Bob Lutz will address better Buicks in China on Autoline Detroit this weekend

John Neff — Fri, 04 May 2007 19:07:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, China, Buick, Misc. Auto Shows

UPDATE: Autoline Detroit has decided that the unaired portion of Bob Lutz's interview is so juicy that they're saving it for next week's show, along with an interview of CAW president Buzz Hargrove. So, instead of hearing Bob address the Buicks from China on Autoline Detroit's website, you'll have to wait until next week's episode on TV that airs Sunday, May 13th.

click above image to view more high-res pics of the Buick Park Avenue for China

We think it's safe to say that most were impressed with the Zeta-based Buick Park Avenue that was debuted in China at the Shanghai Auto Show last month and a little bit more than disappointed there are no plans to produce such a vehicle for the U.S. market. While the fate of Zeta-based sedans in GM's North American lineup seem to change by the day, Buick has until this point been left out, forced to saddle on with the LaCrosse and Lucerne as its mainstay sedans.

Ming, a staff member at GMInsideNews, wanted to know what GM's Bob Lutz thought of how well the Chinese-bound Buick Park Avenue was received in Shanghai and the tepid reception of the Buick "Super" twins at the New York Auto Show. Ming sent his question to John McElroy, the host of Autoline Detroit, a great show that's shown on cable access for free in the Detroit area and distributed on the SPEED Channel nationwide. The next episode of Autoline Detroit features Lutz as the main attraction, and Ming received a confirmation from McElroy that Lutz was asked the question and takes it on.

You won't hear Lutz's answer on the broadcast, however. The producer's saved it for the "Extra" section on their website that shows, uh, extra stuff not in the broadcast version of the show. It will be available for viewing after the show airs on Sunday, 5/6/2007. We'll post a link to it then, as I'm sure we're all eager to hear what big Bob has to say.

[Source: GMInsideNews]

Gallery: 2007 Buick Park Avenue - Press Photos

Bob Lutz will address better Buicks in China on Autoline Detroit this weekend originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 May 2007 19:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York Preview: 2008 Buick LaCrosse Super rolled out

John Neff — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 13:51:00 EST

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

click above image to view 20 high-res pics of the 2008 Buick LaCrosse Super

Yes, yes, this is the only LaCrosse we enthusiasts care about, otherwise there wouldn't be much cause to mention this car's name in daily conversation. Buick has revived the "Super" moniker after a fifty-year absence on the 2008 LaCrosse (and Lucerne, which we'll get to next) to demarcate its most premium and powerful models. As such, the LaCrosse gets a major power boost from the addition of GM's 5.3L small-block V8 that produces 300 horsepower and 323 ft-lbs. of torque. As we'll tell you a little later, that's more power than the Lucerne Super's Northstar V8 can manage, making the LaCrosse Super somewhat of an entry-level luxury rocket with a 0 to 60 time of just 5.7 seconds.

We also get portholes on the LaCrosse Super, which is a given at this point - four on each flank signifying the eight cylinders pumping on the other side of the sheetmetal. The suspension has been upgraded with Bilsteing monotube struts, the steering made more precise and the brakes given larger rotors. The LaCrosse Super also benefits from the biggest wheel/tire combo you can get on this vehicle - 18-inch aluminum rims (chrome is also available because, hey, this is Buick).

Again, pricing was not made available, but we'd have to guess the LaCrosse Super will be a tad more expensive than the Chevy Impala SS that also sports the 5.3L V8 and starts at $28,655. If Buick decides to keep the LaCrosse Super under $30k, it will stand with the Impala SS as a incredible performance value. Of course, torque steer comes at no extra charge.

Check out GM's full press release after the jump and our gallery of desktop wallpaper-sized high-res images.

[Source: GM]

Gallery: 2008 Buick LaCrosse Super

Continue reading New York Preview: 2008 Buick LaCrosse Super rolled out

New York Preview: 2008 Buick LaCrosse Super rolled out originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Mar 2007 13:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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