Buick unveils the 2010 LaCrosse

Buick has held a small official presentation of the new generation of the LaCrosse before taking it to the Detroit Auto Show, where it will be shown to the public next week, and not at the Los Angeles show as was thought the last time it was spotted in testing.

The design is a copy of the Invicta prototype that Buick presented at the Beijing Auto Show last April, changing only small details to make it road-legal, but keeping the rest, which represents a major leap in quality over other models from the brand.

The new LaCrosse shares the Epsilon II platform with the Opel Insignia, and this shows, for example, in the interior, which is very similar to the German car’s except for the wood inserts and two-tone shades that give it a more luxurious feel.

Inside it includes the “Heads-up” system, which projects data such as speed or gear onto the windscreen. It also has several elements with LEDs, and as an option it can be fitted with two LCD screens for rear passengers.

As for engines, it will have two six-cylinder units: a 3.0 with 255 hp and a 3.6 with 280 hp. As standard, the new LaCrosse will have front-wheel drive, but an all-wheel drive system with a Haldex-type centre clutch can optionally be fitted. Stability control also comes as standard.

The new platform allows the LaCrosse to gain structural rigidity and reduce vibration and noise, which benefits ride comfort. However, this, combined with the greater equipment, means it gains 200 kilos over the previous generation.

In short, if Buick manages to replicate the success the Insignia is enjoying in Europe, General Motors could chalk up another win alongside the one for the new Malibu and the new CTS.

Via | Autoblog en Español