Buick unveils updated LaCrosse sedan at New York show

By Terry Box

Buick will unveil its 2014 LaCrosse sedan at the New York Auto Show – an updated, improved version of the automaker’s best-selling car.

The current LaCrosse, introduced in 2009, was a significant vehicle for Buick, joining the Enclave as youthfully styled vehicles when Buick was known mostly for senior cruisers.

Like the Enclave, the LaCrosse was well-received and will mostly get refinements and tweaks for 2014.

“We evolved the interior and exterior design, increased luxury amenities and materials, and enhanced the safety and personal technologies to give customers more reasons than ever to rediscover Buick,” said Tony DiSalle, vice president of marketing.

The new sedan gets minor changes to its running lamps and tail lamps, as well as the front fascia.

It also will be fitted with a more sculpted hood and prominent waterfall grille.

Inside, the LaCrosse will feature new seats, upgraded materials, a redesigned central instrument panel and console, and an all-new “ultra luxury” interior package.

The big front-wheel-drive sedan also will get a number of safety systems, including blind-sport alert, lane-change alert, lane-departure warning, forward-collision alert, rear cross-traffic alert and automatic collision preparation.

The LaCrosse, which also is available in all-wheel-drive, will offer a mild hybrid with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and electric eAssist, as well as General Motor’s ubiquitous 3.6-liter V-6 with 304 horsepower.

A six-speed automatic will continue to be Buick’s regular transmission.

As with the last model, the LaCrosse will be available with 18- or 19-inch wheels. But for the first time, it also will offer optional 20-inch wheels.

Pricing and fuel-economy information will be released later.

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