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2006 Buick Enclave Concept

The Buick Enclave concept is a three-row, seven-passenger, full-size concept vehicle unveiled by General Motors’ Buick brand at the 2006 North American International Auto Show, also known as NAIAS or the Detroit Auto Show. It was based an evolution of the Buick Centieme concept shown at the same auto show three years earlier.

Establishing A Premium Brand

Buick designed the Enclave concept to replace aging models in its lineup, namely the Buick Rendezvous midsize crossover SUV, the Buick Rainier body-on-frame midsize SUV, and Buick Terraza minivan. The Enclave concept was envisioned to be offered in both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive.

Exterior

The exterior design of the Buick Enclave concept features an upright stance featuring classic Buick elements such as a waterfall grille and portholes in the hood along with the Tri-Shield logo prominently featured on the grille and tailgate. When it debuted, the Enclave was a big as a Chevy Tahoe, and is nearly so even today. It was the first of the large unibody SUVs that GM prepared to introduce.

The all-new crossover is seen as an elegant model that lives up to Buick’s plan solidify its place in the market as a premium brand.

Lighting elements include headlight housings separated from either side of the darker, chrome-trimmed grille, featuring projector beam headlamps, turn signals, and high-beam headlamps. In the bumper there are housings combining fog lights, daytime running lights, and amber reflectors, separated by a lower mesh grille. Chrome trim connects the two lower housings.

The side features broad shoulders over the fenders, both fore and aft. The front fender leads into the front door, and the rear fender begins from the rear door into the chrome-lined taillight, which is split at the tailgate. The tailgate is highlighted by chrome trim at the bottom, and dual, chrome-tipped exhaust below the bumper.

Seven-spoke chrome rims anchor the four corners, and chrome trims the DLO (daylight opening), door handles. Chrome rails top off the roof.

Interior

The Buick Enclave concept layout is a three-row design accommodating up to eight passengers. A skylight stretches the length of the cabin.

Burl wood enhances the cabin, from the dash to door panels to console and even the steering wheel, against a dark brown dash along with tan leather perforated seats and lower door panels.

Round, brushed-aluminum dials in the driver instrument cluster, and clock in the center, all evoke an elegant, classic luxury look.

Technology

The Buick Enclave concept’s cockpit features a small information screen for navigation as well as radio station and media selection, and a digital display below the main info screen displays HVAC information with selection buttons on either side. A small screen at the rear of the center console serves rear passengers for selecting radio stations and accessing other media.

Powertrain

The Buick Enclave concept was powered by a 3.6L V6 gasoline engine producing 270 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque.

Name

The concept is the first to receive the Enclave name, which was also applied to the production vehicle. An enclave is “a portion of territory within or surrounded by a larger territory whose inhabitants are culturally or ethnically distinct,” according to Oxford Languages.

Unveiling

The Buick Enclave concept was unveiled by Buick for the North America market at the 2006 North American International Auto Show, also known as the Detroit Auto Show. It was based on the Buick Centieme concept shown at the 2003 NAIAS.

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