http://blogs.edmunds.com/straightlin...se-cxl-30.html


At 4050 pounds, it's the same weight as the G8 GT. Given the weight, the 3.0 does a respectable job, though a 2.2 Cobalt auto would probably beat it.

So maybe it's not that FWD is lighter (it's over 100 pounds heavier than the G8 V6) but that you can sell heavy FWD cars with a V6, whereas people want V8s in their RWD cars.

 

What it means is we dont have a large RWD sedan at Gm because of POOR & out of touch decision making/leadership/ mismanagement. Give a RWD sedan "camaro like" v6 mpg and good styling an people will buy it.

 

One would think that a small Cobalt would handle better than a near luxury large car, but maybe that is just me. No one is going to buy this car because they are going to go to the drag strip or autoX with it.

For what its worth, the LaCrosse has a lot more content than a V6 G8, which very well explains the weight. It would be interesting to see what the V6 G8 mileage would have been with the 3.0 DI V6.

So if this sells better than a G8 and at higher margins, is GM right?

While I don't disagree with you that people would buy a RWD sedan with good mileage and looks, one already exists. It is expensive, but that is just the way Caddy's are.

You will have to wait and see what alpha brings to the table for your RWD sedan.

 

It's chassis looked very composed to me.

 

I'm surprised/disappointed that they don't have a full review of the LaCrosse out by now. Maybe they just got their hands on it and are putting this quick performance test out there while they're still working on the full review.

I think 0-60 in 8.4 seconds is and lower mid 16s is about what I was expecting and is completely reasonable for this type of vehicle. Those who want more peformance always have the CXS option, though I'd be surprised if that does 0-60 anything better than lower 7s so it's still not going to make any performance-minded drivers happy.

The real question is how does it feel at partial throttle with relaxed acceleration? That's what this car will be doing 99.9% of the time in the real world. Is getting up to cruising speed either a struggle or a waiting game, or does it feel composed and competent enough to not make anyone take notice of its weight and smaller displacement?

 

Reading some of the (mind numbing) comments in the link, apparently Car and Driver tested a 3.6L LaCrosse and got a 0-60 in 6.7 seconds. I've not seen it myself though.

 

Can't wait to see how the 4-banger hauls this pig around!

 

That's correct. Their Short Take Road Test is here.

I think GM stated "under 7 seconds" for the 3.6 at NAIS.

 

 

They say 6.7 in the video review (click on the picture to see the video).
http://blog.caranddriver.com/2010-bu...sse-cxs-video/

Motor trend says 7.4 seconds.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...est/specs.html

That is a pretty big difference. Either way, this isn't going to be setting records on the 'ring, nor does it need to.

 

No, but luxury buyers often like some "pep". If someone drives the ES350 and LaCrosse CXL back to back, they'll see better fuel economy on the ES350 window sticker and feel quite a bit less pep when they push the pedal on the right. It'll be the same if they're looking at a Honda Accord V6 or Avalon.

How much will they care? It depends on the individual buyer. The CXS will be competitive with those other cars in acceleration, at least.

Yes, but even if the Zeta has 150 pounds of extra luxury equipment, which seems a bit much, that makes it the same weight as the LaCrosse.

The Commodore has supposedly lightened a bit with the latest update, though I've not seen how much.

 

Might want to revise that:

GM North America continues with POOR & out of touch decision making/leadership/mismanagement.

GM's Holden division now has both the 3.0 and the 3.6 direct injected V6 in the Commodore (the soon-to-be-former Pontiac G8)

The small DI 3.0 has the same power as the current G8 3.6 and gets 12% better fuel economy:

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...257608002619D7

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...2576080011BDA2


BTW: The Ford Falcon will have Ford's new EcoBoost turbo 4 next year.

 

And the 3.6DI is something like 7% better than the old 3.6. That would have made a killer engine for the G8. Mileage would have been up there with the G37, and it would have responded nicely to the right foot.

 

luxury buyers will notice the LAXs high quality and highly stylized interior, distinctive and classy exterior design, refined suspension, good handling, quiet ride, high feature content. this car has a lot going for it. it's a great contestant in the entry level luxury race. i'd like to see the 2.4 return decent accel with stunning mileage, like 32 mpg, similar to equinox. there you could have an efficient luxury sedan. in the luxury segment though, fuel economy is secondary. that being said, having poor or good mileage are both meaningful respectively.

 

Every review of the 3.0 LaCrosse, has complained about sluggish performance from the 3.0. They also complained about poor fuel economy.

The thing I don't understand, is why you can't get AWD with the 3.6L. Reviews that I have seen, thus far, have all commented on pretty good torque steer with the 3.6. To me, that is not a "luxury" feature.

Estimated fuel economy for the 3.6 is 17/25 vs 17/26 for the 3.0. The sad thing is, the SHO gets the same fuel economy as the 3.6, with 85 more hp, and 300+lbs more.

I like the LaCrosse, but am disappointed in the fuel economy.