2010 Buick LaCrosse

Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2010 Buick LaCrosse

If the car you see here looks somewhat familiar, it should. It appeared in concept form at last spring's Beijing Motor Show as the Buick Invicta concept. At the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, the Invicta becomes the 2010 Buick LaCrosse. Like many recent examples, the Invicta was a less a concept than a very mildly disguised version of the upcoming production car. Just before the Christmas break, General Motors gave the media a preview of the new production LaCrosse in the design dome at the company's tech center in Warren, MI.

GM North America VP for Buick-Pontiac-GMC Susan Docherty, global mid-size car vehicle line executive Jim Federico, and Buick brand character chief designer Dave Lyon provided a run-down for us on the new LaCrosse. The mid-size Buick is the first North American market application of the revised Epsilon II architecture that debuted last summer as the basis of the Euro-only Opel Insignia. Follow the jump and we'll tell you all about it.

2009 Buick Business Concept

The Buick Business Concept, a new concept vehicle designed to showcase Buick’s future vision of “business class on the road,” made its global debut today at Auto Shanghai 2009.

The multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) was developed in China by the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC), a design and engineering joint venture between General Motors and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), with global design input.

The Buick Business Concept Vehicle captures the essence of the Buick form language in a thoroughly elegant and expressive design, with its taut surfaces, double sweep spear belt line, strong front and rear identities and dynamic presence.

“The Buick Business Concept Vehicle has a grand presence and makes a strong statement when it pulls up to the front of any establishment,” said Ed Welburn, GM Vice President of Global Design.

“The Chinese market and business person have some unique requirements. Our team has responded with an elegant solution to their business and personal needs.”

Classic Influences in Modern Design

According to Cao Min, PATAC Concept Car Chief Designer, the design team set out to create a modern global design for Buick, yet include a subtle Chinese essence and influence.

To achieve this balance, they sought to draw from their heritage outside the automotive industry – from classic shapes to arts and ancient relics.

The Buick Business Concept Vehicle’s dynamic exterior surfaces and “yin and yang” interior tones are drawn from diverse inspirations including the 2008 Buick Riviera concept car, Chinese artifacts and modern electronic icons. The vehicle, inside and out, communicates an orderly elegance that transcends cultural boundaries and conveys the tranquility and power of Buick.

Exterior Design – A Sense of Presence and Buick Essence

To establish their design direction, PATAC designers took the global Buick design vocabulary of sculpturally beautiful and dynamic forms established by the Riviera concept car and successfully extended it to a tall, one-box architecture.

The Buick Business Concept Vehicle develops the Buick form language further and incorporates elements of Chinese culture and artistic influences into the details. It takes the Buick design treatment to a new level of sophisticated boldness.

The famous Buick waterfall grille takes on a bolder treatment. Intricate detailing gives it an even more prominent look. The backlit Buick tri-shield logo leads into the distinctive mid-hood crease prevalent in classic Buicks and consistent across the new Buick line today.

The prominent LED headlamps show influences of popular Chinese liuli glass through three-dimensional transparent and multifaceted surfaces. Liuli is a Chinese crystal sculpture art form that incorporates cultural and modern references. It has become a popular symbol of modern Chinese prosperity.

The elongated, jewel-like headlamps are connected to the body shoulder line through a strong chrome accent that flows the length of the vehicle from the hood to the body sides, accentuating a strong double sweep spear design until it finally comes to rest wrapped around the taillights. This is the most distinctive design element of the Buick Business Concept Vehicle, as it offers a modern approach to the classic Buick double sweep spear. Familiar Buick portholes are gracefully integrated into the chrome strip extending from the headlamps.

This distinctive double sweep spear shape not only provides expressive dynamism to the vehicle profile, it is also functionally important. It defines the window line from the body sides and incorporates the rail guides for the power sliding doors. Additionally, it lowers the rear passenger sightline and adds significant shoulder room to the rear compartment.

“This vehicle was inspired by the grace and gesture of great Buicks. PATAC designers have cleverly incorporated other design cues from traditional Chinese art, such as applying a huiwen motif on the turn signals and fog lamps,” Cao Min said.

The Zitan Purple exterior color was chosen to elicit the right level of attention and respect. The color is found in rare zitan wood used for sculptures and fine Chinese furniture. This deep burnt-purple color perfectly highlights the concept’s grandeur.

Power sliding doors with no B-pillar were selected for their ability to showcase an expansive view of the interior and ease of entrance and egress.

The Buick Business Concept Vehicle sits on 20-inch, 9-spoke forged aluminum wheels, with a polished mirror finish, and low-profile tires. The outside mirrors incorporate turn signals with the huiwen motif.

Interior Design – Functionality and Soothing Serenity

Serenity and advanced functionality come to mind when entering the vehicle. The use of deep burgundy suede and subtle creams, representing earth and wood themes, are conveyed through high-quality leather bucket seats, plush vehicle carpet and a luxurious padded steering wheel. Completing the tranquil feel is a roof comprised of two full-length sunroofs that offer a celestial connection for occupants.

“Through deep burgundy suede carpet, high-quality leather interior decoration with liuli and soft, ice blue ambient lighting, we wanted to create a mobile VIP lounge for passengers,” Cao Min said.

Interior trim and features befitting Buick prestige abound such as a power central console with a deployable tablet for writing or to hold a laptop computer. The console can be moved up and down the two rows of rear seats. The second row of power captain’s chairs slide on hidden rails and swivel 225 degrees, enabling them to be adjusted to an infinite combination of orientations. Traditional huiwen patterns are embroidered onto the seats and seat backs, bringing harmony to the entire design theme.

The three-dimensional instrument cluster reaches across the entire width of the front panel and features a multi-layer information display. The instrument cluster design reflects the liuli art influence but is utterly modern in design. It is complemented by a central console with touch pad controls on either side of a cylinder-shaped roller mouse. A large LED display crowns the central console. Once again, the huiwen motif shows up as details on the wings of the instrument panel.

The OnStar security telematics feature is easily accessible on the rearview mirror, with three prominently yet tastefully displayed call buttons.

“The design of the vehicle inherits Buick’s vision for business class on the road, creating a sense that space means possibility,” Cao Min said.

Next-Generation GM Hybrid System

PATAC designed the Buick Business Concept Vehicle to accommodate the next-generation GM Hybrid System, which will be introduced in China in the near future.

The next-generation GM Hybrid System will build upon the successful belt-alternator-starter hybrid technology currently available in the Buick LaCrosse Eco-Hybrid. An advanced lithium-ion battery will help make the next-generation GM Hybrid System more powerful than the current system, improving fuel economy of vehicles with this system by up to 20 percent, depending on engine and vehicle application.

The next-generation GM Hybrid System helps optimize fuel efficiency and reduce emissions by:

-Turning the engine off at idle
-Offering brief electric-only propulsion
-Using a more powerful electric motor to enhance engine efficiency
-Extending fuel cutoff during deceleration
-Extending regenerative braking to recapture more energy
-Performing intelligent hybrid battery charging

“Developing and launching the Buick Business Concept Vehicle in China underscores the diversity, strength and depth of GM’s global design network,” Welburn said. “It also reflects PATAC’s growing role within the GM design family and China’s significance as the world’s largest Buick market.”

2009 Buick rebates and incentives

The Buick warranty on all 2007 vehicles now covers the powertrain (engine, transmission, and parts that deliver power to the wheels), roadside assistance, and courtesy transportation during warranty repairs for 5 years or 100,000 miles (160,000 km).

Buick rebates and incentives differ by model. Click below on the model you're interested in to find out if any discounts are currently available.
Buick Rebates

It's important to look at Buick rebates when considering the purchase of your car. Vehicles frequently get discounted through Buick rebates and you could potentially save a significant amount of money. Buick rebates vary throughout the year and differ by model.

The amount of money you could save depends on how well a vehicle is selling. Discounts could increase significantly for poor selling models. Sales are especially prevalent during certain times of the year, such as model-year close outs during the summer and end-of-year calendar sales in December. Manufacturers and dealers may offer Buick rebates to avoid paying tax on excess inventory.

A good source for finding the latest incentive information is the CarsDirect Incentives and Rebates section. Data is updated on a daily basis. You just need to type in your zip code to find out what discounts are available in your area on your preferred model. You can also browse rebates and incentives by vehicle segment.

Once you find out Buick rebates information for a particular model, you can then click on "Get Our Low Price" to find out the CarsDirect price. Any savings available from the manufacturer will be reflected in the price.

Buick rebates are always subject to change so, if you're in the market, it's a good idea to constantly monitor Buick rebates to ensure you save money.

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2011 Buick Regal - Spied

Buick is on the rebound in its home market, with the successful Enclave crossover and the appealing 2010 LaCrosse leading the charge. Could it continue with the reincarnation of the Regal? Spied on American soil was a camouflaged Chinese-market Buick Regal, itself a re-grilled and rebadged European 2010 Opel Insignia. Just what the covered-up Regal was doing here is anyone’s guess, especially considering that it’s already fully exposed on Buick’s Chinese website.












But speculation has been ongoing for some time about whether a Regal would reemerge to flesh out America’s Buick/Pontiac/GMC dealerships, and that possibility is even more likely now that one of those brands will soon evaporate, taking a huge quantity of mid-size sedan sales with it. Now, whether it makes sense to sell what is essentially a short-wheelbase LaCrosse alongside the LaCrosse is a marketing question we can’t fully answer. But if it is markedly less expensive than the $27,835 Lacrosse, it could play well to Camry/Accord/Fusion buyers. Factor in GM’s pending divestiture of Saturn—which was due to get a copy of the Insignia as its next Aura sedan—and the Buick version makes even more sense.

Could a Grand National Be On the Docket?

At a recent dinner with Buick executives, we were regaled with the typical marketing jibber-jabber about the “incredible” stuff that’s coming next, and when we asked specifically about performance-oriented Buick models, we saw sparkles in their eyes and got one of those typical “just wait ’til you see what’s coming next” lines that usually prompts a collective rolling of the eyes. But with the Regal redux looking like a real possibility, it would seem quite natural for Buick to bring back the vaunted Grand National (or Grand Sport) name, too—powered by, say, a turbocharged V-6, just like the beloved original that was sold in the mid-1980s. Of course, rear-wheel drive would be out of the question and a front-drive GN would be absolute heresy, but all-wheel drive could perhaps prove a somewhat amicable compromise. On one point, however, we will not give ground: it must be all black.

2010 Buick Astra Spied in Germany

Bolstering previous rumors that General Motors may expand Buick's lineup with new models from its European Opel division, our spy photographers bagged these shots of a prototype Astra model fitted with Buick's trademark waterfall-style grille. The test mule that was spotted in Germany also featured slightly larger fog lights on the front bumper but other than that, we did not detect any other styling changes compared to the Opel - Vauxhall Astra that is scheduled to make its first public appearance at this fall's Frankfurt show.

We do know that GM's Buick unit is preparing to add the Astra to its Chinese market portfolio selling it alongside the Regal sedan that is nothing more than an Opel Insignia with a new grille and different set of badges.

But what about the U.S.? Prior to General Motors' decision to sell off its Saturn unit, it was believed that the new generation Astra would be built in North America and sold in the States under the Saturn brand.

Just before General Motors entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, several news agencies reported that the Opel Insignia as well as the Astra were being considered for Buick's North American range.

So what's the deal now with the Astra at post-bankruptcy GM? Well, to be completely frank, your guess is as good as ours. When GM's CEO Fritz Henderson says in June that the Pontiac G8 won't be rebadged as another model in the US and a month later, Bob Lutz says the opposite, stating in a magazine interview that the G8 will be reincarnated as the Chevy Caprice in North America, there's so much credibility that you can you give to any rumors or/and reports that surface.

But whatever the deal is, we reckon that a North American built Astra with a Buick badge accompanied by some serious marketing efforts could provide GM with a credible contender to the Mazda3 and its ilk.

First Drive: 2010 Buick LaCrosse

European imports beware, Buick is back and the LaCrosse is a worthy competitor A slew of technology packed in a youthful and stylish package will give Lexus and other luxury rivals a run for their money- if buyers take the time to notice.

Not the Buick you’d expect

Lets be blunt for a moment. The outgoing LaCrosse was, for a lack of kinder words, boring. So ambiguous, dull, and utterly devoid of passion it’s surprising Buick didn’t include a pacemaker so owners could maintain a pulse whist behind the wheel of it. It’s remarkable then to ponder how for 2010 LaCrosse nameplate made its way onto a vehicle that can make your heart skip a beat, no external medical devices needed.

To compare and contrast the “old” LaCrosse with the 2010 LaCrosse in any other words would be futile. While many previous-gen LaCrosse owners already have pacemakers, the 2010 model is one all by itself. A quick walk around the outside and it’s apparent Buick’s updated style is completely at home on a sedan. Crisp lines and smooth curves; all accentuated just a tad more than you’d expect and with a flair that doesn’t show itself in still photos. You’ve got to move around the LaCrosse to get the whole story because like many of the other recent cars to come out of GM design the more you look, the more you see.

Things get even better inside.

For as stylish as the exterior on the LaCrosse is, the interior goes ten steps further. Open and spacious, you’d never get the feeling you’re behind the wheel of a mid-size sedan. From the hours we spent behind the wheel we’d even say it feels more open than the new full-size Ford Taurus. The dash has been pushed down and away from the driver leaving the center stack and controls within easy reach.

Riding on GM’s updated mid-size platform (the same that will underpin the future redesigned Saab 9-5), rear passenger room is even more impressive and for good reason. GM will sell nearly twice as many of the new LaCrosse in China, where the Buick brand has serious clout. Out east Buick expects 40% of LaCrosse buyers will choose not to drive, but to be driven around in. For that reason the 2010 LaCrosse’s platform has been stretched for more rear leg-room. Here in the states we won’t get fancy chauffeur oriented options like rear audio and ventilation controls, but we do get to keep the extra space. A dual rear mounted DVD entertainment system will also be avaliable.

Technology for Gen-Y

To further place weight behind the idea that this car represents a whole new Buick, GM is including it’s most up-to-date technology in the 2010 LaCrosse. This means a larger updated navigation/multimedia screen and system, full USB connectivity, Harman-Kardon audio, heads-up display, magnetic ride control, and heated/cooled seats. On up-level CXS models Buick has included an extremely slick fully animated color driver-information-center in the gauge cluster. The new interface is one of the best in the entire industry, perhaps besting even BMW and Audi.

The cool stuff doesn’t stop there. Should you choose the navigation and multimedia system you’ll also get an option we’ve never seen on any other car in the industry. The ability to record and rewind live radio. It’s not exactly like Tivo but from the second you tune in an AM/FM/XM station the audio system will begin to buffer the program. You can then rewind or fast forward as you like. You can’t save radio programs to the included hard-drive, but it’s a small feature that owners will undoubtedly rave about.

We’ve never been a huge fan of GM’s current multimedia system. It’s slow, buggy, and clunky- especially compared to Lincoln’s newest interface. However, this improved system fixes all of our concerns and more. Redundant control paths, from touch-screen to head-unit and even the steering wheel mean drivers can move through the interface easily and with very few steps. It’s easier to use than Lincoln’s SYNC, which heavily relies on voice commands, yet offers the same depth of control you’d find on a BMW without the tomfoolery of iDrive.

Behind the wheel

When the LaCrosse launches later this summer you’ll be able to choose from one of two direct injection V6 engines; a 3.0L delivering 255-horsepower or a 3.6L producing 280-horsepower. By the end of this year a fuel-sipping 180-horsepower 2.4L inline-4 will be introduced as the standard engine in the CX. All-wheel-drive (for the first time ever on a Buick sedan) can be optioned on CXL trim levels and can only be paired with the 3.0L V6.

Both V6 engines provide ample acceleration but neither are neck-snapping, especially the 3.0L laden with all-wheel-drive. If you’re looking for a sporty drive, Cadillac may be a better choice. We were not able to drive the 2.4L four-cylinder I4 “fuel economy” option, but from the sounds of it we do have serious concerns 182-horsepower will be excruciatingly under-powered in a car this big.

With all that said, the work GM placed in making the LaCrosse smooth, isolated, and quiet paid off big time. Twenty-percent stiffer than the outgoing model, the 2010 LaCrosse feels lively yet composed on the street. Variable effort steering is surprisingly crisp and accurate.

Our favorite combination was the 3.6L powered CXS optioned with Buick’s real-time active suspension system and equipped with 19-inch wheels. Sliding the shifter gate over on the LaCrosse to sport strangely does nothing at all to the transmission, instead stiffening the steering and suspension of the car. It’s surprisingly noticeable and changes the feel of the car for the better.

Conclusion

Sampling the 2010 LaCrosse on the winding back roads and city streets of Michigan gave us the impression that Buick is taking its reinvention extremely seriously. The styling and tech features will draw in the younger demographic GM is looking to attract but only if potential buyers take the time to see the value right in front of them. If Buick can get them in the door and behind the wheel for a test drive we think the car has the potential to be the brand’s next hit. That’s an enormously big “if”, because while the LaCrosse drives the pants off the Lexus ES350, how many import luxury buyers will really cross-shop a Buick? We’ll find out.

2010 Buick LaCrosse

Buick is the first to acknowledge it lost touch with the pulse of its audience in the 1980s and 1990s, and over the last decade it has seen its average buyer age rise to somewhere in the mid-70s. But that's all set to change with the new Enclave already out and the brand-new 2010 LaCrosse coming this summer.

We got the chance to take the new LaCrosse for a spin at a GM press event in Detroit this week, and we can tell you in all seriousness: this is a really, really good car. It's not a hot-dog performer or an all-out technological luxury onslaught, but it does combine mid-size powertrains and pricing with large-sedan size and comfort, all with a healthy dose of style and luxury.

The exterior of the new LaCrosse has been plastered across the web since its debut at the Detroit Auto Show, and it's a fine new face to help Buick target a younger, more vibrant audience, but the interior is the real story.

Fans of Lexus, Acura and Infiniti often point to the shoddy interiors of American mid-luxury sedans as a major turnoff, but those fans won't have a word to say about the LaCrosse. In fact, most will find themselves envious of the solid construction, (mostly) whisper-quiet ride and superior switchgear found in the LaCrosse.

Unlike Lexus, which shows strong Camry roots in much of its center-stack material and layout, the LaCrosse presents a coherent image without letting the design down with flimsy buttons or cheap material. Aside from the Acura TL's oddball exterior, its interior is generally well-regarded, if a bit busy, and the LaCrosse is at least on par, while it outpaces the Infiniti G and M just as it does the Lexus ES and GS.

The comparison to the larger Lexus and Infiniti cars is apt - the LaCrosse provides ample room for long-legged six-foot-plus adults to sit in all four positions at once, with no skimping on headroom even with the sloping roofline and a panoramic sunroof. Shoulder, hip and bolster room in the front bucket seats is equally well-suited to larger adults.


The center stack layout and switchgear is solid, easy-to-use and attractive
That's not to say it's all peachy behind the wheel of the LaCrosse. Though you're being shuttled along in comfort with a pleasant view throughout the cabin, there's not a lot of motive force shoving you along even with the top-of-the-line 3.6L direct-injection V6 - the same basic unit found in the Cadillac CTS, though detuned a bit to 280hp and 261lb-ft of torque. There's also a good deal of tire noise, especially on the 19in-equipped CXS. It'll get to freeway speed just fine, and the jaunt from 50-80mph when passing is smooth and quick enough, but it lacks the urgency found in the V8-powered Infiniti M45 or the Lexus GS.

That may be a good thing, however, as the LaCrosse returns 17mpg city and 26mpg highway with the most powerful unit. The 3.0L V6 was also on hand to test, and we drove it paired with the optional AWD drivetrain. Rated at just 18mpg city/27mpg highway, it's not a huge step up in economy, but it's also not a huge step down in power or performance, taking 7.8 seconds to get to 60mph compared to the 3.6L's 6.8 second time. Observed fuel economy over a mixed set of fairly flat two-lane and highway driving was within the claimed range, with the 3.6L and 3.0L presenting very similar - almost indistinguishable - numbers.

In practice, the 3.0L unit feels more willing, presents a sweeter - if somewhat quieter - exhaust note and exhibits less vibration than the 3.6L unit, all adding up to an experience that many buyers are likely to choose.

Not yet available - it will enter production sometime in the fourth quarter - is a 2.4L four-cylinder engine rated at 180hp and expected to manage 20mpg city and 30mpg highway, though final numbers haven't yet been announced.

Getting back to the driving impression, steering feel is excessively light in normal models, but with the CXS package, the 3.6L engine is paired with a 'sport mode' setting that tightens damper settings and firms up steering to a level that feels just right - and makes us wish it was that way in every trim. Even in sport mode, however, the dampers don't provide a harsh or jarring ride, so buyers with the scratch for the CXS model would do well to give it a go before writing it off as too 'hardcore'.

Handling is as you'd expect from a slightly front-biased 4,000lb front-driver, with the inside rear wheel unweighting and the front diving into what would likely be terminal push past 0.7-0.8g. The AWD car helps to ameliorate this by sending up to 85% of the drive to the rear wheels and skewing the weight distribution rearward by another percentage point, but it's still not enough to make this car into a real performer.