Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sedans/Saloons, Sports/GTs, Buick
New York Preview: 2008 Buick Lucerne Super not as super as LaCrosse
click above image to view eight high-res images of the 2008 Buick Lucerne Super
It's interesting to us that the "Super" version of the new 2008 Lucerne features an upgraded version of the CXS model's 4.6L Northstar V8 producing 292 horsepower (compared to 275 hp in the CXS), when the smaller and presumably less expensive LaCrosse Super gets the honkin' 5.3L small-block V8 producing 300 horsepower. Why the discrepency?
Regardless, the 2008 Lucerne Super features revised front and rear fascias with the most jarring change being the addition of a chrome grille that comes to a point pretty far down the Lucerne's face. It looks like a beak to us, which takes away from the Lucerne's otherwise classy styling. The Super model gets integrated dual exhausts out back, new rocker panels, portholes (w00t!), and new exclusive aluminum wheels. Other than that, the Super model is a gussied up CXS with a few more ponies.
Check out GM's full press release after the jump and our gallery of desktop wallpaper-sized images.
[Source: GM]
Gallery: 2008 Buick Lucerne Super
BUICK RETURNS 'SUPER' NAME TO DESIGNATE PREMIUM MODELS
Exclusive Buick Models Elevate Design, Power and Performance
NEW YORK –Buick has rekindled a name from its storied 20th-century past to mark the beginning of a new level of refinement: Super. The badge is designated exclusively for Buick's most premium, powerful models and returns to Buick vehicles after 50 years. It will debut on the 2008 model year LaCrosse and Lucerne sedans.
"We're bringing back the Super badge to represent our most premium models," said Steve Shannon, Buick general manager. "Our Supers are not just about increased horsepower; they represent an elevation in design, premium content and ride characteristics that are exclusive to the Super badge."
The Supers are engineered for Buick by the GM Performance Division to inspire performance on demand. The LaCrosse Super is powered by a 300-horsepower (224 kW)* 5.3L small-block V-8 with GM's Active Fuel Management technology. The LaCrosse Super's chassis has been sport-tuned to deliver responsive handling characteristics, and the vehicle maintains Buick's renowned quietness inside.
The Lucerne Super adds a more powerful version of the legendary 4.6L Northstar V-8. It is rated at 292 horsepower (218 kW)*, an increase of more than 6 percent over existing models. The Super has an enhanced chassis with a specially tuned version of Lucerne 's Magnetic Ride Control system, for a refined, premium ride that simultaneously enables crisp, responsive handling.
Buick Super: elevated design, power and performance
Design elements on the LaCrosse Super and Lucerne Super denote the new face of Buick. Design cues echo those seen on the popular Velite convertible concept vehicle – and recently introduced on the Buick Enclave luxury crossover SUV – including a new waterfall grille and portholes. The LaCrosse Super is the first and only LaCrosse model offered with Buick's iconic portholes; there are four per side to highlight the V-8 engine.
In addition to distinctive design, the LaCrosse Super and Lucerne Super deliver leading-edge performance and refinement. The 5.3L and 4.6L V-8 engines are renowned for balancing performance and fuel economy. They are complemented by specially tuned suspension systems.
Like all Buick models, LaCrosse and Lucerne Supers are built with an exclusive engineering process called QuietTuning to reduce, block and absorb noise from entering the interior. Laminated side window glass, sound-deadening material in the body structure, hydraulic mounts in the engine compartment and more reduce interior noise. Even exhaust nodes have been tuned for overall sound quality. These features contribute to a quiet, refined driving experience.
While the LaCrosse and Lucerne represent the first production models of the reborn Buick Super series, they will not be the last. Future models will share elements that reinforce the Super ethic, including:
- Exclusive exterior and interior design appointments
- Powertrain enhancements
- Enhanced driving dynamics, with specifically tuned steering, braking and suspension systems for responsive and confident handling
- Leading levels of interior quietness through Buick's exclusive QuietTuning engineering effort.
Lucerne Super adds more luxury appointments
Distinctly designed, the Lucerne Super stands out with a new bright chrome waterfall grille, front and rear fascias, integrated dual exhaust tips, rocker panels, and Super badge on the decklid. Exclusive aluminum wheels and premium all-season tires complete the look, complementing the vehicle's sport-touring attitude. The Lucerne Super is available in four exterior colors: Dark Mocha Metallic, Gold Metallic, Sharkskin and White Diamond. The interior comes in Ebony or Cocoa/Shale.
Lucerne Super's refined ride dynamics and increased power make it the sportiest Lucerne available . A more powerful version of the 4.6L Northstar V-8 engine provides the Lucerne Super with an ample power reserve. It is rated at 292 horsepower (218 kW)*, which is 17 horsepower (13 kW) more than the Lucerne CXS.
Lucerne Super's new premium steering gear, StabiliTrak stability control system, brake assist and specifically calibrated Magnetic Ride Control system help deliver a crisp response and enhanced driver control. It rides on standard 18-inch by 7-inch aluminum wheels wrapped by P245/50R18 all-season radials. The exclusive wheel design is finished in bright silver premium paint. Chrome-plated wheels are available.
The Lucerne Super's interior wraps occupants in luxury including a leather-wrapped upper instrument panel with French-seam stitching, unique finish on the instrument panel center stack, leather seats with perforated suede fabric inserts for the outboard seating positions, and suede door trim inserts. A heated, real wood steering wheel and shift knob finished in Walnut Burl, power tilt and telescoping steering column, front chrome sill plates and Buick embroidered floor mats round out the Lucerne Super's special content.
Lucerne Super comes with three standard equipment packages, including Driver Confidence, Luxury and Comfort & Convenience. OnStar's Directions & Connections with Turn-by-Turn voice-guided navigation, XM Satellite Radio and Harman Kardon audio system are also standard.
All Buick models come standard with the industry's best coverage, including a four-year/50,000-mile vehicle warranty, and a five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The Buick LaCrosse Super arrives in dealerships this summer as a 2008 model. The Lucerne Super is scheduled to go on sale in spring 2008. Pricing for both vehicles has not been released.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
CaliberSRT4 2:21PM (3/27/2007)
I have to say Buick is winning me back. Well i never had a problem with 'em until I drove a '01 LeSabre and let me tell you it was rough (boatmobile anyone?). But I am assuming the new Buicks are a lot better. I really love the new look. I would definitely drive one any day. Good Job Buick.
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3cubedminus3squared 2:28PM (3/27/2007)
Poor Buick. This vehicle screams to be RWD. It would be a really hot car if it were.
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Keija 2:44PM (3/27/2007)
may i claim, that all three buicks look boring as hell ??
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Bryan 2:47PM (3/27/2007)
Not bad, looks nice. I like that color and the new grille.
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Justin 2:49PM (3/27/2007)
These grilles look like they belong on Mercurys...
But since I like the Mercury Grille I think that these new Buicks look great...
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sheth 3:05PM (3/27/2007)
these cars look no worse than any Toyota vehicles. I think the Lacrosse Super will get quite a few sales, its definitely got more personality and performance than the Azera or even 2008 Taurus. Dont think it will steal many TL or ES sales, but you never know.
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Howard Kerr 3:15PM (3/27/2007)
I don't know Buick history to be able to say how significant the "SUPER" name is. Does it mean the same as Custom and/or Deluxe?
Anyway, there is a precedent, of sorts, for Buick using a bigger engine in it's smaller sedan(s). In the '40s and '50s Buick had 2 similar looking sedans but they had 2 wheelbase lengths, resulting in a "junior" and "senior" model. The first Buick SPECIALS were usually the junior sedans with engines from the senior sedan range.
That said, yeah, it is stupid to put a bigger/more powerful engine in your smaller car...but hey, the Germans do it all the time.
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Bob R. 3:25PM (3/27/2007)
#7, I think Super is basically what SVT is to Ford or what SRT is to Chrysler.
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Bill 3:29PM (3/27/2007)
Many will flame away at the Lucerne, but I like it. It's got a nice profile, and the rear end I frequently mistake for a VW or Audi. Save $10k on a Caddy DTS and buy this instead.
The name always makes me think of butter though (Safeway's dairy products called Lucerne)
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Ben 3:52PM (3/27/2007)
A Buick is a Chevy trying to be a Cadillac. While GM has improved all those brands over the decades, that is only to be expected. Oldsmobile (RIP) and Pontiac were and are just superfluous. Not so much plain M&Ms vs. Peanut (that would be car vs. truck) but more like red vs. green. They all taste the same and they always will in my opinion. It would be a good thing for GM to buy Chrysler and maybe then they'd learn how to actually tell apples from oranges. (Please excuse the mixed metaphors)
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Michael Karesh 3:58PM (3/27/2007)
I'm with Mr. Neff: the new grille isn't working for me. The old one wasn't great, but this one is considerably worse.
The current CXS looks pretty good as long as it's a CXS. Could be a great value as a nearly new car. The CX and the CXL suffer from overly small wheels and an insufficiently disguised excessive amount of front overhang.
My site's page for the Lucerne, with links to my review and the most common price comparisons (certain to include the DTS):
http://www.truedelta.com/models/Lucerne.php
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Dennis 3:58PM (3/27/2007)
WTF! Super my ASS. WHY in the WORLD would you offer a higher-end version with a bigger engine? This and the LaCrosse are FWD! Piece of SH!T! Wow buick, you SUCK. Make it RWD and you got yourself a car.
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Michael Karesh 3:59PM (3/27/2007)
Forgot to mention:
There's an easy answer as to why the LaCrosse has more grunt: GM took the quick and easy route and used the top powertrain currently in production for each platform.
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SocalObserver 4:10PM (3/27/2007)
This "beak" grille is nothing compared with the actual, literal protruding beak on the Buick Skylarks from the early '90s (http://www.projectsafekids.org/1993BuickSkylark.jpg)
These Supers are the first signs of life at Buick I've seen in my entire lifetime (I'm 23). GM really is turning it around.
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mr.ed 5:09PM (3/27/2007)
The "Super" was a separate model, with the smaller "Special" body and the larger "Roadmaster" engine, an idea used by many manufacturers to this day.
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Tool 5:14PM (3/27/2007)
The new Lucerne is a million times more competent than the vehicles it replaces. The new grille looks fine although its large size makes the front-end look a little out of kilter.
I don't have any problems with the concept of "Super", but a 6% increase in HP to 292 horses? I mean, I understand that this is just a trim level and not a full-out AMG or M-like job, but 17 add'l ponies makes it a "Super"?
Okay, end of rant.
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Gary 5:20PM (3/27/2007)
Purely as a GUESS, I'd say that since the larger engine is already in the Impala, it's trivial to put it in the Lacrosse, while the larger body has only had the Northstar (I think the DTS shares this body?)
To put the bigger engine in this body (or the other in the Lacrosse) would be more engineering effort.
Again, just a guess; I don't work for GM.
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cgaultokstate 6:33PM (3/27/2007)
I drove a rental Lucerne with the V8 a couple months ago and came away shocked. The new style GM switchgear is light years ahead of the older stuff. The car has a surprising amount of power, and those air conditioned seats, OMG, they are the greatest invention of all time. My next car WILL have them.
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jg 6:47PM (3/27/2007)
Nice upgrade. If this is the direction of Buick watch out. Buick lovers have been craving bold styling for years. I think people considering the now stale looking CHrylser 300 will like the Lucerne Super.
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Matt 7:33PM (3/27/2007)
These grilles look like they belong on Mercurys...
But since i like the Mercury Grille i think these new Buicks look great!!!
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