It’s not the first time we’ve said, but we’ll say it again: Buick is currently harvesting all of the tools it needs to be come a seriously trendy “quirk brand.” Think Saab, and even Volvo; not mainstream, but it houses a following all its own.
Automotive News reports the latest piece of the Buick puzzle, an all-new twin-clutch all-wheel drive system, is being looked at in a light to further shed the frumpy, disengaging image Buick possesses. The system will debut in the 2017 Buick LaCrosse.
According to Buick LaCrosse Marketing Manager, Doug Osterhoff, the system will provide real benefits for drivers who aren’t only exposed to snowy conditions, but the benefits translate to dry pavement, too.
“This has a real performance element to it, with big benefits on acceleration and cornering. We think this will have more play”
The twin-clutch system allows for power to be sent between the front and rear wheels, but also between both rear wheels, too, replacing the traditional differential and single clutch system. This new system, developed by BKN, can send 100-percent of torque to the front, back and in-between based on driving conditions.
The system will ultimately provide fuel economy benefits, too, as seen in the 2017 Cadillac XT5 which uses the same system. In “Tour” mode, the AWD can be disconnected to provide more frugal fuel sipping.
It remains to be seen if consumers will take to the idea of all-wheel drive enhancing performance in a Buick, but everything can be delivered with a proper message.
Comments
The big thing though is, will they give us an option that lets us control that experience. Sport mode, for example, should send more power to the rear wheels (a la Focus RS), to provide better handling, and in fact, improved 0-60 times.
It’s great to have all that tech, but just like in tech, bad software can kill the deal.
Hopefully the XT5 will have the Focus RS variant. That ought to tide conquest buyers over until the Cadillac RWD/AWD crossovers arrive.
As far as Buick is concerned, I doubt it would matter. While nice, luxury performance is for Cadillac. Safe, comfortable luxury is for Buick.
It was actually developed by GKN, I work there. Its the same system used in the new Cadillac XT5.
Similar twin-clutch AWD system that GKN sells to other manufacturers so I do not see the ‘brand differentiator’ aspect that much.
The new Volvo line up looks a lot like the new Buick vehicles.
All wheel drive makes Buick an Audi rival which restores the brand’s doctor’s car designation.
A healthy Buick will mean great GM profits.
Disangaging the all wheel drive to leave a front wheel drive or a rear wheel drive ????????? Anybody knows?
Expect Buick to use a FWD based AWD system and Cadillac to be RWD based AWD system.
Buick will be much like the Audi systems.
This AWD setup can help Buick have the best versions of GM’s FWD platforms available.
This will bring us more into the Audi like cars many of us here have predicted. I expect most Buicks will find a AWD system available. At their price point they will be better systems than most at the lower prices.
Buick could elevate itself to the American answer to Audi & Subaru if they apply this tech across the range.
It would definitely help give Buick the brand image they desperately need to differentiate itself and stand against Acura & Lincoln. I can’t wait to see a 300hp Regal GN AWD…
Now please give us a high output TTC 3.6LTR V-6 to go along with the enhanced AWD package.
A twin-clutch transmission and all-wheel-drive is nice; but it’s unlikely that General Motors would ever allow any car in the current GM hierarchy to have performance capable of matching or equaling a Cadillac V series vehicle except for Chevrolet’s Corvette as it’s sort of the situation with Pontiac’s Banshee that John DeLorean wanted as it would have competed head-to-head with the Corvette and something GM could not allow.. meaning a 275 hp turbocharged 2.0L 4-cyl or a variant of the updated LGX 3.6L DOHC-4v V6 to make 285-310 hp (while some Cadillac models will get 335 horsepower).