Buick Lucerne

Infobox Automobile


name = Buick Lucerne
manufacturer = General Motors
production = 2006–present
predecessor = Buick Park Avenue
Buick LeSabre
class = Full-size
assembly = Hamtramck, Michigan
wheelbase = Auto in|115.6|0
length = Auto in|203.2|0
width = Auto in|73.8|0
height = Auto in|58.0|0
body_style = 4-door sedan
layout = FF layout
platform = H-body
engine = 3.8 L "3800 Series III" V6
4.6 L "Northstar" V8
transmission = 4-speed 4T65-E automatic (V6)
4-speed 4T80-E automatic (V8)

The Buick Lucerne is a full-size car sold by the Buick division of General Motors that replaced the Park Avenue and the LeSabre in 2006. Although the rear-wheel drive "GM Zeta platform" was considered, the production Lucerne introduced at the Chicago Auto Show on February 9, 2005 rides on the revised H-body platform of the late Pontiac Bonneville. Initial sales of the Lucerne have been strong, with the car claiming 24% of the full-size sedan market in the United States.

First generation

2006–2007

Like the similar 2005 Pontiac Bonneville, the Lucerne uses a Cadillac "Northstar" V8 engine in addition to the standard Buick "3800" V6. The Lucerne also became the first V8-powered Buick car (the Rainier SUV was available with a V8 from 2004–2007) since the demise of the Roadmaster in 1996. The Lucerne is also available with the Corvette's Magnetic Ride Control, an active suspension technology.

The Lucerne's base price is lower than that of the LeSabre, its predecessor, though the V8 option causes the price to reach price levels of the Park Avenue.

In keeping with Buick tradition, the Lucerne features "Ventiports" on the front fenders corresponding to the number of cylinders in the engine — three on each side for the V6 or four on each side for the V8 Northstar.

The Buick Lucerne is built at GM's Detroit/Hamtramck Assembly Plant alongside the Cadillac DTS. The plant has won Initial Quality Awards from J.D. Power and Associates for the past three years. GM leads all other automakers in Strategic Vision's Total Quality Index (TQI) [ Strategic Vision (2006). [http://autos.msn.com/advice/article.aspx?contentid=4020223 Total Quality Index] "MSN Autos"]

2008

For 2008 the Lucerne gets some mid-life updates like a lane departure warning system, and revised exterior colors. Lucerne sales have remained brisk through much of 2007. Two new trim levels have been added: "CXL Special Edition" (with more standard features than regular CXL) and "Super".

2009

For 2009 the Lucerne gets some small upgrades, including a new engine, and Bluetooth phone connectivity, and XM NavTraffic. Buick has also announced that it will be available as a flex-fuel vehicle at no additional cost. [AutoblogGreen (2008) [http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/04/18/2009-buick-lucerne-adds-the-ability-to-use-a-fuel-that-it-will-l/] ] .

The Lucerne Super

Introduced at the 2007 New York Auto Show, the Lucerne Super is a more powerful, upscale trim of the original Lucerne. With an enhanced 4.6 Liter Northstar V-8 engine, the Lucerne Super adds Convert|17|hp|kW|0|abbr=on to the CXS model's V8. Updated styling to the front end and the addition of a spoiler to the rear aims to create a bolder and sportier look. Production of the Lucerne Super is scheduled to begin in 2008.

Engines

Model details

For 2008:
*CX
**Base Price (USD): $27,520
*CXL
**Base Price (USD): $30,165
*CXL Special Edition
**Base Price (USD): $32,150
*Super
**Base Price (USD): $39,295

Product placement in commercial entertainment

In an effort to market the new model, General Motors has signed several large contracts for product placement. In the December 2005 conclusion of "", winner Dawna Stone was admitted into Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia to work with the company's "Body + Soul" magazine. At the celebration, Stewart refused to give Stone champagne, instead giving her the keys to a Buick Lucerne for hers to keep. Promotion of the vehicle had been a task for teams earlier in the competition. The Lucerne featured prominently on the USA Network series "Monk" during its fifth season and still appears on the show's website. [ [http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/spotlight_columnists/article/0,2777,DRMN_23962_4883865,00.html Dusty Saunders "Pop-ups create TV billboard" "Rocky Mountain News", Aug. 1 2006.] ]

References

External links