08 Buick Enclave   is the "New Face of Buick".   By DURHL CAUSSEY Automotive Journalist The car that captured my heart is the boldly beautiful 2008 Buick Enclave luxury crossover SUV that "represents the new face of Buick." Pro golfer Tiger Woods introduced the car at the Los Angeles Auto Show, (it was originally shown as a concept car at the 2006 North American International Auto Show) and we were permitted to examine it once again at the Houston show. The Buick Enclave features GM's powerful V-6 engine and melds elegant interior and exterior design with a "confident" ride.

The Enclave sits on a 118.9-inch wheelbase with the wheels "pushed out" to the corners, creating a wrapped appearance between the body and the 18 inch flangeless wheels (also available in 19 and 20 inches). The car boasts a beautiful, spacious interior that can carry up to 8 passengers with plenty of room for gear.

The Enclave drives like a high-end luxury car with its long (67.3 inch) wheelbase, variable effort power-assisted rack and pinion steering supported by independent front and rear suspensions, and available all-wheel drive system that automatically decides how much torque to apply. The Enclave features a 3.6 L V-6 VVT engine that delivers 275 HP and 251 lb.-ft. of torque, with a new Hydra-Matic 6T75 electronically controlled six-speed automatic transmission that delivers both performance and fuel economy.

Additional innovative features that help set the Buick Enclave apart from the rest of the pack include a second-row seat console that unfolds flat when seats are folded, an armrest that slides back and forth, and a center console storage area equipped with a pull-out tray. The Enclave has a power-operated lift gate, Smart Slide second-row seats, and a large display screen on the rear-seat entertainment system's DVD. And unless your entertainment system is playing full blast, the interior of the Enclave is quiet enough to hear that proverbial pin drop!

The 2008 Buick Enclave arrives at your neighborhood dealer's showroom this summer, in the U.S. prices start at $32,790.