The Buick LaCrosse is a mid-size luxury/executive car produced by Buick
since 2004. It replaced the Century and Regal in North America beginning in the
2005 model year. Starting with the second generation it replaced the Buick
Lucerne, and is now both Buick's top level mid-sized and best selling sedan
in North America. First generation
= North America= 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. The name was borrowed from a Buick
concept car shown in 2000 referencing the sport of lacrosse, seen as popular
with a younger, more active demographic traditionally stodgy Buick wished to
appeal to. It was originally sold as Buick Allure
in Canada, as "crosse" is a vulgar word that can mean either "rip off" or
"masturbation", depending on the context in Quebec French slang. It was Buick's
best-selling vehicle there until overtaken in 2008 by the Enclave, which
remains on top as of 2010. The LaCrosse, along with all other GM
vehicles powered by the 3.8 L V6, became the first SULEV-compliant vehicles for
2006. The last first-generation LaCrosse
rolled off the assembly line on December 23, 2008.
2008 The LaCrosse received a minor refresh
for 2008. The vehicle's front end design was based on the Buick Velite concept,
which was later used by the Chinese LaCrosse. New body color choices
included Scarlett Red, Gold Mist Metallic, Dark Mocha Metallic and Dark
Slate Metallic. All trim levels gained 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.
Super A new trim of the LaCrosse bearing the
Super moniker debuted for 2008. The LaCrosse Super was positioned as a
higher-performance model of the sedan with revised front end styling
influenced by the 2004 Velite concept car, as well as a return of displaying
four Ventiports, a rear spoiler, projector beam fog lights, Magnasteer,
larger brakes, and revised suspension tuning with standard Stabilitrak.
Interior changes included special Super badged cluster with blue face, a wood
grain shift knob, and dream weave leather seating. Interior colors for the
Super were Platinum and Mocha Brown, while exterior color choices were Mocha
Brown Metallic, Black Onyx, Red Jewel Tincoat, and Platinum Metallic. Power
came from the 5.3 L LS4 small-block V8 engine featuring Active Fuel Management
technology, 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 was also found on the Grand
Prix GXP, Impala SS, and Monte Carlo SS. The Super model was one of the fastest
modern production Buicks ever built, with a factory top speed of 150 mph, and
0–60 mph times of 5.7 seconds. Only the 1987 Buick GNX offered a similar level
of performance ratings until the Super was introduced. The LaCrosse Super was
discontinued in 2009. Safety
The LaCrosse received a Good overall score in the Insurance Institute for
Highway Safety's frontal impact crash test and a Marginal overall rating in
the side impact test. 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 and leg. Side airbags are limited to the curtain type
for both front and rear rows; the torso-type side airbag is unavailable.
2007 models also earned one out of five stars in a National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration side-impact crash test. The IIHS also found that the
2006–08 model year LaCrosse had the second-highest fatality rate in the
large four-door car class; only the Buick Lucerne fared worse.
Models The CXS was replaced by the Super in the
US market for 2008. However, sales of the CXS continued in Canada until
January 1, 2008. = China=
For the 2007 model year, Shanghai GM introduced the Buick LaCrosse as a more
upscale companion to its Buick Regal sedan. 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. Eco-Hybrid
In 2008, Shanghai GM introduced a mild hybrid system on the LaCrosse. Using the
Belt Alternator Starter system, it is the first hybrid vehicle in the Chinese
market as well as the first hybrid in its segment.
Second generation Arriving as a 2010 model, the
second-generation Buick Lacrosse is built upon the mid-size Epsilon II
platform in its long-wheel-base version, which is also the basis for the Opel
Insignia and the 2010 Saab 9-5. 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". With the new 2011 Regal
and the demise of Lucerne, the LaCrosse is no longer seen as Buick's entry-level
model, but as its premium sports sedan, and is the brand's flagship sedan.
Starting with the second generation, Buick's "VentiPorts" and the
"Sweepspear" have reappeared, a styling feature unique to Buick dating back to
1949. The "Sweepspear" is displayed as a character line in the body that runs the
entire length of the vehicle. The LaCrosse was unveiled at the 2009
North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. The car was also
shown at the 2009 Montreal International Auto Show as the Buick Allure, however,
soon after production had begun, General Motors Canada renamed the Allure to
LaCrosse, to correspond with the car's global marketing. GM Canada has offered
existing Allure owners the option to change nameplates to LaCrosse.
Production of North American models was moved from Oshawa to the Fairfax
Assembly plant in Kansas City, Kansas, where it runs down the same production
line as the Chevy Malibu. Delivery of 2010 year models was delayed a few weeks
in order to assure quality control. The 2.4 L Ecotec four-cylinder replaced
the 3.0 V6 as the standard engine on the CX model in the first quarter of 2010.
The 3.6 L V6 continues to be an option on the CX and front-wheel drive CXL and
standard on the CXS and all-wheel drive CXL.
The 2010 Buick LaCrosse CXS is the first North American car to incorporate a
front suspension design called HiPer Strut. This suspension design improves
ride and handling and reduces torque steer. The Buick LaCrosse CXS includes a
Real Time Damping System that adjusts the damping forces of the shocks and
struts for improved ride and handling. The LaCrosse was sold in Mexico starting
in 2010, as the Buick brand returned to the country after 13 years of absence.
In late February 2012 the Chinese government took the Buick Lacrosse off
of the list of vehicles approved for government procurement. Though popular
among government officials the Lacrosse also thrives via private purchases.
Effects on sales remains to be seen. The 2010, 2012, 2013 models all lacked a
trunk release mechanism inside the vehicle. The trunk was only accessible
using the key fob or a touch sensor between the trunk lid and the license
plate. The 2011 year model added a remote release button at the left of the
steering wheel on the instrument panel. The 2014 model refresh returned the
trunk release button to LaCrosse but placed it on the driver door.
= eAssist= The 2012 Lacrosse features a new mild
hybrid as its base model. Dubbed eAssist, the 2012 Lacrosse introduced
GM's second generation Belt-Alternator-Starter system. The
non-hybrid 4-cylinder is no longer offered. The system consists of a
115-volt lithium-ion battery pack, a 15 kW electric motor capable of adding 15
horsepower of assist while accelerating, and the next generation 6T40 GM
Hydramatic transmission with reduced friction components over the previous
generation. The eAssist LaCrosse delivers a class leading fuel economy of
25 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. In addition to providing additional power
to the 182 hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder, the BAS-II system allows for engine
start/stop operation when the vehicle isn't moving and allows for complete
fuel cut off to the engine during deceleration.
= Alpheon= The Alpheon is a localized version of
Buick LaCrosse for the South Korean market. Alpheon is a standalone brand
from GM Korea. The cars are additionally fitted with amenities such as controls
in the rear armrest, mood lights and more. A version of the vehicle was
unveiled at the 2010 Busan International Motor Show.
Production began on Aug. 9, 2010 at GM Daewoo's factory in Bupyeong, Gyeonggi
Province. Market launch began in September 2010. Early model includes a
model with 3.0-liter engine in mid-September, followed by two models
each with 2.4-liter engine in October. = Roewe 950=
The Roewe 950 is a licensed restyled Chinese version of the Buick Lacrosse
produced by Roewe of SAIC. It is sold alongside the Buick Lacrosse in China,
and has a price range similar to that of the Lacrosse. The sheet metal, while
similar in appearance, is unique to the Roewe.
= Facelift= Buick unveiled a revised 2014 LaCrosse
at the 2013 New York Auto Show. Redesigned front and rear fascias, new
wheel designs, a reconfigurable 8 inch TFT instrument cluster, semi-aniline
leather seating, and radar- and camera-based safety features such as
Forward Collision Alert and side blind zone alert highlight the changes for
this mid-cycle refresh. = Engines=
All V6 models are equipped with the Hydra-Matic 6T70 6-speed automatic
transmission. Yearly sales
References External links
Official Website for Buick Lacrosse Luxury Mid-Size Sedan
GM Alpheon official Website