avenir’s Premium Features
The top-of-the-line Enclave Avenir stands above the rest with these standard features – 16-speaker Bose Performance Series audio, a generous panoramic sunroof, Rainsense wipers, walk up animation, a standard “Power Package,” which includes Head-Up Display (HUD), ventilated front seats with massaging feature, a one-touch folding second row seats and power-folding third row seats (available for Preferred and ST), and heated second row outboard seats, impressive 22-inch Avenir Pearl Nickle finish wheels, and Continuous Damping Control (CDC) with enhanced dampers for a refined ride. The CDC technology truly increases driving safety, comfort and dynamics by adjusting the damping forces optimally for each wheel.


Pricing and Value
Circling back to the price, the base model at the start of 2025 was enough to make waves. The entry level Buick Enclave Preferred starts at $46,395 (FWD) $48,395 (AWD), and roughly $2,400 more will get the Sport Touring model at $48,795 (FWD) $50,795 (AWD). The premium Enclave Avenir commands $59,395 (FWD) and $61,395 (AWD). Anyone paying attention to the news is aware that there’s currently a lot of uncertainty on costs due to the ever-changing tariffs on imported vehicles and parts.


Challenges with Tariffs and Production
While the Enclave is assembled in the USA, many of the parts come from abroad. The Monroney reads, 36% of the parts come from America/Canada (we don’t know how much from each), and another 24%, including the engine, comes from Mexico. One doesn’t have to be a CPA to understand that 40% of the parts are unaccounted for. What we do know with a certainty is, the Enclave is assembled in Lansing, Michigan. GM, like other OEMs, is obligated to pay the tariffs when appropriate on the parts imported from the designated countries that the current administration deems are in need of fiscal realignment. This gets to be complicated, especially if the same parts are produced in multiple countries. Of course, the real question is, will GM absorb the tariffs or pass it along to buyers. This can’t be good no matter how you slice or dice it. Either the stockholders or the buyers will be taking it on the chin. This also creates a legal question of what’s really an American car and what isn’t. As of this update, the current administration in the USA is looking to impose a 35% tariff on goods coming from Canada and 30% on those from Mexico starting on August 1, 2025. However, if those countries retaliate in one way or another, President Donald Trump has indicated increasing these tariffs. The loser in all of this will most likely be the American consumers.

note color difference in change of body surfaces


A Minor Flaw in Execution
However, this particular Avenir in Moonstone Gray Metallic did exhibit a color mismatch between the body and the bumpers, most likely a supplier or material issue. While the emphasis should be on the shapes, this looks distracting like the remnants of a questionable repair job from a quick and dirty paint and body shop. The contrast is more than slight, to the point it looks intentional.


Conclusion: A Versatile Luxury SUV
Price aside, it’s hard to not appreciate the Buick Enclave Avenir for what it is. This is a classy, modern, versatile people mover. The Enclave Avenir does score points in looks, functionality, and drivability departments. Perhaps the only real question potential buyers will be asking themselves is, will this mega-machine fit in our garage?


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TAGS: 2025 Buick Enclave, Avenir, luxury SUV, sculptural design, premium interior, Buick resurgence, spacious utility, performance, technology, tariffs, American car, pricing, GM, Moonstone Gray






Sunday, May 27, 2007

Indy 500 - A Slice Of The American Pie

Tux the penguin, the mascot of the Linux kernel – Image Credit: Tux 500, as drawn by Larry Ewing

Indy 500 - A Slice Of The American Pie

As we ramp up to what many believe is the greatest auto racing spectacle in the world today, here is a story that is a little slice of the “American Pie”.

One of the sponsors is a software operating system that really has no single corporate backing in that it is an Open-Source operating system code that runs on platforms that also run Microsoft Windows, known as Linux.

The driver is famous for being a substitute driver for many of the teams who race in American open-wheel racing series and was once a driver of note in the former CART Series before it split up into two different formulas – Indy Car and Champ Car.

This week it is all about Indy Car for both Linux and Robert Moreno, a Brazilian who recently applied for US citizenship.

Image Credit: TUX 500 website

This from the TUX 500 website -

The TUX 500:
A Community Linux Powered Marketing Program
Linux® is a trademark of Linus Torvalds.

Marketing Linux® has always been a tricky proposition. As a community, we have relied on corporations who have a stake in the Linux operating system to market Linux to the world at large. Today, we have an opportunity to change that, and make Linux marketing as much a community effort as Linux development. That effort begins with the Tux 500 project.

Our goal is simple: we want to collect community donations to enter a Linux sponsored car in the 2007 Indianapolis 500. We need your help! If less than 1% of the Linux community donates $1, this will happen... will you do your part?

Reference Here>>

WE are Linux! - TUX 500 promotional video posted on YouTube

So far, only about $16,000 of the $350,000 goal has been donated for the advertising enterprise effort.

Item #2 from Tux 500 website -

It's Official! We're in the Indy 500!
Sunday, May 20 2007 @ 06:16 PM MDT - Contributed by: Bob Moore - Views: 2,757

I just got back from the track... and what a day for Chastain Motorsports... what a day for Roberto Moreno... what a day for the Linux community!

For those of you who missed it, with less than 1 hour remaining in qualifications for the 91st Indianapolis 500, team owner Tom Chastain made a bold decision. Rather than take a chance on being bumped late in the day, he pulled their already qualified car to see if they could qualify with a higher speed. The idea being that they would put more pressure on the unqualified teams.

Roberto Moreno took the track, and put together the best 4 lap average since the day began... 220.299 mph! This put the car safely in the field, and sits us on the inside of row 11 for the race next weekend!

Roberto Moreno talks with reporters after qualifying run. - Image Credit: Bob Moore

Roberto was in tears as he was interviewed by television crews, newspaper reporters, and snapped by countless photographers. The crew members hugged each other... Tom Chastain gave his wife Carol a kiss. It was a very emotional moment.

As for the Linux community, tonight we can, and should feel a great sense of accomplishment for what we've done! But we're not done yet... tomorrow, we need to start working to reward this racing team which has put us in the middle of a great story... and has rewarded us with some wonderful moments this weekend! And remember that we still have time to make the Linux presence on the car even bigger!

p.s. For those who watched on TV, did we get good screen time like we did for Saturday's qualifications? I haven't been able to check my MythTV yet.

Update
For helios' take on it, check out blog.lobby4linux.com

Also, there were two qualification shows on ESPN2 yesterday, an early one and a late one. I only got a recording of the early one. If anyone has a recording of the late broadcast, which had our qualifying run in it, I'd greatly appreciate a copy!

Reference Here>>

This from the Auto Racing Daily -

91st Indianapolis 500 Bump Day Post-qualifying Quotes - Roberto Moreno
May 21, 2007 - Roberto Moreno (#77 Chastain Motorsports Panoz/Honda/Firestone):

About Bobby More decal on side of car:

“Well, I’ve turned in an application for my (American) citizenship. On the form, it says there, you can choose a different name if you want to. So I went with Bobby More. I just need to get the accent right. I have not figured that one out yet. ”


What did you go through to get up to speed? :

“Basically yesterday, I asked to change the car. We were going in direction quite good. Then we changed the car and got a bit lost. Then people started to get in line (for qualifying). We didn’t have time to trim and fix the car. So we decided to try and qualify with the car as it was. Just in case it decided to rain (Sunday). What if it were to rain tomorrow? The car was really difficult to drive yesterday. We had lots of wing, and it was still difficult to drive. Today, we went back to what we had initially yesterday. We worked on that. My engineer did a great job. He focused really when we needed and he was right on. The car was good today. I was doing 217.1 with race downforce. Then they said it is time to “trim. ” I was a little unsure. But as soon as we trimmed, the car felt good. We trimmed one more step. Then they said lets trim two more steps. I said, ‘No, no. ’ We are quick enough. We had just gone over 219.6, which was good. So we went ahead and trimmed one more step. The car wasn’t really good, so I said to the guys lets go back one step on the trim and go into line (qualify). We did two more laps before qualifying at 220. I said, ‘That is good enough; let’s get in line and qualify. ’ I’m so glad that I got this opportunity. Stephan (Gregoire) is doing well. He will be back racing again. Thank you to the Chastain family gave me this opportunity. It’s an honor. One day, you are nobody sitting at home. Some people think I am too old and I don’t have any more left. But do not forget my spirit. It is so young, my strong desire to succeed. I am 48 years old, and today I feel great. I did it. We got in. I love this place. ”

Reference Here>>

Now even techno-geeks have something to root for in America's greatest automobile race.

UPDATE 5-27-2007:

Lap 37:
Yellow for contact in T1 by #77 Roberto Moreno.
2007-05-27 13:42:45

Lap 38: He got too high coming out of the turn.
2007-05-27 13:43:01

Lap 38: Moreno is out of the car and into safety vehicle.
2007-05-27 13:43:24

A live update report from the track indicates that Roberto Moreno is complaining of back pain and will be transported to the hospital.

TUX hits the wall on lap 37 - Image Credit: IndyCar.com

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