Buick LaCrosse

Buick LaCrosse

Manufacturer	General Motors
Production	September 7, 2004–present[1]
Model year(s)	2005–present
Predecessor	Buick Century Buick Regal
Class	Mid-size

The Buick LaCrosse is a mid-size sedan produced by General Motors and sold under the Buick brand. The LaCrosse, only available as a four-door sedan, replaced the Buick Century and Regal in North America beginning in the 2005 model year.

First generation (2005–2009)

North America

First generation
North America

Also called	Buick Allure (Canada)
Production start	September 7, 2004[1]
Production end	December 23, 2008
Model year(s)	2005-2009
Assembly	Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
Body style(s)	4-door sedan
Layout	FF layout
Platform	W-body
Engine(s)	3.6 L HFV6 V6 3.8 L 3800 V6 5.3 L LS4 V8
Transmission(s)	4-speed 4T65-E automatic
Wheelbase	110.5 in (2,807 mm)
Length	198.1 in (5,032 mm)
Width	73.0 in (1,854 mm)
Height	57.4 in (1,458 mm)
Fuel capacity	17 US gallons (64.4 L; 14.2 imp gal)
Related	Chevrolet Impala Chevrolet Monte Carlo Pontiac Grand Prix

The LaCrosse made its debut in late 2004 as a 2005 model to replace the Century and Regal. Riding on a revised version of the W-body known as MS2000, the LaCrosse was initially available with two powerplant choices in three trim levels: a 3.8 L 3800 Series III V6 available in base CX and mid-level CXL forms, and a 3.6 L HFV6 V6 in the top line CXS model. Power is routed to the front wheels via a 4T65-E automatic transmission (4T65-E HD on Super's).

The 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 to which Buick sought to market.

It was originally sold as Buick Allure in Canada because the French translation of LaCrosse means 'self love' (or 'swindle'^[2]) in Quebecois slang.^[3]

The last first-generation LaCrosse rolled off the assembly line on December 23, 2008.^{[citation needed]}

2008 model year update

The vehicle's front end design was based on the Buick Velite concept, which was later used by the Chinese LaCrosse.^[4] New body colour choices include Scarlett Red, Gold Mist Metallic, Dark Mocha Metallic and Dark Slate Metallic.

All trim levels now include 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. CX added a leather-wrapped steering wheel, theft deterrent system, illuminated vanity mirrors, driver information center personalization and more.^[5]

Super

2009 Buick LaCrosse Super

A new trim of the LaCrosse bearing the Super moniker debuted at the 2007 New York International Auto Show, to be introduced as a 2008 model. The LaCrosse Super is positioned as a higher-performance model of the sedan with revised front end styling influenced by the 2004 Velite concept car, as well as 4 ventiports (reflecting a V8 engine under the hood), a rear spoiler, projector beam fog lights, Magnasteer, larger brakes, and revised suspension tuning with standard Stabilitrak. Interior changes include special super badged cluster with blue face, wood grain shift knob, and dream weave leather seating. Interior colors for the Super are Platinum and Mocha Brown, while exterior color choices are Mocha Brown Metallic, Black Onyx, Red Jewel Tincoat, and Platinum Metallic. Power comes from the 5.3 L LS4 small-block V8 engine featuring Active Fuel Management technology,^[6] which is routed to the front wheels. The combination of a V8 and front wheel drive are not often utilized due to torque steer which is present in any front wheel drive car. This powertrain is also found on the Grand Prix GXP, Impala SS, and Monte Carlo SS. The Super model is the fastest modern production Buick ever built, with a factory top speed of 150 mph (240 km/h), and 0-60 mph times of 5.7 seconds. Only the Buick GNX of the 1980s was given such performance ratings until the Super was introduced.

Safety

In the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's crash tests the LaCrosse received a Good overall score in the frontal impact crash test and a Marginal overall rating in the side impact test.^[7] Injury measurements for the side impact crash test include a Poor mark for the driver's torso and a Marginal score for the driver's pelvis/leg. Side airbags are limited to the curtain type for both front and rear rows, the torso type side airbag is unavailable.^[8] 2007 models earned also only one out of five stars in a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration side-impact crash test.^[9]

Models

The CXS was replaced by the Super in the US market for 2008.^[11] However, sales of the CXS continued in Canada until January 1, 2008.^[12]

China

External images
	First generation comparison

For the 2007 model year, Shanghai GM introduced the Buick LaCrosse as a more upscale companion to its Buick Regal sedan.^[13] 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 different exterior and interior designs, and a different engine lineup. The car is also built in Taiwan by a joint Yulon-GM venture.

This section requires expansion.

Eco-Hybrid

In 2008, Shanghai GM introduced a two-mode hybrid system on the LaCrosse. Using the Belt Alternator Starter system, it is the first two-mode hybrid in the Chinese market as well as the first hybrid in its segment.^[14]

Second generation (2010-present)

Second generation

Also called	Buick Allure (Canada 2010 only) Daewoo Alpheon (South Korea 2011–)
Production	June 15, 2009[citation needed] - present
Model year(s)	2010–
Assembly	Kansas City, Kansas, USA Shanghai, China
Body style(s)	4-door sedan
Layout	FWD / AWD
Platform	GM Epsilon II platform
Engine(s)	2.4 L Ecotec I4 3.0 L HFV6 V6 3.6 L HFV6 V6
Transmission(s)	6-speed automatic
Wheelbase	111.7 in (2,837 mm)
Length	197.0 in (5,004 mm)
Width	73.1 in (1,857 mm)
Height	58.9 in (1,496 mm)
Related	Opel Insignia Buick Regal Saab 9-5

Arriving as a 2010 model, the new Buick Lacrosse is built upon the mid-size Epsilon II platform, which is also the basis for the Opel Insignia and the 2010 Saab 9-5.^[15] The design was based on 2008 Buick Invicta concept, and replaces both the Chinese and North American models. Buick states that the new LaCrosse will be "America's Lexus fighter".^[16]

Production of North American models was moved from Oshawa to the Fairfax Assembly plant in Kansas City, Kansas.^[17] Delivery of 2010 year models were delayed a few weeks due to quality concerns.^[18]

Models

All models are equipped with the Hydra-Matic 6T70 6-speed automatic transmission.

Markets

United States

LaCrosse was unveiled at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan.^[20]

China

The Chinese version was shown at Auto Shanghai in April 2009.^[21]

Canada

2010 Buick Allure show car rear

The car was also shown at the 2009 Montreal International Auto Show as the Buick Allure.^[22]

Soon after production had begun, General Motors Canada renamed the Allure to LaCrosse, to correspond with the car's global marketing.^[3] GM Canada has offered existing Allure owners the option to change nameplates to LaCrosse.^[23]

Mexico

The LaCrosse will be sold in Mexico starting in 2010, as the Buick brand returns to the country after 13 years of absence.^[24]

South Korea

Images leaked of a GM Daewoo rebadged LaCrosse, which is supposed to debut in South Korea as a 2011 model, under the name of Daewoo Alpheon. This model will be exported from the United States.^[25][26]

Yearly American sales

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Buick LaCrosse

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