Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Centime?
Buick Centime, a crossover vehicle that features six seats in three rows and is named to celebrate Buick's centennial anniversary.
Not much else YET...
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=centime
GM's answer to Pacifica?
0
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
he four-door Centieme seats six passengers in a three-row, dual seat configuration.
A 3.6-liter, twin-turbocharged V-6 engine - good for 400 horsepower and 400 lbs.-ft. of torque - complements the spirited design. It is mated to a Hydra-Matic 4T65-E electronically controlled four-speed automatic transaxle.
Centieme also features General Motors' Versatrak all-wheel-drive system, advanced traction control that transfers torque from front wheels to rear, and from side to side, to maintain control on various road surfaces. The front end uses a strut configuration, while the rear employs an SLA independent suspension with coils for car-like performance and handling.
"Centieme is a vehicle that permits you to immerse yourself in its bold, luxurious car-like qualities," said Mack.
Built by famed Italian design house Bertone, the Centieme rides on 22-inch front and rear aluminum wheels with Michelin tires. The front brakes are six-piston calipers with 15-inch rotors backed up by four-piston calipers with 14.75-inch rotors in the rear.
The steering wheel, consoles and interior trim feature olive ash burl accents. The cluster gauges have aluminum accents that feature a dazzling engine-turned pattern.
I still think that Ford Freestyle may be the only reasonably priced one of the bunch, but I may be wrong, of course.
There is no "pricing" as it is NOT headed for production.
IF (and that is a very big IF) Buick decided to "evolve" the Rendy, AND overhaul/supplant the LeSabre/Electra (another huge decision...) the Centime highlights SOME of the concepts they would try to incorporate.
Personally, I think the success/failure of Pacifica in making inroads into "tradional sedan buyers" will be the #1 decision factor for Buick/GM.
If Buick SEES folks (especially those with silver hair & grandkids) choosing Pacifica then a Centime-like vehicle will get the green light. If, however, Pacifica owners better match Rendy owners (moms) then we'll see more Rendy derivatives. Add in the Rainer in to the mix, the Buick-ized Bravada, and the future of Centime looks hazy indeed.
We can only hope that the RUNNING GEAR finds a home SOMEWHERE in the Buick/GM lineup. With AWD & 400Hp/400Ft/Lbs this think COULD take away a chunk of Cayenne sales!!!
but...
Wonder about Buick fans' reactions to Jim Dunne's spy pic of a yellow Le Sabre in the current Popular Mechanics. It is not on their website, although an earlier future Le Sabre (in silver, of course) is, as is a spy pic of the next ('05) Seville.
And I mention this because the look is similar: low, wide hoods w/ waspy front ends; high, almost ascending rear flanks. It is an odd look to me, somewhat reminiscent of Sigourney Weaver's foes in "Alien".
Personally I would be happier with somewhat more sedate styling IF there were some EXCITEMENT under the hood...
Buick is influx, with the doom of Olds on one side of 'em and the "edgy look" of CTS/Escalade/SRX on the other side.
If one looks at MB/BMW is is clear that the Germans are making efforts to go ever more sport-oriented. I doubt GM will allow Buick to tread on traditional Poncho territory. Doesn't leave Buick much manuerving room.
-Andrew L
Odd, too that the Seville is going to RWD, but assume the Le Sabre is staying FWD, and they will look alot alike. Usually this means sharing of a platform.
Yeah, excitement: when the GTO gets restyled in American mode, will Buick have a variant? You're right about the direction of the make: does it become GM's Lexus or Acura. I see potential for a solid niche, especially w/ the Rocket Division going away.
My "take" on these three is that there is room for all-- slightly different niches. Yet, Buick is moving so slowly. They've been showing concepts for years: Bengal, LaCrosse, Cielo...!
The "personal luxury coupe" is not in the near-term/mid-term future for Buick. They need to a) make headway with "luxurious SUVs" and then address "smooth, quiet, long distance cruising sedans". If Buick still exists after that novcaine overdosed, they might get around to making something ATTRACTIVE and POWERFUL...
If mommies start buyin more Pacificas, then a Centime with 260 from the high feature 3.6 might make it in a Pacifica like vehicle.
a couple of those price points.
Curious to see real photos and how the new will blend w/ other Buicks as a family 'look'. I like the new Rainier ads w/ Harley Earl as a ghostly design studio presence.