2010 Buick Enclave CXL-2 with Occasional Superstar Fabian Williams
Occasional Superstar is the brand under which I do my artwork," explains artist Fabian Williams. "Basically, it means that I'm just a regular dude who has extraordinary moments. In a broader sense, anyone can be an Occasional Superstar, me, you - everybody has some Occasional Superstar inside them."
And a superstar I was last night whipping around town in the new Buick Enclave. Long known for it's particular appeal to the elders, Buick has finally stepped up it's game to compete with long time superstar titles, most of which have been held by more than a decade by foreign luxury brands.
Case and point, while driving around last night I glanced over to discover being parked beside a Lexus RX. And suddenly the moonlight of the night in which Buick now shines hit me. With it's big, bodacious front grill and sexy body--chiseled on all sides, the cocoa metallic $49K Enclave CXL-2 AWD I'm in this weekend is definitely turning heads. Oh, and did I mention the 20-inch chrome clad rims? And with a base of $43K, yeah, Buick really set this one off!
Inside, Enclave has all of my personal favorites accoutrements including cooled (not just heated) seats with real leather seating areas, automatic windows so that I don't have to hold my finger on the button at all times, power tile and telescopic wheel, Bluetooth, a great touch-screen navigation system with real time traffic alerts, an audio system by Bose, a USB port for music on the go, iPod connection (of course), rear view camera, power lift gate on the open and close, high intensity articulating headlights that turn when you turn, ultrasonic park assist to provide an audio alert when you come to close to something while backing up...again, all the goodies one would expect in a car like, oh, say, a Lexus! There's only one thing I miss in the Buick, which is the ability to keep the key in my pocket, bag, etc. and have the doors and ignition simply respond to my touch (with the key on close proximity, of course). Otherwise, Buick is definitely doing a new thing!
As far as handling goes, at first it felt just a little clumsy...again---just a little after having driven a full size Japanese brand for the past seven days. And I think that may have had something to do with the steering wheel, whereby as beautiful as it is---done in wood grain with leather wrapping---it felt much thinner than the wheel I had been accustomed to holding in the day prior. Powered by a 388 horsepower / 3.6L V6 engine with a six speed transmission, Enclave is full of robust power. Therefore, after driving through the city right around rush hour--when I had to do some clever maneuvering thereby discovering the Stabilitrak feature that applies braking to any wheel in order to maintain overall vehicle control-- I have to give Enclave a lot more applause for handling.
Enclave's interior is eye catching from every angle. Beautiful wood accents on the dash, along with other cocoa and chrome highlights are definitely chic with a touch of bling. Love the power sunroof with second row skylight. And the only bench seat is on the third row, which by the flip of a switch goes up and down on cue. The second row captains chairs are especially perfect in cases of sibling rivalry for the family of seven, all of which can be seated comfortably in the Enclave.
Beyond families, Enclave is a hot whip for an artist such as Fabian Williams, who by the flip of a switch can lay down the third row, fold down the second row and have all his supplies in tow and be on his way to tonight's art competition, PAINT, SKETCH, or DRAW...BLOOD!, at the Stuart McClean Gallery (684 John Wesley Dobbs Avenue), from 7-11pm.
AKA, "Occasional Superstar," Fabian William's portfolio features a wide range of socially and culturally relevant work including live art. In conjunction with music - painting a picture on the spot without a plan, the Occasional Superstar is notorious for his ability to absorb an atmosphere and translate that feeling onto canvas. Other noted works include a portrait of Antwan “Big Boi” Patton unveiled at the after party for “big,” Big Boi’s collaboration with the Atlanta Ballet and his RaceCard ThrowCards. "Most people don’t want to be racist. It's often based on ignorance." Hence an interactive, call-to-action for anyone who encounters racial stereotypes in their day-to-day life via The RaceCard ThrowCards, which help bring the subtlety of modern day racism to light with personal empowerment to diminish racism through acknowledgment.
Tonight's competition will also feature the works of other participating artists from the World Wide Arts Federation including Corey Davis, Meechi Meko, Charlton Palmer, Justin Huff, Leisha Stacia, Jessica Scott-Felder, Grace Kisa and Tamara Madden, with complimentary wine and hors' dourves.
And by all means, look for the prominently displayed cocoa metallic, 2010 Buick Enclave CXL-2 that I'm mackin'!
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