Another LaxSoup spy pic

[Paolino]

Any chance they'll bump the power output of the 3.6L on the LaCrosse to at least match what the Malibu, Aura, G6 get?

[Regalguy01]

Any chance they'll bump the power output of the 3.6L on the LaCrosse to at least match what the Malibu, Aura, G6 get?

Especially since this is a 'premium' midsizer and those are not............................

[Robert Hall]

?????????

The grille and headlights are the only real (kindof) unique parts of the LaCrosse design......so if you don't think THOSE were done quite right, then what of the rest of the design do you consider "flashy and impressive?"

To me, everytime I see a LaCrosse going down the road, it does nothing but remind me about the "old" GM and the "old" Buick. To me, there's nothing flashy, impressive, or sophisticated about this car....

To me, it looks like a slightly more-attractive Taurus......from all angles....and that's not something I want Buicks to remind me of.....

I'm with you on this...everytime I see a LaCrosse I think Avis.. a decent rental car, but not remotely aspirational...

[Cory Wolfe]

To me, the Lacrosse is the most appealing W-body, but that's not saying much. If it weren't for how it looks like a sharper '98 Taurus, it'd be a decent car for what it is. Same with the Grand Prix, really. These two just lack in the styling department.

[Flybrian]

I saw a dark blue metallic CXS with chrome package next to a white ES350 and honestly, the LaCrosse looked infinitely more appealing, which leads me to think the biggest problem does not lie with the LaCrosse's design, but in how the majority of them are outfitted - CX trims, no chrome, 16" steels with wheel covers, white or gray. If they all came with the 17" alloys or chomes and the chrome package in a wider selection of darker colors, you'd have a completely different impression of the car.

[trinacriabob]

I just got off the phone with my cousins in Italy, having sent them pictures from Christmas and Montreal, which included MC and LaX pictures. Without even soliticing such a comment, they said they did NOT like the forward protuding very oval grille! I told them that, most likely, it will go away next year.

[Paolino]

I just got off the phone with my cousins in Italy, having sent them pictures from Christmas and Montreal, which included MC and LaX pictures. Without even soliticing such a comment, they said they did NOT like the forward protuding very oval grille! I told them that, most likely, it will go away next year.

What'd they think of the rest of the car as a whole? It's not really any form of Italian style.

I have to say, the only Buick I have liked the oval grille on was the Park Avenue.

[ToniCipriani]

Well, there were no <sarcasm> tags around the post..it's hard to detect sarcasm in typed text.

Being obvious in sarcasm loses the fun of sarcasm itself.

[VenSeattle]

I doubt it.....

MRC has nothing to do with the way the engineers tune the suspension components.....the Super will probably still be tuned way to the soft side, definitely compared to GXP and I bet it will still be a bit softer than the SS.

I'm betting comparisons will show it similar to the ES350 from a ride-and-handling standpoint.....solid, quiet, but soft and uninvolving.

Um... What do you think the benefit of MRC is? Just a flashy name? This suspension will allow the LaCrosse to perform better and be more predictable than the SS or GXP regardless if it's tuned with a softer ride. I suspect this will be the best "touring" W-Body sedan GM will have ever made (or will make.) I'm not talking about the LaCrosse Super stealing SS or GXP sales. Hardly. I'm sure the LaCrosse Super will provide a superior ride to other comparably priced sedans (better than Camry XLE, current Accord, Avalon Touring, or Azura for sure)... More to the liking of the buyer Buick is now chasing after...

A refresh for those who aren't familiar with it (I know you are O.C.):

GM's Magnetic Ride Control - The World's Fastest Reacting Suspension

Detroit, Mich. - General Motors took vehicle handling and comfort to a new level with the January introduction of Magnetic Ride Control on the 2002 Cadillac Seville STS, the world's first production car with this leading-edge active suspension.

GM's Magnetic Ride Control is a complete, stand-alone vehicle suspension control system that uses innovative magneto-rheological fluid-based actuators, four wheel-to-body displacement sensors, and an onboard computer to provide real-time, continuous control of vehicle suspension damping.

The system responds in one millisecond to provide superior ride, handling and control on even the roughest road surfaces. Magnetic Ride Control uses a simple combination of sensors, as well as steering wheel and braking inputs from the driver, to reduce noise, vibration and harshness for a smoother ride.

The system's onboard computer reacts to wheel inputs from the road-sensing suspension by sending an electronic signal to coils in each damper, changing the damping fluid's flow properties. This fluid contains randomly dispersed iron particles that, in the presence of a magnetic field, align themselves into structures adopting a near-plastic state. This action regulates the damping properties of the monotube struts, changing up to 1,000 times per second.

The system offers an expanded range of soft-to-firm damping capabilities for increased control over vehicle motions for a flat ride and precise handling. The active suspension helps maintain the maximum amount of tire patch in contact with the road, providing improved wheel control for a safer more secure ride. This new technology also helps reduce the traditional tradeoff between ride and handling.

Magnetic Ride Control is superior to the traditional suspensions and the real-time-damping systems found in other performance and luxury vehicles that use an electromechanical valve to control hydraulic pressure for shock damping.

Engineers at GM Research & Development laboratories, and later with experts at Delphi Automotive Systems, explored ways to reduce or even eliminate the inherent restrictions of valve-based damping systems. The result is GM's revolutionary system that eliminates electro-mechanical valves entirely.

Magnetic Selective Ride Control will debut as standard equipment in the 50th anniversary Chevrolet Corvette for the 2003 model year. That system will feature tour and sport suspension settings. The tour mode, with its extended range of damping capability, is so capable that it alone provides all the control an everyday driver needs. The sport mode, provides an extra measure of control and feel for performance enthusiasts who want to take their cars on track.

This technology yields greater levels of tuning precision and ride quality. Ride and handling engineers developing vehicles with Magnetic Ride Control can spend their time adjusting the algorithms that control the damping responses on a computer, and are enabled to fine-tune ride and handling characteristics to unprecedented levels of specificity. As a result, drivers will notice better ride quality, less body roll and improvements in overall handling.

What are its benefits?

The system provides a greatly expanded range of soft to firm damping capability, a truly continuous range of damping settings providing increased control over vehicle motions for a flat ride and more precise handing. The enhanced road-holding capabilities improve wheel control for a safer, more secure ride.

Magnetic Ride Control offers greater roll control and handling during transient maneuvers, and helps reduce noise, vibration and harshness for a smoother ride. This new technology helps reduce the traditional tradeoff between ride and handling, and responds 5 times faster than previous real-time damping systems. In addition, greater reliability is possible with its simpler design.

I can't see how the current Impala SS or GXP would be able to compare against the LaCrosse Super without MRC.

[trinacriabob]

What'd they think of the rest of the car as a whole? It's not really any form of Italian style.

Despite it not being Italian, they did appreciate it as having a nice silhouette.

Only 1 of the 2 sisters has been here and that one has been here twice, having sampled American cars I've rented to take her around. She acknoweldges that they are very quiet, comfortable, priced very well for what you get and are amazed at their longevity. She marveled how 70 mph (114 kmh) felt so much slower because of the excellent isolation of the cabin. In short, it's "un salotto mobile" to them.

Overall, they gave the nod to the LaCrosse over the Monte Carlo.

[Paolino]

In short, it's "un salotto mobile" to them.

That's exactly what I look for in a car... however, there are those times when I want a manual with some power and handling... the LaCrosse doesn't offer any of that--not even a simulated manual.

[american_driver]

OMG GM JUST KILL THE DAMN W-BODY ALEADY!!

Does anyone know how many W-Bodies GM sells in a year? I would guess that it would be in the top 3 or 4 in sales year after year.

Driving my 5th one in the past 15 years, I would agree that they are getting "a little" long in the tooth. But they have come a long way since the late 80's........................

That being said, they should have been put out to pasture a long - long time ago.

[AM6_Cutlass]

Apparently I'm they only one excited about this? I hope they facelift the regular Lacrosse models too.