Autoblog

Updated Buick LaCrosse, Regal to debut at New York Auto Show

Jeffrey N. Ross — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sedan, Buick

Judging by the spy shots we saw last week for the 2014 Buick LaCrosse and 2014 Buick Regal, we knew it wouldn't be much longer until we saw both sedans receive a grand debut. Today, Buick confirmed to Autoblog both cars will be introduced at the New York Auto Show next month, but no further information has yet been released about either model.

Having been on the market for an extra couple years, the changes to the LaCrosse appear to be more significant than those coming for the Regal, but both will be getting refreshed exterior designs as well as updated interiors. The Regal's new face brings it more in line with the all-new Encore and the restyled Enclave, while the LaCrosse should get a more distinctive, upscale appearance.

Both cars will be introduced exactly a month from today, and we'll be there to bring you all the coverage.

Updated Buick LaCrosse, Regal to debut at New York Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Feb 2013 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Redesigned Buick LaCrosse and Regal spotted

Jeffrey N. Ross — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Buick, Design/Style

Two more pieces of the nine-model product makeover from Buick and GMC are coming more into focus. Our spy shooters recently managed to capture the 2014 Buick LaCrosse (above) and 2014 Regal (at right) out testing, and it looks like General Motors has big things in store for both models. Based on these images, it looks like we might be seeing the redesigned LaCrosse before we see the refreshed Regal, and we wouldn't be too surprised for one of them making a debut at the Shanghai Motor Show at the end of April.

Although this LaCrosse is heavily disguised (in a stylish new camouflage pattern, we note), we've already seen the car completely uncovered in China. While the plaid covering does its job obscuring some of the car's details, we can still see that some of the elements match up with the spy shots from last month including the larger grille, the LED accents in the headlights and the reshaped exhaust outlets. Not obvious in the new spy shots is the fact that the LaCrosse's cabin is getting a major overhaul.

As for the facelifted Regal, we can definitely tell that a restyled front end will bring new headlights and fascia, but it looks like the big changes will be taking place at the rear of the sedan. What's interesting is that while we can tell the base Regal models are getting new headlights and fascias, it doesn't appear, from these pictures, that the same changes will be applying to the face of the sportier Regal GS. Judging by the amount of fabric piled on top of the instrument panel, the Regal is likely to get some interior upgrades as well.

Redesigned Buick LaCrosse and Regal spotted originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Feb 2013 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM throttles back Chevy Malibu, Buick LaCrosse production over swollen inventories

Jeffrey N. Ross — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 15:31:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Buick, Chevrolet, GM

As inventory of the Chevrolet Malibu and Buick LaCrosse continues to pile up, General Motors will be idling its Fairfax Assembly Plant for two weeks, according to Automotive News. This move comes about a month after the plant was shut down for three weeks in late December and early January for the same reason. As of January 31, the GM had a 94-day supply of Malibu stock while the LaCrosse was a little worse with a 117-day supply.

Just last week, GM announced that it would be investing $600 million in upgrading this plant, but it's unclear what future plans the company has in store for Fairfax considering slow sales of both the plant's models. We do expect a refreshed and more luxurious LaCrosse shortly and an early design update for the Malibu to be announced at some point this year, although we have had no official word as to when either will happen.

GM throttles back Chevy Malibu, Buick LaCrosse production over swollen inventories originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Feb 2013 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM claims it's first to sell million 30+ mpg vehicles

Jeffrey N. Ross — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 11:31:00 EST

Filed under: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

As we continue to put together all the data for the year-end edition of By The Numbers, General Motors has announced that it sold more than a million vehicles in the US last year that achieved at least 30 miles per gallon on the highway. More impressively, GM managed this feat using multiple strategies including small vehicle size, turbocharged engines and hybrid or plug-in technologies across four brands (Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC) accounting for 13 separate models. This number will grow even more in 2013 thanks to cars like the all-electric Spark, the diesel Cruze, the range-extended Cadillac ELR and the Buick Encore compact CUV.

GM's small car sales were up 39 percent last year helping to attain this million-sales mark for 30-mpg models, and almost 40 percent of all GM sales consisted of cars with fuel-efficient I4 engines. In regards to more advanced means of improving fuel economy, GM says that it plans on having 500,000 vehicles with "some form of electrification" on the road by 2017.

Scroll down for the full list of GM's million 30+ mpg cars as well as an informative press release.

Continue reading GM claims it's first to sell million 30+ mpg vehicles

GM claims it's first to sell million 30+ mpg vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Jan 2013 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Facelifted Buick LaCrosse caught in China

Jeffrey N. Ross — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 14:02:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, China, Buick, Luxury

Back in September, General Motors promised nine new or refreshed models for its Buick and GMC brands within 12 months, and while we've already seen what the updated 2014 GMC Sierra will look like, we're now getting our first look at what appears to be the facelifted 2014 Buick LaCrosse. Judging by a set of spy shots posted on Autohome showing a Chinese-market model, the updated sedan is getting a pretty big makeover, including a completely redesigned interior and a refreshed exterior.

From the outside, all of the usual midcycle updates have been made to the LaCrosse, including new lights and fascias. The new front end features a larger, reshaped seven-sided grille, LED-trimmed headlights and Buick's signature portholes are now mounted on the side edges of the hood to be more visible. The rear view has similarly small yet refined changes such as the new decklid with a chrome brow that stretches the full width of the car, to a more squared-off rear fascia with exhaust outlets pushed out to the corners. From the single shot we can see, the LaCrosse's new rump looks very similar to the Hyundai Equus.

The second-generation LaCrosse helped reestablish Buick as a near-premium automaker with its interior quality, and the next model could very well up the stakes even more. The new cabin design ditches the wraparound wood trim on the instrument panel and door panels for a smoother, more contemporary look. While it's hard to make out all of the changes, we can instantly see that the center stack is now more upright with fewer buttons, but the biggest news might be the cabin technology the 2014 LaCrosse might offer. Checking out the shot of the center console, we see what looks to be a pad similar to the handwriting recognition technology used by Audi, which would make this a first for GM.

There's no word on when (or where) the 2014 LaCrosse will be introduced, but based on GM's timeline of "nine cars in 12 months" and the lack of camouflage in these pictures, we're guessing that we could see the facelifted sedan very soon.

Facelifted Buick LaCrosse caught in China originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Jan 2013 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #311

Dan Roth — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 17:40:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Podcasts, BMW, Buick, Ford, Lincoln, Subaru

LA Auto Show, Forza Horizon, Lincoln Motor Company

Episode #311 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, and this week, Dan Roth, Zach Bowman and George Kennedy talk about the Los Angeles Auto Show and the big deal Ford is making over its re-launch of Lincoln as Lincoln Motor Company. Also this week, an interview with Turn 10 Studios Creative Director Dan Greenawalt about Forza Horizon. It's a extra-value-length podcast this week. For those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. Keep reading for our Q&A module for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #311:

Topics:

In the Autoblog Garage:
2013 BMW ActiveHybrid 3
2013 Buick LaCrosse Touring
2013 Subaru Outback

Hosts: Dan Roth, Zach Bowman, George Kennedy

Runtime: 02:05:19

Get the podcast
[UStream] Listen live on Mondays at 10PM Eastern at UStream
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
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[MP3] Download the MP3 directly

Feedback
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com

Review the show in iTunes

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #311

Autoblog Podcast #311 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Dec 2012 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM promises new Buick Regal and LaCrosse along with new GMC Canyon, Sierra and Yukon in next 12 months

Jeffrey N. Ross — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 09:27:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, SUV, Truck, Crossover, Buick, GM, GMC, Luxury

While Chevrolet and Cadillac are the defining brands for General Motors, Buick and GMC seem to be the middle siblings of the auto giant and, therefore, are often overlooked and underappreciated. This might be changing over the next 12 months, though, as these brands are set to receive nine new or refreshed models in this timeframe.

The sole new model to join the lineup is the sub-$25,000 Buick Encore crossover, but the Regal and LaCrosse are all getting mid-cycle updates at some point over the next year, not to mention the refreshed Enclave that we've already seen. Not to be left out, the Buick Verano will be getting a little more pep under the hood courtesy of a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine.

As for GMC, its full-size truck lineup is being completely overhauled. We've already seen spy photos of the new Chevrolet Silverado testing, and GMC confirmed that the Yukon, Yukon XL, Sierra and Sierra HD will all be introduced by next fall. All four GMC models will continue to be offered with the added luxury of the Denali trim level as well.

Perhaps the biggest news that came from this announcement was that the GMC Canyon is confirmed for a next-generation model, and it will be built alongside the all-new Chevrolet Colorado at GM's Wentzville, Missouri assembly plant.

Continue reading GM promises new Buick Regal and LaCrosse along with new GMC Canyon, Sierra and Yukon in next 12 months

GM promises new Buick Regal and LaCrosse along with new GMC Canyon, Sierra and Yukon in next 12 months originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Sep 2012 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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These are American senior citizens' favorite cars

Dan Roth — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc., Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Toyota

The stereotype of elderly drivers preferring Lincolns and Buicks has to come from somewhere. TrueCar.com took a look at the past two years of car sales to buyers at least 65 years old and found a couple common threads. The first thing these buyers are looking for is familiarity. The nameplates and vehicle types that were popular when these buyers were younger rank high with senior buyers, kind of the same way people's musical preferences get frozen in time.

Value is also a big attractor for the senior dollar, a consideration for buyers nearing the end of their careers or already on fixed incomes. The brand names on the list may not surprise anyone, though the Cadillac and Buick brands high scores show that those divisions' push for a younger average buyer age hasn't put off longstanding customers. In fact, there are some models that owe their continued existence to this older demographic.

So which cars are they? Hit the gallery and find out.

These are American senior citizens' favorite cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Buick LaCrosse GL Concept goes upscale for LA crowd

Zach Bowman — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:09:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, LA Auto Show, Sedan, Buick, GM, Design/Style, Luxury

The Buick LaCrosse GL Concept has officially bowed at the 2011 LA Auto Show. The luxury LaCrosse lounges on the show floor with a set of aggressive 20-inch alloy wheels, which are the only exterior cues available to distinguish this vehicle from its more plebeian litter mates. Inside is a whole different story, however. The LaCrosse GL Concept coddles its occupants with two-tone chocochino leather in dark cocoa and caramel hues mated with ice blue stitching. A full suede headliner is also part of the package as well, and the dash is clad in wood grain inspired by a certain Les Paul guitar finish.

Buick even went so far as to line each and every storage compartment just like a jewelry box. What's the point of all this nicety, you ask? Buick claims that every aspect of the LaCrosse GL interior will go on to inform future Buick models. We like the sound of a top-tier Buick, but we also have to wonder how Cadillac feels about a classier Tri-Crest.

Continue reading Buick LaCrosse GL Concept goes upscale for LA crowd

Buick LaCrosse GL Concept goes upscale for LA crowd originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Buick LaCrosse GL concept goes for luxury with a capital L

John Neff — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 17:27:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, LA Auto Show, Sedan, Buick, Luxury

Buick will arrive at next week's LA Auto Show with this in tow: the LaCrosse GL concept. Were you hoping for a high-performance LaCrosse GS to keep the hot rod Regal GS company? Well, the LaCrosse GL isn't that, even though we thought Buick might be working on one based on these spy shots.

Instead, the LaCrosse GL is billed as a design study to see just how luxurious one can make a LaCrosse. Turns out, very. For starters, the GL concept is coated in rich cabernet red paint that's set off by brushed and tinted chrome exterior accents. Even the 20-inch wheels, which are dead ringers for the wheel design used on the Regal GS, feature a muted satin finish.

Inside, however, is where the LaCrosse GL concept makes a standard LaCrosse look downright pedestrian. The two-tone interior features contrasting dark cocoa brown and caramel chocochino leather on the seats and dash that's set off with ice-blue stitching to match Buick's signature ambient lighting hue. The entire headliner is also wrapped in suede, and the dash features an attractive wood grain inspired by the ombré patina on Les Paul guitars. Even the insides of the storage compartments are flocked like the inner lining of a jewelry box.

Buick says that everything about the LaCrosse GL concept will inspire future Buick models, so we may be looking at a new top-tier trim level for the brand's large sedan. With the Lexus ES being this car's most direct competitor, Buick is smart to remind customers that it can do luxury just as well as the leaning L.

Continue reading Buick LaCrosse GL concept goes for luxury with a capital L

Buick LaCrosse GL concept goes for luxury with a capital L originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Nov 2011 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Buick LaCrosse recalled over improperly calibrated ESC

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Recalls, Buick, GM

The very first 2012 Buick LaCrosse models began rolling off the line in June, but a new recall notice from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will have these cars going right back to the dealerships from which they came. NHTSA states that 4,077 LaCrosse sedans are affected by this recall, covering vehicles built between June 9 and July 2 of this year.

NHTSA states that these 2012 LaCrosse models "fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 126," concerning electronic stability control systems. The recall notice adds:

The StabiliTrak system has an incorrect calibration that may cause the system to not properly detect if a sensor were to malfunction, and the warning light indicating that the system is not operating would not illuminate, as required in the safety standard.

If an ESC sensor malfunctions, it could cause the system to falsely activate, resulting in sudden changes to the LaCrosse's driving dynamics. This could result in loss of driver control, and ultimately, a crash.

The safety recall is expected to kick off sometime later this month, where Buick dealers will reprogram the electronic brake control free of charge. Follow the jump for NHTSA's official release.

Continue reading 2012 Buick LaCrosse recalled over improperly calibrated ESC

2012 Buick LaCrosse recalled over improperly calibrated ESC originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Buick LaCrosse gets more powerful 3.6L V6

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Buick, GM

2012 Buick LaCrosse - Click above for high-res image gallery

The big news surrounding the 2012 Buick LaCrosse is the addition of General Motors' eAssist technology - a new powertrain that will help the big sedan achieve up to 37 miles per gallon on the highway. Buick will offer the eAssist four-cylinder as the standard engine in the 2012 LaCrosse, but The General's 3.6-liter V6 will be available as a no-cost option, and GM has now confirmed that the six-cylinder powerplant will get a boost in power versus the 2011 LaCrosse.

For 2012, the 3.6-liter direct-injected V6 will churn out 303 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of torque - an increase of 23 hp versus the 2011 model. However, this added power will not result in any loss of overall efficiency, with GM stating that the V6 LaCrosse's 17/27 city/highway mile-per-gallon ratings will remain intact.

The 2012 Buick LaCrosse will start production this summer. For the full details on the V6's power increase, follow the jump for GM's official press blast.

Continue reading 2012 Buick LaCrosse gets more powerful 3.6L V6

2012 Buick LaCrosse gets more powerful 3.6L V6 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Jun 2011 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Buick LaCrosse with eAssist priced from $29,960*

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 15:28:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, Sedan, Buick

2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist - Click above for high-res image gallery

As expected, Buick has announced that its new 2012 LaCrosse with eAssist is priced identically to its more powerful V6-powered sibling. $29,960 (*plus an $860 destination charge) will get the buyer either 25 city and 37 highway miles per gallon (along with about 180 horsepower) or 303 horsepower (along with fuel economy that's not yet EPA rated but should be close to last year's 17/27 mpg rating).

For what it's worth, the new eAssist-equipped LaCrosse is thriftier on the highway than the smaller Lexus HS 250h (35/34) and Lincoln MKZ Hybrid (41/36 mpg) but not nearly as frugal as either of those competitors in the city.

The departing 2011 LaCrosse, you'll remember, was available with either a 2.4-liter Ecotec rated at 182 horsepower or a 3.6-liter V6 rated at 280 horses. In other words, the standard four-cylinder has been replaced with the mild hybrid powertrain while the optional V6 (available for no extra charge) has received a 23-horsepower bump. Parsimony or performance at your prerogative.

So, buyers will have the option of significantly improved fuel economy or horsepower - two highly desirable traits. Of course, there's a catch. Last year's base LaCrosse, which carried with it an MSRP of $26,995, is no longer available. That means the least expensive LaCrosse for 2012 is about $3,000 more than it was in 2011. That said, at least buyers will clearly get more for their money. See the complete press release after the break.

Continue reading Buick LaCrosse with eAssist priced from $29,960*

Buick LaCrosse with eAssist priced from $29,960* originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Opel to get next-gen Buick Enclave and LaCrosse

Chris Shunk — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Europe, Crossover, Buick, GM, Opel

Buick Enclave and LaCrosse - Click either image for high-res gallery

To help build the Buick brand, General Motors has turned the Opel Insignia into a Buick Regal, and in the fall, the Astra will become the 2012 Verano. These new products are proving to be a shot in the arm for Buick, but will the magic work the other way around?

According to a new report by GMInsideNews, we may soon find out. The site claims that The General will make room in the Opel lineup for the next Buick Enclave and LaCrosse. The move would likely make sense from a cost perspective, giving GM economies of scale thanks to increased production, while also adding to the Opel lineup without significant engineering expenditures. The General could also take advantage of its global footprint by building the Opel version of the LaCrosse or Enclave in the U.S. or even China, where labor is cheaper than in Germany.

Can GM succeed in turning the LaCrosse and Enclave into future Opel models? Hard to say, really. On one hand, if GM pursues this path, it will likely reap substantial savings from shared engineering costs between Buick and Opel. On the other hand, the Enclave and LaCrosse are quite large for most European cities and tastes, and GM will need to offer competent diesel and four-cylinder petrol powertrains for the models to have a shot at strong sales.

Opel to get next-gen Buick Enclave and LaCrosse originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Buick to take its products to the people in search of more sales

Aaron Richardson — Tue, 03 May 2011 08:59:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Crossover, Buick

Buick sales are leading the pack in General Motors' push to gain customers from other brands, pulling in an impressive 40 percent of its sales from other manufacturers' customer bases. To keep the trend going, Buick brass say they need to continue to convince people that Buick doesn't just make retiree barges anymore.

Despite its lineup of the LaCrosse, Lucerne, Enclave and redesigned Regal, all non-barges in their own right, Buick is still hoping to dig more sales out of skeptical Americans. To help make that goal a reality, Buick is sending its dealers to the streets to show off its new wares and convince people that this ain't your daddy's LeSabre. The company is also working with Amazon.com, buying full-screen advertisements on the Kindle in hopes of reaching the younger crowd.

According to the brand's marketing chief Tony DiSalle, the measures are starting to work, with Buick seeing more sales in the Northeast and Southeast. Traditionally, the company has moved the most units in the Midwest. The next geographic hurdle, Buick says, is to break in to markets in areas like Texas and, of course, Southern California.

Buick to take its products to the people in search of more sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 May 2011 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevrolet MyLink comes to Buick, GMC in IntelliLink form

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 17:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Technology, Crossover, Buick, GM, GMC, Infotainment

IntelliLink for Buick and GMC - Click above for high-res image gallery

As expected, General Motors will begin rolling out MyLink later this year, and GM has expanded
the connectivity system to include the 2012 Buick Verano, Regal and LaCrosse, along with the 2012 GMC Terrain.

GM has changed the branding of its SYNC competitor to IntelliLink for Buick and GMC models, although the features and functionality remain the same.

Voice commands - powered by Nuance technology - allow users to control phone functionality, radio stations and MP3 players through a natural language system, while Gracenote pulls in track listings and album art, Pandora, Stitcher and XM stream the tunes, and a standard rear-vision camera (on the Terrain) lets you keep tabs on what's coming up from behind.

Better iPhone and Android integration through a combination of USB and Bluetooth control is part of the package, and buyers of the youth-focused Verano will get IntelliLink as standard at first, with the system coming to the Regal and LaCrosse later this year. However, Enclave buyers will have to wait for its refreshening in 2013 before getting their hands on the system. Full details on both the Buick and GMC integration in the press release after the break.

Gallery: IntelliLink for Buick and GMC

Continue reading Chevrolet MyLink comes to Buick, GMC in IntelliLink form

Chevrolet MyLink comes to Buick, GMC in IntelliLink form originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Quick Spin: 2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Technology, Buick, GM, Quick Spins

The TriShield's Big Sedan Does The Electric Slide

2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's hard to talk about all of the good things General Motors is doing these days without referencing the Chevrolet Volt - it is perhaps the most talked-about car on the scene, green or otherwise. In showing the world that highly efficient, practical cars aren't so far out of our reach, GM is preparing to launch a slew of fuel-sipping vehicles in the near term.

We've already spent time with the honest-to-goodness 42-mile-per-gallon Chevrolet Cruze Eco, but the next chapter of GM's efficiency story lies in Buick's eAssist mild hybrid system, coming to both its LaCrosse and Regal sedans later this year.

We recently had the chance to drive the 2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist on the roads near GM's proving grounds in Milford, Michigan, and while some hybrid systems vastly change a car's overall driving experience, we walked away from our time in the Buick feeling as good as we ever have in a LaCrosse. The beauty of eAssist is that it functions in an almost entirely transparent manner, and that's a very, very good thing.

Continue reading Quick Spin: 2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist...

Gallery: 2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist: Quick Spin

Continue reading Quick Spin: 2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist

Quick Spin: 2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Buick LaCrosse dropping trim levels, V6 available as no-cost option

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Buick, GM

Buick LaCrosse - Click above for high-res image gallery

In addition to having eAssist added to its four-cylinder powertrain, the 2012 Buick LaCrosse is undergoing a few other changes. We aren't talking about styling or content tweaks - instead, General Motors is revising its packaging strategy for the LaCrosse. Buick will be ditching the CX, CXL and CXS trim level designations and simply offer large option packages that encompass all of the available amenities.

For 2012, the 2.4-liter Ecotec engine with eAssist technology will be offered as the "standard" powertrain. We recently had some very limited drive time with an eAssist-equipped LaCrosse (stay tuned for our full impressions), and found the four-cylinder with 182 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque to be pleasantly adequate and its highway rating of 37 miles per gallon downright remarkable. eAssist-equipped cars will look no different than other LaCrosses, save the addition of model-specific 17-inch wheels on efficiency-optimized tires and other fuel-saving upgrades not visible from outside the car.

The General's 280-horsepower direct-injected 3.6-liter V6 will still be made available, complete with the new HiPer Strut front suspension that helps keep torque steer to a minimum, but buyers can now select it as a no-cost option, and also opt for all-wheel drive.

Final pricing information has not been released, but Buick tells us that the entry level LaCrosse will start around $30,000. Currently, the LaCrosse has a base MSRP of $26,995, which suggests the addition of eAssist and its associated fuel-saving parts isn't cheap. What Buick has effectively done is ditched the "base" LaCrosse model and left two identically priced models for buyers to choose from: one focused on exceptional fuel economy and the other on power.

Production on the 2012 LaCrosse will start this summer with the first round of cars hitting dealerships this Fall.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Buick LaCrosse

2012 Buick LaCrosse dropping trim levels, V6 available as no-cost option originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: 10,000 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac SRX models face faulty defroster recall

Zach Bowman — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Recalls, Safety, Crossover, Buick, Cadillac, GM

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and General Motors have announced the recall of 10,000 vehicles. According to The Detroit News, certain 2011 Cadillac SRX and 2011 Buick Lacrosse models may have been built with a defect that can prevent the vehicle's defroster from effectively clearing the windshield. NHTSA is concerned that the reduced visibility could lead to an accident.

The problem was discovered to during a production trial, in which one in 50 vehicles exhibited the defect.

At the moment, no crashes or incidents have been reported as a result of the programming error, though it's worth noting that only a third of the 10,179 vehicles covered by the recall actually belong to customers. The rest are either unsold or are awaiting delivery.

GM dealers will reprogram the HVAC software to fix the bug free of charge.

Gallery: 2011 Cadillac SRX

Gallery: 2011 Buick LaCrosse

[Source: The Detroit News]

Report: 10,000 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac SRX models face faulty defroster recall originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Buick sales beating up on Lexus, may be this year's most popular luxury brand

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Buick, Earnings/Financials, Luxury

There are a number of simple, reliable truths in the world. The Earth is round. A compass points north. Nobody but the Chinese buy Buicks and Lexus is the best-selling luxury brand in the United States. Well, hold on to your horses. Lowly old Buick, long seen as the doorstop of the luxury segment, has outsold Lexus two months straight and shows no signs of slowing down.

Our friends at Kicking Tires ground through the sales figures and found that Buick also sold more luxury cars in February than Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Acura. In fact, the only luxury brand that sold more cars in the States in February was BMW, and even then only by 800 units.

What makes Buick's meteoric rise to the top of its segment even more impressive is the fact that it has done so with just four nameplates: Enclave, LaCrosse, Lucerne and Regal. By way of comparison, Lexus offers nine models in the States.

And lest you think that buyers are choosing Buicks solely because of a value proposition, Kicking Tires notes that average Buick transaction prices have increased by $11,113 since 2003, according to Buick spokesman Nick Richards. Sounds like Buick deserves some real kudos, no?

We suggest you scan over the whole article from Kicking Tires, it's a very interesting read.

[Source: Kicking Tires]

Buick sales beating up on Lexus, may be this year's most popular luxury brand originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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