The time came to visit Van Dam’s facility in nearby Boyne City and experience two of its boats on Lake Charlevoix and Walloon Lake. A further aid in such conditions is an active twin-clutch rear differential (optional on the Avenir). Not surprisingly, it’s also useful when pulling a boat out of the water on a slippery ramp. The Avenir Enclave comes with selectable all-wheel drive, and although it wasn’t necessary to engage while towing, the added traction does help deliver more balanced and responsive handling. Credit goes in part to the well-calibrated nine-speed automatic, which as Enclave product manager Jace Stokes said, “delivers just the right amount of power and torque in each gear.” That’s an achievement as some vehicles have trouble with smooth shifts when towing, especially at lower speeds. "This has led to lighter and more efficient noise abatement materials and broader use of innovative active noise cancellation,” the company says.Īt the same time, Buick has worked to improve the Enclave’s towing capability, which jumps from 4,500 pounds to 5,000 pounds and outranks the model’s primary rival, the Acura MDX.Įnclave owners like to tow boats and, as demonstrated during our northern Michigan excursion, the vehicle’s 310-horse V-6 is up to the task. To keep the Enclave fresh and in the public eye, Buick has worked on improvements to the crossover’s noise levels, with an engineering effort dubbed "quiet tuning." The same can be said of the 2018 Enclave, a roomy, seven-passenger crossover, which has turned into one of Buick’s most popular models. ![]() Though LaCrosse sales have been sliding lately (in line with most other larger sedans, as consumers gravitate toward crossovers), the 2018 Avenir model stands out as an attractive option in its class, with good handling, strong performance and impressive overall refinement. ![]() Both these Buicks now come in the GM division’s Avenir sub-brand trim, which sharpens elements of the exterior and interior design and raises the models’ status to near-luxury level. Surrounding this beautiful lake are bucolic farms, rolling hills and twisting country roads well-suited to testing Buick’s LaCrosse sedan and Enclave crossover. ![]() The exercise kicked off with a drive to the charming Hotel Walloon on Walloon Lake in the heart of Hemingway country, and one of the purest spots in Michigan. The connection between car and boat was all about craftsmanship, timeless design and elegant transportation.
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