NAIAS Highlights: Concepts
Wheels forward for Buick Bengal
The Buick Bengal owes its proportions to a powertrain that enables a "wheels forward" architecture, which permits a long dash-to-axle ratio, according to Dave Lyon, Buick Brand Character Chief Designer. The concept's 2790-mm (110-in) wheelbase is only 50 mm (2 in) shorter than a Buick LeSabre's, though its overall length is 640 mm (25 in) less at 4450 mm (175 in). The look is enhanced by 20-in wheels. A small third door behind the driver's door and a retractable tonneau cover reveal storage space for custom golf bags or seating for two additional passengers.
The concept's powertrain features a supercharged, transversely mounted 3.4-L V6 engine generating 187 kW (250 hp) and GM's first six-speed automatic transmission. For the first time in GM's history, a front-wheel-drive transmission is housed in front of the car's engine rather than behind it. The configuration allows the car's front wheels to be 200 mm (8 in) further forward to achieve rear-wheel-drive vehicle proportions. Since the engine weighs more than the transmission, the exchange of their locations pushes the Bengal's center of gravity rearward for a more even weight distribution and better handling.
A Quiet Servant package makes use of voice-activated controls from Visteon Corp. and a reconfigurable, color head-up display that shows gauges on demand. Buick General Manager Roger W. Adams said that one of the main benefits of the Quiet Servant package is to reduce the number of distractions for the driver. It enables control via voice commands or a four-position joystick on the steering wheel. Freed of the usual gauges and knobs, the dashboard is one large flat-panel speaker from NXT Audio.
- Kevin Jost
