Ucarmagazine

Buick will increase its 2008 Lucerne lineup with two new models available at dealerships beginning in April. The Lucerne Super and Lucerne CXL Special Edition reflect Buick’s commitment to bringing a greater variety of premium products into its portfolio.

“Lucerne Super and Lucerne CXL Special Edition epitomize Buick’s new level of refinement and our effort to deliver the vehicles that today’s customers demand,” said Jim Bunnell, Buick-Pontiac-GMC general manager.

Lucerne Super
Lucerne Super continues Buick’s tradition of delivering luxury, refined power and performance. It’s powered by the 4.6L Northstar V-8 engine that delivers 292 horsepower (218 kW) @ 6300 rpm and 288 lb.-ft. of torque (390 Nm) @ 4500 rpm. Further augmenting its driving character, Lucerne Super also features:

-New premium steering components for more precise steering and a higher level of responsiveness
-Higher-rate front and rear coil springs for improved stability and control
-Larger front stabilizer bar for improved roll control
-Magnetic Ride Control technology – recalibrated for even more driver control and performance, while further reducing body roll in cornering and lane changes
-Eighteen-inch aluminum wheels shod with P245/50R18 all-season radials

Exterior Lucerne Super enhancements include new grille and front fascia, new rocker panels, new rear fascia, new exhaust tips and “Super” badge on the decklid. Lucerne Super is available exclusively in the following exterior colors: Dark Mocha Metallic, Gold Mist Metallic, White Diamond Tricoat and Black Onyx.

Inside, Lucerne Super features a leather-wrapped instrument panel upper with French seam stitching; suede trim on the doors and on the standard heated and cooled front seats; heated real walnut wood-accented steering wheel; walnut wood shifter; a Nova Silver finish for the center stack; model-specific sill plates and premium floor mats. Additional premium amenities include a 280-watt, nine-speaker Harman Kardon sound system that includes a six-disc CD changer and MP3 player.

Lucerne Super customers may also opt for touch screen navigation; sunroof; Side Blind Zone and Lane Departure Warning safety-enhancing technologies; and 18-inch chrome wheels. Lucerne Super is available exclusively in Cocoa/Shale or Ebony interior trim and features a $39,395 MSRP (including a $765 destination freight charge).

Lucerne CXL Special Edition
Buick’s Lucerne CXL Special Edition offers either a V-6 or V-8 engine – making it the only Lucerne model to offer this choice. The 3.8L V-6 equipped Lucerne CXL Special Edition delivers 197 horsepower (147 kW) @ 5200 rpm and 227 lb.-ft. of torque (308 Nm) @ 3800 rpm.

For a higher level of performance, Buick offers an uplevel Northstar 4.6L V-8. It delivers 275 horsepower (205 kW) @ 6000 rpm and 295 lb.-ft. of torque (400 Nm) @ 4400 rpm. This premium, aluminum 32-valve dual overhead cam V-8 – specifically tuned for Lucerne – is recognized for its technological refinement, precision and quick launch capability.

Outside, Lucerne CXL Special Edition models are equipped with a chrome grille, unique 17-inch chrome-clad wheels, new rear fascia and model-specific badge on the decklid. Inside, CXL Special Edition has perforated leather seat inserts, and contrasting stitching on the seats, console armrest and door trim. Lucerne CXL Special Edition models will be available in three distinct exterior colors: Dark Mocha Metallic, White Diamond Tricoat and Crystal Red Tintcoat. The two interior color combinations are Dark/Light Titanium and Cocoa/Shale.

Lucerne CXL Special Edition V-6 models carry a $32,150 manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP), while the Special Edition V-8 model will feature a $33,850 MSRP. Prices include a $765 destination freight charge.

QuietTuning
Lucerne Super and Lucerne CXL Special Edition models benefit from QuietTuning, Buick’s all-encompassing approach to reduce, block and absorb interior cabin noise. Notable QuietTuning features include laminated side glass, noise-reducing side-view mirrors, low-profile “structureless” windshield wiper blades and a double-isolated powertrain mounting system. Lucerne Super also features a uniquely tuned exhaust note that is more powerful, but subtly refined. The result is a hushed, premium driving experience overall.

All Buick Lucerne models are built at GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck manufacturing facility and come with the industry’s best coverage, including a five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper protection.

Buick took another step to bolster its global design presence with a sneak peek at a luxurious show car it plans to reveal in China at the Beijing Motor Show on April 19. Named Invicta, Buick’s show car reflects the way General Motors utilizes design and engineering talent around the world to execute a premium vehicle with international appeal.

The Invicta, which is Latin for “invincible,” evolves Buick’s global design direction from the Riviera concept introduced last year in Shanghai. The Invicta show car was co-developed by GM design centers in North America and China to meet customers’ expectations equally in the world’s two largest automotive markets.

“Buick’s global appeal created an opportunity for GM Design Centers to elevate our collaboration to new levels. Using our virtual reality centers in Warren, Mich. and Shanghai, designers fused the best ideas from both cultures during the development of the Invicta, ” said Edward T. Welburn, vice president, General Motors Global Design. “The result will set a new design standard for Buick, and it couldn’t have been achieved by one studio working in isolation. The Invicta represents another significant design milestone in Buick’s history.”

Invicta draws inspiration from the Riviera concept with a modern and graceful exterior design matched by a sumptuous interior. Invicta pays homage to Buicks of the 1940s through the 1970s with its nostalgic sweepspear design cue, a curved line running the length of the car. The exterior also features Buick’s signature vertical chrome waterfall grille and a new look to its portholes. The Invicta interior will share Riviera’s ambient lighting feature and lavish design.

Buick returns the Invicta name after a 45-year hiatus. Buick originally introduced the Invicta in North America as a production vehicle from 1959 to 1963. It is the first time the nameplate has appeared on a Buick in China.

Buick, the premium international brand of General Motors, today announced the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for its all-new 2008 Lucerne Super entry-luxury sedan. Buick’s most premium and powerful full-size sedan carries an MSRP of $39,395 including a $765 destination freight charge. It will be available for sale in dealer showrooms beginning in April.

The Lucerne Super features a long list of standard content exclusive to the Super badge, compelling safety features, and performance and powertrain enhancements. Pricing targets comparably equipped luxury import competitors.

Standard luxury content
Lucerne Super has a full range of standard equipment and technologies befitting Buick’s premium image. Among them include a new 4.6L 292-horsepower Northstar V-8 engine; Magnetic Ride Control technology; premium steering gear; heated and cooled front seats; heated windshield washer fluid; QuietTuning, Buick’s exclusive process to reduce, block and absorb interior cabin noise; factory-installed remote start; Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist; rain-sensing windshield wiper system; OnStar; XM Satellite Radio; and six air bags, including an industry-first dual-depth front passenger air bag.

Lucerne Super’s exterior features new and exclusive features such as a chrome waterfall grille, front and rear fascias, rocker panels and dual chrome exhaust tips. Its luxury-like interior gets a leather-wrapped instrument panel with French-seam stitching; suede trim on the doors and seats; heated real walnut wood steering wheel and shifter; a Nova-silver center stack finish; a nine-speaker, 280-watt Harman Kardon audio system; six-disc, in-dash CD changer with MP3 capability; and floor mats embroidered with the Buick name and tri-shield emblem.

Available features include 18-inch chrome wheels, touch screen DVD-based map navigation, power sunroof and an Ultra Confidence package with Side Blind Zone and Lane Departure Warning safety-enhancing technologies.

A driver’s car

The Lucerne Super is a driver’s car, thanks in part to its increased horsepower, enhanced chassis tuning and steering precision.

The Northstar V-8 engine produces 292 horsepower and 288 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine’s added power improves launch-acceleration and vehicle-passing capabilities. New premium steering components give the Lucerne Super improved steering precision and responsiveness.

Lucerne Super’s chassis was further tuned for a more agile ride and performance. A key enabler of the chassis is Lucerne Super’s Magnetic Ride Control technology. It has been recalibrated to give even more driver control and performance while further reducing body roll and head toss in cornering and lane changes. The system uses magnetically charged particles suspended in a synthetic fluid to continuously adjust the fluid’s viscosity to varying road surfaces and driving characteristics. It provides a quicker response than conventional valve-damping systems, while providing exceptional vehicle control and increased tire contact with the road surface.

In addition to the Super trim, Lucerne is also available in CX (MSRP of $27,520) and CXL (MSRP of $30,165) models. All Lucernes are built at GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck manufacturing facility and come with the industry’s best coverage, including a five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper protection.