February 9, 2005
Chicago auto show
Buick unveils new Lucerne V8-powered entry-level sedan
Chicago, Illinois – Buick unveiled a new entry-level front-wheel-drive luxury sedan today called the Lucerne.
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“The all-new Lucerne marks a significant milestone for Buick,” said General Manager John Larson. “We’re in the process of rolling out one of the most aggressive product programs in Buick history, with Lucerne being the third new Buick launched in just over a year. We expect the Lucerne – along with LaCrosse (Allure in Canada – ed.) and Terraza – to appeal to many new customers and account for approximately 75 percent of Buick sales.”
The Lucerne is the first Buick car to offer V-8 power in a decade. The V-8 features a 4.6 litre, 32-valve dual overhead cam engine, estimated at 275 horsepower. The base 3.8 litre V-6 is rated at 195 horsepower.
As well, the Lucerne is the first Buick offering Magnetic Ride Control, paired with StabiliTrak, to enhance ride performance. Features such as remote start, heated washer fluid, rain sensing wipers, DVD map or off-board navigation, heated/cooled seats and the 245-watt Harman Kardon nine-speaker audio system are also offered.
Lucerne models will benefit from Buick’s standard “QuietTuning,” which reduces or tunes out unwanted wind, road and powertrain noise with the goal of providing best-in-class levels of ride quietness.
The Lucerne will offer six air bags as standard equipment: a dual-stage driver front air bag, an industry-first dual-depth front passenger air bag, side-impact thorax air bags and roof-rail curtain air bags.
The Lucerne will be manufactured at GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Centre, which received the Silver Plant Quality Award for North/South America in the 2004 J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study. Pricing will be announced closer to launch.
