FIRST LOOK: 2008 Buick LaCrosse

[Flybrian]

GM@NYIAS
Buick LaCrosse
Press Release

2008 Buick LaCrosse Photo Gallery

For release: March 27, 2007; noon EDT
BUICK LACROSSE SEDAN GETS NEW FACE OF BUICK AND MORE STANDARD EQUIPMENT

NEW YORK - Buick will freshen its 2008 LaCrosse line with the new face of Buick - a front-end design inspired by the Velite convertible concept - and an elevated list of standard equipment across all LaCrosse models.

Like the recently introduced Buick Enclave luxury crossover and Super models, the 2008 LaCrosse features a more distinctive front end. The new design brings the 2008 LaCrosse sedan in line with a common Buick family appearance. The fascia, hood and chrome waterfall grille are new. The 2008 model will also offer four new exterior colors, including Scarlett Red, Gold Mist Metallic, Dark Mocha Metallic and Dark Slate Metallic.

Inside, the '08 LaCrosse continues to offer a well-equipped, comfortable and quiet interior. More comfort and convenience features are now standard for CX, CXL and CXS models for 2008. The LaCrosse CX, for example, is a richer entry-level car, adding a leather-wrapped steering wheel, theft deterrent system, illuminated vanity mirrors, driver information center personalization and more. All trim levels now have a chrome exterior appearance package, factory remote start feature, XM Satellite Radio, telescoping steering wheel column, redundant steering wheel controls and dual-zone climate control as added standard equipment.

“LaCrosse really started the evolution to the new Buick you see today,” said Buick General Manager Steve Shannon. “It introduced a new direction for Buick cars, with great design, performance and fuel economy with a premium and quiet interior. Indeed, LaCrosse set the foundation for the new Buick.”

The LaCrosse line now offers three powertrains. The CX and CXL trims are powered by the 3.8L V-6, now in Series III form. With more than 25 million sold, it is one of the most proven and reliable engines in the industry. Rated at 200 horsepower (149 kW), the 3.8L features electronic throttle control to improve engine response and optimize fuel efficiency, along with upgrades for quiet operation.

The performance-oriented LaCrosse CXS has a standard 3.6L V-6 with variable valve timing that delivers 240 horsepower (179 kW). The premium, all-aluminum engine features dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. Its fully variable intake and exhaust valve timing achieves outstanding flexibility, delivering 90 percent of the engine's peak torque where it is most useful, between 1,500 rpm and 6,000 rpm. The 3.6L VVT delivers a market-leading balance of good specific output, high torque over a broad rpm band, fuel economy and first-rate noise vibration and harshness control.

The recently announced 2008 LaCrosse Super introduces a V-8 engine and portholes to the LaCrosse lineup. With the fuel efficiency of a V-6, the new 300-horsepower (224 kW)* 5.3L small-block V-8 with Active Fuel Management (AFM) technology can propel LaCrosse Super from 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds. GM’s AFM engine technology seamlessly switches between four- and eight-cylinder power to save fuel.

The LaCrosse line is built at GM’s Oshawa 2 Assembly, ranked North/South America ’s top manufacturing facility the past two years, according to J.D. Power and Associates.

The 2008 LaCrosse will arrive in dealer showrooms this summer. Pricing has not been announced.

*Pending SAE certification.

[Paolino]

I'm glad to hear about the addition to a few new things as standard equipment to all trim levels.

[buyacargetacheck]

Aluminum wheels should be standard on all Buicks. Doesn't look like this has changed for the LaX CX. Looks like the front benches remain. Every LaX I've seen here in LA has buckets.

[jbartley]

i like the aditional standard equipment. I guess they are realizing even the cheaper/smaller buicks shouldn't be skimping and "premium" content!

[caddycruiser]

Aside from a grille and V8 option, whoop-dee-do, nothing at all it really needed.

[trinacriabob]

I'm glad to hear about the addition to a few new things as standard equipment to all trim levels.

No doubt, especially for the CX. All I really wanted from that big extra cost package was the leather wrapped wheel (really changes the feel of the driving experience for the better, IMO) and the telescoping feature.

The only options I now see getting are the alloy wheels and the split rear-seats. Nice.

So now that this way better looking grille is coming down the pike, let's you and I both get LaCrosses in 2008 since we've been drooling for about...what...3 years.

[Paolino]

No doubt, especially for the CX. All I really wanted from that big extra cost package was the leather wrapped wheel (really changes the feel of the driving experience for the better, IMO) and the telescoping feature.

The only options I now see getting are the alloy wheels and the split rear-seats. Nice.

So now that this way better looking grille is coming down the pike, let's you and I both get LaCrosses in 2008 since we've been drooling for about...what...3 years.

Well, two things:

1) I'd get the CXS

2) With the Aura XR and the 2008 Malibu LTZ coming out, that's money better spent in my opinion. Then again, I would miss the cushy Buick ride. I'd really have to just test drive them all.

[trinacriabob]

Well, two things:

1) I'd get the CXS

2) With the Aura XR and the 2008 Malibu LTZ coming out, that's money better spent in my opinion. Then again, I would miss the cushy Buick ride. I'd really have to just test drive them all.

Yes, the Malibu, in any form, is attractive. I, too, will look at it but I think on too stuck on the W-bodies. At any rate, it's great to see that this change once again makes LaCrosse a contender!

[ponchoman49]

Of all the changes to the extra std equipment, I really can't comprehend why alloy wheels and a split folding rear seat weren't included. Also the more expensive CXL and CXS especially should have power seat recliners on both front seats. Some may like still having the old 200 HP 3800 around but I would have been more impressed to see a quiet tuned 3500 with 224 HP made std and the 252 HP 3.6 with more torque as the CXS engine. The new grille is indeed an improvement and much overdue.