Buick Terraza and Saturn Relay Unveiled

General Motors unveiled two new "crossover sport vans" yesterday:

Terraza Brings Buick SUV Refinement Into Premium End Of Mini-Van Segment Buick has a long-earned reputation for transporting families in a premium way. Terraza, the third entry in Buick's growing truck portfolio, continues this tradition, bringing Buick refinement into the growing premium end of the mid-van segment.

With its ability to carry seven people and plenty of cargo, the Terraza crossover sport van (CSV) complements Rendezvous and Rainier in the Buick truck lineup by combining SUV features like bold front-end styling with the functionality required by customers in the mid-van segment. Like Rendezvous and Rainier, Terraza is expected to continue the trend of bringing new and younger customers into Buick showrooms. Terraza, available in CX and uplevel CXL models, is expected to attract the attention of affluent married couples with children.

Buick's approach to trucks is to weave sedan values into the equation without compromising truck utility and functionality. The focus is on four attributes: power, ride, quiet and style. These distinguishing attributes are all part of the Terraza.

Power The horsepower and torque of the overhead valve 3500 3.5-liter V-6 provide excellent launch feel and responsive performance at all driving speeds. Its estimated power ratings -- 200 horsepower and 220 lb.-ft. of torque -- are highly competitive with those of other mid-vans.

Ride A Terraza-exclusive standard independent long-and-short-arm rear suspension and a unique Ride and Handling package provide premium ride. These features, combined with the new world-class braking system that includes larger 16-inch brakes and four-wheel-discs, 17-inch tires, and the availability of StabiliTrak -- GM's advanced Vehicle Stability Enhancement System (VSES) -- provide superior handling and control in almost any driving conditions. Terraza's VSES maximizes handling, braking and acceleration dynamics by using a combination of systems, including stability enhancement, anti-lock braking system and traction control.

Terraza also offers as an option GM's Versatrak all-wheel-drive system (not available with VSES).

Quiet GM's new CSVs were designed to provide class-leading quiet interiors. Terraza takes quietness to the next level with its exclusive QuietTuning acoustic package that includes a forged steel crankshaft, increased engine isolation and other interior acoustic treatments.

Style -- exterior The blend of SUV and mid-van styling cues gives this new crossover sport van a distinctive appearance. Terraza puts an elegant spin on its rugged look with its monochromatic appearance combined with chrome highlights on body-side moldings, door handles, uplevel roof rail and the rear license plate brow.

Terraza's prominent grille is rendered in the characteristic Buick rounded oval design, with chrome surround and vertical bars reminiscent of the Buick Centieme concept vehicle. Chrome is dominant on the surround and the front emblem, with the dark grille recessed slightly to accent the chrome. A high-up chrome accent runs along the entire side of the vehicle for a rich appearance, and the "Buick" name is embossed into the rear license plate brow.

Standard 17-inch steel wheels continue the SUV theme, providing a higher, more aggressive stance.

Style -- interior Terraza's interior provides premiere styling for customers who value fine craftsmanship. Unique Buick interior features include wood trim with chrome accents throughout.

The dark, burled wood spokes (with matching shifter knob on the CXL) coordinate with a matching wood grain for the "spear" dividing its upper and lower instrument panel and for the radio and HVAC trim plate. The radio controls feature unique chrome detail. Sill plates with chrome inserts featuring the "Buick" name are standard on the CXL. The spear trim plate and door switch plate all feature chrome trim accents.

Terraza's color-keyed, leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel features rich, dark burled wood spokes. Secondary steering-wheel-mounted audio controls are standard on the CXL, and the Buick logo is featured on the horn pad.

Relay Is Next Step In Saturn's Drive To Grow Brand With the addition of the 2005 RELAY, Saturn continues to grow its brand while maintaining its focus on bringing incremental business to General Motors.

A crossover sport van that combines SUV-like styling with the functionality of a mid-van, RELAY reinforces Saturn's commitment to offer a family of vehicles that fill the needs of diverse customers.

Targeting existing and new owners The new entry will help Saturn meet the needs of existing Saturn owners with growing families and active lifestyles.

Clean, contemporary looks The RELAY's exterior is recognizably Saturn - clean and contemporary, complementing its sturdy, SUV-like stance. RELAY looks efficient, the "smart choice" for its import-oriented customers.

RELAY has a horizontal front grille treatment, with an approximately 2-inch bumper offset. Picking up a visual cue from the VUE, the RELAY's ebony-colored lower cladding carries through the rockers then turns and flows up into the taillamps, uniting the fascia with the taillamps in a way that creates a tighter-looking overall package.

Refined interior The RELAY's refined interior appointments elevate the design and the appeal of the vehicle. The styling is clean and contemporary, with close attention to fit and finish.

The RELAY's smartly styled interior includes a unique cluster face, with its own distinctive graphics and fonts.

RELAY features a sporty three-spoke steering wheel, its ebony rim and center trim matching the upper part of the instrument panel and the upper door trim. Its horn pad features Saturn's logo. Base RELAY models have a urethane steering wheel, while uplevel RELAY models have a leather-wrapped steering wheel with redundant audio controls.

Focus on safety From its inception, Saturn has been committed to the idea that safety isn't just for customers who can afford a luxury vehicle. The RELAY continues this tradition.

It has many available features that help drivers maintain control: A new world-class brake system that includes 16-inch, standard four-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS) Available Enhanced Traction Control system that improves vehicle launch capabilities on all road surfaces Available StabiliTrak, GM's advanced Vehicle Stability Enhancement System that provides superior handling and control in almost any driving conditions Available Versatrak all-wheel drive Standard OnStar, including 12 months Safe & Sound services. Focus on environment

Consistent with Saturn's continued efforts to build cars in harmony with the environment, the RELAY will be built with recycled and recyclable materials using manufacturing processes that create less waste.

For example, the RELAY's 3500 V-6 engine reduces emissions of NOx, HC and CO with a number of technologies, including an advanced powertrain control module, close-coupled catalytic converter, Quick Sync 24X ignition, returnless fuel rail and a fast-response oxygen sensor.

In addition, all-new extended-life brake linings, aided by better brake cooling, reduce servicing and save the disposal of tens of thousands of brake parts yearly for every model year of production. Also, the RELAY's advanced Class II electrical architecture reduces wires, splices, connectors and weight. This streamlined design requires approximately 350 feet less wiring per vehicle and will save tens of thousands of pounds yearly in disposal at the end of the product's life.

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