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Buick Makes 2011 Regal CXL Turbo Driving System Interactive

Nobody is in the same mood every single day; so, neither should your car. The 2011 Buick Regal CXL Turbo, arriving at dealerships now, responds to that need by offering not one, not two, but three unique driving experiences, each selectable by a push of a button.

The news release by media.gm.com is indicative of the latest comment by GM and its promotional website, Inside GM, to promote its divisions. Witness one of the latest pr quotes that keeps popping up,

“GM must return its divisions to being interdependent entities within the corporation. Decentralize and free the different divisions talents to foster brand differentiation and customer loyalty.”

One has to hope, especially Detroiters, that GM doesn’t go too far with that strategy, by creating internal rivalries that once scuttled its internal operations and its competitiveness.

Still, the technology behind Interactive Drive Control system indicates the internal operations are hitting on all cylinders. Fact is, the technology links vehicle systems together, changing perceivable vehicle characteristics as it adapts to driver inputs. It does this by altering suspension, shift pattern and steering sensitivity through the variable effort steering system.

The touring setting offers a comfortable, relaxed driving experience for long journeys. The sport setting enhances road-holding capability. The standard, or default, setting is optimized for all driving situations.

The other major benefit of Interactive Drive Control is that it intuitively adapts the vehicle’s performance settings to individual driving styles. When a driver begins to drive more aggressively, for example, it will automatically tighten the suspension and increase steering effort. When the vehicle senses that the driver is cruising, it readjusts settings for rolling smoothness and comfort.

The system also offers enhanced vehicle stability and greater driving safety. All four dampers are electronically controlled and continuously adapt within milliseconds to the prevailing road conditions, vehicle movements and individual driving style. If an obstacle must be avoided when the car is in touring mode, various chassis sensors convey this to the driving mode control and the dampers are stiffened within milliseconds, delivering greater body control.

Bottom line is, Interactive Drive Control helps place Regal at the forefront of an emerging trend for greater personalization of the driving experience. Furthermore, it proves that there’s a lot of technology sharing going on at GM, despite the pr to individualize the divisions.

For the record, this latest technology gain was made possible by advances in electrification and computerization of onboard vehicle systems. Also per GM, expect to see this technology in the 2012 Buick Regal GS.

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