Autoblog reader Mike dropped us a note the other day to let us he had spotted this car tooling around in Troy MI. Being a vigilant Autoblog reader he had a camera handy and snapped off a series of photos. Mike was unable to identify the car in question, but we've seen this machine before. It's the next generation Buick LaCrosse although it's not known if GM will retain that branding. The new Buick is built on GM's Epsilon II platform which is shared with the new Opel Insignia. Thanks to Mike for the photos!
[Source: Autoblog reader Mike]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Doug @ Jul 6th 2008 5:48PM
sooo...did daddy let his son and a friend take the company car out for ice cream, or are those two of the youngest looking engineers ever (especially to be trusted with a pre-production vehicle like that in the wild)?
G-Meister @ Jul 6th 2008 11:26PM
It looks like there's work going on here. There's a laptop flipped open in the back seat.
I think Buick Insignia has a nice ring to it.
Dave @ Jul 6th 2008 5:52PM
They look to be in their 30's to me.
This car is going to be sharp, I hope! Here's hoping for a 4 cylinder version, a la the Malibu!
retsel @ Jul 6th 2008 6:20PM
Frack badge engineering... GM should get the beat trio to market ASAP... i am starting a company and i need to get a car or 2 for my sales staff... and with gas prices so high... a plugin beat will be perfect... if priced around 17g... but... i am looking used Mazda 3's instead...
Pacman @ Jul 7th 2008 10:51AM
Why not lease through a fleet leasing company like GE Fleet? Less expensive than purchasing outright and the lease has defenite advantages for taxes and on your P/L. Lets you control your debt especially important for a new company.
You can get almost anything through Fleet even a Prius. A Chevy Cobalt EFI would be very inexpensive to run, maintain, and lease. Cobalts and the ugly Focus are available now and get good MPG. Perfectly fine for company cars.
Frylock350 @ Jul 7th 2008 11:23AM
Typical Autoblog comment. So because the Beat isn't on sale for $17k right now you are looking at a Mazda3, the most inefficient compact sedan on the road? That makes a lot of sense... Meanwhile a 36mpg $15k Cobalt is just waiting for you.
BOB @ Jul 6th 2008 6:24PM
Good looking car!
Like a bigger Jag XF, or Lexus GS.
GM is catching up, but this should have been the 2007 LaHoosis (Invicta, whatever) for them to be the leaders thay once were.
Undoutedly an Impala cousin -- looks that size, the old one was -- so I dont think there is a GM 4 cyl engine for it (so far) You can see it's FWD, not Holden-based, by the front wheel location and overhang.
Now, if the interior is comparable to the Lexus, but with lots of American styling cues (part of the reason to buy American -- who wants copies?) it will sell.
Economical engines are needed -- but dont forget that economy trends tend to last only a fairly short while, so a version with POWER will sell, too.
Frylock350 @ Jul 7th 2008 11:30AM
Its actually smaller than the current LaCrosse and on a completely different platform. The current shares its w-body platform with Impala. The new one rides in Epsilon II, the next evolution of the platform that underpins Malibu and Aura. Its also used in the new Insignia.
GM should offer the 2.4L Ecotec w/6sp, 3.6L w/6sp and for the Super they should keep the 5.3L V8 but tune it to 320hp like it gets in the GMT-900 2WD vehicles. I've driven a 5.3L LaCrosse and despite the torque steer, its a blast to drive.
Thedevil @ Jul 6th 2008 6:30PM
Looks like an obese prius to me.
look at me,i'm humpty dumpty!
SteveRB @ Jul 6th 2008 9:47PM
that wouldn't have anything to do with the camoflauge would it? or is it the four wheels?
TriShield @ Jul 6th 2008 6:54PM
Rename it back to Regal please.
The Talking Hamburger @ Jul 7th 2008 12:35AM
Damn you. We agree on something.
Sean Crowell @ Jul 6th 2008 7:04PM
I'm really digging the roofline. It reminds me of the MB CLS, although not quite as dramatic. If they can keep the overall design as fluid as the roof, GM should have a hit.
Torrent @ Jul 6th 2008 7:48PM
Make it the Regal. Then bring back the Riviera similar to the concept. Make an edgier, faster, more expensive Grand National to compliment the Riviera. Make the Lucerne EVEN Bigger, more powerful and RWD. Keep the enclave and make it an evolutionary design- then everyone's happy for 2013 or before........................................Or something.....
Nightcrawler @ Jul 7th 2008 4:01PM
Yeah Torrent, bigger, more powerful RWD cars are just what the market is crying out for these days.
Too many posters here seem to thing manufacturers should make what they think would be cool, as opposed to what the majority of average car buyers want. Hey, i like the idea of high performance, luxurious, and high tech cars as much as the next guy. But when the time comes for me to actually buy a car, I not thinking of them. I'm thinking of something reliable with good gas mileage at a reasonable price. It's boring, but that's what sells cars.
Torrent @ Jul 7th 2008 6:34PM
It's possible to make an efficient, large powerful sedan. Don't cancel out the possible things car makers can do.
Dr. GM @ Jul 6th 2008 8:57PM
That is going to be a gorgeous vehicle!
http://www.gmaccessoriesstore.com
Guy @ Jul 6th 2008 10:49PM
That's an awesome car.
http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=116510.0
FrankRizzo @ Jul 7th 2008 12:03AM
I wouldn't have guessed it's a Buick until I noticed that the gentelmen inside the vehicle appear to be Asian: and I believe the Chinese team is playing a big part in future Buicks.
jgp @ Jul 7th 2008 4:03AM
I'm so sick and tired of high belt lines and tiny windows.