FIRST GLIMPSE: 2010 Buick LaCrosse Interior

[Flybrian]

FIRST GLIMPSE: 2010 Buick LaCrosse Interior

Photoshop courtesy of Ted Krygier

General Motors has released these four renderings of a future vehicle labeled 'GMX-353', which is the internal designation for the next-generation Buick LaCrosse. Based on the forthcoming Epsilon II mid/large FWD platform, the next LaCrosse is intended on taking the current midsize Buick to the next level in terms of luxury and refinement. If these conceptualizations are even partially telling of the production sedan, then that goal will be readily achieved.

The first rendering of the gauge binnicle (above) shows an advanced design with heavy use of metallic textures. A stitched leather dashboard and binnicle upper is apparent. The current Buick theme of moving towards soft, blue hues and ambient lighting is evidenced within the gauges themselves as well as the center-mounted driver's information center.

The leather-wrapped gear selector pictured above emphasizes luxury over sportiness by forgoing a seperate selector gate in favor of a clean linear design. Shifting of the 2010 LaCrosse's 6-speed transmission will likely be handled by an integrated button on the gear selector (not pictured).

Identified as one of GM's 'NG corporate 4-spokes,' the above wheel combines multiple materials and colors to create a unique and well-appointed look. In a reverse of tradition, woodtones trim dominant metallic elements on the horizontal spoke with neatly-integrated cruise control and redundant audio controls . The overall design itself combines the sporty ambiance of a three-spoke with the ease and class of a four-spoke.

The last and most intriguing rendering is of the NG LaX's center stack. As stated in previous interviews, the current black-tie radios are but a stepping stone to full integration. This design showcases integration it in one of its best forms. Navigation, radio, and HVAC functions are combined in a single control unit with gradiants of gray delineating the fuctions. Ambient lighting peaks through again from behind the principle radio function controls and also through the scroll wheel, which serves as the controller for both navigation and radio with different rotaries serving different functions.

Though we are still left to guess as to what the entirety of the LaCrosse will look like, we can spectulate that it will more than hold its own in the competitive premium market given the look and design of these interior elements. Buick has always been known for procuring beautifully-luxurious vehicles with upscale designs inside and out. From the looks of it, the LaCrosse will return Buick to that tradition and follow in the wide footsteps left by the Enclave.

Additional Info: Buick's LaCrosse (GMX-353) is slated to arrive in winter of 2009 as a 2010 model. It will be the second American car (following the AURA) to use the wider Epsilon II platform. Powertrain selection is unknown but is likely to include a 3.6l direct-injection V6 and use GM's front-wheel drive six-speed automatic transmission. Pricing is likely to increase over the current LaCrosse, but so will power, equipment, and refinement. The 2010 LaCrosse will share much in common with its Chinese market sister.

Downloadable High-Resolution Images

P.S. Check out other future GM interior conceptual imagery (BRX, Lambda MCE, GMT-900 MCE) here:
GM Design Center Conceptual Interior Elements

P.P.S. Thanks to member Derek77 for bringing these to our attention!

[jbartley]

my heart just skipped a beat. this stuff is amazing. i have no doubt that the next LaCrosse will look amazing on the outside, but thanks to this illustrations it should be awesome inside too.

i see some resemblence to the buick riviera concept. (colors, layout, etc)

i like the smooth cleans line. nothing edgy, just clean luxury.

just to be sure, the 1st Epsilon2 vehicle will be the Aura?

Edited September 3, 2007 by jbartley

[VenSeattle]

100% approval in my book!

I can't wait to see the finished product!

[regfootball]

my folks 81 electra diesel had a blueish interior.

and i miss it.

i think the injection of color into auto interiors is a place where GM can lead the market in the near future.

[Paolino]

I think I just wet myself.

[momolos]

I hope what I see is indeed the 2010 LaCrosse.......But GM always disappoints me.

I have a good feeling about the new GM though!

[GM4ever]

Looks amazing but I think I will wait to get excited till I see it for real.

[Cananopie]

Looks amazing but I think I will wait to get excited till I see it for real.

I agree, anyone can draw anything that looks cool. We'll see how GM can execute this. It has a lot of positive potential though.

[carstar]

Come to think of it, the pic of the instrument cluster could be the 2009 camaro instrument cluster w/o the stitched leather, wood, & chrome.

Edited September 3, 2007 by carstar

[VenSeattle]

One request... rename the vehicle REGAL!

[smk4565]

Honda and Toyota already have integrated consoles like that, and Nav systems, etc, Buick is about 10 years behind mainstream cars, and even farther behind the premium ones. That steering wheel and gauges are ugly, I realize they are just conceptual drawings but I am not impressed. In my lifetime Buick has never done anything that impressed me.

The 3.6 DI engine is good, but there should be 2.8-3.0 DI V6 as well, since I think 300 hp in a front drive car is too much and they could improve on fuel economy with a smaller engine, and many care more about gas mileage. GM should scrap all pushrod V6s, all 4 and 6 cylinders should be VVT and DI with a 6 speed auto by 2010 model year. Aveo could use a 5 speed auto.

[loki]

very nice everything but ... i'm not a person that likes all in one center stacks. very nice, clean, simple cluster. shifter = nice, no "tap shift"? steering wheel, very nice, hard to imagine an air bag behind that though.

[VenSeattle]

Honda and Toyota already have integrated consoles like that, and Nav systems, etc, Buick is about 10 years behind mainstream cars, and even farther behind the premium ones. That steering wheel and gauges are ugly, I realize they are just conceptual drawings but I am not impressed. In my lifetime Buick has never done anything that impressed me.

The 3.6 DI engine is good, but there should be 2.8-3.0 DI V6 as well, since I think 300 hp in a front drive car is too much and they could improve on fuel economy with a smaller engine, and many care more about gas mileage. GM should scrap all pushrod V6s, all 4 and 6 cylinders should be VVT and DI with a 6 speed auto by 2010 model year. Aveo could use a 5 speed auto.

Why am I not surprised who voted for GM to go back to the drawing board.

We've already seen where Honda will be by the end of the year with the 2008 Accord. The 2010 LaCrosse/Regal will be in a higher class.

Oh, and matching the premium competition in controls integration means they're no longer 10 years behind.

[Northstar]

Looks quite good to me. I would bet the exterior is going to be quite good looking as well :AH-HA_wink:

The name is not changing to Regal, though I feel Regal does go better with Enclave than LaCrosse.

[VenSeattle]

The name is not changing to Regal, though I feel Regal does go better with Enclave than LaCrosse.

I can still hope. The car is over a year away until we start hearing solid details. Anything can change in a year. Regal is already known in China, Canada, & the US. GM could finally drop the Allure/LaCrosse debacle and bring Regal back.

[Flybrian]

300hp in a front-wheel drive car is too much for Nissan or Acura or someone else who similarly doesn't know what they're doing, but GM eliminates torque steer to almost nil in high-torque, high-power front drivers.

[AxelTheRed]

I like the shifter and the steering wheel, but the instrument cluster and console doesn't have the Buick feel to them.

They're all cool, don't get me wrong now...just some of it I don't think fit the image of the brand.

[vonVeezelsnider]

Regal or No, That's one sweet interior... I hope it makes it to production!

[K.C.]

Wow! These guys are serious about taking no Suxel. I hope that the hopes aren't ruined by the exterior.

I agree about the name. LaCrosse doesnt fit, and its still early enough that the name could change. I think Allure is even better than LaCrosse, and goes better with Enclave, but Regal is the best.

If the new LaCrosse is coming for '10, then do you think we'll see this at the 09 Auto Shows?

[ToniCipriani]

Maybe a green version? I always thought green lighting in Buicks are cool.

[Oracle of Delphi]

All I am going to say is Hmmmmmm!

[VenSeattle]

I like the shifter and the steering wheel, but the instrument cluster and console doesn't have the Buick feel to them.

They're all cool, don't get me wrong now...just some of it I don't think fit the image of the brand.

Hey Axel - check out the pic with the instrumentation cluster. It has wood/satin metal on each side right below the leather stitched upper dash. I bet that it follows the upper dash across the width of the interior (over the console and onto the passenger's side) to help maintain a horizontal theme which is echoed by the steering wheel design. In that manner, it would continue an interior style that's identifiably Buick.

[Northstar]

The LaCrosse has a Jan 2009 production date. I suspect we'll see it at the 08 NY show.

[Lamar]

Let's see... the gauges are ok, but I doubt they'll make production, at least in a Buick.

I like the shifter.

The steering wheel is decent... like someone said, it will be interesting to see how the integrate an airbag.

The console is where I'm sold. FINALLY, a Buick center stack that looks closer to Cadillac than Chevrolet.

[mustang84]

Wow, love it all. GM is getting back to the detailed interiors it used to have in its heyday.

[Intrepidation]

The center stack is the clear winner but all the the designs look great...it gibes us hope that the NG LaCrosse will finally not be at the bottom of the barrel but at the top...I wish they'd rename it Regal though.

[wildcat]

This would be one occasion where a name change IS in order. LaCrosse has the wrong image, judging by the present vehicle. Regal would be much nicer. Especially if it'll be Regal in China, might as well have it Regal in North America.

[siegen]

Ahh too many buttons. :AH-HA_wink:

300hp in a front-wheel drive car is too much for Nissan or Acura or someone else who similarly doesn't know what they're doing, but GM eliminates torque steer to almost nil in high-torque, high-power front drivers.

So what is GM's secret for eliminating torque steer? Taller gear ratios?

Honda doesn't know what they're doing when they build a FWD car with a weight and power disadvantage that beats its RWD competition around the track?

Here is what Road and Track had to say about the TL-S's torque steer: "Torque steer is present when mashing the throttle pedal coming out of turns, but it’s so slight, it’s hardly an issue." Pretty good considering the TL-S is geared aggressively (6-speed manual) with a limited slip differential.

[Northstar]

Perhaps someone should start a poll so that GM can see the overwhelming preference of "Regal" instead of "LaCrosse" because right now it's LaCrosse.

[deftonesfan867]

Ahh too many buttons. :AH-HA_wink:

So what is GM's secret for eliminating torque steer? Taller gear ratios?

Honda doesn't know what they're doing when they build a FWD car with a weight and power disadvantage that beats its RWD competition around the track?

Here is what Road and Track had to say about the TL-S's torque steer: "Torque steer is present when mashing the throttle pedal coming out of turns, but it’s so slight, it’s hardly an issue." Pretty good considering the TL-S is geared aggressively (6-speed manual) with a limited slip differential.

LSD and AWD. Two things the Grand Prix GXP doesn't have and yet it doesn't exhibit lots of torque steer.

[Cory Wolfe]

Interesting. If the final product looks that good...

[dado]

If next lacrosse will be on epsilon 2 platform then it could get AWD since this platform will be capable of accepting AWD layout.

[!!!TED!!!]

So good to see styling and design comming back strong at GM.

Some really nice work being showcased here!

[ponchoman49]

Looks promising so far as does the powertrain. I will reserve judgement on the exterior until I see it. As long as it doesn't look like a bland slab sided plain Asian clone such as the China Park Ave, I will more than likely approve.

[usa1]

All I can say is wow. I mean WOW like WHY ON EARTH is GM showing this to the public 3 years before it comes out?!?! To gauge public reaction? The generate hype? Why?

In 3 years, when/if this interior hits the market, the competition will have had plenty of time to copy and better this effort. What a shame.

It's ANOTHER frustrating example of GM hyping future products when they don't have enough stuff to hype that's in the showrooms today. They've been doing this for decades. Tomorrow... Tomorrow...

Mark

[cire]

Wow! It looks like GM is pretty serious about restoring Buick's near luxury status. If it can properly execute these interior design proposals, then I think Buick will have competitive products in the near luxury market. I have high hopes for these future products and the future of the Buick division. The Enclave was a giant leap in the right direction. Let's hope Buick/GM can keep the momentum going.

I hope they drop the LaCrosse name, though.

[Northstar]

Ahh too many buttons. :AH-HA_wink:

I counted 36 buttons. The Lambdas have over 30 buttons, so I'd say there aren't too many. None of them are ridiculously small, either. The MDX, on the other hand, has 50, and many are very small.

[Mule Bakersdozen LS]

Looks awesome!!!! I drew a Regal, or a LaCrosse, or whatever they're calling this 2010 model, and I made it look like a mid-size sedan essentially resembling the 2007 Riviera concept car. I haven't done the front end yet, but I thought that was the least successful design element on the Riviera concept. Should GMX353 have 260hp (like the G8) or 275hp standard, like in most Lambdas?

[-Camaro-]

Hopefully this does for Buick what the CTS did for Cadillac.

[jbartley]

i agree a name change is def in order. Electra is my preference.

I like how the dash vents bear striking resemblence to the waterfall buick grille....

[Paolino]

I'm really interested to know what this NG LaCrosse will look like.

Although I really don't have any problem with the LaCrosse name... but I've always loved the Regal name. It means something to me, and I associate it with sporty/luxurious.

[ZL-1]

I love those designs, but I hope GM protects the actual interior design until as close to introduction date as possible. 2010 is still very far off and tipping off competitors is not a smart thing IMHO.

[Paolino]

I just hope the car is stunning, well-equipped, and has NO pushrod V6's.

[!!!TED!!!]

I put the pieces together (crudly). Check it out!

[Paolino]

Interesting Ted... thanks. It gives a better idea of what kind of interior they're going for. One thing I HATE about the gauges... and I've said it before... I hate gauges that have the numbers angled around them. I like my numbers all vertical.

[bowtie_dude]

My hopes have been renewed.

[Newbiewar]

Honda and Toyota already have integrated consoles like that, and Nav systems, etc, Buick is about 10 years behind mainstream cars, and even farther behind the premium ones. That steering wheel and gauges are ugly, I realize they are just conceptual drawings but I am not impressed. In my lifetime Buick has never done anything that impressed me.

The 3.6 DI engine is good, but there should be 2.8-3.0 DI V6 as well, since I think 300 hp in a front drive car is too much and they could improve on fuel economy with a smaller engine, and many care more about gas mileage. GM should scrap all pushrod V6s, all 4 and 6 cylinders should be VVT and DI with a 6 speed auto by 2010 model year. Aveo could use a 5 speed auto.

for one, Direct injection doesnt require scrapping of pushrods...

the ohv is a much lighter, cheaper, and less moving parts then its dohc counterparts... they can produce more hp/liter more hp/gallon of fuel...

GM has intentions of incorperating DI, VVT, AFM, etc on all models by 2010 time frame... along with 6 speeds...

and obviously your impression of buick only demistrates your youth...

[titan]

Yes. This is truly what I've been waiting to see. This interior is beautiful, and fitting an ES350 killer. This is what I've been waiting to see... sure, I love the Enclave, and would get on above all Lambdas (if I even needed a crossover); but as nice as the interior is, it's black tie. This interior is fully intergrated, kicking ass and taking names... need to see the real thing, NOW.

[VenSeattle]

All I can say is wow. I mean WOW like WHY ON EARTH is GM showing this to the public 3 years before it comes out?!?! To gauge public reaction? The generate hype? Why?

In 3 years, when/if this interior hits the market, the competition will have had plenty of time to copy and better this effort. What a shame.

It's ANOTHER frustrating example of GM hyping future products when they don't have enough stuff to hype that's in the showrooms today. They've been doing this for decades. Tomorrow... Tomorrow...

Mark

You might want to go back and read the topic comments. Northstar stated production of the 2010 LaCrosse begins Jan'09. That's 15 months away! We'll be seeing it debut much sooner than that, so this really isn't too far in advance.

[greywolf3500]

I like the whole design concept. Green wouln't be a bad choice I think.

Edited September 5, 2007 by greywolf3500