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Buick’s next-generation
LaCrosse has been spotted testing at GM proving grounds both in the U.S. and Germany and as these latest images reveal the new car sports a similar shape to the
Invicta concept unveiled over the weekend. Like the concept, the production version’s styling is being handled by teams in both the U.S. and China and the final styling is expected to be very similar to the concept.
Production of the car is expected to start at GM’s Fairfax plant in Kansas in early 2009 and the first cars are tipped to arrive in U.S. showrooms towards the end of the year. The new model will be a global car and will likely be built in China with GM’s local partner Shanghai Auto.
Buick won’t adopt GM’s new Zeta RWD platform for this model as earlier reported, but will instead utilize a revised version of the FWD Epsilon II platform. This is the same design found in the recently revealed
Opel Insignia but the Buick will feature its own suspension settings and unique powertrains.
American versions will get the same direct-injection 3.6L V6 engine found in the
Chevrolet Traverse and should output a similar 286hp (213kW) and 345Nm (255lb-ft). The Chinese model could get the V6 as well as a new four-cylinder powerplant with 250hp (186kW) and 220lb-ft (298Nm) of torque. All models will come standard with a six-speed automatic transmission.
Buick Invicta Concept2008 Buick Invicta Concept
2010 Buick LaCrosse spy shots
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By Turkle Posted: 4/24/2008 9:50am PDT
By chris Posted: 4/24/2008 10:15am PDT
should be really interesting to see how close it is to the invicta.
I just looked into the epsilon platform and I really think that ford should do what GM has been doing with their platforms. the E1 platform was first used in 2004 buick and opel, and as late as 2008 with the new malibu. lincoln, and maybe volvo (depending on how ford wants to push lincoln globally) should get the newest platforms, and then mazda get the platform a year later, with mercury, and then ford a year afterwards. suddenly a single product release keeps people excited about your cars for 3 years. and it gets the suckers (like me who always want the newest junk) buying more expensive cars than they otherwise would buy (yes, I would have gone to a lincoln focus to get the eurospec focus).
By andrew Posted: 4/24/2008 11:48am PDT
By chris Posted: 4/24/2008 12:46pm PDT
mercury is nothing more than a rebadged ford. buick is what chevy is going to be 4 years from now. its a great business scheme. people pay more for a "premium brand" that makes use of the latest mechanicals from that company.
By andrew Posted: 4/24/2008 1:37pm PDT
By Bradley Posted: 4/24/2008 1:51pm PDT
By o__ Posted: 4/24/2008 8:20pm PDT
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