Buick has officially unveiled the 2010 LaCrosse ahead of the 2009 North American International Motorshow in Detroit. Unlike Buicks of the past, the redesigned model is aimed at entry level luxury buyers instead of the senior citizen crowd normally associated with the brand.
The quad headlights and questionable styling of the current is no more as the new model features a modern exterior with flowing lines and an elegant appearance. Staying true to the Invicta concept which debuted at the 2008 Beijing motorshow, the car is "instantly recognisable as a Buick, with its signature ‘sweep spear' body-side styling, portholes inside the character line on the hood, and waterfall grille" according to Ed Welburn, GM's vice president of global design.
The car is the result of a truly global effort as designers from the United States and China worked hand in hand to create the LaCrosse's dramatic exterior. The upscale design carries over to the interior where occupants are greeted by a flowing two-tone interior that has sweeping dark wood accents which run from door-to-door while other luxury touches include French stitching on the instrument panel, tastefully applied chrome accents, and cool blue ambient lighting.
In a clear showing that this Buick is aimed squarely at the younger generation, the LaCrosse features the latest in technology including Bluetooth connectivity, an auxiliary audio input with a USB port, and an available in-dash navigation system. Among the long list of options are a power rear-window sunshade, a rear DVD entertainment system which has displays mounted on the front seatbacks, an adaptive lighting package which aims the headlights up to 15 degrees based on steering inputs, a Side Blind Zone to alert the driver of cars hiding in blind spots, and a rear view camera.
Under the hood of the LaCrosse is GM's brand new 3.0 litre engine with direct injection that produces 255bhp and 211 lb-ft of torque (286 Nm). GM says the new engine helps to increase fuel economy and lowers cold-start emissions by up to 25%. Flagship CXS models will be powered by GM's 3.6 litre direct injection V6 that is tuned to produce an estimated 280bhp and 261 lb-ft of torque (354 Nm). Another first for a Buick sedan is the availability of an intelligent AWD system which will be offered on the mid-level CXL LaCrosse.
The redesigned 2010 LaCrosse will go into production this summer at GM's Fairfax Assembly plant in Kansas City with deliveries expected to begin shortly after that.
Press Release:
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 Quiet:
Tuning – 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.
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