Segment: Large
Production years: 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
Buick introduced the 1997 Century in late 1996 and was a far departure from its predecessor, which was already an outdated-looking vehicle.
While the fifth Century generation tried to hide its front-wheel-drive architecture of the A-body platform with a cab-rearward design, the 1997 model played the right card and boldly shown a cab-forward look. It was built on an entirely new W-body Gen 2 platform shared with other vehicles such as the Chevrolet Impala, Pontiac Grand Prix, and Buick Regal, to name just a few.
Its rounded design featured sweeping headlights with rounded margins towards the main oval grille on one side and the turn signals on the other. The Century was a fine example of bio-design, but its customers didn't appreciate it since most of them were already AARP members. Buick managed to create a vehicle that was luxurious enough and subtle at the same time.
Inside, the carmaker made a waved-like dashboard with a curved upper side above the instrument panel and sloped-down on the passenger side. Buick offered enough room for four occupants, with wide, comfortable seats at the front and a bench in the rear profiled for two passengers. The base trim levels offered a high-quality velour, while the upper trim levels got a leather-clad interior. The four-spoke steering wheel featured buttons for the sound system and an airbag in the middle.
Under the hood, GM installed a 3.1-liter V-6 engine available in two power options for the U.S. market, while the Chinese customers received a smaller, 3.0-liter unit and even a four-banger paired with a manual transmission.
ENGINE SPECS - 3.1L V6 4AT (160 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V6 |
Displacement: | 3136 cm3 |
Power: | 119.3 KW @ 5200 RPM 162.2 HP @ 5200 RPM 160 BHP @ 5200 RPM |
Torque: | 185 lb-ft @ 4000 RPM 251 Nm @ 4000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Electronic Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | P 205/70 R 15 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 194.9 in (4950 mm) |
Width: | 72.7 in (1847 mm) |
Height: | 56.6 in (1438 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 62/61.1 in (1,575/1,552 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 109 in (2769 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 6.7 in (170 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 16.6 cuFT (470 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.32 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 3364 lbs (1526 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 4449 lbs (2018 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 19.9 mpg US (11.8 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 29 mpg US (8.1 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 23.1 mpg US (10.2 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 3.1L V6 4AT (175 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V6 |
Displacement: | 3136 cm3 |
Power: | 130.5 KW @ 5200 RPM 177.4 HP @ 5200 RPM 175 BHP @ 5200 RPM |
Torque: | 195 lb-ft @ 4000 RPM 264 Nm @ 4000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Electronic Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 121.2 mph (195 km/h) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | P 205/70 R 15 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 194.9 in (4950 mm) |
Width: | 72.7 in (1847 mm) |
Height: | 56.6 in (1438 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 62/61.1 in (1,575/1,552 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 109 in (2769 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 6.7 in (170 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 16.6 cuFT (470 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.32 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 3371 lbs (1529 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 4467 lbs (2026 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 20.1 mpg US (11.7 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 32.7 mpg US (7.2 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 24.2 mpg US (9.7 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 231 g/km |