(Los Angeles, CA) As part of it’s ongoing effort to re-design and re-brand its Buick nameplate towards a younger demographic, General Motors debuted it’s all new 2017 Buick LaCrosse sedan today during a Press Conference at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show.
2017 Buick LaCrosse is revealed at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show.
The next-generation LaCrosse also introduces the new face of Buick, which is influenced by the dramatic cues of the award-winning Avenir concept. Notably, it features a new grille design with a large opening distinguished by the return of a three-color – red, silver and blue – Buick tri-shield insignia, accented by wing-shaped elements set against darkened waterfall grille bars.
“The new LaCrosse signals the next phase of Buick’s international momentum,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Buick Sales and Marketing. “Its quietness, comfort and connectivity were developed to set new standards in the segment, supported by technologies not offered on competitors such as the Lexus ES. It is also drop-dead gorgeous.”
Longer, lower and wider than the current model, the 2017 LaCrosse is built on a stronger yet lighter structure. In fact, it’s about 300 pounds lighter than the current LaCrosse – thanks largely to the use of press-hardened, high-strength steels – which contributes to greater efficiency and more responsive handling.
2017 Buick LaCrosse. Photo: General Motors
The new LaCrosse’s lower weight is also due in part to new, dissipative sound-absorbing materials that are lower in mass, but provide more effective sound attenuation, resulting in a new threshold for Buick’s signature QuietTuning and forming a pillar of the car’s enhanced comfort.
While trying to move it’s average purchase age demographic downward from a decade ago when the typical new Buick buyer was a male in his sixties, there are still elements of the new LaCrosse design that show it hasn’t abandoned the older buyer.
Most notably is the decision to stick with only a V6 engine as its powertrain. The new 2nd generation 3.6 L naturally-aspirated V6 will appeal to older motorists who still aren’t willing to accept that 4 cylinder engines can offer all the performance and reliability that they have grown up accustomed to. That said, fuel economy hasn’t been ignored as the new engine will offer new features such as Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation) and Stop/Start technology.
2017 Buick LaCrosse Interior. Photo: General Motors
Active Fuel Management system temporarily deactivates two the 3.6L’s cylinders in light-load driving conditions to enhance fuel efficiency and seamlessly reactivates them when the driver demands full power.
With the efficiency-enhancing Stop/Start system, the engine is shut down in certain driving conditions such as stop-and-go city driving to reduce fuel consumption, automatically restarting when the driver takes his or her foot off the brake pedal.
The 3.6L is estimated at 305 horsepower and 268 lb-ft of torque; and it’s matched with a new eight-speed automatic transmission.
Neither pricing, nor fuel economy numbers were revealed at the Press Conference.
The 2017 Buick Lacrosse will go on sale next summer.
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