GMI Exclusive: LaCrosse Engines, Details Emerge The new 3.0L will show it's face in the LaCrosse!! www.gminsidenews.com
October 29, 2008
By: Nick Saporito
Just the other day we heard that the all-new 2010 Buick LaCrosse was no longer going to be shown at the 2008 Los Angeles auto show next month. Prior to that GMI broke news that the new LaCrosse, originally to hit the market in early spring 2009, was delayed a "few months" to early summer. The delay blamed on a lack of resources (we assume that means money). With the launch of the new LaCrosse just around the corner (even with the delay), GMI has learned of a few details of the new car; including it's engines.
The base engine in the Epsilon II based sedan is going to be a new 3.0L V6 with direct-injection, rated at 250 HP. There is no word on the torque levels of the new engine. There has been a rumored 3.0L High-Feature V6 under development for some time now. It's probably safe to say that it is finally showing up in production.
LaCrosse is also getting an optional, higher output engine. The well-known 3.6L direct-injected High-Feature V6 is going to be an up-level option. The engine will be rated at 290 HP; again, no word on torque. In addition to the two High-Feature V6's, all LaCrosses will be fitted with the 6T70 six speed automatic transmission as standard equipment.
Also confirmed is that the new LaCrosse is going to have high-intensity discharge headlamps, a rear-view camera, and heads-up display. Also note that is has already been confirmed in the past that the new car will have optional all-wheel drive and a similar infotainment system to that of the new Cadillac CTS.
The HID's need to be standard on both levels. Which I know GM won't do, so need at least projectors. Please GM. Stop short changing people. I expect HID's on a 30k car.
Id expect it with the 3.0L V-6 engine to get 18 city and 28-29 highway and I think that the Malibu needs to replace its V-6 engine with the 3.0L direct injection unit to give it a boost in fuel economy.
Also confirmed is that the new LaCrosse is going to have high-intensity discharge headlamps, a rear-view camera, and heads-up display. Also note that is has already been confirmed in the past that the new car will have optional all-wheel drive and a similar infotainment system to that of the new Cadillac CTS.
Now this is a car that'll take it to the Acura TL, not just the Lexus ES350 and GS350. And it'll certainly have more luxury to it than the Maxima (too bad Infiniti doesn't have a FWD lux like Lexus does). They got the engines right. I hope they get the rest of the car right, and this Buick will be a real player.
As for the engines, a 3.0L DI making 250hp isn't bad at all. I hope the Malibu (and the CTS) gets this engine to replace the 3.6L non-DI unit. In fact, I hope every non-DI 3.6L gets replaced with this motor if it's more fuel-efficient and produces around the same power.
Now this is a car that'll take it to the Acura TL, not just the Lexus ES350 and GS350. And it'll certainly have more luxury to it than the Maxima (too bad Infiniti doesn't have a FWD lux like Lexus does). They got the engines right. I hope they get the rest of the car right, and this Buick will be a real player.
Are you serious? "take it to the Acura TL, not just the Lexus ES350 and GS350"? We haven't even seen the full production version of this car. I'll stand by the fact that this will probably be very competitive (probably better in nearly every way) than the Lincoln MKZ and that it might stand up well to the imports...but "take it to them". GM fans need to set their expectations correctly and not get so arrogant about the success of a car that they haven't even seen yet?! The ES350 is a sales champion that has an incredibly loyal following. The GS is a RWD based sedan that is dynamically better than any current Epsilon sedan. The TL also offers (at least this coming year) more driver oriented features than the Buick will - like a 6MT powertrain offering. I seriously doubt the LaCrosse will take it to any of these sedans.
That said, I fully expect this sedan to go a long way to keeping Buick in the hunt and keep the brand from being killed off. I like what I see so far.
As for the engines, a 3.0L DI making 250hp isn't bad at all. I hope the Malibu (and the CTS) gets this engine to replace the 3.6L non-DI unit. In fact, I hope every non-DI 3.6L gets replaced with this motor if it's more fuel-efficient and produces around the same power.
I'd rather see an Alpha based Cadillac have the 3.0L engine. The CTS powertrains are just fine. That said, it would be nice to see the HUD make it to Cadillac across the board.
Also confirmed is that the new LaCrosse is going to have high-intensity discharge headlamps, a rear-view camera, and heads-up display. Also note that is has already been confirmed in the past that the new car will have optional all-wheel drive and a similar infotainment system to that of the new Cadillac CTS.
HID lamps are available or standard on all Cadillacs.
The rear view camera is available on the Escalade and SRX too I believe, though true they could offer it on the CTS, DTS and STS too I guess, for people who have no neck bones or something.....
HUD is available on the STS(in color) and standard on the XLR. Though yes I would also like to see it on the CTS and DTS(or it's replacement), GM is weird with their HUD availability, in the 90's you could have had it on Cutlass Supremes, Grand Prixs,(but not on other W's like the Regal and Lumina?) Bonnevilles, Park Avenues, LeSabres,(but not on Delta88's, 98's or Auroras?) Corvettes, and later on Azteks and Rendezvous, (but not on Cadillacs?) The Corvette based 2004 XLR and the 2005 STS was the first Cadillacs to even offer the option. I really would love to see them offer it on more cars and seeing that they are going to offer it on the new Camaro and LaCrosse makes me think that they are trending in the right direction, but again since this is an option that GM practically owns(who else offers it? $86,000 M5's?) where else are you going to get it?
AWD? Again available on all Cadillacs except the XLR and DTS.
Oh, and I am excited about the 3.0 litre DI HF V6 and the other options that are available on the LaCrosse.
We will see the 3.0L DI on the CTS before long, and as one of the available engines on the new SRX. And probably later than anyone would like, all the Ecotec's will go DI. When that happens, we will see a powerful, efficient 4 cyl on the Lacrosse... but we will have to wait a while for that.
The information on the engine is great and I'm glad to see that GM is creating a new displacement for the HF family and it will put out respectable numbers.
Any word on if this engine will be built in North America?
What will happen to the 2.8L version of the engine? Will it continue to be built in Australia? I know they build the 2.8L and 3.6L there - as well as a "special" 3.2L version that Alfa Romeo sources for the 159 and other vehicles (I wonder why GM never used a 3.2L version).
AWD is a great addition to the next LaCrosse as well -- can we expect this to migrate to the Malibu, G6, and Aura as well?
I think that's the "Regal" for China that is based on the Opel Insignia. In the Chinese market, that product is supposed to come with only 4 cylinder and speed transmissions (automatic obviously, manuals possibly).
But there is no official word here yet if the Insignia is coming stateside, and if it does, what engines it will sport.
they need a V6 with better mileage. The 3.6 and 6 speed combo is not efficient at all. This new engine better yield at least a 2mpg improvement over the Malibu. Matter of fact, the Malibu needs this engine so it can have competitive mileage.
I see your point, but who knows how much longer this will be the case. The STS is still a competitive car, though far from the technological leader a flagship should be. Same holds true of the Lucerne.
Same could be said of the DTS - a great car, but not what is arguably should be.
But to an extent, GM is focusing on where there is more potential for growth and attention - in the mid-sized-ish arena. If the STS and Lucerne survive long(er) term, then perhaps the 3.0L mill will make it to these products eventually as well.
If not, then its possible their eventual replacements will -- but I understand what you are saying.
I'm not convinced that this needs a 4 cylinder. Malibu and Aura and G6 cover the bottom of the market... if Buick needs to too then we once again have proof that GM doesn't need so many brands.
I agree. Why isn't there a 4 cyl ES if the market demands it? I'd like to see Buick stay differentiated from the other Epi cars somehow.
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