Luscious LaCrosse Leaves Lexus Lurching

Just days before the start of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Michigan, General Motors has taken the wraps off of the next generation Buick LaCrosse — Oh, is it a beauty!

With a distinct Lexus look to the body style, the next generation LaCrosse is big on visual appeal inside and out. Slated to show up in Buick showrooms this summer, the 2010 Buick LaCrosse is the brand’s best looking vehicle since the Enclave.

There are no V8 engines to be found in the all new LaCrosse, rather a pair of fuel saving V6s will be used. According to GM, “The new LaCrosse was created with great attention to detail, craftsmanship and advanced technology,” said Susan Docherty, Buick-Pontiac-GMC vice president. “It builds on the success of Enclave as the next step in Buick’s revitalization. And, as with Enclave, our goal is to attract a whole new buyer to our dealerships for LaCrosse.”

According to GM, the 2010 Buick LaCrosse will be offered in three models - CX, CXL and CXS:

• CX – equipped with a new 3.0L direct injection V-6, premium cloth seats and 17-inch wheels. The 3.0L engine generates an estimated 255 horsepower (190 kW) and 211 lb.-ft. of torque (286 Nm) and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
• CXL – also equipped with the new 3.0L direct injection V-6, adds leather-appointed heated seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, fog lamps, outside rearview mirror with LED turn indicators and puddle lamps, and 18-inch wheels. Intelligent AWD is available.
• CXS – equipped with a 3.6L direct injection V-6; real-time active-dampening suspension; perforated, leather-appointed, heated and cooled seats, and chrome-plated 18-inch wheels (19-inch optional). The 3.6L engine, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, generates an estimated 280 horsepower (209 kW) and 261 lb.-ft. of torque (354 Nm).

“The new LaCrosse is intended to represent modern elegance,” said Ed Welburn, vice president of GM Global Design. “Throughout the design, you experience a balance of contrasts. Both the interior and exterior have been designed with harmony in mind. The exterior balances taut, sculpted lines with sensuous accents and surfaces. Inside, smoked chrome accents, warm wood, first-class leather and materials combine with cool blue ambient lighting to create an inviting environment.”

The sedan will make its official roll on Monday when Buick holds its press conference at the NAIAS. In the meantime, the following photographs can serve to whet your appetite for this nice looking sedan:

Sculpted styling is the most noticeable difference between the first and second generation LaCrosse models.

Buick faithful see that the LaCrosse is closely styled to the Invicta concept which rolled out at the 2008 Beijing Auto Show. Buick's largest market is China where the brand outsells the U.S. domestic market by a 2 to 1 ratio.

The interior of the LaCrosse features an analog instrument cluster, chrome offset by dark wood accents, and the contrasting thread and French stitching on the instrument panel. Both the 3.0L V6 and 3.6L V6 are paired with a six speed automatic transmission to provide excellent highway fuel economy.

Pricing and EPA fuel economy have yet to be announced. Expect that information to be provided closer to the LaCrosse’s summer release.

Source: General Motors