Global Vehicles
A Rendezvous with Buick
 Buick said the Rendezvous combines many of the best features of SUVs, premium sedans, and minivans. |
For the 2002 model year, Buick is entering the "truck" market with the Rendezvous, which the company said "combines many of the best features of SUVs, premium sedans, and minivans." The "hybrid" offers seven-passenger seating with an optional (and comfortable, stresses Buick) third row of seats, though the interior can also be configured for 3080 L (108.9 ft3) of cargo volume—about 5.5 times more space than in the Buick Park Avenue's trunk. Power is provided by a 3400 V6 producing 138 kW (185 hp) at 5200 rpm and 285 N•m (210 lb•ft) at 4000 rpm, allowing the vehicle to tow up to 1590 kg (3500 lb) with auxiliary cooling equipment. The Rendezvous' innovative features include advanced electrical and electronic systems, a Versatrak all-wheel-drive system, independent rear suspension, and interesting uses of aluminum and composite components.
 The unibody makes use of a hydroformed, S-shaped reinforcement tube that resists collapse in a vulnerable area of the Rendezvous' frame rails where they drop below the passenger compartment. |
The heart of the Rendezvous' electrical system is a body control module (BCM). Located inside the center console, it serves as the vehicle's "nervous system" and is connected to the electrical center data bus that links a large number of the vehicle's wire terminations, fuses, and relays. Key vehicle functions managed by the BCM are the ignition, driver warning signals, interior and exterior illumination, door locking/unlocking, rear hatch release, theft deterrence, battery run-down protection, and customized settings for exit illumination, automatic door lock operation, and remote lock confirmation.
 The Rendezvous can offer seven-passenger seating or 3080 L (108.9 ft3) of cargo volume.  |
Ultrasonics play two prominent roles in the Rendezvous. An ultrasonic intrusion-alert system can be armed to detect movement inside the vehicle when it is locked. In addition, an optional rear parking assist system uses four ultrasonic sensors to warn the driver of obstacles in the blind spot immediately behind the rear bumper.
The Rendezvous is one of the first GM products to offer, as an option, a new type of head-up display. Instead of the large vacuum-fluorescent segments used previously, the reconfigurable display uses small pixels to create both alphanumeric messages and graphic symbols. The array is 28 pixels high by 90 pixels wide and is projected in focus to the front bumper point to minimize driver visual adjustments. The menu of items displayed includes road speed, turn signal operation, high-beam indication, low-fuel warning, and a check gauges message.
 The short- and long-arm independent rear suspension of the Rendezvous employs a cast-aluminum rear crossmember, upper and lower control arms, and knuckle assemblies. |
In normal driving, all Rendezvous models employ front-wheel drive. An optional all-speed traction control system on the CX model enables both powertrain and brake-system intervention to avoid wheel spin. For even better traction, General Motors' Versatrak all-wheel-drive system, which is standard in CXL and available in CX models, adds on-demand rear-wheel drive. Its light and compact design allows it to fit under the Rendezvous' flat rear load floor. An aluminum driveshaft links a power takeoff unit on the front-mounted transaxle with a rear-drive module. Inside the rear module, sensors in the twin Geromatic units detect variation in the rotational speed of the front and rear wheels. When one of the front wheels begins to slip, the rear-mounted Geromatic gerotor pumps engage clutches to redirect torque to one or both rear wheels. Engineers designed the system with built-in safeguards to prevent overload or abuse; ABS wheel-speed sensors detect the use of a compact spare wheel and tire and automatically prevent Versatrak engagement.
To avoid the ride and handling issues (greater unsprung weight and suspension friction) of conventional SUVs, GM engineers gave the Rendezvous a short- and long-arm independent rear suspension. Each rear wheel is attached to a cast-aluminum rear crossmember by cast-aluminum upper and lower control arms. Knuckle assemblies are also cast aluminum to minimize total and unsprung weight. Curved coil springs are packaged between each lower control arm and the rear-suspension crossmember. Other suspension features at the rear are standard monotube gas-pressure dampers for more consistent performance and an optional automatic level-control system. A rubber bladder fitted around each rear damper is inflated by a compact air compressor to maintain a level vehicle attitude when heavy loads are carried or a trailer is attached.
 The Rendezvous' Rear Parking Aid uses four ultrasonic sensors to help detect obstacles to the rear when the vehicle is in reverse. |
Special attention was paid to materials and manufacturing methods for body components to improve safety, build quality, and efficiency. A hydroformed, S-shaped reinforcement tube resists collapse in a vulnerable area of the frame rails where they drop below the passenger compartment. Door beams are positioned so that they pass more load from the A- to the B-pillars to resist collapse in the door-opening area. A single-piece side frame minimizes the number of joints and gaps, while a stamped-steel crossbeam supports the instrument panel to avoid squeaks and rattles. The front powertrain cradle has a large, U-shaped member contoured by hydroforming for maximum strength and stiffness with minimal weight.
Aluminum is used extensively to save weight and improve performance and fuel efficiency. Powertrain parts include aluminum cylinder heads, intake manifold, oil pan, transaxle housing, driveshaft, and rear-drive module housing. The control arms, knuckles, and crossmember used on models with Versatrak are also aluminum. A lightweight composite construction minimizes the mass of the large rear liftgate to about 16 kg (36 lb). A plastic composite rear-bumper beam saves additional mass at the rear. The 70-L (18.5-gal) fuel tank is made of high-density polyethylene and molded to make best use of space under the floor.
- Kevin Jost
