Buick launches 2010 LaCrosse

Buick launches 2010 LaCrosse
By WES RAYNAL
>>>General Motors’ Buick division will launch the redesigned-from-the-ground-up
Buick LaCrosse at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit on
Jan. 12.
>>>
>>>GM says the new LaCrosse is truly global, with an exterior designed here
(and reminiscent of the Invicta concept from the 2008 Beijing motor show); an
interior developed in China, Buick’s biggest market; and a platform done by Opel
in Europe. Following the Opel Insignia (“Insignia Moves GM Forward,� Oct. 13,
2008), the LaCrosse is GM’s first North American car on the European midsize
platform. The Chevrolet Malibu/Saturn Aura will be next, due in 2011.
>>>
>>>The LaCrosse is instantly recognizable as a Buick, with portholes inside the
character line on the hood and what GM calls Buick’s waterfall grille.
>>>
>>>We’ve only seen a show car, but the interior is stunning. A flowing,
uninterrupted design wraps around the instrument and door panels. GM sweated the
details inside with nicely assembled, high-quality materials (wood, leather and
chrome) and cool blue ambient lighting.
>>>
>>>The car will be offered in three models: CX, CXL and CXS.
>>>
>>>The CX is equipped with a new 3.0-liter direct-injection V6 producing 255 hp
and 211 lb-ft of torque and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
>>>
>>>The CXL level adds heated leather seats, dual-zone automatic climate
control, fog lamps and turn indicators in the mirrors and is available with
all-wheel drive.
>>>
>>>The high-end CXS gets a 3.6-liter direct-injection V6 good for 280 hp and
261 lb-ft of torque. The CXS is equipped with real-time active-dampening
suspension, heated and cooled leather seats and chrome-plated 18-inch wheels