Buick LaCrosse

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Buick LaCrosse

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

The Buick LaCrosse is a mid-size car produced by the Buick division of American automaker General Motors since 2004 as a 2005 model. The LaCrosse, only available as a four-door sedan, replaces the Buick Century and Regal. Its namesake is the Buick LaCrosse concept car shown beginning in 2000.

The original 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. However, la crosse means masturbation or swindling in Québécois slang, so it is sold as the Buick Allure in Canada.^[2]

Contents 1 First generation (2005-2009) 1.1 Super 1.2 Safety 1.3 Trim levels 1.4 Engines 2 Second generation (2010-present) 3 International models 3.1 Shanghai GM Buick LaCrosse 4 Yearly American sales 5 Awards and recognition 6 References 7 External links

[edit] First generation (2005-2009)

First generation

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 Buick Century

The LaCrosse made its debut in late 2004 as a 2005 model with the intention of replacing the Century and Regal midsize cars with a single model. 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). Many former Regal owners were disappointed that key features had not been carried over, but with the exception of reduced knee room and folding mirrors all features have been made available. For 2008 the LaCrosse was facelifted, with the most noticeable change being that of replacing the old oval grille with a chrome u-shaped waterfall style grille. 2008 model year also introduced the LaCrosse Super, featuring a small-block V8 engine, which replaced the previously top-of-the-line CXS model. The last first-generation LaCrosse rolled off the assembly line on December 23, 2008.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] 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 portholes (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 come only in Platinum or Mocha Brown, while exterior color choices are Mocha Brown Metallic, Black Onyx, Red Jewel Tincoat, and Platinum Metallic. Power comes from the5.3 L LS4 small-block V8 engine featuring Active Fuel Management technology.^[3] 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.

[edit] Safety

In the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's crash tests the Lacrosse receives a Good overall score in the frontal impact crash test. And a Marginal overall rating in the side impact test.^[4] 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.^[5]

[edit] Trim levels

Three trim lines are currently offered:

• CX: Base model with the GM 3800 engine
• CXL: Highest trim level with the GM 3800 engine
• Super: Higher-performance model powered by a 5.3L V8

Discontinued trim lines:

• CXS: Top of the Line with the 3.6L HFV6, from 2005-2007

[edit] Engines

Years	Engine	Displacement	Horsepower	Torque	EPA Fuel Economy
2005-2009	3.8 L 3800 L26 V6	231 cu in (3791 cc)	200 hp (149 kW) @ 5200 rpm	230 lb·ft (312 N·m) @ 4000 rpm	City: 17 mpg-US (14 L/100 km; 20 mpg-imp) Hwy: 28 mpg-US (8.4 L/100 km; 34 mpg-imp)
2005-2007	3.6 L HF LY7 V6	217 cu in (3564 cc)	240 hp (179 kW) @ 6000 rpm	225 lb·ft (305 N·m) @ 2000 rpm	City: 17 mpg-US (14 L/100 km; 20 mpg-imp) Hwy: 25 mpg-US (9.4 L/100 km; 30 mpg-imp)
2008-2009	5.3 L LS4 V8	325 cu in (5327 cc)	300 hp (224 kW) @ 5600 rpm	323 lb·ft (438 N·m) @ 4000 rpm	City: 16 mpg-US (15 L/100 km; 19 mpg-imp) Hwy: 24 mpg-US (9.8 L/100 km; 29 mpg-imp)
Source:[6]

[edit] Second generation (2010-present)

Second generation

Production	June 15, 2009[citation needed] - present
Assembly	Kansas City, Kansas
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 (U.S. and China) Saab 9-5 Cadillac XTS Chevy Impala

Coming as a 2010 model, the new Buick Lacrosse is built upon the GM mid-size platform Epsilon II, which is also the basis for the Opel Insignia.^[7] It is heavily based on the 2008 Buick Invicta concept but will remain under the LaCrosse nameplate. The 2010 LaCrosse made its debut at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit and 2009 Montreal International Auto Show (under the Allure name) in January 2009. ^[8]

Buick states that the new LaCrosse will be "America's Lexus fighter". ^[9] It will continue to be assembled at the Fairfax Assembly plant in Kansas, and manufacturing validation builds are now coming off the assembly line.^[10]

[edit] International models

[edit] Shanghai GM Buick LaCrosse

Shanghai GM builds a version of the Buick LaCrosse for the Chinese market. 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 a different engine lineup, interior and exterior designs. The car is also built in Taiwan by a joint Yulon-GM venture.

[edit] Yearly American sales

Calendar Year	Total American sales
2004[11]	10,995
2005	92,669
2006[12]	71,072
2007	47,747
2008[13]	36,873

[edit] Awards and recognition

The Buick LaCrosse is one of a handful of vehicles designated by Hertz Rent A Car as part of their Green Collection. Vehicles in the Green Collection must attain a United States Environmental Protection Agency‎ highway rating of 28 mpg or higher and can be specifically requested in advance.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Buick LaCrosse

• Official site

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Type	1980s										1990s										2000s										2010s
	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0
Subcompact	Skyhawk
Compact			Skyhawk
						Somerset
	Skylark						Skylark						Skylark
Mid-size	Century		Century															Century
	Regal								Regal										Regal							LaCrosse					LaCrosse
Full-size	LeSabre						LeSabre						LeSabre								LeSabre						Lucerne
	Electra					Electra						Park Avenue						Park Avenue
	Estate											Roadmaster
Personal luxury car	Riviera						Riviera									Riviera
Crossover																							Rendezvous						Enclave
SUV																									Rainier
Minivan																										Terraza
Sports									Reatta