GMI Exclusive: LaCrosse Engines, Details Emerge

[tamatt27]

Originally Posted by whp_001

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.

oohh...more info on a DI Ecotec please!

[nadepalma]

Great news all around Nick.

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?

Again, good great news and write up Nick!

[bhoppes]

I thought there was supposed to be a 4 cylinder with a 6 speed, like the Malibu.

[neshapop]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

And the reason Cadillac doesn't have these options is.... ??

Because Cadillac and Camry will be for old farts and geezers?

I hope this will remove old people's car stigma from Buick.

Now I am getting excited about the new one, back in 2006 we saw a few test fixtures for that HFV6 at Siemens labs. I guess it is true about 3.0L V6...

[377Z]

Thank goodness it will have AWD. Look forward to seeing it in the showroom, though I no longer need a car in the next few years.

[nadepalma]

Originally Posted by bhoppes

I thought there was supposed to be a 4 cylinder with a 6 speed, like the Malibu.

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.

[boblutzfan]

Originally Posted by jmlee0695

We already have that in the enclave,but this will MURDER the ES/GS and MKS

Are you serious? The MKS probably, the ES - it is a long shot, but the GS? come on, it is a RWD luxury performance sedan with both Hybrid and V8 engine options. The LaCrosse is no where near being a competitor to the GS.

GM fans need to keep their expectations in check.

[boblutzfan]

Originally Posted by 63GrandSport001

Id love to see the CTS get this new 3.0L engine as a base engine and Id love to see the HUD make it to the Cadillac.

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.

[377Z]

Originally Posted by bhoppes

I thought there was supposed to be a 4 cylinder with a 6 speed, like the Malibu.

I love your Oldsmobiles. I've always had a soft spot for G bodies, & Olds is (was ) my favorite division.

[1487]

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.

[boblutzfan]

Originally Posted by ViperDVMan

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.

Originally Posted by ViperDVMan

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.

Agreed. I hope GM does away with their non DI powertrains as soon as possible.

[wescoent]

Nice to see GM bringing their "A" game to this segment.

And yet again, we have the entry level sedan in a brand (CTS, LaX) being far superior to the flagship (STS, Lucerne).

[prototype66]

Originally Posted by 1487

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.

Malibu already has "best in class" mpg.

[paul8488]

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.

[nadepalma]

Originally Posted by ViperDVMan

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.

Good call - and I agree. Since the normally aspirated and non-DI version of the 3.6L makes close/similar numbers, it would be best for GM to stop producing that version of the engine and utilize the 3.0L DI for these applications. Its probably a better fit for most folks and would help with CAFE standards perceptions at the very least.

Plus, its only been in the last few years that non-forced induction engines of this size have gotten close to the 250hp range. Honda did it with the 240hp/3.0L mill in the last generation Accord, Ford is doing it with their 3.0L V6 that puts out 240hp, and so have others -- why not GM? If anything it proves they can more with less displacement and that helps their image too, no?