GMI Exclusive: LaCrosse Engines, Details Emerge

[CamaroCrazy]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

[nadepalma]

Originally Posted by 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).

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.

[wescoent]

Originally Posted by nadepalma

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.

Obviously this is the area where the growth is, but I just thought it was an odd idiosynchcracy.

MB and BMW should be the models. Flagship leads the style and design of the brand, everything else follows, and once the lowest one gets the new design and technology, the flagship is updated.

[Saturn69]

Originally Posted by osv_alero

Where is the Hybrid or 4-cyl option? Is GM pulling one of the stupid stunts again?

Perhaps a 3.0 V6 with 2Mode hybrid, but please, it's Buick - no 4cyl.

[Saturn69]

Originally Posted by CamaroCrazy

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.

Then it should stay V6-only. How is it going to be different than the other EII's if it offers the same engine choices?

[stevecmh]

this is turning out to be a really great car... nice base HP..

i may like this car

[Michael_S]

Hopefully Epsilon 2 makes more efficient use of internal space than Epsilon 1. But if that's the case, the cabin space difference between a LWB Epsilon 2 LaCrosse and the Lucerne will be basically nil. The Lucerne will become even more of an uncompetitive offering.

I'm slightly disappointed by the 3.0 liter engine. The 2006 and 2007 Accord V6 had an SAE certified 244 horsepower from 3.0 liter SOHC V6 without direct injection. The 2010 Ford Fusion will have a 3.0 liter DOHC V6 without direct injection making 240 horsepower.

GM is bringing a 3.0 liter DI DOHC V6 to market in for model year 2010, and it has 250 horsepower? Shouldn't DI give it a 10% edge? The LaCrosse should be making 250 horsepower from a DI 2.8, not a 3.0.

Originally Posted by prototype66

Malibu already has "best in class" mpg.

For the 4-cylinder Malibu. The Malibu V6 fuel economy is not competitive with the Accord V6 or Camry V6. It's not bad, but "not bad" is no way to steal more sales from the segment leaders and improve the GM brand image.

[Michael_S]

Originally Posted by Saturn69

Then it should stay V6-only. How is it going to be different than the other EII's if it offers the same engine choices?

Right now the Aura and LaCrosse are arguably superior to the LaCrosse. Even if the next LaCrosse is only equal to the next Aura and Malibu, that's still better than today.

[XP300]

I grew up in the early 1950's and fell in love with Buick's. I got so bad that my folks, who couldn't afford a car at that time, forbid me to say the word "Buick".

Times changed, my folks got a used Studebaker in 1955 and switched to Ford in 1957. They remained with Ford's until they died and I switched from Ford to Olds, Cadillac, Corvette and Chevrolet.

In the back of my mind I've still got a fondness for Buick, but have never owned one.

If the LaCrosse is as good looking in person, as some some of the preproduction pics show, I could be looking at my first Buick.

Our CTS is an '03 with the 220HP engine. I rarely drive it, since it's my wife's daily driver, but when I do, I can still beat most drivers from a stop light when I want to. So a 250HP LaCrosse would be a step up in HP.

My wife wants AWD for our Chicago winters.

If the LaCrosse turns out to be the car we are all hoping for, I may buy my first Buick. Still, the CTS has been so good for 6 years, that it will be a difficult decision.

[MechEng]

Originally Posted by tamatt27

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

The new Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain is supposed to have a 2.3L I4 DI rated for ~200 - 210hp which is going into production this spring.

I think this would be a great engine for the Malibu, Aura and G6 but the Buick should stick to the 3.0DI V6 as the base engine.

I also agree that the 3.6 V6 in the Malibu, Aura and G6 shoule be replaced with the 3.0DI V6.

I would love to see the 2.3DI I4 with BAS+ and 6 speed auto.

[sigma]

Originally Posted by 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.

Ding, Ding... we have a winner. If Buick is going to be a luxury brand or a near luxury brand, the current generation of Ecotechs have no place in it. They aren't powerful enough, fuel efficient enough to justify it and are too coarse for the product segments. Sorry.

Not to mention a four cylinder Buick just brings back images of the Skyhawk/Cimarron fiasco...

[Markld74]

What About The 4 Cylinder Engine That Gm Told Its Dealer Body The Car Will Have???

[member12]

So, is Buick building a Lincoln MKS for $12,000 less....because that's how much an MKS should cost and it's a market niche that Buick should pounce on.

Now, if only they could get the RWD Park Avenue over here to show the Genesis what a Buick should be.

[member12]

Originally Posted by Markld74

What About The 4 Cylinder Engine That Gm Told Its Dealer Body The Car Will Have???

I'd tell the Buick dealers to sell 4 cylinder G6 sedans if they want an economy car. 2 or 3 great Buicks is much better than 5 or 6 lame Buicks.....sort of the Acura effect.

A 180 horsepower engine has no place in a car this large anyways, but I am curious as to how a turbocharged engine would do, but to be honest this 3.0l engine is starting to sound better.

I wonder if it will make it into an economy Buick based on the Cruze. GM and it's dealers seem hell bent on destroying brands.

[Olds88]

What no LS4 Super option? Where's the small block? With AWD to eliminate torque steer an LS4 LaX would be a pretty fun car to drive. TTAC even said the current one with FWD is a good car.