Buick Primes The New York Auto Show With Early Introduction Of New 'Super' Models
Buick has rekindled a name from its storied 20th-century past to mark the beginning of a new level of refinement: Super. The badge is designated exclusively for Buick's most premium, powerful models and returns to Buick vehicles after 50 years. It will debut on the 2008 model year LaCrosse and Lucerne sedans.
"We're bringing back the Super badge to represent our most premium models," said Steve Shannon, Buick general manager. "Our Supers are not just about increased horsepower; they represent an elevation in design, premium content and ride characteristics that are exclusive to the Super badge."
The Supers are engineered for Buick by the GM Performance Division to inspire performance on demand. The LaCrosse Super is powered by a 300-horsepower (224 kW) 5.3L small-block V-8 with GM's Active Fuel Management technology. The LaCrosse Super's chassis has been sport-tuned to deliver responsive handling characteristics, and the vehicle maintains Buick's renowned quietness inside.
The Lucerne Super adds a more powerful version of the legendary 4.6L Northstar V-8. It is rated at 292 horsepower (218 kW), an increase of more than 6 percent over existing models. The Super has an enhanced chassis with a specially tuned version of Lucerne 's Magnetic Ride Control system, for a refined, premium ride that simultaneously enables crisp, responsive handling.
Buick Super: elevated design, power and performance
Design elements on the LaCrosse Super and Lucerne Super denote the new face of Buick. Design cues echo those seen on the popular Velite convertible concept vehicle - and recently introduced on the Buick Enclave luxury crossover SUV - including a new waterfall grille and portholes. The LaCrosse Super is the first and only LaCrosse model offered with Buick's iconic portholes; there are four per side to highlight the V-8 engine.
In addition to distinctive design, the LaCrosse Super and Lucerne Super deliver leading-edge performance and refinement. The 5.3L and 4.6L V-8 engines are renowned for balancing performance and fuel economy. They are complemented by specially tuned suspension systems.
Like all Buick models, LaCrosse and Lucerne Supers are built with an exclusive engineering process called QuietTuning to reduce, block and absorb noise from entering the interior. Laminated side window glass, sound-deadening material in the body structure, hydraulic mounts in the engine compartment and more reduce interior noise. Even exhaust nodes have been tuned for overall sound quality. These features contribute to a quiet, refined driving experience.
While the LaCrosse and Lucerne represent the first production models of the reborn Buick Super series, they will not be the last. Future models will share elements that reinforce the Super ethic, including:
Exclusive exterior and interior design appointmentsPowertrain enhancementsEnhanced driving dynamics, with specifically tuned steering, braking and suspension systems for responsive and confident handlingLeading levels of interior quietness through Buick's exclusive QuietTuning engineering effort.LaCrosse Super
The LaCrosse Super is distinguished from its sibling models with a new exterior appearance that is highlighted by a new waterfall grille, new hood and a new front fascia that incorporates a lower grille opening with chrome trim and chrome fog lamp bezels.
New portholes, rocker moldings, rear fascia with integrated park assist sensors, 3.5-inch-diameter dual chrome exhaust tips, rear decklid spoiler and a Super badge also make the LaCrosse Super instantly identifiable from any angle. LaCrosse Super is offered in four exterior colors: Black Onyx, Platinum Metallic, Dark Mocha Metallic and Red Jewel tint coat.
Inside, the LaCrosse Super exudes comfort and style, including front seats with increased seatback bolstering. All of the seats feature new, woven-embossed leather inserts. A unique wood grain appearance accents the instrument panel, center console, doors and gear shift knob. There are also exclusive instrument cluster graphics - including Super identification - new front sill plates, a silver finish on the instrument panel center stack and Super-specific floor mats.
The LaCrosse Super introduces a V-8 engine that has the fuel efficiency of a V-6. Rated at 300 horsepower (224 kW) and 323-lb.ft (438 Nm) of torque, Buick's new V-8 can propel the LaCrosse Super from 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The 5.3L small-block V-8 uses GM's Active Fuel Management (AFM), an engine technology that seamlessly switches between four- and eight-cylinder power to save fuel.
To support the performance capabilities enabled by the V-8 engine, the LaCrosse Super features a specially tuned suspension system for steering precision, improved ride control and feel, and increased braking performance. Bilstein monotube struts, larger front and rear rotors, high-precision steering gear, StabiliTrak, and recalibrated chassis controls help the LaCrosse Super deliver confident handling and road manners, while also maintaining overall ride comfort.
The Super version comes standard with the largest wheels and tires available on the LaCrosse - 18-inch by 7-inch aluminum wheels wrapped by P235/50R18 all-season tires. Chrome-finish wheels are available.
Lucerne Super adds more luxury appointments
Distinctly designed, the Lucerne Super stands out with a new bright chrome waterfall grille, front and rear fascias, integrated dual exhaust tips, rocker panels, and Super badge on the decklid. Exclusive aluminum wheels and premium all-season tires complete the look, complementing the vehicle's sport-touring attitude. The Lucerne Super is available in four exterior colors: Dark Mocha Metallic, Gold Metallic, Sharkskin and White Diamond. The interior comes in Ebony or Cocoa/Shale.
Lucerne Super's refined ride dynamics and increased power make it the sportiest Lucerne available . A more powerful version of the 4.6L Northstar V-8 engine provides the Lucerne Super with an ample power reserve. It is rated at 292 horsepower (218 kW), which is 17 horsepower (13 kW) more than the Lucerne CXS.
Lucerne Super's new premium steering gear, StabiliTrak stability control system, brake assist and specifically calibrated Magnetic Ride Control system help deliver a crisp response and enhanced driver control. It rides on standard 18-inch by 7-inch aluminum wheels wrapped by P245/50R18 all-season radials. The exclusive wheel design is finished in bright silver premium paint. Chrome-plated wheels are available.
The Lucerne Super's interior wraps occupants in luxury including a leather-wrapped upper instrument panel with French-seam stitching, unique finish on the instrument panel center stack, leather seats with perforated suede fabric inserts for the outboard seating positions, and suede door trim inserts. A heated, real wood steering wheel and shift knob finished in Walnut Burl, power tilt and telescoping steering column, front chrome sill plates and Buick embroidered floor mats round out the Lucerne Super's special content.
Lucerne Super comes with three standard equipment packages, including Driver Confidence, Luxury and Comfort & Convenience. OnStar's Directions & Connections with Turn-by-Turn voice-guided navigation, XM Satellite Radio and Harman Kardon audio system are also standard.
BUICK ENCLAVE BLACK PLATINUM EDITION SHINES IN VEGAS
Platinum’s rarity has long made it the metal of choice for nobility and the affluent – more so than gold. Black, meanwhile, has traditionally been associated with refinement … a confident elegance, demonstrated by the black tuxedo, black dress or color-of-choice for luxury vehicles. Black and platinum merge seamlessly in the Buick Enclave Black Platinum Edition. Created by Mitek Corporation of Phoenix, Ariz., Buick Enclave Black Platinum Edition is being introduced at the 2007 Specialty Equipment Market Association Show in Las Vegas.
This custom Enclave is a head-turner. Its House of Kolor Black Diamond custom paint glimmers and appears to change hue depending on the viewer’s angle: black, blue or purple. Your eyes run effortlessly down the vehicle’s profile, which is accentuated by darkened windows and doors without handles. Custom 20-inch TIS chrome wheels equipped with 20-inch Toyo Proxes tires and custom springs – which lower the vehicle height by two inches – combine to create a pavement-hugging, ready-to-pounce appearance. Up front, Buick Enclave Black Platinum Edition wears the new face of production Enclaves, a vertical chrome waterfall grille.
One press of the Enclave Black Platinum Edition’s key fob opens the doors, revealing an interior swathed in Deep Blue leather. The seat inserts in all four captains chairs and the third-row bench – as well as the headliner and the visors – feature this luxurious leather. The exterior paint theme is duplicated in the interior trim panels, and polished custom billet aluminum inserts have been added to the door panels to complement the famous Buick fender trim. All of the speakers feature polished custom billet aluminum trim rings to further accentuate the chrome trim package. The result is a harmonious balance between the vehicle’s interior and exterior.
While understated elegance embodies the interior and exterior designs of the Buick Enclave Platinum Edition, its sound system is not afraid to pump out wattage. Crank up the volume of the custom MTX audio system to experience 4,900 watts of peak power delivered through 13 speakers, including three 12-inch subwoofers that are housed within custom-made and custom-painted fiberglass enclosures. Enclave Black Platinum Edition also features three-way speakers in the front doors, two-way speakers in the rear doors and two amplifiers.
Naturally, a sound system this great can best be appreciated while listening to favorite music, such as that stored on an iPod. Enclave Black Platinum Edition has you covered there, too, thanks to the Avstarr integration device from Civita Technologies. It allows drivers and front passengers to control the iPod’s song list through the vehicle’s audio controls, for safer and more convenient listening pleasure.
Buick is General Motors’ premium international brand anchored by North America and China regions. A storied, 104-year-old brand in North America, Buick is also one of the most well-known automobile brands in China with more than 1.3 million Buick owners. Last year, Buick sold more than 300,000 units there and more than 567,000 worldwide, a 17,000-unit increase over 2006. Buick nameplates in North America include the Enclave luxury crossover, Lucerne and LaCrosse entry-luxury sedans. The Buick lineup in China include the LaCrosse and Park Avenue premium sedans, Regal upper-medium sedan, Excelle family and GL8 and FirstLand executive wagons.
Exterior
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House of Kolor Black Diamond custom paint
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Body-color moldings
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Door handles removed
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Key-fob actuated door opening
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Custom aluminum trim
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Darkened windows
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Custom lowering springs – two inches front and rear
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Wheels: 20-inch TIS 2-inch chrome
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Tires: 20-inch Toyo Proxes
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Civita Technologies backup camera
Interior
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Custom Deep Blue leather upholstery
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Headliner
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Seat inserts in all four captains chairs and the third-row bench
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Visors
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Modified door panels with polished custom billet aluminum trim
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Custom billet aluminum trim rings around speakers
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Custom-painted trim pieces to match the exterior body color
Sound System
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4,900-watt peak power custom MTX audio system
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Three 12-inch MTX Thunder7500 subwoofers
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MTX 3-way system (TXC6.1 and TXC6.0) in both of the front doors
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MTX 2-way system (TXC6.1) in both of the rear doors
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MTX Thunder Elite TE1501D amplifier (3,000 watts peak)
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MTX Thunder Elite TE1004 amplifier (1,900 watts peak)
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Custom-built and painted fiberglass subwoofer enclosure
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Custom-built and painted fiberglass amp rack
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It's tall, at 71.1 inches, thanks in part to meaty tires on 21-inch wheels, and it's also long, even for a crossover, at 202.3 inches on a 119-inch wheelbase. The result is that it's much more elegant than the tall funky-box Rendezvous it replaces next year. It also has a much richer interior, befitting the division's traditional upmarket position in the GM hierarchy. Features of the concept include headlamps that turn with the front wheels, brushed aluminum trim, and "camphor burl wood" 2+2+2 seat interior, wood-trimmed fold-down trays in the second row, leather storage satchels, Tiffany-style analog clock, and Mercedes-style footwell and door-handle fill lighting. But the concept is very close to its destiny as a 2008 production model, save for a few details. Engine is a 270-horsepower high-feature 3.6-liter DOHC V-6, coupled to a six-speed automatic. Someday, it'll be available with four "ventiports" per front fender, as there's a V-8 option in its future. There also are Lambda platform mates in its future, the Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia, with heavily differentiated sheetmetal.
