Buick Lucerne News: Official Photos

[Mike3800]

Originally Posted by VTECSiGAH8R

I didn't look it up, I've been to the city. I looked up pictures of it but I already knew of the city. Why would I ever say a city is so nice if I haven't even been there to see it?

Hell, I dunno.

[Vintalage]

Originally Posted by VTECSiGAH8R

I said this from the beginning. It's not as good as a Lexus interior, but damn, Buick isn't trying to compete with Lexus either, Cadillac is. Which is why I was wondering why YOU brought up the Lexus comparison in the first place with the pictures?

Yes, I realize someone else said "Vintalage would like it if it said 'Lexus Lucerne' or 'Honda Lucern'" but that has nothing to do with it being compared to a Lexus, that's just saying what he thinks of your opinion.

Mike, want to handle this one? I've stated what Lutz's plans are way too many times.

[Mike3800]

Originally Posted by Vintalage

Mike, want to handle this one? I've stated what Lutz's plans are way too many times.

If he can't figure it out then there is no point.

[Vintalage]

- Cheer and Gears Forum

[Vintalage]

There are many more webcam pics of the Lucerne from the cheers and gears forum. You just have to register to view them. Worth it if you want to see it.

http://www.cheersandgears.com/forums...pic=12244&st=0

I've looked at them. Many angles including the rear end and interior are present. The rear end looks like a VW Phatoen.

[Braves299]

^That pic u just posted kind of resembles the front of the altima. I like it

[Vintalage]

Once upon a time, General Motors brands were laid out in a rigid hierarchy. At the bottom was Chevrolet, the car for the every day workingman. At the other extreme was Cadillac, the self-described “standard of excellence” that long dominated the global luxury market. A rung below, Buick was the brand aimed at lawyers, doctors, and other professionals.

It was a brilliant strategy that long dominated the American market — until the import explosion rocked GM’s well-ordered world. Just a few months ago, the automaker’s once-popular Oldsmobile brand rolled out its last car, fading into oblivion along with other ailed domestic brands, like Packard,Plymouth, and Oakland.

There’s no question that the brand named for automotive pioneer David Dunbar Buick has suffered in recent years. Sales have plunged to a fraction of their peak and, in recent years, there’s been plenty of speculation Buick might follow Olds down the road to ruin.

Not if GM’s “car czar” can help it. Since signing on as Vice Chairman more than three years ago, Bob Lutz has been methodically laying out plans to perk up each of the automaker’s brands. Chevrolet is gaining ground, Cadillac has polished its tarnished halo, and even the one-time wunder-marque, Saturn, could be in for a big turnaround, if a flood of new product connects with consumers.

Now it’s Buick’s turn. At the 2004 Chicago Auto Show, GM unveiled the LaCrosse, the first in a critical series of new products aimed at rebuilding the brand. For this year’s Windy City gathering, Buick has another big debut. Quite literally. This time, it’s the Lucerne , a large, front-wheel-drive sedan.

There’s no question Buick has a lot riding on this car. Along with LaCrosse and the Terraza, a sort of minivan/SUV crossover, Lucerne is expected to generate as much as 75 percent of the struggling division’s volume.

That’s no easy task in a market segment laden with tough competition from the likes of Lexus, Audi, and Mercedes, never mind Chrysler and Lincoln. So GM will be playing up the Lucerne ’s roominess, power, upscale appointments, high-tech features and more modern design.

The cues are classic Buick, with a large, chrome-framed waterfall grille and wraparound headlights. The nearly full-sized body has an aggressive stance, with a beltline that rises towards the tail, making the car look like it’s caught in mid-crouch. But at a time when brands like Caddy and Chrysler are adopting sharp creases and bold edges, Lucerne retains the rounded, jellybean shape of Buicks past. It would be polite to say preliminary response to the sedan’s styling has been mixed.

The Lucerne is the first Buick passenger car in a decade to offer V-8 power, (following the Rainier SUV). There’s a 32-valve, DOHC, 4.6-liter powertrain under the hood making an estimated 275 horsepower. Alternately, buyers can pick a 195-hp version of GM’s time-tested 3800 Series III V-6, though considering the size of Lucerne , that’s a lot of metal for the smaller engine to pull around.

Over the years, Buicks like the old Regal took their hits for a lack of interior refinement and lackluster fit-and-finish. GM promises the new car will be significantly upgraded in both categories, and in a marked step for GM, Lucerne will come with six standard airbags, including frontal, side-impact and roof-rail supplemental restraints.

In a nod to Lexus, Buick officials are emphasizing their new “QuietTuning” system, a standard feature on both the Lucerne and LaCrosse. There’s no question low interior noise levels have been a big part of the Japanese automaker’s appeal, but whether that’s enough to put Buick on equal footing remains to be seen.

On the technology front, the new sedan will deliver features like Magnetic Ride Control, the StabiliTrak traction systems, remote start, heated washer fluid, heated/cooled seats, rain-sensing wipers, and DVD navigation. A nine-speaker, 245-watt Harman Kardon audio system will be available as well.

GM has set a high hurdle for the Lucerne to clear. But Buick can’t afford to muddle along anymore. It desperately needs to score big to justify the continued investment GM must make to get the brand back into position on the corporate ladder.

- The Car Connection

[Braves299]

i like it

[Mike3800]

Is this on the same platform as the LaCrosse? Wbody?

[bigbenSC]

No, this is the old Bonneville/LeSabre/Deville chassis (H-Body) with a reskin and a new interior. I'm liking the outside a lot, but too much (fake?) wood inside for me. This is definately going to be underpowered. Why the 3.8? Start out where the Lacrosse stops (3.6) and offer that Northstar with an even 300 HP.

[Vintalage]

^^New larger photos above^^

[Mike3800]

Originally Posted by bigbengt67

This is definately going to be underpowered. Why the 3.8?

Base engine, cheap to make <--- the real reason, reliable, still in the top 10 worlds best engines. It'll pull the car along respectably, some people forget that it has 230Ft.Lbs of torque. The LeSabre got to 60MPH in less than 8 seconds with that engine. That's respectable for a base model.

[Vintalage]

Now this is a Buick i'd be more comfortable driving. Not bad. I still hate the idea of pairing up a V8 with FWD. I read the car will offer two V8 engines. A 4.6L V8 pumping 275hp, then a Northstar V8 putting out 300hp.

[bigbenSC]

Originally Posted by Mike3800

Base engine, cheap to make <--- the real reason, reliable, still in the top 10 worlds best engines. It'll pull the car along respectably, some people forget that it has 230Ft.Lbs of torque. The LeSabre got to 60MPH in less than 8 seconds with that engine. That's respectable for a base model.

The 3800 as one of the top 10 engines in the world? You're kidding right? Here's 10 6's that would kick the 3800's ass any day, I won't even mention the other cylinder arrangements that are better than the 3800:
Nissan/Infiniti 3.5 V6
Mercedes 3.5 V6
Honda/Acura 3.5 V6
Honda/Acura 3.2/3.0 V6
GM 3.6 V6
GM 2.8 V6
BMW 3.0/3.2 I6
VW/Audi 3.2 V6
Toyota/Lexus 3.3 V6
Toyota 4.0 V6

All these engines make better power than the NA 3800, and are built on modern architecture. The 3800 was great 10 years ago, but it's time has come and gone.
Now that GM has a decent DOHC V6 they should put it in every one of their vehicles, How much more per vehicle would it cost? Probably not more than $200. Nissan made a choice years a decade ago to start putting one V6 in all their cars and it has paid off very well. Competitive V6 engines today have more than 200 HP!

[Braves299]

the 3.8 has undergone changes and has evolved into a very reliable motor over the years. that is why. horsepower doesnt mean ****.

[Vintalage]

Originally Posted by Braves299

the 3.8 has undergone changes and has evolved into a very reliable motor over the years. that is why. horsepower doesnt mean ****.

I think his point is that the motors from the other manufactuers are more powerful and reliable. In this case, horsepower does mean ****.

[Braves299]

Originally Posted by Vintalage

I think his point is that the motors from the other manufactuers are more powerful and reliable. In this case, horsepower does mean ****.

yeah, but horsepower isnt the reason its on the 10 best engines list

[Vintalage]

Originally Posted by Braves299

yeah, but horsepower isnt the reason its on the 10 best engines list

Yes, maybe so. But it won't be long before the 3800 loses that spot to a newer engine.

[Braves299]

^ yeah ur prob. right. but its been a good motor for its time

[bigbenSC]

Originally Posted by Vintalage

I think his point is that the motors from the other manufactuers are more powerful and reliable. In this case, horsepower does mean ****.

Exactly, other manufacturers have taken time and put effort into designing modern engines. What GM has done with the 3800, and the 60 degree OHV engines is just update them just enough with each new model to keep them inline with the bottom of the pack power wise. As far as reliability goes, it is 2005 and if a company can't make an engine run flawlessly for at least 100,000 miles with nothing other than routine maintainence they are misusing their engineering and powertrain development groups. Every company has problems here and there with engines, but in GM's case the 3800 has been around for decades, and should have no problems because they should have perfected it by now.

GM's entire powertrain division has the capabilities to design world class engines, the Northstar is a great example of this. The DOHC V6's are another example. The Ecotecs are competitive in their own right, and the LS2 is excellant. We as consumers should let them know that we demand an engine at least as good as the competition. Maybe then the business/cost cutting people will let go of the powertrain guys balls and let them put great engines in every car. But if consumers rave about an old school engine, what do we expect them to do but to offer us more of the same.