By Jennifer NardicchioBuick Marketing Manager
Compact Car Segment
The engineers of the all-new 2012 Buick Verano went to great lengths to ensure a quiet cabin. Damping mats, thermal fiber, triple-seals, liquid deadener and laminated glass all conspire to keep road, wind and engine noise at bay.
But with all that canceled sound, what’s left but to enjoy the silence? That’s where Bose came in.
To develop Verano’s available seven-channel, nine-speaker sound system, Bose engineers completely analyzed the car’s interior, recording system frequencies for each seating position. Using 10 different microphone readings for each speaker, the Bose team collected hundreds of initial measurements, which were then used to create equalization settings specific to Verano’s unique acoustical environment. With this detail-intensive approach, a great tonal balance provides rich detail capturing all the of the power and emotion intended by the artist.
Buick’s “quiet-tune” techniques enhance Verano’s audio experience:
The steel front-of-dash panel is sandwiched between two damping mats.
Nylon baffles are used in various hollow portions of the body structure and filled with sound-absorbing foam that expands when the body enters the paint oven.
The headliner comprises five layers of thermal fiber acoustic material, including a premium woven fabric on the visible outer layer.
Liquid applied sound deadener is robotically applied throughout the body structure to both deaden and dampen unwanted noises and vibrations.
Sound insulation material between rear-body structural components is made from recycled denim.
Triple-sealed doors feature fiberglass “blankets” that serve as water, airflow and noise barriers. The doors are also beta-braced, meaning they close with a solid, precise sound and no resonance.
Windshield and side glass consists of 5.4-mm- and 4.85mm-thick acoustic laminated glass respectively.
The engine’s intake and exhaust systems are tuned for quiet performance.
Isolated brake and fuel lines prevent vibrations.
The Bose system is standard on all leather-equipped Veranos, and is available in other models as a $595 standalone option.
