2010 Buick LaCrosse

America's seniors are getting less and less attention from Detroit these days. They've had their bench seats, station wagons, and most of the large rear-wheel-drive sedans taken away, not to mention the storied brands of Oldsmobile, Pontiac, and Plymouth. The "Greatest Generation" that led the American auto industry out of World War II and into its seemingly unstoppable dominance in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s has now been written off.

As a result, seniors aren't buying anymore. And when they do, it's not always from Detroit.

My grandfather, now 84, made a healthy habit of surprising his wife and kids with a new Dodge, Chevy, Ford, or a Buick. He toys with the idea of getting a pickup truck, but admits he probably won't buy another car. He's just fine cruising around town-in a Volvo.

Despite being chosen by General Motors as one of its four "core" brands, Buick, which has a median buyer age of nearly 70, is closer to outdated iron than a Detroit rebirth. Its famous discontinued models — Roadmaster, Park Avenue, Riviera — were as expansive and rich as the real estate they evoked. Its latest discontinued models — Rainer, Rendezvous, Terraza — sparked all the allure of a rebadged Chevy. So how is Buick going to attract today's entry-level luxury buyers, the younger, middle-aged Americans stuck on Lexus?

A look at the 2010 Buick LaCrosse

LaCrosse CXS

BASE PRICE: $27,085 for base CX; $29,645 for front-wheel drive CXL; $31,820 for all-wheel drive CXL; $33,015 for CXS.

AS TESTED: $35,955.

TYPE: Front-engine, front-wheel drive, five-passenger, mid-size sedan.

ENGINE: 3.6-liter V-6 with VVT and direct injection.

MILEAGE: 17 mpg (city), 27 mpg (highway).

TOP SPEED: NA.

LENGTH: 197 inches.

WHEELBASE: 111.7 inches.

CURB WEIGHT: 4,065 pounds.

BUILT AT: Kansas City, Kan.

OPTIONS: Premium audio system with navigation and backup camera $1,995; Carbon Black metallic paint $195.

DESTINATION CHARGE: $750.

Buick lineup to get Regal in spring

Prices for the all-new, 2011 Buick Regal sedan will begin at $26,995 (including $750 freight) for the premium CXL model with a normally aspirated four-cylinder engine and $29,495 for the CXL with a turbocharged four-cylinder, General Motors has announced.

The first of the new Regals destined for U.S. dealerships will begin arriving in late spring and will be produced at GM's Opel factory in Russelsheim, Germany.

North American production of the Regal won't begin until early next year at GM's Oshawa plant in Ontario, Canada, the automaker said.

Regal CXL models will be well-equipped, with such standard features as the 182-horsepower, 2.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine, a six-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift function and, on the turbo model, a 220-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. That engine will not be available until late summer, the automaker said.

The base engine is the same direct-injection four-cylinder found in the Chevrolet Malibu and several other GM models.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/topdown/detail?entry_id=56791#ixzz0euygqEhr

2011 Buick Regal

2011 Buick Regal Picture

2011 Buick Regal will be sold only in premium CXL trim.

2011 Buick Regal

2011 Buick Regal

The Regal will be launched with a 2.4- liter, direct-injection four-cylinder making 182 horsepower, followed a few months later by a 2.0-liter, DI turbo four that produces 220 horses. Initially, both engines will be offered with six-speed automatics, with a manual coming onstream for the turbo model slightly later. GM execs have no idea how many manuals the company will sell, but we predict they will be as rare as Chupacabras. In time, there’s a very good chance that a high-performance GS variant will be added. A concept car at the Detroit auto show previewed this all-wheel-drive version, powered by a 255-hp turbo four.

GM prices 2011 Buick Regal

Buick says the least-expensive 2011 Regal sedan, temporarily, will be the mid-level CXL model, starting at $26,995. That's also the price of the base LaCrosse, called CX, which is a bigger car but not as well-equipped as the CXL Regal.

A lower-price CX version of Regal's not due until early next year, as 2012 model, Buick says.

Regal was unveiled at the Los Angeles auto show in December. The Regal CXL with 2.4-liter four-cylinder rated 182 horsepower is to go on sale the second quarter this year. A higher-performance version, CXL turbo with 2-liter four to be rated about 220 hp, is due late this summer.

To be clear, which is difficult, this year's Buick showrooms will have (in addition to the Enclave SUV) three cars: 2011 Regal, 2010 LaCrosse, 2010 Lucerne.

2011 Buick Regal Price

Buick today announced pricing for the all-new 2011 Regal. Prices start at $26,995 for the premium CXL model, including a $750 destination charge.

Regal’s CXL turbo model will start at $29,495, including a $750 destination charge.

Regal will initially be offered in premium CXL trim only, with additional trim levels to be offered in the 2012 model year. The well-equipped Regal CXL includes the following as standard or available equipment:

* Standard 2.4L Ecotec direct injected engine rated at an estimated 182 horsepower (136 kW)
* Available 2.0L Ecotec turbocharged and direct injected engine rated at an estimated 220 horsepower (164 kW) – available late-summer 2010
* Both engines have six-speed automatic transmission standard with Driver Shift Control (DSC)
* Estimated 30 mpg on the highway with the 2.4L and 29 mpg highway with the 2.0L turbo engine
* MacPherson strut front suspension and four-link independent rear suspension
* Class-exclusive Interactive Drive Control System is available with the 2.0L turbo,

offering 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 that adjust suspension, steering, throttle, transmission, and stability systems to personalize the driving experience

* Four-wheel disc brakes with four-channel anti-lock braking system, brake assist and electronic parking brake
* Standard StabiliTrak stability control system and full-function traction control
* Standard dual-stage frontal air bags, side-curtain air bags and pedal-release system; and available rear-seat thorax air bags
* Available navigation system, Harman Kardon sound system, and internal flash drive (1GB)
* Standard 18-inch aluminum wheels (19-inch aluminum wheels come with available Interactive Drive Control on the 2.0L turbo)
* Standard 12-way power, leather and heated driver seat; leather and heated passenger front seat; Bluetooth for phone capability; i-Pod auxiliary jack and USB port; XM Satellite Radio and OnStar

“The Regal is the next chapter in Buick’s transformation and we’re excited to bring this Buick sport sedan to market,” said Craig Bierley, Buick Marketing Director. “The dynamic driving experience and intuitive, personal technologies offer customers a premium sport sedan for great value.” 2011 Regal pricing compares to the 2010 LaCrosse as follows:

Buick Trim Level 2011 Buick Regal 2010 Buick LaCrosse
(CX) Available 2012MY $26,995
(CXL) $26,995 $30,395
(CXL) with turbo $29,495 N/A
CXS N/A $33,765

Regal production for sale in the U.S. and Canada begins late Q1 2010 in Russelsheim, Germany, with vehicles expected to start arriving at dealerships in Q2 2010. North American production will begin at the Oshawa Car Assembly plant beginning in Q1 2011.