Buick LaCrosse
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| Buick LaCrosse | |
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| Manufacturer | Buick |
| Parent company | General Motors |
| Also called | Buick Allure |
| Production | 2005–present |
| Assembly | Oshawa, Ontario, Canada |
| Predecessor | Buick Century Buick Regal |
| Class | Mid-size |
| Body style | 4-door sedan |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Platform | GM W platform |
| Engine | 3.6 L HFV6 V6 3.8 L 3800 V6 |
| Transmission | 4-speed 4T65-E automatic |
| Wheelbase | 110.5 in (2805 mm) |
| Length | 198.1 in (5030 mm) |
| Width | 73.0 in (1855 mm) |
| Height | 57.4 in (1460 mm) |
| Fuel capacity | 17 US gal |
| Related | Chevrolet Impala Chevrolet Monte Carlo Pontiac Grand Prix |
| Similar | Honda Accord Hyundai Sonata Toyota Camry |
The Buick LaCrosse is a mid-size car produced by the Buick division of American automaker General Motors since the 2005 model year. The LaCrosse, only available as a four-door sedan, replaces the Century and Regal models of Buick's lineup. Its namesake is the LaCrosse concept car shown beginning in 2000.
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[edit] First Generation (2005-)
The LaCrosse made its debut in late 2004 as a 2005 model with the intention of replacing the popular Century and more sporting Regal midsize cars with a single model. Riding on a revised version of the W-body known as MS2000, the LaCrosse was available with two powerplant choices: a 3.8 L 3800 V6 and a 3.6 L HFV6 V6, while power is routed to the front wheels via a 4T65-E automatic transmission.
The new model, as is generally the case with Buick, stresses quality and reliability over styling or performance. Early press commentary noted somewhat unfavorably that the car looks very similar to Buicks of the past decade, and to the recent Ford Taurus.
The LaCrosse is sold as the Buick Allure in Canada. Though American cars occasionally bear different model and marque names when sold in the Canadian market, the case with the LaCrosse/Allure is unique. The original name was inspired by a Buick concept car of the same name shown in 2000 and also used as a reference to the sport of lacrosse, seen as popular with a younger, more active demographic that Buick sought to market to. However, la crosse means masturbation or swindling in Québecois slang.
[edit] Future Developments
As of this writing, a new trim of the LaCrosse bearing the Super moniker is slated to debut at the 2007 New York International Auto Show. The LaCrosse Super will be positioned as a higher-performance model of the sedan with revised front end styling influenced by the 2004 Velite concept car. Power will come from the 5.3l small-block V8 engine featuring Active Fuel Management technology. This powertrain is also found on the Grand Prix GXP, Impala SS, and Monte Carlo SS. It is likely to be introduced as a 2008.5 model.
Images of the LaCrosse Super, as well as the Lucerne Super, can be seen at this address: [[1]]
The second-generation LaCrosse will use GM's Epsilon II for its underpinnings and likely debut as a 2010 model, as GM plans to phase out the current W-body LaCrosse after the 2009 model year.
[edit] Trim Levels
Three trim lines are offered:
- CX: Base model with the GM 3800 engine
- CXL: Well-equipped, with the GM 3800 engine
- CXS: Sport/luxury model with the new 3.6l V6
- Super: Proposed higher-performance model powered by a 5.3l V8
[edit] Awards and recognition
The Buick LaCrosse is one of a handful of vehicles designated by Hertz Rent A Car as part of their Green Collection. Vehicles in the Green Collection must attain an EPA highway rating of 28 mpg or higher and can be specifically requested in advance.
The LaCrosse was one of Consumer Reports' Consumer Report Recommended vehicles in their "Best & Worst Cars 2006" issue.
 2007 Buick Allure (Canada) |
 Rear of USDM LaCrosse |
 Rear of Buick Allure (Canada) |
 2008 Buick LaCrosse Super |
[edit] International Models
[edit] Shanghai GM Buick LaCrosse
Shanghai GM builds a version of the Buick LaCrosse for the Chinese market. Designed by Shanghai GM's Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center the Chinese LaCrosse is based on the same architecture as the North American model, but possesses a different engine lineup, interior and exterior designs. The car is also built in Taiwan by a joint Yulon-GM venture.
In the near future, it is likely that major interior and exterior design for the Chinese market LaCrosse will coincide with the future USDM model.
[edit] External links
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