Autoblog

Buick prices Lucerne Super at $39,395

John Neff — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 13:33:00 EST

click above for more high-res pics of the Buick Lucerne Super

We generally liked the Buick Lucerne CXS model we reviewed in 2006, and we genuinely liked the Buick LaCrosse Super that we tested last year. Unfortunately, we're not big fans of the Lucerne Super that takes Buick's slightly above average large sedan and marries it with a 4.6L Northstar V8 producing 292 horsepower. Our main gripe is that the less expensive, smaller and lighter LaCrosse Super is powered by a more powerful 5.3L small-block V8 making 300 horsepower (both are unfortunately front-wheel-drive, and will remain that way). What's more, the Super version of the Lucerne's baby brother stickered for $33,750. General Motors announced today that the 2008 Buick Lucerne Super, however, will start at $39,995 (including $765 for destination). For over $6,000 more, you're getting a less powerful but larger sedan than you would if you bought the LaCrosse Super.

That said, for $40k you get one loaded Lucerne. Standard features include the aforementioned Northstar V8, Magnetic Ride Control (also seen on cars such as the Corvette and Ferrari 5999), new steering mechanicals, heated and cooled front seats, remote start, rear parking sensors and much more. The exterior is augmented with a new waterfall grille, though we don't think it looks as nice as the standard one. There's also new rocker panels and dual chromed exhaust tips out back. The interior is upgraded with a leather-wrapped console, suede trim, a heated walnut wood steering wheel and shifter, 280-watt Harman Kardon stereo and more. The only options are chrome wheels, a touchscreen nav system, sunroof and an Ultra Confidence package with Side Blind Zone and Lane Departure Warning systems. Yes, you get nearly every standard option for your forty large, but we'd rather have a LaCrosse Super if it's all the same to you.

[Source: Buick]

Gallery: 2008 Buick Lucerne Super

Gallery: 2008 Buick LaCrosse and Lucerne Super

Continue reading Buick prices Lucerne Super at $39,395

Buick prices Lucerne Super at $39,395 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Feb 2008 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York Auto Show: LaCrosse and Lucerne here, but location is less than Super

Alex Nunez — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 01:45:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sedan, Performance, Buick

click the above image for 23 high-res shots of the Buick Supers

Well, they're here, but if you want to see 'em you're gonna have to look pretty hard. We're talking about Buick's new Super sleds, the LaCrosse Super and the Lucerne Super. Despite all the noise coming from the General about how Buick is very much a factor, the Grandpa Division is banished to one of the rear corners of the GM stand. (The other treated-like-a-stepchild division, Pontiac, occupies another rear corner. There's good reason to seek it out, however, as the awesome G8 is on display.)

Once you locate the Buick display, you're welcomed by the Enclave, which still impresses. Just beyond it, against the rear wall of the Javits Center, are the Supers. Finished in rich, matching Dark Mocha Metallic paint jobs, the pair are parked trunk-to-trunk. The Lucerne looks just like... a regular Lucerne, save for its polished exhaust tips, subtle "Super" badging, and silly-looking pointy-bottom grille. Other than the grille, this is fine, because the Lucerne is a good-looking sedan, and the few extra ponies under the Super's hood for its Northstar V8 certainly are a welcome addition.

The LaCrosse Super gets a new "Velite-inspired" grille, but that doesn't make it look any less homely. It's as if someone took a Mitsuoka Orochi, last-gen Ford Taurus, and the aforementioned grille from the Velite concept and Frankensteined them all together. It's rather troubling, though some Autobloggers don't mind it. The full redesign can't come soon enough, however, and the presence of the 300-hp 5.3L V8 in the Super does nothing to change our feelings. After all, you can get that powertrain in the Impala SS, which looks badass and will likely cost less.

Gallery: 2008 Buick LaCrosse and Lucerne Super

Continue reading New York Auto Show: LaCrosse and Lucerne here, but location is less than Super

New York Auto Show: LaCrosse and Lucerne here, but location is less than Super originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Apr 2007 01:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York Preview: 2008 Buick Lucerne Super not as super as LaCrosse

John Neff — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 14:14:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sedan, Performance, Buick

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

Continue reading New York Preview: 2008 Buick Lucerne Super not as super as LaCrosse

New York Preview: 2008 Buick Lucerne Super not as super as LaCrosse originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Mar 2007 14:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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