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Manufacturer Brochure - 1998 Buick Park Avenue
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| ENGINEERING |
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| Updated |
Jun 3, 2004 17:14:54 |
| Rating |
 180 ( -13 -7.22% ) |
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Description:
Buick's luxury Park Avenue and Park Avenue Ultra sedans have new standard equipment for 1998, enhancing an all-new design that in 1997 was a major success in the marketplace and won rave reviews in the automotive press.
"It's clear from the reaction of our customers and the automotive press that Park Avenue is seen as professional, tasteful and stylish," said Katherine J. Benoit, Park Avenue brand manager. "It has led the way in the rediscovery of the large luxury automobile."
In the '98 model year, Park Avenue begins its 20th year as Buick's top-of-the-line luxury sedan. Writers have described the new generation of Park Avenue as "a dramatic leap forward" with significant improvements in ride, handling, braking, steering response and acceleration. Retail sales of 1997 Park Avenues were the highest in six years.
In addition to a number of upgrades in standard equipment, Park Avenue offers an important new safety and security option for 1998 -- the GM OnStar in-vehicle communications system.
OnStar combines Global Positioning System satellite technology and a hands-free, voice-activated cellular telephone to link drivers to a communications center where advisers are available to provide assistance, such as emergency services and navigational and travel support. OnStar, which is a dealer installed option, also offers automatic notification of air bag deployment and stolen vehicle tracking.
For 1998, Park Avenue and Ultra offer a number of refinements. Outside folding power rearview mirrors are standard on both cars. In addition, a new passenger-side parallel park assist outside rearview mirror (optional on Park Avenue, standard on Ultra) automatically tilts down whenever the reverse gear is engaged, offering the driver a better view of the intended parking area behind and to the right of the car.
A rear seat pass-through to the trunk to accommodate long items such as skis is now standard on both models.
A Convenience Console, optional on both Park Avenue and Ultra and introduced for 1997, includes a center armrest; voice-activated cellular phone pre-wiring and holder for convenient access; dual cup holders that fit a wide variety of sizes; a flip-up writing surface; a storage area that holds maps, pens and pencils, coins, CDs and cassettes; and dual auxiliary power outlets to plug in accessories, such as portable fax machines or computers.
A rear ComforTemp feature allows for bi-level adjustment of airflow to rear seat passengers.
Four new exterior colors are added to the Park Avenue and Ultra palette: Midnight Blue Pearl, Emerald Green Pearl, Twilight Blue Metallic and Slate Green Pearl. In addition, Bright White Diamond will be available on Ultra at mid-year. This premium color has been a popular choice each time it has appeared in a Buick showroom.
Park Avenue is again powered by 3.8-liter 3800 Series II V-6 engines, ranked among the "10 Best Engines" by Ward's Auto World magazine (three straight years for the naturally aspirated version, and two straight years for the supercharged version).
The 3800 naturally aspirated V-6 engine, standard in Park Avenue, delivers 205 horsepower at 5200 rpm and 230 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. Park Avenue Ultra's supercharged 3800 Series II V-6 engine produces 240 horsepower at 5200 rpm and 280 lb-ft of torque at 3600 rpm. Projected EPA fuel economy is unchanged for 1998: 19 miles per gallon city and 28 mpg highway for Park Avenue and 18/27 for the supercharged Ultra.
New for 1998, Park Avenue's 3800 Series II V-6 engines are equipped with the Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery System (ORVR), which is designed to recover fuel vapors during every vehicle refueling operation.
Except for oil and filter changes, both powerplants are virtually maintenance-free for up to 100,000 miles. Both engines are equipped with long-life features such as 150,000-mile engine coolant, platinum-tipped spark plugs with first recommended change at 100,000 miles, and transmission fluid that requires no change under normal operating conditions for 100,000+ miles.
Both engines are linked to the 4T65E four-speed automatic overdrive transmission, with an electronically controlled capacity clutch. Ultra is equipped with the heavy duty version (4T65E HD).
Park Avenue's suspension system includes MacPherson struts in front and semi-trailing arms at the rear, mounted to the body through rubber-isolated, welded-steel structures. Automatic level control adjusts to maintain proper vehicle height regardless of passenger and luggage loading.
For 1997, Park Avenue's chassis and body introduced advanced multiplex electrical architecture that allows better performance, more functions, better packaging, reduced complexity and greater reliability.
Multiplexing technology reduces the number and length of wires in each Park Avenue by as much as 75 percent in some sub-systems, and splices have been eliminated from the electrical architecture, improving long-term reliability.
Park Avenue's Personal Choice features include memory sound system and climate control settings, memory mirror and seat positions (optional on Park Avenue and standard on Ultra), memory door locks, perimeter lighting, delayed locking, security feedback and radio pre-set.
A number of features optional on the Park Avenue are standard on Ultra. For example, moisture-sensing windshield wipers automatically operate based on moisture on the windshield instead of with a fixed delay interval. A tire inflation monitoring system alerts the driver if a tire is losing pressure.
An optional head-up display called EyeCue projects information onto the windshield, showing vehicle speed, high beam and turn-signal indicators and a "check gauges" reminder, eliminating the need for the driver's eyes to leave the road.
Park Avenue and Ultra offer a long list of standard features such as dual anti-lock brakes and remote keyless entry. For 1998, all Buicks feature driver and front passenger Next Generation air bags, which have reduced force. The less aggressive air bags, made possible by a change in federal safety regulations, will improve overall vehicle safety for all occupants.
Convenience Plus electrical features continue with: delayed entry and exit lighting; "theater dimming" interior lamps; battery rundown protection; lockout protection on power door locks; reminder tones for the safety belts, parking brake, turn signals, headlamps and ignition key; flash-to-pass; delayed locking; auxiliary power outlet; retained accessory power; PASS-Key III theft-deterrent system; and Twilight Sentinel with daytime running lights.
The coded PASS-Key III theft-deterrent system with three trillion available codes uses a transponder in each key to signal the powertrain control module to enable fuel and starter systems. If the incorrect key is used, the fuel and starter systems cannot be activated. A separate valet key is provided to start the car and unlock the steering column, but not to provide access to the trunk or the glove box.
Additional safety systems include safety cage body construction. Also, in the event of an air bag deployment, the doors automatically unlock within 15 seconds. Traction control, which is optional on Park Avenue and standard on Ultra, increases control on slippery surfaces.
The Driver Information Center, which is used to select and program many of the Personal Choice features, is again optional on Park Avenue and standard on Ultra.
It provides five buttons on the instrument panel to select such information as fuel data, oil pressure, coolant level, battery voltage, oil life index, tire pressure monitoring and a trip odometer. The two-line, 16-character electronic display can show cellular telephone status when equipped.
An optional Gran Touring package includes dealer-programmable magnetic variable-effort steering, 16-inch aluminum wheels, Goodyear Eagle LS P225/60R16 touring tires, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a 3.05 axle ratio.
MARKETING
"Park Avenue gives you all the luxury you expect from a luxury car -- and, more importantly, every feature has been selected to satisfy a real functional need for the driver or passenger," said Benoit. "You might say we add reason to luxury."
Benoit reported that the car, completely redesigned for 1997, has been very successful in appealing to a broader audience that is younger, more educated and more affluent than previous Park Avenue customers.
"This car is definitely a sales success -- we're surpassing some of our traditional rivals in the marketplace," she said.
Primary customers for Park Avenue include professionals and executive men and women who want style, smooth power, roominess and exceptional value, Benoit said. |
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