BUICK LACROSSE

MSRP: $27,085-33,015

Invoice: $25,865-31,530

Buick Transformation Continues with the 2010 LaCrosse Luxury Sedan

• Sculpted styling defines Buick’s modern global design

• Luxurious interior crafted of premium materials with cool blue ambient lighting

• Intelligent personal technologies enhance the driving experience

• Responsive performance via efficient. direct injection dual overhead cam engines paired with six-speed automatic transmissions

Redesigned from the ground up, the 2010 Buick LaCrosse luxury sedan makes its world debut at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit on Jan. 12. The LaCrosse offers all wheel drive, a suite of advanced intelligent personal technologies and safety features, and a choice of two fuel-saving V-6 engines.

‘The new LaCrosse was created with great attention to detail, craftsmanship and advanced technology,’ said Susan Docherty, Buick-Pontiac-GMC vice president. ‘It builds on the success of Enclave as the next step in Buick’s revitalization. And, as with Enclave, our goal is to attract a whole new buyer to our dealerships for LaCrosse.’

Sculpted design

Buick’s long heritage of leading designs, such as the Y-Job Concept, the Roadmaster and the Riviera, helped define American automobile design through the years, according to Ed Welburn, vice president of GM Global Design. Today, Buick design is a product of a global team and resources. Creative collaboration between designers in the United States and China, in partnership with the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) as well as chassis and body engineers in Europe, resulted in the first General Motors vehicle to be created on three continents.

‘The new LaCrosse is intended to represent modern elegance,’ said Welburn. ‘Throughout the design, you experience a balance of contrasts. Both the interior and exterior have been designed with harmony in mind. The exterior balances taut, sculpted lines with sensuous accents and surfaces. Inside, smoked chrome accents, warm wood, first-class leather and materials combine with cool blue ambient lighting to create an inviting environment.’

The exterior design is faithful to the Buick Invicta show car introduced at the 2008 Beijing Auto Show.

‘It is instantly recognizable as a Buick, with its signature ‘sweep spear’ body-side styling, portholes inside the character line on the hood, and waterfall grille,’ added Welburn.

Luxurious interior experience

Inside, the two-tone interior is defined by a flowing, uninterrupted design theme that wraps around the instrument and door panels. Attention to detail is evident throughout the interior, including the analog instrument cluster, chrome offset by dark wood accents, and the contrasting thread and French stitching on the instrument panel.

Buick’s signature QuietTuning – an engineering process to reduce, block and absorb interior noise – provides a distraction-free passenger environment.

An unexpected, inviting touch is the cool blue ambient lighting throughout the cabin from the center console, instrument panel and door panels.

Intelligent personal technologies

The contemporary atmosphere of the cabin includes the digital connectivity and personal technology offered in the new LaCrosse. That includes features such as in-dash navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, an auxiliary audio input and a USB port. For rear-seat passengers, a power rear-window sunshade and a DVD entertainment system, with two display screens integrated into the seatbacks, is available.

LaCrosse’s intelligent technologies also work to deliver a 360-degree field of vision behind the steering wheel, for a greater feeling of comfort, security and safety. It starts with the available head-up display in the windshield, allowing the driver to monitor speed while keeping his or her eyes on the road. At night, the available adaptive lighting package can direct the high-intensity discharge headlight beams up to 15 degrees for enhanced illumination of the road and its curves.

LaCrosse offers Side Blind Zone alert that notifies the driver if a vehicle in adjacent lanes is traveling in the driver’s blind spot. The LaCrosse is also available with a rear view camera, with the display integrated into the navigation system screen.

The technology available on LaCrosse enhances a suite of standard safety features that is designed to meet the criteria for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 20 Star Safety Rating. Highlights include front-, side- and roof-mounted head-curtain air bags, StabiliTrak stability- and traction-control system. The safety and security of OnStar is also included for the first year of ownership.

Responsive performance

LaCrosse’s stiff body structure serves as the foundation for precise suspension tuning, safety and a quiet ride. Buyers can choose from a family of efficient, direct-injection six-cylinder engines and a fuel-conserving six-speed automatic transmission with tap-up/tap-down control.

The direct injection engines in the LaCrosse create more power with less fuel and reduce vehicle emissions through greater combustion control – particularly cold-start emissions that are reduced by up to 25 percent.

The 2010 LaCrosse will be offered in three models – CX, CXL and CXS:

CX – equipped with a new 3.0L direct injection V-6, premium cloth seats and 17-inch wheels. The 3.0L engine generates an estimated 255 horsepower (190 kW) and 211 lb.-ft. of torque (286 Nm) and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

CXL – also equipped with the new 3.0L direct injection V-6, adds leather-appointed heated seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, fog lamps, outside rearview mirror with LED turn indicators and puddle lamps, and 18-inch wheels. Intelligent AWD is available.

CXS – equipped with a 3.6L direct injection V-6; real-time active-dampening suspension; perforated, leather-appointed, heated and cooled seats, and chrome-plated 18-inch wheels (19-inch optional). The 3.6L engine, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, generates an estimated 280 horsepower (209 kW) and 261 lb.-ft. of torque (354 Nm).

LaCrosse production will begin this summer at the Fairfax Assembly facility in Kansas City, Kan.

RENAISSANCE SEDAN: 2010 LACROSSE REPRESENTS A REINVIGORATED BUICK

The completely redesigned 2010 Buick LaCrosse luxury sedan is the newest example of the globally influenced product renaissance at Buick. It offers all-wheel drive, a suite of advanced intelligent personal technologies and safety features, as well as three efficient, powerful engines.

‘The new LaCrosse builds on the success of Enclave as the next step in Buick’s renaissance and great attention to detail, craftsmanship and advanced technology,’ said Susan Docherty, Buick-Pontiac-GMC vice president. ‘It offers unique features such as all-wheel drive and a new, efficient four-cylinder engine that will attract new customers to Buick.’

The 2010 LaCrosse was developed within GM’s worldwide network of design and engineering centers, reflecting Buick’s growing popularity around the globe – particularly in Asia. It offers a contemporary vision of a luxury sedan that looks at home on the streets of Santa Monica or Shanghai, with heritage cues that recall the brand’s legacy as a design leader.

‘There is great harmony in everything offered by LaCrosse – a beautifully crafted exterior, a premium interior and a satisfying driving experience to please the senses and complement any lifestyle,’ Docherty said. ‘It’s a seamless package that incorporates the very best of GM’s global resources to make this Buick an industry benchmark.’

The 2010 LaCrosse is offered in three models – CX, CXL and CXS:

• CX – equipped at the start of production with a new 3.0L direct injection V-6, premium cloth seats and 17-inch wheels. The 3.0L engine generates 255 horsepower (190 kW) and 217 lb.-ft. of torque (294 Nm) and has a six-speed automatic transmission. Later this year, a new, 2.4L Ecotec four-cylinder replaces the 3.0L as the standard engine.

• CXL – also equipped with the new 3.0L direct injection V-6, adds leather-appointed heated seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, fog lamps, outside rearview mirror with LED turn indicators and puddle lamps, and 18-inch alloy wheels. An advanced, intelligent AWD system is available.

• CXS – equipped with a 3.6L direct injection V-6; real-time active-dampening suspension (optional); perforated, leather-appointed, heated and ventilated seats, and chrome-plated 18-inch alloy wheels (19-inch optional). The 3.6L engine, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, generates 280 horsepower (209 kW) and 259 lb.-ft. of torque (351 Nm).

All models share a beautifully sculpted, globally influenced design that is instantly recognizable as a Buick, including a signature ‘sweep spear’ body-side styling, portholes on the hood and a waterfall grille.

The LaCrosse’s interior continues the flowing, detailed aesthetic of the exterior, with elements such as ice-blue ambient lighting throughout the cabin – from the center console, instrument panel and door panels. Buick’s signature QuietTuning, an engineering process to reduce, block and absorb interior noise, provides a distraction-free passenger environment.

The contemporary atmosphere of the LaCrosse’s cabin is accented with available digital connectivity and personal technology that includes in-dash navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, an auxiliary audio input and a USB port. For rear-seat passengers, a DVD entertainment system is offered.

Safety features

LaCrosse’s strong body structure – including the use of ultra high-strength steel – and a carefully designed passenger compartment help manage crash energy to protect occupants. The LaCrosse is also equipped with technologies that help avoid crashes in the first place.

The roster of standard and available safety equipment includes:

• Six air bags, including dual-level frontal air bags; front thorax-pelvic air bags and roof-mounted head curtain air bags for front and rear passengers are standard. Rear side air bags are available

• Front safety belt pretensioners and lockable head restraints are standard

• Front shoulder belt load limiters are standard

• A collapsible brake pedal system is standard

• OnStar is standard.

GM’s Side Blind Zone Alert system is available later this summer. Additional optional technologies that bolster LaCrosse’s safety include a head-up instrument display, adaptive forward lighting and a rearview camera system (please see the separate Technology release for more details).

Buick’s renaissance and quality story

As General Motors reinvents itself, Buick remains a core brand that will play a central role going forward. Buick’s lineup is expected to grow in North America, building on the success of the popular Enclave crossover that ignited the brand’s renaissance, as well as the new LaCrosse.

Great design and intelligent personal technologies are driving Buick’s renaissance and build on a foundation of exemplary quality. In March 2009, J.D. Power and Associates announced that Buick tied for the highest ranking in vehicle dependability for three-year-old models. The previous LaCrosse ranked first in the midsize segment, beating the Toyota Camry, while the Buick Lucerne placed second in the large car segment.

For the seventh straight year, Buick ranked in the Top 10 brands in the J.D. Power and Associates dependability study, which evaluates more than 200 problem areas. In addition to the latest J.D. Power and Associates honor, Buicks have been recognized with numerous ‘recommended’ and ‘best buy’ designations by leading consumer magazines and websites for all three current models: Enclave, LaCrosse and Lucerne.

The new 2010 LaCrosse is manufactured at GM’s Fairfax Assembly facility in Kansas City, Kan.

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), one of the world’s largest automakers, was founded in 1908, and today manufactures cars and trucks in 34 countries. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 235,000 people in every major region of the world, and sells and services vehicles in some 140 countries. In 2008, GM sold 8.35 million cars and trucks globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Hummer, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM’s largest national market is the United States, followed by China, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Canada, Russia and Germany. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.

2010 Buick LaCrosse Named MotorWeek’s Drivers’ Choice Award winner for ‘Best Luxury Sedan’

The LaCrosse Continues to Earn Industry Praise for Design and Quality

The 2010 Buick LaCrosse continues to earn industry praise and recognition, as it receives a 2010 MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Award today at the Chicago Auto Show. The LaCrosse was named MotorWeek’s Drivers’ Choice Award winner for ‘Best Luxury Sedan.’

‘MotorWeek’s Drivers’ Choice Award for ‘Best Luxury Sedan’ is a great honor for the Buick LaCrosse and confirms the growing momentum behind the car,’ said Brian Sweeney, general manager of Buick GMC. ‘The LaCrosse is a leader in the luxury sedan segment and continues to sell quickly off dealer lots. This award is tribute to the designers, engineers, sales team, employees who build the LaCrosse in Fairfax and dealers who work so hard to bring the LaCrosse to market.’

The annual MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Awards are chosen by MotorWeek’s editorial staff who test drive more than 150 cars, trucks and utilities each year. Winners are then selected on factors including performance, technology, practicality and value.According to MotorWeek the LaCrosse received its top honor for its ‘stunning good looks and quality inside and out.’ The 2010 Buick LaCrosse luxury sedan has been redesigned from the ground up, and offers all-wheel drive, a suite of advanced personal technologies and safety features and a luxurious interior.In addition to two fuel-saving V-6 engines, a new fuel-efficient, direct inject Ecotec 2.4L four-cylinder engine will be available with the LaCrosse CX model this spring. As the only four-cylinder engine offered in its class, the new powertain is expected to deliver fuel economy of 30 mpg highway, making the LaCrosse one of the most fuel-efficient cars in its segment.

With its long list of standard safety equipment, the LaCrosse’s safety credentials rate among the best in the industry. It earned five stars – the highest rating possible – in all four metrics from the federal government new car assessment program. The vehicle also received the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s IIHS Top Safety Pick award, achieving a ‘good’ rating in each of the four crash simulations and offering StabiliTrak, electronic stability control shown to help drivers avoid certain types of crashes.

Other Buick LaCrosse Awards and Recognitions

• Consumers Guide 2010 Best Buy and Recommendation Award

• MotherProof.com’s 2010 Sedan of the Year

• About.com Car’s Best New Cars of 2010

• 2010 North American Car of the Year finalist

• About.com Cars’ Best New Cars of 2010

• Edmunds.com’s 2010 Most Recommended Vehicles

• Drive Car Reviews ‘Top Picks for 2009′

• CanadianDriver.com — Top Picks Award

Buick Regal GS Concept

BUICK ENCLAVE

Immediately after its introduction in 2008, Enclave began changing consumer perception about Buick and luxury crossovers. Enclave blends style and grace with elegance and precision. It delivers room for as many as eight, plenty of space for cargo and better fuel economy than any eight-passenger SUV. Enclave also offers a starting price that makes its luxury competitors take notice, along with a host of standard equipment and the industry’s best warranty coverage.
‘Enclave is the perfect example of integrating Buick’s new global design direction with our brand’s long-standing reputation for quality and craftsmanship,’ said Buick-Pontiac-GMC Vice President Susan Docherty. ‘It’s a crossover that we like to say looks smaller outside, but lives larger inside.’
For 2009, Buick Enclave, available in CX and CXL models with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, delivers more performance from a new, standard 3.6L V-6 direct injection engine and more convenience features.
More powerful V-6 with direct injection
Buick Enclave receives a more powerful, more sophisticated, fuel-efficient engine for 2009. The 3.6L direct injection V-6 VVT engine delivers a SAE-certified 288 horsepower (215 kW)* and 270 lb.-ft. (366 Nm) of torque.* This new engine is a compelling mixture of power, smoothness, efficiency and technical sophistication.
The 3.6L direct injection engine is designed to operate with regular unleaded gasoline and produces power similar to many V-8 engines. With direct injection, fuel is sprayed directly to the combustion chamber to create a more complete burn of the fuel/air mixture. As a result, less fuel is required to produce the equivalent horsepower of a conventional port-injection combustion system, especially at normal cruising speeds. Ninety percent of the Enclave engine’s peak torque is available from approximately 2,500 rpm to more than 6,000 rpm. Also, using unique pistons with the direct injection system helps reduce cold-start emissions by 25 percent.
Advanced, high-pressure fuel injectors reduce noise and comprise only one of numerous under-hood features designed to minimize or eliminate noise, vibration and harshness. Other elements include an acoustically tuned engine cover and intake manifold and center-feed fuel lines. Also, a new engine mount system further reduces vibration at idle.
Six-speed transmission
The 3.6L V-6 direct injection VVT engine is mated to the Hydra-Matic 6T75 electronically controlled six-speed automatic transmission. It features clutch-to-clutch shift operation, allowing for reduced complexity and compact packaging. The 6T75 also offers automatic grade braking, shift stabilization and precise shift control.
A wide, 6.04:1 overall ratio helps the transmission deliver both performance and fuel economy, enabling up to a 7-percent improvement in performance and up to a 4-percent improvement in fuel economy when compared to current front-wheel-drive four-speed automatics. The transmission has been designed so that the Enclave can be flat-towed in FWD and AWD configurations. The Enclave can tow up to 4,500 pounds (2,045 kg) when properly equipped.
More convenience
Enclave’s generous list of customer convenience features is further enhanced for 2009:
• The comfort of heated and cooled driver and front-passenger leather seats is now available as a stand-alone option, making it more affordable for Enclave customers to enjoy this premium feature.
• Bluetooth for Phone hands-free phone interface is standard on all Enclave models and includes integrated steering wheel controls, allowing drivers to keep their hands on the steering wheel at all times. Phone conversations are played through the vehicle’s audio system and voice recognition interprets voice commands to dial phone numbers and name tags.
• NavTraffic delivers real-time traffic information to the vehicle’s touch-screen navigation system. XM NavTraffic is available in 80 major North American markets and delivers comprehensive road condition data – such as crashes, traffic backups and road construction – to the subscriber’s navigation screen.
• OnStar Destination Download enables OnStar subscribers with screen-based navigation systems to quickly input their destination via the press of a button. OnStar eNav, meanwhile, allows subscribers with Turn-by-Turn Navigation service to find and save destinations on MapQuest.com and have those destinations sent to their vehicle’s OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation system.
• All entertainment packages add a 110-v olt inverter, enabling customers to power portable electric plug-in items.
• For Enclaves not equipped with the available navigation system, the Driver Confidence Package is enhanced for 2009 with a rear backup camera display integrated into the inside rearview mirror. A feature offered by few in the industry, it provides an increased level of safety at a more affordable price.
Additional standard Enclave comfort and convenience features include:
• Sliding front-row center console armrest
• One-touch power liftgate
• Tire pressure monitoring system
• Tri-zone climate control
• Smart Slide second-row seat
• Tilt and telescoping steering wheel
• True Buick design
Enclave’s fluid lines and curved surfaces create the illusion of a smaller vehicle. Other Buick design cues include a waterfall grille – with a bold tri-shield emblem – and V-shaped portholes. High-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps are standard. For enhanced illumination, especially while cornering, Enclave offers available articulating headlamps.
Eighteen-inch flangeless wheels are standard on CX models. CXL models are equipped with standard 19-inch machined wheels or available seven-spoke, 19-inch chrome wheels. Those wishing to make an even bolder statement may choose 20-inch wheels, a dealer-installed option available through Buick Accessories.Two new exterior colors are available for 2009: Quicksilver Metallic and Silver Green Metallic.
Roomy, finely crafted interior
Enclave’s interior complements the handsome exterior with a luxuriously appointed, warm and inviting environment, with premium, soft-touch, low-gloss materials. The attention to detail is reflected in the precise fit and finish of all interior elements, including the instrument panel.
Enclave delivers an impressive level of roominess and functionality. With three rows of seats, Enclave comfortably accommodates seven or eight occupants, and still provides 24.1 cu. ft. (682 L) of cargo space behind the third-row seat when the cargo management is removed. That’s the trunk capacity of some large sedans and room that many crossovers cannot match. Enclave also offers 115.9 cubic feet (3,282 L) of cargo room behind the first row when all rear seats are folded – that’s more maximum cargo volume than the 2008 Lexus RX350 (84.7 cu. ft.), 2008 Volvo XC90 (85.1 cu. ft.), 2008 Audi Q7 (71.8 cu. ft.) and 2008 Acura MDX (83.5 cu. ft.).
Premium cloth seats are standard on CX models; perforated and heated leather seats are standard on CXL models. The first row includes two bucket seats, while the second-row comes standard with two captain’s chairs. A second-row 60/40-split bench (three passengers) seat is available.
Enclave’s second-row seats feature GM’s Smart Slide, which allows easy entry to the third row with the pull of one handle. With Smart Slide, the second-row seat cushion flips up while the seatback slides forward, compressing the space occupied by the seat. The seats also have fore/aft adjustment. When adjusted rearward, the second-row seat provides more legroom for taller passengers; when adjusted forward, it provides more storage space or additional legroom for third-row passengers.
The third row features a standard 60/40-split bench seat that can accommodate three adult passengers. For extra support and comfort, individual sections of the third-row bench are bolstered, and they tuck away when the seat is folded flat.
Entering and exiting Enclave’s third row is made easy by maximizing the door opening and reducing the space between the rear door and leading edge of the opening.
Enclave’s step-in heights through the front and rear doors also contribute to easy entry and exit.
Peace and quiet
Enclave is the only crossover in its segment equipped with QuietTuning, Buick’s exclusive engineering process to reduce, block and absorb unwanted noise from entering Enclave’s cabin. Noise-reducing components include an acoustic-laminated windshield, laminated safety glass for front doors, triple door seals, flat-blade windshield wipers, and outside rearview mirrors. In addition, strategically placed sound-deadening material is applied in more than two dozen locations throughout the vehicle. The tires are also engineered to minimize noise.The result is a library-quiet interior that allows passengers seated in the third row to hear a conversation between first-row occupants without interference.
SUV capability meets luxury car ride
Buick Enclave blurs the line between SUV and luxury sedan. It has SUV capability and the ride quality and fuel economy of a sedan. Credit for Enclave’s car-like driving experience is attributed to its stiff structure, its purpose-built suspension and aerodynamic shape.
Enclave rides on a long, 119-inch (3,023 mm) wheelbase and wide, 67.3-inch (1,709 mm) front and 67.1-inch (1,704 mm) rear tracks. The long wheelbase and wide track contribute to a confident ride and precise handling. Enclave’s aerodynamic shape yields a 0.358 coefficient of drag (Cd) – an impressive figure considering that SUVs with a comparable ‘footprint’ have a Cd of 0.420 or higher.
Enclave’s smooth and controlled driving feel features standard variable-effort power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering supported by independent front and rear suspension designs. The front suspension features a MacPherson strut design, with a direct-acting stabilizer bar that helps provide a more immediate feel during turns. The tops of the struts are mounted to the chassis through isolated mounts, with ball bearings that reduce steering friction. The inboard pivot points of the lower control arms are mounted to a rigid engine cradle that is fully isolated from the chassis to reduce the level of road noise into the cabin.
The front lower control arms use two bushings that are positioned geometrically to allow the arms to be laterally stiff for handling, and softer fore and aft for a smoother ride. One bushing is fluid-filled and damped for even better ride impact performance. The steering knuckles are made of aluminum to provide a lower unsprung weight, which helps wheel control on rough driving surfaces.
The rear suspension is a linked ‘H’ arm design that provides precise positioning of the rear wheels through their travel and while cornering. It is also compact, which enables a low load floor – a feature that contributes to Enclave’s generous passenger and cargo space. It also allows for a high load-carrying capacity.
Safety features
Buick Enclave has a comprehensive safety system designed to protect passengers before, during and after a crash. Four-wheel anti-lock brakes, StabiliTrak electronic stability control system with rollover
mitigation technology and GM’s tire pressure monitoring system are standard. Traction control also is standard on all models.
Enclave is equipped with six standard air bags: two dual-stage frontal air bags, two seat-mounted side-impact air bags in the first row and two roof rail air bags that cover all three seating rows. Complementing the air bags is GM’s rollover sensing system, which activates the roof rail air bags if sensors determine an impending rollover. Because rollover crashes typically last longer than non-rollover crashes, the roof rail air bags stay inflated longer to provide increased occupant protection and containment. Additionally, first-row positions feature safety belt pretensioners, which activate at the moment of a crash to take up any slack in the safety belt and hold the passengers in place.
Enclave also includes a Panic Brake Assist feature. When an emergency braking maneuver is detected, the system automatically develops additional brake pressure to more quickly engage ABS, potentially reducing overall stopping distance by eliminating the delay that can occur if a driver does not brake hard enough and/or soon enough.
All Buicks, including Enclave, are equipped with OnStar (including a one-year Directions & Connections plan), which features the Advanced Crash Response System. If a crash activates an air bag, the OnStar system automatically notifies an OnStar advisor, who immediately calls the vehicle and/or summons emergency help.
Buick Enclave is priced less than luxury competitors and is backed by the industry’s best warranty – a four-year, 50,000-mile, bumper-to-bumper warranty, as well as five-year, 100,000-mile powertrain coverage.
Enclave is built at GM’s award-winning Lansing Delta Township assembly plant in Lansing, Mich. The state-of-the-art, flexible manufacturing complex is designed with people-focused, environmentally friendly production processes that ensure high build quality and represent the best of GM’s manufacturing systems from around the globe.

BUICK LACROSSE

MSRP: $27,085-33,015
Invoice: $25,865-31,530
Buick Transformation Continues with the 2010 LaCrosse Luxury Sedan
• Sculpted styling defines Buick’s modern global design
• Luxurious interior crafted of premium materials with cool blue ambient lighting
• Intelligent personal technologies enhance the driving experience
• Responsive performance via efficient. direct injection dual overhead cam engines paired with six-speed automatic transmissions
Redesigned from the ground up, the 2010 Buick LaCrosse luxury sedan makes its world debut at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit on Jan. 12. The LaCrosse offers all wheel drive, a suite of advanced intelligent personal technologies and safety features, and a choice of two fuel-saving V-6 engines.
‘The new LaCrosse was created with great attention to detail, craftsmanship and advanced technology,’ said Susan Docherty, Buick-Pontiac-GMC vice president. ‘It builds on the success of Enclave as the next step in Buick’s revitalization. And, as with Enclave, our goal is to attract a whole new buyer to our dealerships for LaCrosse.’
Sculpted design
Buick’s long heritage of leading designs, such as the Y-Job Concept, the Roadmaster and the Riviera, helped define American automobile design through the years, according to Ed Welburn, vice president of GM Global Design. Today, Buick design is a product of a global team and resources. Creative collaboration between designers in the United States and China, in partnership with the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) as well as chassis and body engineers in Europe, resulted in the first General Motors vehicle to be created on three continents.
‘The new LaCrosse is intended to represent modern elegance,’ said Welburn. ‘Throughout the design, you experience a balance of contrasts. Both the interior and exterior have been designed with harmony in mind. The exterior balances taut, sculpted lines with sensuous accents and surfaces. Inside, smoked chrome accents, warm wood, first-class leather and materials combine with cool blue ambient lighting to create an inviting environment.’
The exterior design is faithful to the Buick Invicta show car introduced at the 2008 Beijing Auto Show.
‘It is instantly recognizable as a Buick, with its signature ‘sweep spear’ body-side styling, portholes inside the character line on the hood, and waterfall grille,’ added Welburn.
Luxurious interior experience
Inside, the two-tone interior is defined by a flowing, uninterrupted design theme that wraps around the instrument and door panels. Attention to detail is evident throughout the interior, including the analog instrument cluster, chrome offset by dark wood accents, and the contrasting thread and French stitching on the instrument panel.
Buick’s signature QuietTuning – an engineering process to reduce, block and absorb interior noise – provides a distraction-free passenger environment.
An unexpected, inviting touch is the cool blue ambient lighting throughout the cabin from the center console, instrument panel and door panels.
Intelligent personal technologies
The contemporary atmosphere of the cabin includes the digital connectivity and personal technology offered in the new LaCrosse. That includes features such as in-dash navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, an auxiliary audio input and a USB port. For rear-seat passengers, a power rear-window sunshade and a DVD entertainment system, with two display screens integrated into the seatbacks, is available.
LaCrosse’s intelligent technologies also work to deliver a 360-degree field of vision behind the steering wheel, for a greater feeling of comfort, security and safety. It starts with the available head-up display in the windshield, allowing the driver to monitor speed while keeping his or her eyes on the road. At night, the available adaptive lighting package can direct the high-intensity discharge headlight beams up to 15 degrees for enhanced illumination of the road and its curves.
LaCrosse offers Side Blind Zone alert that notifies the driver if a vehicle in adjacent lanes is traveling in the driver’s blind spot. The LaCrosse is also available with a rear view camera, with the display integrated into the navigation system screen.
The technology available on LaCrosse enhances a suite of standard safety features that is designed to meet the criteria for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 20 Star Safety Rating. Highlights include front-, side- and roof-mounted head-curtain air bags, StabiliTrak stability- and traction-control system. The safety and security of OnStar is also included for the first year of ownership.
Responsive performance
LaCrosse’s stiff body structure serves as the foundation for precise suspension tuning, safety and a quiet ride. Buyers can choose from a family of efficient, direct-injection six-cylinder engines and a fuel-conserving six-speed automatic transmission with tap-up/tap-down control.
The direct injection engines in the LaCrosse create more power with less fuel and reduce vehicle emissions through greater combustion control – particularly cold-start emissions that are reduced by up to 25 percent.
The 2010 LaCrosse will be offered in three models – CX, CXL and CXS:
CX – equipped with a new 3.0L direct injection V-6, premium cloth seats and 17-inch wheels. The 3.0L engine generates an estimated 255 horsepower (190 kW) and 211 lb.-ft. of torque (286 Nm) and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
CXL – also equipped with the new 3.0L direct injection V-6, adds leather-appointed heated seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, fog lamps, outside rearview mirror with LED turn indicators and puddle lamps, and 18-inch wheels. Intelligent AWD is available.
CXS – equipped with a 3.6L direct injection V-6; real-time active-dampening suspension; perforated, leather-appointed, heated and cooled seats, and chrome-plated 18-inch wheels (19-inch optional). The 3.6L engine, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, generates an estimated 280 horsepower (209 kW) and 261 lb.-ft. of torque (354 Nm).
LaCrosse production will begin this summer at the Fairfax Assembly facility in Kansas City, Kan.
RENAISSANCE SEDAN: 2010 LACROSSE REPRESENTS A REINVIGORATED BUICK
The completely redesigned 2010 Buick LaCrosse luxury sedan is the newest example of the globally influenced product renaissance at Buick. It offers all-wheel drive, a suite of advanced intelligent personal technologies and safety features, as well as three efficient, powerful engines.
‘The new LaCrosse builds on the success of Enclave as the next step in Buick’s renaissance and great attention to detail, craftsmanship and advanced technology,’ said Susan Docherty, Buick-Pontiac-GMC vice president. ‘It offers unique features such as all-wheel drive and a new, efficient four-cylinder engine that will attract new customers to Buick.’
The 2010 LaCrosse was developed within GM’s worldwide network of design and engineering centers, reflecting Buick’s growing popularity around the globe – particularly in Asia. It offers a contemporary vision of a luxury sedan that looks at home on the streets of Santa Monica or Shanghai, with heritage cues that recall the brand’s legacy as a design leader.
‘There is great harmony in everything offered by LaCrosse – a beautifully crafted exterior, a premium interior and a satisfying driving experience to please the senses and complement any lifestyle,’ Docherty said. ‘It’s a seamless package that incorporates the very best of GM’s global resources to make this Buick an industry benchmark.’
The 2010 LaCrosse is offered in three models – CX, CXL and CXS:
• CX – equipped at the start of production with a new 3.0L direct injection V-6, premium cloth seats and 17-inch wheels. The 3.0L engine generates 255 horsepower (190 kW) and 217 lb.-ft. of torque (294 Nm) and has a six-speed automatic transmission. Later this year, a new, 2.4L Ecotec four-cylinder replaces the 3.0L as the standard engine.
• CXL – also equipped with the new 3.0L direct injection V-6, adds leather-appointed heated seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, fog lamps, outside rearview mirror with LED turn indicators and puddle lamps, and 18-inch alloy wheels. An advanced, intelligent AWD system is available.
• CXS – equipped with a 3.6L direct injection V-6; real-time active-dampening suspension (optional); perforated, leather-appointed, heated and ventilated seats, and chrome-plated 18-inch alloy wheels (19-inch optional). The 3.6L engine, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, generates 280 horsepower (209 kW) and 259 lb.-ft. of torque (351 Nm).
All models share a beautifully sculpted, globally influenced design that is instantly recognizable as a Buick, including a signature ‘sweep spear’ body-side styling, portholes on the hood and a waterfall grille.
The LaCrosse’s interior continues the flowing, detailed aesthetic of the exterior, with elements such as ice-blue ambient lighting throughout the cabin – from the center console, instrument panel and door panels. Buick’s signature QuietTuning, an engineering process to reduce, block and absorb interior noise, provides a distraction-free passenger environment.
The contemporary atmosphere of the LaCrosse’s cabin is accented with available digital connectivity and personal technology that includes in-dash navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, an auxiliary audio input and a USB port. For rear-seat passengers, a DVD entertainment system is offered.
Safety features
LaCrosse’s strong body structure – including the use of ultra high-strength steel – and a carefully designed passenger compartment help manage crash energy to protect occupants. The LaCrosse is also equipped with technologies that help avoid crashes in the first place.
The roster of standard and available safety equipment includes:
• Six air bags, including dual-level frontal air bags; front thorax-pelvic air bags and roof-mounted head curtain air bags for front and rear passengers are standard. Rear side air bags are available
• Front safety belt pretensioners and lockable head restraints are standard
• Front shoulder belt load limiters are standard
• A collapsible brake pedal system is standard
• OnStar is standard.
GM’s Side Blind Zone Alert system is available later this summer. Additional optional technologies that bolster LaCrosse’s safety include a head-up instrument display, adaptive forward lighting and a rearview camera system (please see the separate Technology release for more details).
Buick’s renaissance and quality story
As General Motors reinvents itself, Buick remains a core brand that will play a central role going forward. Buick’s lineup is expected to grow in North America, building on the success of the popular Enclave crossover that ignited the brand’s renaissance, as well as the new LaCrosse.
Great design and intelligent personal technologies are driving Buick’s renaissance and build on a foundation of exemplary quality. In March 2009, J.D. Power and Associates announced that Buick tied for the highest ranking in vehicle dependability for three-year-old models. The previous LaCrosse ranked first in the midsize segment, beating the Toyota Camry, while the Buick Lucerne placed second in the large car segment.
For the seventh straight year, Buick ranked in the Top 10 brands in the J.D. Power and Associates dependability study, which evaluates more than 200 problem areas. In addition to the latest J.D. Power and Associates honor, Buicks have been recognized with numerous ‘recommended’ and ‘best buy’ designations by leading consumer magazines and websites for all three current models: Enclave, LaCrosse and Lucerne.
The new 2010 LaCrosse is manufactured at GM’s Fairfax Assembly facility in Kansas City, Kan.
General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), one of the world’s largest automakers, was founded in 1908, and today manufactures cars and trucks in 34 countries. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 235,000 people in every major region of the world, and sells and services vehicles in some 140 countries. In 2008, GM sold 8.35 million cars and trucks globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Hummer, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM’s largest national market is the United States, followed by China, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Canada, Russia and Germany. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.
2010 Buick LaCrosse Named MotorWeek’s Drivers’ Choice Award winner for ‘Best Luxury Sedan’
The LaCrosse Continues to Earn Industry Praise for Design and Quality
The 2010 Buick LaCrosse continues to earn industry praise and recognition, as it receives a 2010 MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Award today at the Chicago Auto Show. The LaCrosse was named MotorWeek’s Drivers’ Choice Award winner for ‘Best Luxury Sedan.’
‘MotorWeek’s Drivers’ Choice Award for ‘Best Luxury Sedan’ is a great honor for the Buick LaCrosse and confirms the growing momentum behind the car,’ said Brian Sweeney, general manager of Buick GMC. ‘The LaCrosse is a leader in the luxury sedan segment and continues to sell quickly off dealer lots. This award is tribute to the designers, engineers, sales team, employees who build the LaCrosse in Fairfax and dealers who work so hard to bring the LaCrosse to market.’
The annual MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Awards are chosen by MotorWeek’s editorial staff who test drive more than 150 cars, trucks and utilities each year. Winners are then selected on factors including performance, technology, practicality and value.According to MotorWeek the LaCrosse received its top honor for its ‘stunning good looks and quality inside and out.’ The 2010 Buick LaCrosse luxury sedan has been redesigned from the ground up, and offers all-wheel drive, a suite of advanced personal technologies and safety features and a luxurious interior.In addition to two fuel-saving V-6 engines, a new fuel-efficient, direct inject Ecotec 2.4L four-cylinder engine will be available with the LaCrosse CX model this spring. As the only four-cylinder engine offered in its class, the new powertain is expected to deliver fuel economy of 30 mpg highway, making the LaCrosse one of the most fuel-efficient cars in its segment.
With its long list of standard safety equipment, the LaCrosse’s safety credentials rate among the best in the industry. It earned five stars – the highest rating possible – in all four metrics from the federal government new car assessment program. The vehicle also received the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s IIHS Top Safety Pick award, achieving a ‘good’ rating in each of the four crash simulations and offering StabiliTrak, electronic stability control shown to help drivers avoid certain types of crashes.
Other Buick LaCrosse Awards and Recognitions
• Consumers Guide 2010 Best Buy and Recommendation Award
• MotherProof.com’s 2010 Sedan of the Year
• About.com Car’s Best New Cars of 2010
• 2010 North American Car of the Year finalist
• About.com Cars’ Best New Cars of 2010
• Edmunds.com’s 2010 Most Recommended Vehicles
• Drive Car Reviews ‘Top Picks for 2009′
• CanadianDriver.com — Top Picks Award

Buick Lucerne

MSRP: $29,230-39,230
Invoice: $27,910-37,460
2010 Buick Lucerne news, pictures, and information
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New for 2010
• New optional 18-inch chrome wheel design on Lucerne Super model
• Entire Lucerne lineup is refreshed with rocker panels and fog lamps from Lucerne Super
• Backlit gauges on instrument panel cluster (late 2009MY change)
• Choice of Ebony and Cocoa/Shale Super interior now standard on Lucerne CXL Special Edition
• Available Bluetooth on 1CX model
• Exterior colors: Pearl Frost Tricoat, Light Bronze Metallic and Sand Beige Metallic are additions; Dark Crimson Metallic, Ming Blue Metallic, Gold Mist Metallic, Dark Mocha Bronze Metallic and Mystic Sapphire Tri-coat discontinued
Source – Buick
Buick’s full-size luxury sedan gets a refreshed exterior with front and rear fascias, rocker panels and fog lamps previously available only on the Lucerne Super model. Other changes include a different 18-inch chrome wheel design on Lucerne Super.
Other enhancements include backlit gauges on the instrument panel cluster for greater aesthetics and visibility, and available Bluetooth connectivity on the Lucerne 1CX model. Three new exterior colors will debut; Pearl Frost Tricoat, Light Bronze Metallic and Sand Beige Metallic. All colors except White Opal will be available on the Lucerne Super. The Lucerne CXL Special Edition interior is upgraded to the Custom Perforated Suede-appointed Lucerne Super interior with heated seats standard on both.
The 2010 Lucerne is available in CX, CXL, CXL Special Edition and Super models.
Buick’s quality story
In March 2009, J.D. Power and Associates announced that Buick tied for the highest ranking in vehicle dependability for three-year-old models. The LaCrosse ranked first in the midsize segment, beating the Toyota Camry, while the Buick Lucerne placed second in the large car segment.
For the seventh straight year, Buick ranked in the Top 10 brands in the J.D. Power and Associates dependability study, which evaluates more than 200 problem areas. In addition to the latest J.D. Power and Associates honor, Buicks have been recognized with numerous ‘recommended’ and ‘best buy’ designations by leading consumer magazines and websites for all three current models: Enclave, LaCrosse and Lucerne.

Buick Unveils Regal GS

Buick Unveils Regal GS Show Car
• 21st-century successor to Buick’s Gran Sport heritage
• Bold, sporty design with unique exterior details and an aggressive stance
• High-output Ecotec 2.0L turbocharged engine and six-speed manual transmission
• Adaptive all-wheel-drive system and electronic limited-slip rear differential
• 0-60 in less than 6.0 seconds
• Buick’s class-exclusive Interactive Drive Control System
DETROIT – With an estimated 255 turbocharged horsepower (190 kW), a six-speed manual transmission and an advanced, adaptive all-wheel-drive system, the Buick Regal GS show car is a high-tech, high-performance version of the brand’s newest sport sedan. It was introduced at the 2010 North American International Auto Show.
The mechanical elements were developed with the aim of delivering a driving experience that is sporting, confidence-inspiring and refined. It has a performance-oriented drivetrain, a lowered body and lower center of gravity. Exterior and interior cues include two additional vertical front air intakes; large, forged aluminum 20-inch wheels and performance tires; a racing-inspired sport steering wheel and metal pedals. Recaro high-performance front seats feature four-way lumbar support and cushion extensions.
‘We designed the Regal GS to explore the appeal of a high-performance variant of the Regal,’ said Craig Bierley, product marketing director for Buick. ‘Like the Regal, the Regal GS is based on the award-winning Opel Insignia, and we believe it will reinvigorate Buick’s storied Gran Sport legacy.’
The Regal GS exterior is distinguished by vertical air inlets in the front fascia, as well as unique rocker panels, an integrated rear spoiler, dual exhaust outlets, Olympic White paint and satin metallic accents.
‘The idea behind the Regal GS was taking the production model in a more aggressive direction to appeal to performance enthusiasts,’ said John Cafaro, Buick design director. ‘But along with its aggressive stance, there’s sophisticated style in the design that complements the driving experience.’
Inside, the Regal GS varies from the standard Regal by featuring a completely jet black interior, including the pillars and headliner, sport shifter for the six-speed manual transmission and a suede-covered, flat-bottom steering wheel reminiscent of those used in international racing series. The instrument panel glows ice blue when the driver engages the sport mode of the Interactive Drive Control System (IDCS).
Turbocharged AWD performance
Power for the Regal GS comes from a high-output 2.0L Ecotec turbocharged engine with direct-injection technology. It is based on the engine that will be offered on Regal CXL models later this summer, but the engine and turbocharger are tuned to deliver greater boost pressure in the GS. The output is estimated at 255 horsepower (190 kW) and 295 lb.-ft. of torque (400 Nm).
The engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission that directs torque to an adaptive all-wheel-drive system calibrated for performance driving. An electronic, limited-slip rear differential helps ensure the engine’s power is distributed effectively during cornering.
The high-performance drivetrain is expected to enable the Regal GS to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds. That performance is complemented by a four-wheel-independent suspension, with a unique High Performance Strut (HiPerStrut) design in front. The HiPerStrut system helps reduce torque steer and maintain negative camber during cornering. This improves ultimate grip levels in dry and wet conditions, as well as improves the direct feel of the road, while isolating undesirable feedback. Behind the wheel the driver experiences reduced torque steer, improved grip and increased cornering power, along with crisper handling, steering precision and feedback.
The Regal GS features a high-performance Brembo brake system with 14 x 1.2-inch (355 x 32 mm) cross-drilled rotors; four-piston, high-strength aluminum calipers, and high-performance pads.
The Regal GS is also equipped with Interactive Drive Control System (IDCS) chassis technology (also offered on Regal CXL models with the 2.0L turbo engine). It delivers enhanced vehicle stability and greater driving safety, while also adapting the driving characteristics of the car to the driver’s preferences. The driver selects among three operating modes – normal, sport and GS – that change the suspension settings, throttle response and steering sensitivity through the variable-effort steering system.
Source – Buick
Buick Regal GS Announced for Production
In January Buick debuted the Regal GS showcar at the 2010 North American International Auto Show. After a lot of positive consumer feedback, Buick announced that it will build the Regal GS. No further details are available at this time.
The base Regal CXL began arriving in dealerships earlier this month. Starting price is $26,495 and is nicely equipped with a 2.4 liter 4 cylinder engine, leather heated seats, Bluetooth, XM Radio, and USB-port radio. The Regal CXL turbo will be available in the 4th Quarter later this year.