Essence concept car
1989 Buick Park Avenue Essence
The Buick Park Avenue Essence was a concept car designed and engineered by the Buick division of General Motors to showcase advanced technology and styling. First shown in 1989 in a light green metallic color, the Essence made rounds through the auto show circuits later in a light white. Inside the Essence was a wide, sweeping instrument panel that housed a prototype Delco Navicar navigation system among other innovations. Smooth, graceful body lines forecast the eventual production Park Avenue, introduced in 1990. The Essence was powered by the then-new 165 hp version of Buick’s 3800 OHV V6 engine.
External links
Media related to Buick Park Avenue at Wikimedia Commons
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Buick, a marque of General Motors, automobile timeline, Chinese market, 1999–present |
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| GL8 | GL8 | GL8 |
Second generation (1997–2005)
| Second generation | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Production | 1996–2005 |
| Model years | 1997–2005 |
| Assembly | Hamtramck, Michigan, United StatesLake Orion, Michigan, United States |
| Designer | Bill Porter |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 4-door sedan |
| Layout | Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive |
| Platform | G platform |
| Related | Oldsmobile AuroraCadillac DeVilleCadillac SevilleBuick LeSabrePontiac Bonneville |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 3.8 L V6 (Series II)3.8 L V6 (Series II Supercharged) |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic4-speed automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 113.8 in (2,890 mm) |
| Length | 206.8 in (5,250 mm) |
| Width | 74.7 in (1,900 mm) |
| Height | 57.4 in (1,460 mm) |
| Curb weight | 3,778–3,884 lb (1,714–1,762 kg) |
An updated Park Avenue was released in October 1996 as a 1997 model and was now built on GM’s G platform; however GM chose to continue to refer to it as the C platform, but was stronger and more substantial than its predecessor. This new generation was powered by updated Series II variants of the and as before, only Ultra models were supercharged. The base trim featured a hood ornament while the Ultra had a less conspicuous tri-shield inset on the upper edge of the grille. The base Park Avenue was the last USDM Buick to carry a factory hood ornament.
For 2001, the base model’s cloth interior was dropped as an option in favor of now standard leather trim. Ultrasonic rear park assist was a new option that year as well. For 2003, trademark Buick «Ventiports» returned on the Park Avenue Ultra along with a bolder grille that carried a larger monochromatic tri-shield badge in the center. New 17 inch wheels, a revised interior and revised instrument cluster were changed for the 2003 model year on the Ultra.
For 2005, the final model year in North America, base Park Avenues received a revised grille, and the previously Ultra-exclusive Ventiports. Also, the rear fascia was redone across the model line with a prominent chrome bar above the license plate holder with an embossed Park Avenue script and amber turn signal flashers.
The last 3,000 of 7,000 Park Avenues carried Special Edition badging that featured the namesake script underneath a silhouette of the New York City skyline. 300 of these were painted with a special two-tone black-on-platinum finish. Production ended on June 18, 2004. The Park Avenue was discontinued after 2005 in the North American market and was replaced in 2006 by the Buick Lucerne.
First generation (1991–1996)
| First generation | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Type | Passenger car |
| Manufacturer | Buick |
| Production | 1990–1996 |
| Model years | 1991–1996 |
| Assembly | Hamtramck, Michigan, United StatesLake Orion, Michigan, United StatesWentzville, Missouri, United States |
| Designer | Dave Holls (1988) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 4-door sedan |
| Layout | Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive |
| Platform | C-body |
| Related | Buick LeSabreCadillac Sixty SpecialCadillac FleetwoodCadillac DeVilleCadillac SevilleOldsmobile 88Oldsmobile 98Pontiac Bonneville |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine |
(91-94)
(91-94) (1996) (95-96) |
| Power output | L27 series I: 170 hp (91-94) L36 series II: 205 hp (95-96) L67 series I: 205 hp (91-93) L67 series I: 225 (94-95) L67 Series II: 240hp (96) |
| Transmission | 4-speed 4T60-E automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 110.8 in (2,814 mm) |
| Length | 1991–93: 205.2 in (5,212 mm)1994–96: 205.9 in (5,230 mm) |
| Width | 1991–93: 74.9 in (1,902 mm)1994–96: 74.1 in (1,882 mm) |
| Height | 1991–93: 55.3 in (1,405 mm)1994–96: 55.1 in (1,400 mm) |
| Curb weight | 3,536 lb (1,604 kg) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Buick Electra |
The 1991 Park Avenue, introduced in July 1990, utilized GM’s C platform. It was previewed by the 1989 Park Avenue Essence show car and the Park Avenue’s silhouette was often compared to that of contemporary Jaguars and many of its styling cues, which included a large ‘dollar-grin’ grille mounted to the hood, rounded lines, and full-width tail lamps. These styling cues made their way to other Buick models restyled in the 1990s. The Park Avenue was Buick’s largest front wheel drive sedan, but the even larger rear wheel drive returned to the lineup in 1991 for the station wagon and 1992 for the sedan.
While not the largest vehicle offered by Buick, as that distinction belonged to the Roadmaster, the Park Avenue was the most luxurious and considered the flagship of the marque.[citation needed]
The base model Park Avenue came with a 3.8 L naturally-aspirated V6 engine and plush velour interior upgradeable to leather. Starting in 1992, the Ultra came with a 3.8 L Supercharged V6 engine and standard leather interior. The Park Avenue received various exterior and interior cosmetic changes, as well as powertrain updates, during this run. Some of the new options and features added to the first generation included driver (and later passenger) airbags, dual zone climate control, traction control, and variable-effort steering (Ultra only).
European Market
The Park Avenue was available in Europe from 1991 to 1996 and varied from the North American version by featuring a truncated taillamps with separate amber turn signal indicators and red brake lamps, wider numberplate bezel, fitment of rear red fog lamps, headlamps with different lens pattern, white front side running markers, amber front turn signal indicators, side turn signal repeaters, «flagpole» external rear-view mirrors (mirrors on US version are fixed and do not turn), stronger seat belt and anchors, «softer» air bags, metric speedometer and gauges. They are to comply with the European regulatory and safety standards. This generation of the Park Avenue was the last Buick to be officially marketed by GM in Europe. This move was to reduce the «cluttered» model range that confused the European consumers. After 1996, Cadillac and Chevrolet remained the sole General Motors North American brands to be sold in Europe.
Third generation (2007–2012)
| Third generation | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | GM Shanghai |
| Also called | Holden Special Vehicles Grange/Senator Holden Caprice/StatesmanDaewoo VeritasHSV GrangeBitter Vero |
| Production | 2007–2012 |
| Assembly | Elizabeth, South Australia (All Parts)Shanghai, China (Final Assembly) |
| Designer | James C. Shyr (2007; interior) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 4-door sedan |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Platform | GM Zeta platform |
| Related | Holden CommodorePontiac G8Chevrolet CamaroChevrolet Lumina |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2.8 L V63.0 L V63.6 L V6 |
| Transmission | 5-speed automatic (2007–2009) 6-speed GM 6L50E automatic (2010–2012) |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 3,009 mm (118.5 in) |
| Length | 5,175 mm (203.7 in) |
| Width | 1,899 mm (74.8 in) |
| Height | 1,480 mm (58.3 in) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Buick Royaum |
Back of the Buick Park Avenue
In April 2007, General Motors reintroduced the Park Avenue nameplate in China on a luxury sedan that replaced the . Like its predecessor, the vehicle is based on the Australian-built Holden Caprice (this time on the contemporary WM/WN generation), though, unlike the Royaum, it was assembled by Shanghai GM from CKD kits shipped from Holden’s Elizabeth factory in South Australia. It is offered in five trim levels: 舒适型 (Comfort), 精英型 (Elite), 豪华型 (Luxury — 2.8 only), 旗舰型 (Flagship) and 旗舰版 (Ultimate — 2010 only)
The Park Avenue was powered by Australian-built versions of the GM High Feature engine. The standard engines were the 2.8 L and the 3.6 L engine available as an option on the Elite and Flagship models from 2007 to 2009. The engine control unit is a Bosch E77 32-bit ECM processor.
| Type | Displacement | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8 L V6 | 2,792 cc (170 cu in) | 150 kW (201 hp) at 6500 rpm | 265 N⋅m (195 lbf⋅ft) at 2600 rpm |
| 3.6 L V6 | 3,564 cc (217 cu in) | 187 kW (251 hp) at 6600 rpm | 340 N⋅m (251 lbf⋅ft) at 2800 rpm |
| 3.0 L V6 | 2,994 cc (183 cu in) | 187 kW (251 hp) at 6700 rpm | 296 N⋅m (218 lbf⋅ft) at 2900 rpm |
In 2010, only one engine option was offered, a 3 L SIDI (251 bhp) replacing the old 2.8 V6 and 3.6 V6 due to fuel consumption with the 2.8 litre engine rated at 11.4 litres per 100 kilometres (20.6 MPG US) and the 3.6 litre engine rated 11.6 litres per 100 kilometres (20.3 MPG US) respectively. The 3 litre engine was rated 10.9 litres per 100 kilometres (21.6 MPG US). The third-generation Park Avenue remained a China exclusive and was never offered by Buick in North America. A version of the car did eventually see release in the US market as the stripped down, rebadged (Police Patrol Vehicle).
It was discontinued in China in October 2012.
As a sub-model (1975-1990)
1975-1976
Park Avenue first appeared as an appearance package on the . It included similar seats to the Cadillac Sixty Special, optional full center console, Buick 455ci V8, posi-traction, 15″ rallye sport wheels, rear automatic leveling, optional leather, optional Air Cushion Restraint System, remote mirror with thermometer, and automatic climate control. The 1976 cars were largely the same except for some styling revisions and added emissions systems.
1977-1984
Park Avenue, previously an appearance option package, became an official trim level on the Electra in 1978. Cosmetically, a different grille and redesigned tail lights were the only notable cosmetic changes that year but 1979 brought a redesigned, flat front end and a subtly different taillight treatment featuring a Buick crest and bisecting horizontal silver line. A more extensive redesign occurred for the 1980 model year.
1985-1990
Park Avenue remained the top trim on the Buick Electra, it was redesigned along with the rest of the Electra line up moving to the front wheel drive GM C-Body. It featured upgraded upholstery/seating, premium sound, optional leather, and standard .
Park Avenue Ultra
In 1989 and 1990, Buick introduced the Park Avenue Ultra trim level. The Ultra was essentially an upgrade to the Electra Park Avenue line, and featured a standard leather interior with dual 20-way power front seats (shared with Cadillac’s restyled 1989 Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special), lower-body accent exterior paint treatment, distinctive thick-padded vinyl top with limousine-style rear-window surround (available only on Ultra), simulated burled elm trim on the doors and instrument panel, unique aluminum wheels, anti-lock brakes, chromed B-pillar moldings, specific grille and tail lamps, leather-wrapped steering wheel, electronic instrumentation, padded glove-compartment door, unique interior door panel trim, and a variety of otherwise minor changes. With its long list of standard equipment, the Park Avenue Ultra carried a higher base price than Cadillac’s Sedan de Ville. The Park Avenue Ultra did not gain much popular recognition, however, until the following generation of Park Avenue where the «Ultra» badge offered even more features.
