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• Chrysler Group Debuts Vehicle Excitement Team And Three New Show Cars at SEMA Event
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• Buick Adds Rainier SUV To Product Line
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• The Phaeton: its 4MOTION all-wheel drive and air suspension mean active safety and ride quality at the highest level
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News of November 06, 2002

Buick Adds Rainier SUV To Product Line

Division Extends Its Reach Into The Truck Market

Buick Rainier, Bill Lovejoy, GM Group Vice President for Sales, Service and Marketing (left) 

Photo: GM

DETROIT - Buick Motor Division will introduce a midsize sport utility vehicle (SUV) named Rainier for the 2004 model year, extending its truck portfolio following the successful launch of Rendezvous, a crossover vehicle.

Rainier, a five-passenger, full-frame SUV based on General Motors' award-winning midsize SUV architecture, will be powered by a sophisticated inline six-cylinder engine. It will feature an optional Vortec 5300 V8 engine that will be available at a later date. The availability of this V8 engine is exclusive to Rainier on GM's short-wheel-base midsize SUV architecture. Rainier will be introduced in dealers' showrooms in September 2003.

The 2002 Rendezvous, featuring the advantages of an SUV, luxury sedan and minivan, was Buick's first truck-based vehicle in nearly 80 years when it reached the market in the spring of 2001.

"With Rainier and Rendezvous, Buick showrooms will be must-stop shopping for owners who desire vehicles that deliver power and versatility in a stylish package," said Roger Adams, Buick general manager.

"Rainier adds a new dimension to the Buick family of vehicles with a fully functional, all-wheel-drive light truck with off-road capability," he added. "With all these attributes, Rainier will be equally at home at the country club, towing the ski boat or at the theater." In addition to outstanding power and performance, the 2004 four-door Buick Rainier provides sure-footed, refined handling; a cockpit that places the driver firmly in control; a spacious, versatile interior; and superior safety characteristics, including dual-stage front airbags and available side airbags for the driver and front-seat passenger.

Rainier's touring car ride qualities blended with the agile handling of a sports sedan are the product of its sophisticated chassis control systems. The world-class independent front suspension and electronically controlled rear air suspension are standard to meet the most demanding conditions. Rainier offers more all-wheel-drive capability to the Buick lineup with an on-demand system that provides owners with a feeling of security in a variety of driving conditions.

Design Cues

The exterior and interior design cues are distinctly Buick. Its vertical bar pattern grille has a chrome crown, chrome surround and tri-shield center insignia. Rainier features exclusive eight-spoke 17-inch wheels, the understated elegance of a monochromatic interior with chrome accents and rich, dark walnut woodgrain in the instrument panel, door trim and center console. The exterior is stylish and contemporary with bold, expressive lines set off by the precisely executed, clear, jewel-like headlamps with offset high/low beam fixtures; standard fog lamps; sculpted wheel flares and shoulders; crisply defined ruby red taillights that also have a jewel-like appearance; and two-tone front and rear fascias. The front and rear fascias are body color over gray, with the gray carried through the rocker panel appliqués.

The interior is spacious, comfortable and among the roomiest in the segment in terms of head, shoulder and hip room and can seat five adults easily. With the split 60/40 rear seats in the down position, the rear compartment has more than 80 cubic feet of storage space.

The 2004 Buick Rainier will be powered by the award winning Vortec 4200 inline six-cylinder engine. For more power and outstanding torque, Rainier will offer the Vortec 5300 V8 SFI (sequential fuel injection) as optional at a later date. With either engine, Rainier delivers smooth acceleration and the refined power traditionally found in Buicks.

The 275-horsepower Vortec inline six-cylinder engine, with the 4.10 axle and four-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission give Rainier a maximum towing capacity of 6,300 lbs. for two-wheel-drive models and 6,200 lbs. for all-wheel-drive models - the highest towing capacity in the segment.

The available Vortec 5300 V8 delivers 285 horsepower at 5200 RPM and 325 lbs.-ft. of torque at 4000 RPM, providing peak torque throughout the operating range to meet or exceed the most demanding load conditions. Both 3.42 and 3.73 axle ratios are available.

(Nov. 04, 2002)

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