Interesting changes for Buick LaCrosse
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From: Livonia, MI
Interesting changes for Buick LaCrosse
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/25/2...ble-as-no-cos/
It'll be interesting to see which will sell better since they're both priced the same. The fuel efficient I4 or the more powerful V6. The question becomes "what does a 65 year old want more, power or fuel efficiency?" 
In addition to having eAssist added to its four-cylinder powertrain, the 2012 Buick LaCrosse is undergoing a few other changes. We aren't talking about styling or content tweaks – instead, General Motors is revising its packaging strategy for the LaCrosse. Buick will be ditching the CX, CXL and CXS trim level designations and simply offer large option packages that encompass all of the available amenities.
For 2012, the 2.4-liter Ecotec engine with eAssist technology will be offered as the "standard" powertrain. We recently had some very limited drive time with an eAssist-equipped LaCrosse (stay tuned for our full impressions), and found the four-cylinder with 182 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque to be pleasantly adequate and its highway rating of 37 miles per gallon downright remarkable. eAssist-equipped cars will look no different than other LaCrosses, save the addition of model-specific 17-inch wheels on efficiency-optimized tires and other fuel-saving upgrades not visible from outside the car.
The General's 280-horsepower direct-injected 3.6-liter V6 will still be made available, complete with the new HiPer Strut front suspension that helps keep torque steer to a minimum, but buyers can now select it as a no-cost option, and also opt for all-wheel drive.
Final pricing information has not been released, but Buick tells us that the entry level LaCrosse will start around $30,000. Currently, the LaCrosse has a base MSRP of $26,995, which suggests the addition of eAssist and its associated fuel-saving parts isn't cheap. What Buick has effectively done is ditched the "base" LaCrosse model and left two identically priced models for buyers to choose from: one focused on exceptional fuel economy and the other on power.
Production on the 2012 LaCrosse will start this summer with the first round of cars hitting dealerships this Fall.
For 2012, the 2.4-liter Ecotec engine with eAssist technology will be offered as the "standard" powertrain. We recently had some very limited drive time with an eAssist-equipped LaCrosse (stay tuned for our full impressions), and found the four-cylinder with 182 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque to be pleasantly adequate and its highway rating of 37 miles per gallon downright remarkable. eAssist-equipped cars will look no different than other LaCrosses, save the addition of model-specific 17-inch wheels on efficiency-optimized tires and other fuel-saving upgrades not visible from outside the car.
The General's 280-horsepower direct-injected 3.6-liter V6 will still be made available, complete with the new HiPer Strut front suspension that helps keep torque steer to a minimum, but buyers can now select it as a no-cost option, and also opt for all-wheel drive.
Final pricing information has not been released, but Buick tells us that the entry level LaCrosse will start around $30,000. Currently, the LaCrosse has a base MSRP of $26,995, which suggests the addition of eAssist and its associated fuel-saving parts isn't cheap. What Buick has effectively done is ditched the "base" LaCrosse model and left two identically priced models for buyers to choose from: one focused on exceptional fuel economy and the other on power.
Production on the 2012 LaCrosse will start this summer with the first round of cars hitting dealerships this Fall.
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From: Memphis
Re: Interesting changes for Buick LaCrosse
I think dropping the CX/CXL/CXS is very smart. This car wants to be luxury, right? Well, I can't think of any other lux car out there that uses trim levels like that. At most they change the model name slightly based on the engine, doors, and whether its AWD or not.
So E-Assist will be standard?
What is the total system output of the 2.4 w/ e-assist. If it becomes peppier (especially down low) AND gets 37 MPG highway then that's just a huge win all around, even for 30 grand. Though I do hope an MSRP increase of 3 grand might include a couple more standard features along with it, too.
I think the average buyer age for the new LaCrosse is significantly lower than the older one. I for one, at 29 years old, am in love with the way that car looks inside and out. Though I've yet to drive one, I enjoy smooth riding quiet cars as long as they don't drive and look like complete boats.
I have a close friend who is 30 who just bought one loaded up, and several other friends that have said they find the car very appealing.
So E-Assist will be standard?
What is the total system output of the 2.4 w/ e-assist. If it becomes peppier (especially down low) AND gets 37 MPG highway then that's just a huge win all around, even for 30 grand. Though I do hope an MSRP increase of 3 grand might include a couple more standard features along with it, too.
I have a close friend who is 30 who just bought one loaded up, and several other friends that have said they find the car very appealing.
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Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Okemos, MI
Re: Interesting changes for Buick LaCrosse
I'm 30. I bought a new Saturn Aura in 2009, and the Lacrosse is about as close to that as you can get. So I have to agree with Kyle -- the average age of Lacrosse buyers is bound to be lower than 65 by a LOT.
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Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Livonia, MI
Re: Interesting changes for Buick LaCrosse
I think dropping the CX/CXL/CXS is very smart. This car wants to be luxury, right? Well, I can't think of any other lux car out there that uses trim levels like that. At most they change the model name slightly based on the engine, doors, and whether its AWD or not.
So E-Assist will be standard?
What is the total system output of the 2.4 w/ e-assist. If it becomes peppier (especially down low) AND gets 37 MPG highway then that's just a huge win all around, even for 30 grand. Though I do hope an MSRP increase of 3 grand might include a couple more standard features along with it, too.
I think the average buyer age for the new LaCrosse is significantly lower than the older one. I for one, at 29 years old, am in love with the way that car looks inside and out. Though I've yet to drive one, I enjoy smooth riding quiet cars as long as they don't drive and look like complete boats.
I have a close friend who is 30 who just bought one loaded up, and several other friends that have said they find the car very appealing.
So E-Assist will be standard?
What is the total system output of the 2.4 w/ e-assist. If it becomes peppier (especially down low) AND gets 37 MPG highway then that's just a huge win all around, even for 30 grand. Though I do hope an MSRP increase of 3 grand might include a couple more standard features along with it, too.
I think the average buyer age for the new LaCrosse is significantly lower than the older one. I for one, at 29 years old, am in love with the way that car looks inside and out. Though I've yet to drive one, I enjoy smooth riding quiet cars as long as they don't drive and look like complete boats.
I have a close friend who is 30 who just bought one loaded up, and several other friends that have said they find the car very appealing.
What do you guys think about the Regal vs. the Lacrosse? I agree the Lacrosse is a nice car, but I like the look of the Regal much more.
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Joined: Sep 1998
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From: Memphis
Re: Interesting changes for Buick LaCrosse
Yes, E-Assist will be on the base 4cyl model, or you can get the 6cyl w/out E-assist for the same price. I suppose the E-assist could add some pep, but I'm guessing not much. I think the goal is to use it instead of the engine when accelerating from a stop to help fuel economy, as opposed to with the engine for performance. I could be wrong though.
What do you guys think about the Regal vs. the Lacrosse? I agree the Lacrosse is a nice car, but I like the look of the Regal much more.
Now, I haven't driven either, but based on what I've seen I think I'd much rather have the LaCrosse. I know the Regal is sportier but if I want a sport sedan, I want a sport sedan that's done right... and the Regal's power figures are pretty disappointing IMO... even with the turbo.
Speaking of the Regal, when will it be getting e-assist? As it stands now the Regal is kinda 'meh' in fuel economy numbers. Assuming this e-assist can produce even better numbers in the Regal than it does in the LaCrosse, then that could become a VERY major selling point for the Regal going forward.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,647
From: Jupiter, FL
Re: Interesting changes for Buick LaCrosse
Regal will be getting e-assist later this year with an expected rating of 26/37 mpg.
https://www.camaroz28.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=796585
https://www.camaroz28.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=796585
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 669
From: Arcadia, OK
Re: Interesting changes for Buick LaCrosse
I've not seen an explanation why e-assist improves highway mileage. I can see the city mileage improvement with the electric motor assist/regen and the stop/start tech, but no logical reason it would improve mileage on the highway.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 1998
Posts: 4,320
From: Memphis
Re: Interesting changes for Buick LaCrosse
Weight doesn't really matter much on the highway. It's more about aerodynamics. I'm not sure how aerodynamic the LaCrosse is or what the total power output of the direct injected 2.4 + e-assist is, but I have a hard time seeing it being worse than my 4-cylinder Aura (same engine minus direct injection and E-assist, but probably less wind resistance, and less weight). My Aura does pretty well until you get to a steep hill... especially doing 75+ mph... then it has to downshift from 6th to 5th. Still no big deal usually. Honestly I've driven a 5.3L 2004 Tahoe that seemed to struggle more with maintaining speed on the highway than my Aura.
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,650
From: Indianapolis, IN
Re: Interesting changes for Buick LaCrosse
Part of the highway economy increase comes from a taller axle ratio. The standard 4 cylinder would hunt / downshift too much and perhaps launch sluggishly with the taller axle, but the extra 15 hp is evidently enough to offset the axle in the eAssist model. 
The car also includes the flaps that close off part of the grille when appropriate, reducing aerodynamic drag by some amount. Lower rolling resistance tires too. I think it is really cool to see small improvements and bits of technology adding up to some really impressive gains.
The car also includes the flaps that close off part of the grille when appropriate, reducing aerodynamic drag by some amount. Lower rolling resistance tires too. I think it is really cool to see small improvements and bits of technology adding up to some really impressive gains.
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