The Lexus IS 250 and Acura TSX-fighting Buick Verano isn’t quite yet ready to join the battle, but when it does later this year General Motors expects a deafeningly silent performance.
Luxury can be defined many ways, but for years it was the quietness of interiors that continually found itself towards the top of “luxury requirements,” and Buick aims to deliver on that expectation with a Verano packed in sound killing and absorbing technology.
The fact that Buick aims to make the interior of the Verano quiet isn’t news in itself, as the automaker has shared some of its sound deadening details before, but as the vehicle approaches market launch new details have emerged as well.
In all, Buick named a total of 12 noise-reducing technologies or strategies in the Verano:
1.) A 5.4-mm-thick acoustic-laminated windshield and 4.85-mm-thick acoustic laminated side glass that minimizes wind noise
2.) Acoustic insulation material on both sides of the front steel dash panel and under the hood that reduce engine noise
3.) Five layers of acoustic insulation material in the headliner, including a premium fabric on the visible outer layer that muffles wind noise
4.) Triple-sealed doors that keep out exterior noise
5.) Three layers of acoustic insulation material in the doors that reduces the sound of wet-road sizzle
6.) Dual-density carpet on the floor that block coarse road and tire noise
7.) Underbody paneling that lowers wind and low road-surface noise while improving fuel economy
8.) Liquid-applied sound deadener that supports a solid body structure
9.) Specially tuned air intake and exhaust systems that enable pleasing engine sound quality without sacrificing engine performance
10.) Isolated chassis components that reduce vibrations over irregular road surfaces for a solid road feel
11.) A patented rear suspension that enables crisp road feel and superior ride and handling performance without sacrificing quietness
12.) Hydraulic suspension bushings and an isolated engine cradle that reduces or eliminates vibrations.
Other unique fixes include the use of special tuning elements inside the HVAC ducts in order to stop harsh frequencies experienced during acceleration, an acoustic engine cover helps reduce noise under the hood, while the alternator and engine accessory drive system itself was also engineered to be quieter than a standard vehicle.
In fact, Buick is so sure of the quietness in the Verano it is even willing to challenge virtually any car in the luxury market, regardless of segment, “We’re confident that luxury car shoppers will be hard pressed to find a quieter car at any price point on the market today,” said Tony DiSalle, U.S. vice president of Buick Marketing.
