5 Ways Buick Design Concepts Shape the Enclave

Much of the Buick design story can be told with a look at the 2013 Buick Enclave, slated to come to market in the fourth quarter, with its first major changes since a 2007 launch.

"A huge part of the transformation of Buick has been design," said Dave Lyon, executive director of interior design for GM and chief designer for Buick, in an interview. "The core things people expect in a luxury car -- comfort, quiet, roominess -- they all have that, and we obviously have to deliver these things. But to make a significant impact, design has been a critical part of the Buick renaissance."

The Enclave has been critical because the design of the 2007 model marked the first time Buick veered away from its traditional look to the curves and "sculpturing" that define new Buick.

"Since then we've come out with LaCrosse, Regal and Verano," Lyon said. "Each new vehicle we introduce takes what it means to be Buick to a new level. But Enclave is our flagship and we wanted to make sure it stayed the flagship when we showed it" at the 2012 New York Auto Show.

Enclave was a good place to start, Lyon added, because Buick's traditional buyer bought large sedans, and it was best to experiment with a different vehicle type.