The 2008 Buick Enclave ranks 2 out of 25 Affordable Midsize SUVs. This ranking is based on our analysis of 37 published reviews and test drives of the Buick Enclave, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
The Enclave has a smooth, quiet ride and a stylish exterior, but there is a noticeable absence of an optional V8 engine. Still, it ranks very highly within its large class.
Auto reviewers find the all-new 2008 Buick Enclave to be a sleek-looking, smooth-riding SUV with a quiet, accommodating cabin. Road and Track says it "prizes sculptural body shapes over truck-inspired toughness" -- a design to which "it adds a silky-smooth drive train and, to top it off, class-leading cabin quiet." The Enclave shares GM's Lambda platform with the Saturn Outlook and the GMC Acadia, but holds a price premium over both. However, its luxurious interior and sleek styling could have potential owners comparing it to more vaunted competition.
The 2008 Buick Enclave is available in two trims: the base CX and the premium CXL. Both trims are available in front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) versions.
The Buick Enclave is a full-size crossover SUV launched in May of 2007 as a 2008 model by the Buick division of General Motors. The Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Traverse, and Saturn Outlook all share the new GM Lambda platform. The Enclave was previewed at the 2006 North American International Auto Show, officially as a concept car, making it the first Lambda vehicle to be displayed. The Enclave is partially based on the Buick Centieme shown at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show.
The Enclave replaced both of Buick's SUVs, the minivan-based Rendezvous, the truck-based Rainier, as well as the Terraza minivan. It features comfortable seating for six, and up to eight with a third row with a foot well, generous interior space, and either front- or all-wheel drive.
2008 Buick Enclave
2008 Acura TSX
The Acura TSX is an automobile manufactured by Honda. Introduced in April 2003, it was sold only in the United States and Canada, but from the 2009 model year on it will also be available in Mexico.
As of 2008, the TSX is the smallest sedan in the Acura model line, other than the Civic-based CSX sold only in Canada. All TSXs are built in Sayama, Saitama, Japan.
The 2008 model year TSX's powertrain was comprised of a 2.4-litre inline four-cylinder engine, a six-speed manual transmission (which featured a magnesium casing, to reduce weight), and a front wheel drive layout. A five-speed automatic transmission is optional and does not incur extra cost in the U.S. based on MSRP. Such was not the case in Canada.
The K24A2 engine, was related to the engine in the Honda Accord (7th generation), the Honda CR-V, the Honda Element, and a smaller version in the Acura RSX and RSX Type-S. The K24A2 features intelligent variable valve timing i-VTEC and produces 205 horsepower (150 kW) in this iteration.
The TSX's suspension setup of a double wishbone front and a multi-link in the rear was especially tuned by the Honda engineers to maximize handling and cornering speed.
The 2008 model year brought a few additional features and a new colour to the TSX.
In testing conducted by the United States based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Acura TSX received an overall rating of Poor rear crash protection, an overall rating of Good for frontal offset testing, and an overall rating of Acceptable for side impact testing.
2008 Acura TL
The Acura TL is a mid-size luxury car from Honda's Acura brand. It was introduced in 1996 to supplant the Acura Vigor and was rebadged for the Japanese-market from 1996 to 2000 as the Honda Inspire and from 1996 to 2004 as the Honda Saber. The TL is Acura's best-selling model, and it has ranked as the second best-selling luxury sedan in the United States behind the BMW 3 Series.
The 2008 TL features an improved new immobilizer system, a separate Tire Pressure Monitoring System warning lamp and two new body colours. The navigation system has been updated to work in Hawaii, and the AcuraLink has been expanded to incorporate 76 markets (up from 38 markets for the 2007 model). This is the last model year for the third generation TL.
2007 BMW M3
The BMW M3 is a high performance version (produced by BMW M GmbH) of the popular compact BMW 3-Series automobile, made by BMW. M3 models have been derived from the E30, E36, E46 and E90/2/3 3-series. Common upgrades over the "standard" 3-Series automobiles include more powerful and responsive (yet at times smaller) engines, improved handling/suspension, more aggressive aerodynamics/body, and an interior/exterior accents with "M"/Motorsport nomenclature.
The fourth generation BMW M3 was announced on the 2007 Geneva Auto Show (Switzerland, March 6th-18th 2007) with the BMW M3 concept. As was the case with the E46 M3 Concept and E60 M5 Concept, the M3 Concept hid almost nothing of the looks of the production version, that had its world premiere on the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show IAA (Germany, September 13th to 23rd).
Just as the previous M3 generations all introduced a completely new engine, the fourth generation M3 did the same: the BMW S65 engine was introduced. This S65B40 is a naturally aspirated, high revving 4-litre V8 (based on the S85B50 5-litre V10 that powers the E60/E61 M5 and the E63/E64 M6 to date) delivers 420 DIN-hp (309 kW, 414 SAE-hp) at 8,300 rpm and peak torque is 400 N·m (295 ft·lbf) at 3,900 rpm, which represents a power increase of 22% over the E46 M3. The engine weighs 15 kg (33 lb) less than the outgoing six cylinder for a total weight of 202 kg (445 lb). A six-speed manual transmission is standard. As from April 2008, BMW offers a new double-clutch gearbox, called M-DKG (Doppel-Kupplungs-Getriebe) or M-DCT (Double Clutch Transmission) as an option, which reduces shift pauses to less than a tenth of a second and shortens the car's 0-100 kp/h sprint time by 0.2 seconds vs. the SMG. It features both automatic and manual modes in a manner similar to the SMG gearboxes in the E36 and E46. The E92 M3 coupe inherits the carbon-fiber roof from the E46 CSL as part of the weight-saving program.
The new M3 is once again available as a 4-door sedan, based on the E90 3-Series, but unlike the regular models, this car shares the coupe's front end, including headlights. However, it doesn't get the 2-door's carbon-fiber roof. The E93 hardtop convertible version joins the lineup shortly after the E92's launch, while an E91 wagon is due in the first quarter of 2009. A CSL lightweight version is heavily debated and longed for amongst car enthusiasts, and cars suspected to be the new M3 CSL have already been spotted at the famous Nordschleife (North Loop) of the German Nürburgring.
BMW Motorsport announced in February 2008 that Rahal Letterman Racing will campaign two factory-backed E92 M3s in the American Le Mans Series in 2009, following a two-year absence by the brand.
2007 Audi R8
The Audi R8 is a mid-engined sports car introduced by the German automaker Audi in 2007.
The first appearance of the car was in 2006, appearing at auto shows and events all over the world. The R8 is based on the Lamborghini Gallardo platform, as Audi has full ownership of subsidiary Lamborghini S.p.A..
Audi announced in 2005 that the name of the successful Audi R8 race car would be used for a new road car in 2007, the Audi R8, based on the Audi Le Mans quattro concept car, appearing at the 2003 Geneva Auto Show and 2003 International Motor Show. The R8 was officially launched at the Paris Auto Show on 30 September 2006. There is some confusion with the name, which the car shares with the Le Mans winning R8 LMP. Originally, many thought the car would be called the R9 (as there is a gap in numbering left when Audi announced the R8's successor, the diesel-powered R10).
The Audi R8 is equipped with a 4.2 L FSI V8 engine developing 420 PS (414 hp/309 kW) and 317 ft·lbf (430 N·m), the same engine used in the B7 Audi RS4.
The transmission is either a manual gearbox with metal gate, or a "R-tronic" gearbox (single-clutch semi-automatic sequential manual). These options are the same as those available on the Lamborghini Gallardo. A double clutch gearbox (Direct-Shift Gearbox - DSG, now badged by Audi as "S-tronic") is not currently (as of January 2008) available.
The R8 has a dry weight of 1560 kg (3439 lb). Its suspension utilizes magneto rheological dampers.
As Audi AG owns Lamborghini (Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.), 15% of the R8 is shared with the Lamborghini Gallardo, including the transmission and chassis. The R8 is made distinct by its exterior styling, cabin, engine, and pricing.
The Audi R8 also features an optional Bang & Olufsen sound system, and "Audi Ceramic" Carbon-Ceramic composite brakes with monobloc alloy Brembo calipers on all four wheels.