2007 Buick Rainier

New and standard for ’07 is OnStar’s Directions & Connections package with Turn-by-Turn Navigation, as well as a tire pressure monitoring system. These new safety and convenience features join GM‘s innovative StabiliTrak electronic stability control system to provide even greater confidence and control to Rainier owners.

Turn-by-Turn Navigation allows OnStar customers to talk to a live advisor, who in turn sends complete step-by-step directions to customers’ vehicle through their OnStar system. Audio directions are then automatically played through the vehicle’s stereo as they are needed, triggered by the OnStar system’s GPS capabilities. This will allow drivers to be led to their destination while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

Rainier also features two n ew exterior colors – Midnight Blue Metallic and Graphite Metallic – for ’07, which add even more variety to Rainier ’s already handsome exterior. Rainier ’s exterior is outfitted with chromed accents on the side roof rails and exterior door handles, an elegant grille featuring a large Buick tri-shield emblem, and a b ody-colored rear exterior license plate surround and liftgate handle.

Power to move

Rainier ’s robust powertrain gives it an outstanding ability to master most driving conditions as well as tow or carry substantial payloads. It comes with a choice of powerful engines: GM’s Vortec 5.3-liter V-8 is available on either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive models, and delivers 300 horsepower (224 kW) and 330 lb.-ft. (447 Nm) of torque for added towing and highway power**. The award-winning Vortec 4.2L inline six-cylinder engine with variable valve timing is standard. Upgraded for the 2006 model year to produce 291 horsepower (217 kW) and 277 lb.-ft. (375 Nm) of torque,* this durable and popular powerplant provides the muscular yet smooth performance of many V-8 engines with the fuel efficiency of a V-6.

The Vortec 5.3L engine is equipped with GM’s fuel-saving Active Fuel Management (AFM) technology. AFM technology enables fuel economy gains of up to 5 percent in certain light-load driving conditions by reducing the number of cylinders engaged in the combustion process. A sophisticated, next-generation engine controller determines when to deactivate cylinders, allowing the engine to maintain vehicle speed in lighter-load conditions – such as highway cruising. When the cylinders are deactivated, the engine effectively operates as a V-4, with alternate cylinders on each cylinder bank disabled. The engine seamlessly returns to V-8 mode the instant the controller determines the vehicle speed or load requires additional power.

Both engines are coupled to the rugged Hydra-Matic 4L60 electronically controlled four-speed transmission.

Elegant interior

Rainier ’s interior represents the extension of Buick’s grand tradition of comfort and luxury to an SUV class vehicle. The vehicle seats five adults comfortably with room to spare. When more cargo capacity is needed, the split rear seats can be folded forward to open up to 80.1 cubic feet (2,268.4L) of cargo space.

Front bucket seats and rear seating areas are upholstered in perforated leather, while all door panels are trimmed in soft-touch materials. C hrome accents and dark burled walnut woodgrain on the instrument panel, doors and center console create a rich, expertly crafted environment. Other notable standard comfort and convenience amenities on all Rainier models include dual-zone automatic air conditioning with temperature display, daytime running lamps, driver information center, digital compass, full-size spare tire, remote keyless entry, power front seats with two-position memory settings for seat position and outside rearview mirrors, and theft-deterrent system.

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Safety and peace of mind

StabiliTrak, which is standard on Rainier , helps drivers maintain control during sudden maneuvers or in low traction conditions by using a comprehensive series of sensors to measure acceleration, deceleration, steering angle and yaw rate. By monitoring these inputs, the system automatically controls the vehicle to help maintain the driver’s intended path when a measurable deviation from the intended course is detected. The system maintains control by regulating vehicle acceleration or applying the brakes at any wheel.

A vailable safety features include available head curtain side air bags that inflate from the roof rail between the A-pillar and side window header. The air bag is designed to deploy in certain moderate to severe side impacts to help provide protection for front- and second-row outboard passengers.

Vehicles equipped with head curtain side air bags feature a rollover protection sensing system that helps protect occupants in a rollover event by triggering both the side curtain air bags and safety belt pretensioners. The rollover-sensing module, located on the center tunnel under the rear seat, uses a complex algorithm based on lateral and vertical accelerations, roll rate and vehicle speed to determine whether to deploy the safety systems.

Additional Rainier safety features include:

• Three-point safety belts
• Dual-stage frontal air bags
• GM’s Passenger Sensing System (PSS)
• Push-pull power window switches
• Standard LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system anchors for child safety seats
• Enhanced passenger seat belt reminder system

As with all Buick models for 2007, GM’s OnStar safety and security system includes a one-year subscription to OnStar’s Directions & Connections Plan with Turn-by-Turn Navigation . The new service allows OnStar customers to talk to a live advisor, who in turn sends complete step-by-step directions to customers’ vehicles through their OnStar system. Audio directions are then automatically played through the vehicle’s stereo as they are needed, triggered by the OnStar system’s GPS capabilities. This will allow drivers to be led to their destination while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

The Rainier features OnStar dual-mode (analog-digital) equipment. OnStar’s digital equipment also includes enhanced hands-free voice recognition capabilities including more intuitive continuous digit dialing and improved voice recognition accuracy. Using the GPS satellite network and wireless technology, OnStar features core safety services and OnStar Hands-Free Calling that allows drivers to make and receive voice-activated phone calls using an externally mounted antenna for greater reception. The service also includes the General Motors Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN) system, making crash data available to the participating 911 centers to help them dispatch the appropriate life-saving personnel and equipment to crash scenes faster.

QuietTuned for quiet, comfortable ride

Rainier’s excellent balance between a quiet ride and capable handling begins with its strong body-on-frame architecture and best-in-class body stiffness, which minimizes road noise and vibration. Rainier’s firm body structure is complemented by QuietTuning, a comprehensive engineering initiative designed to reduce unwanted noise and harshness from entering the cabin.

Notable features include an acoustic laminate in the windshield; additional sealing at the vehicle’s C- and D-pillars; and sound-absorbing materials in the engine compartment, doors and quarter panels in addition to quiet-riding Michelin tires. Attention to exterior aerodynamics, component isolation and fine-tuning of all related elements to achieve the most desirable frequency ranges also are an integral part of the QuietTuning initiative standard on every Buick vehicle.

Rainier ’s smooth, comfortable ride comes from a fully independent front suspension, along with a five-link, electronically controlled rear air suspension engineered to withstand the most demanding load or towing conditions. With this system, air springs replace the standard rear coil springs for superior damping and improved isolation from road noise. Sensors manage a compressor that instantly adjusts air spring pressure to maintain a level ride height. Rainier ’s maximum towing capacity ranges from 6,100 to 6,700 pounds (2,722 to 3,015 kg) depending on choice of engine and other drivetrain components.

Entertainment choices

Rainier offers numerous entertainment choices. In addition to the AM/FM stereo and CD players, Rainier owners may also opt for an MP3 player, XM Satellite Radio (continental U.S. only), or a rear-seat DVD entertainment system.

With a wide variety of programming, XM has something to excite any driver. Whether you want to be entertained or informed, to laugh, think, or sing, XM has the perfect channel for you – coast-to-coast, and in digital-quality sound. Consumers can subscribe to the basic service for $12.95 a month.