Motor Authority - blog Tag: Welburn

Buick today announced pricing for its 2010 LaCrosse luxury sedan, which will arrive in showrooms in the middle year with a starting price of $27,835 for the base CX model (plus $750 in destination charges).

Standard equipment includes a new 3.0L direct-injected V6 driving the front wheels, premium cloth seats and 17in wheels. The 3.0L engine generates 255hp (190kW) and 217lb-ft (294Nm) of torque and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The next trim level is the $30,395 CXL FWD model, which builds on the CX and adds heated leather seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, fog lamps, side mirrors mirror with LED turn indicators... Buick today announced pricing for its 2010 LaCrosse luxury sedan, which will arrive in showrooms in the middle year with a starting price of $27,835 for the base CX model (plus $750 in destination charges). Standard equipment includes a new 3.0L direct-injected V6 driving the front wheels, premium cloth seats and 17in wheels. The 3.0L engine generates 255hp (190kW) and 217lb-ft (294Nm) of torque and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The next trim level is the $30,395 CXL FWD model, which builds on the CX and adds heated leather seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, fog lamps, side mirrors mirror with LED turn indicators and puddle lamps, and 18in alloy wheels. An AWD version is available for $32,570. Topping the range is the $33,765 for CXS, which sports a 3.6L direct-injected V6, heated and cooled leather seats and chrome-plated 18in wheels. Its powertrain is rated at 280hp (209kW) and 259lb-ft (351Nm) of torque. The new LaCrosse will enter production at GM’s Fairfax Assembly plant in Kansas City in the coming months, with sales to start shortly after.2010 Buick LaCrosse sedan2010 Buick LaCrosse rolling footage and interviews Read More

At last month’s Detroit Auto Show, General Motors confirmed that its all-new Chevrolet Spark minicar would go on sale in the United States by 2011 but apart from the release of a single teaser image no other details were revealed. GM has today released a set of new images of the upcoming Spark ahead of its debut this week at the Geneva Motor Show.

The five-door minicar will be sold as a global model and will replace the current Matiz. It will first go on sale in South Korea and Europe early next year, and will slowly be rolled out across other markets. At launch, there will be the choice of two four-cylinder petrol engines displacing... At last month’s Detroit Auto Show, General Motors confirmed that its all-new Chevrolet Spark minicar would go on sale in the United States by 2011 but apart from the release of a single teaser image no other details were revealed. GM has today released a set of new images of the upcoming Spark ahead of its debut this week at the Geneva Motor Show. The five-door minicar will be sold as a global model and will replace the current Matiz. It will first go on sale in South Korea and Europe early next year, and will slowly be rolled out across other markets. At launch, there will be the choice of two four-cylinder petrol engines displacing 1.0 and 1.2L, rated at 66hp (49kW) and 78hp (58kW) respectively. No independent testing has been conducted but the Spark is expected to average 40mpg (5.88L/100km) in fuel-economy and sub-120g/km of CO2. The new interior renderings reveal a motorcycle-inspired central instrument cluster, and generally modern and trendy design. The whole cockpit is intended to reflect the Spark's urban, punchy and fully current design theme. The Spark was originally shown as the Chevrolet Beat, one of three compact car concepts at the 2007 New York Auto Show but the only one thus far to be given a green light for production. Originally intended for emerging markets and Europe, where small cars are the norm, GM changed its mind about bringing the Spark to the U.S. due to the last fuel price crisis. The edgy sub-compact had previously been ruled out for American sale due to safety regulations, but the required modifications to make it comply with local laws appear to have been implemented. With an overall length of 3,640mm and a 2,375mm wheelbase, the Spark is decisively compact but still has enough room for five adults. The rear door handles are integrated into the upper part of the door to preserve the clean lines of rear quarter panel and wheel arches, which are big enough to accommodate 15in wheels, though 13in and 14in options will be available. An integrated tailgate spoiler and Chevrolet's round tail lights complete the look. Depending on global markets, safety equipment includes driver and passenger front air bags, front side airbags, roof rail head curtain airbags, antilock brakes and electronic stability control. Other safety features include pre-tensioners for front seat belts and three-point belts in the rear.Chevrolet Beat Concept2011 Chevrolet Spark minicar2011 Chevrolet Spark Read More

Chevrolet has confirmed today at the Detroit Auto Show that it will bring a new compact car called the Spark to the United States by 2011. This will be joined by a seven-seater compact MPV dubbed the Orlando at the same time in an effort to boost Chevrolet’s fuel efficiency ratings. More information on the Orlando can be found here.

The Spark was originally shown as the Chevrolet Beat, one of three compact car concepts at the 2007 New York Auto Show but the only one thus far to be given a green light for production. Originally intended for emerging markets and Europe, where small cars are the norm, GM changed its mind about bringing... Chevrolet has confirmed today at the Detroit Auto Show that it will bring a new compact car called the Spark to the United States by 2011. This will be joined by a seven-seater compact MPV dubbed the Orlando at the same time in an effort to boost Chevrolet’s fuel efficiency ratings. More information on the Orlando can be found here. The Spark was originally shown as the Chevrolet Beat, one of three compact car concepts at the 2007 New York Auto Show but the only one thus far to be given a green light for production. Originally intended for emerging markets and Europe, where small cars are the norm, GM changed its mind about bringing the Spark to the U.S. due to the last fuel price crisis. Little is known about the Spark except that it will seat five passengers. Although officially announced, only one image was provided with the press release. GM’s president of North America said that the Spark “will bring great style, roominess and versatility to the segment of extremely fuel-efficient small cars in the U.S.” The Spark will make its world debut in production form at the Geneva Auto Show in March. Sales begin in Europe in the first quarter of 2010, followed by other markets around the globe. Under the hood is likely to be a 1.2L petrol engine, available in both naturally-aspirated and turbocharged forms, and sending drive to the front wheels. For more information on the Spark check out our previous coverage.2008 Chevrolet Orlando Concept2011 Chevrolet Beat spy shotsChevrolet Beat Concept Read More

A long series of teasers and spy shots have given hints at what the 2010 Buick LaCrosse would look like, but today General Motors has revealed the whole package just ahead of the start of the Detroit Auto Show. While the design is completely fresh, the car is also "instantly recognizable as a Buick" says Ed Welburn, vice president of GM Global Design. Key styling elements, including the 'sweep spear' side feature, portholes in the hood and the waterfall grille carry over classic Buick traits.

The LaCrosse had originally been planned for a debut at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show, but that was pushed back due to cash shortfalls at the end of... A long series of teasers and spy shots have given hints at what the 2010 Buick LaCrosse would look like, but today General Motors has revealed the whole package just ahead of the start of the Detroit Auto Show. While the design is completely fresh, the car is also "instantly recognizable as a Buick" says Ed Welburn, vice president of GM Global Design. Key styling elements, including the 'sweep spear' side feature, portholes in the hood and the waterfall grille carry over classic Buick traits. The LaCrosse had originally been planned for a debut at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show, but that was pushed back due to cash shortfalls at the end of the year as GM pulled out of the show entirely. The CTS Coupe was also delayed, though when - or if - it will be shown is still unknown. Development of the car is believed to be on indefinite hold. The LaCrosse, however, has moved to production, and today's reveal shows that the car is still relevant despite the delay. Three trims are available, equipped with a pair of engines. A 3.0L V6 direct-injection unit with 255hp (190kW) and 211lb-ft (286Nm) of torque is available with a six-speed auto in the CX and CXL trims, while a 3.6L direct-injection V6 with 280hp (209kW) and 261lb-t (354Nm) of torque mates with the same Hydra-Matic 6T70 six-speed auto on the sportier CXS. The CXL trim adds leather seats, dual-zone climate control, fog lamps, LED turn indicators and 18in wheels plus optional AWD to the base CX package. The CXS gets similar upgrades, plus a real-time active-dampening suspension with 19in wheels available as an option. Fuel economy is estimated at a moderate 18mpg city/27mpg highway for the 3.0L V6, and 17/26 for the 3.6L unit. Curb weights are 3,948lb (1,741kg) for the base CX, 4,018lb (1,822kg) for the CXL with FWD, 4,199lb (1,904kg) for the CXL AWD and 4,065lb (1,844kg) for the CXS. The all-new LaCrosse is another take on the FWD Epsilon II platform that also underpins the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia and eventually the next-gen Saab 9-5. With its new style, borrowed from the Invicta concept, that 'defines Buick's modern global design', the LaCrosse is prepped to be the brand's new ambassador. Buick is pinning a lot of hope on the new LaCrosse, and has accordingly paid a lot of attention to the little things the company hopes will make it a success. Materials, fit and finish, design elements and features are all intended to provide a world-class experience. "The new LaCrosse is intended to represent modern elegance," said Welburn. "Throughout the design, you experience a balance of contrasts. Both the interior and exterior have been designed with harmony in mind. The exterior balances taut, sculpted lines with sensuous accents and surfaces. Inside, smoked chrome accents, warm wood, first-class leather and materials combine with cool blue ambient lighting to create an inviting environment.” A combination of sensing technologies designed to help provide the driver with a 360-degree view from inside the cabin put the LaCrosse fully into the 21st century, though if Buick's past models are any gauge, the high-tech features will be employed seamlessly behind the scenes, with little direct driver involvement. The end goal of the total safety package, which also includes front, side and roof-mounted head-curtain air bags and StabiliTrak stability and traction-control systems, is to achieve a perfect NHTSA 20 Star Safety Rating. Production will begin mid-year at the Fairfax Assembly facility in Kansas City, Kansas with retails sales to start soon after.2010 Buick LaCrosse sedan2010 Buick LaCrosse rolling footage and interviews Read More