BUICK LUCERNE

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, and rides on a 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. The Lucerne has also been rated well by Consumer Reports studies in quality and reliablility.

Contents

1st Generation (2006-)

The Lucerne Super

Product Placement in Commercial Entertainment

Engines

Model Details

Future

References

External links

1st Generation (2006-)

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 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.
Buick intends the Lucerne to compete with the Toyota Avalon, Mercury Sable and Hyundai Azera in the entry level-luxury segment.
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 Stategic Vision's Total Quality Index (TQI) ^[1]

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 17 hp to the CXS model's V-8. 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 mid-to-late 2008.

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 features prominently on the USA Network series Monk and on the show's website. ^[2]

Engines

★ 3.8 L ''3800 Series III'' V6, 197 hp and 227  ft·lbff

★ 4.6 L ''Northstar'' V8, 275 hp

Model Details

CX

★ Base Price (USD): $26,410
CXL

★ Base Price (USD)

★
★ 3.8 V6 Model- $29,425

★
★ 4.6 Northstar V8 Model- $31,435
CXS

★ Base Price (USD): $35,440

Future

A completely redesigned Lucerne built on the newer GM Zeta Platform, GM's new full-size global rear wheel drive architecture, is planned to release in the 2009 or 2010 model years.

References

1. Strategic Vision (2006). Total Quality Index ''MSN Autos''
2. Dusty Saunders "Pop-ups create TV billboard" ''Rocky Mountain News'', Aug. 1 2006.

External links