Showing posts with label lacrosse. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lacrosse. Show all posts

Thursday, August 4, 2016

Third-generation Buick LaCrosse

The previous-generation Buick LaCrosse was the dark horse of the luxury car market and for General Motors, it was made to be a world-class luxury car that will make owners of German or Japanese luxury cars envy on how this car behaves. With the all new, third-generation, Buick LaCrosse finally making the spotlight, can its "world-class luxury" promise still be kept like last time?

2017 Buick LaCrosse

First and foremost, let's take a bite on the new LaCrosse's design and for this new model, it looks very rewarding to look at on its first impression and the more you look on its design, the more you'll appreciate its world-class styling that draws flak to the Germans and Japanese. The thing is, the new LaCrosse was heavily inspired from the Avenir Concept, a concept turned reality like the previous model, and it was the first to come with Buick's brand new company face that will soon be applied in future models very soon. The waterfall grille is gone and now comes with the winged grille that harks back to the legendary Wildcat II concept from the 50's. 

A bit of checkered history though, but one thing that makes us noticed is the sideline because when you look further, it looks broadly similar to the Hyundai Grandeur, which costs cheaper than the new LaCrosse's 32,065 US Dollar starting price. Such thing makes us go hmmm...because even though it was costly to own than those Korean premium midsize saloons like the Kia K7 and the Hyundai Grandeur, the new LaCrosse will sadly not make it in the hands of South Koreans as an Alpheon, It's a shame because it looks very nice to look at, compared to the present-day Chevrolet Impala the Koreans got their hands on.

2017 Buick LaCrosse interior
2017 Buick LaCrosse interior

Spend minutes inside the new LaCrosse and you will find that its well-crafted interior is modern Buick mandarin to you and while it promises a world-class level of comfort and silence as learned from the previous model, the new LaCrosse isn't all about business and leisure even after hours. Sure, it now comes with Apple Carplay or Android Auto connectivity, but if you are so busy driving on the road, there's not enough time to toy around with such feature unless if you're stuck at rush hour traffic. Not to worry though because if you were stuck at traffic, you can get in touch with almost anyone thanks to its 4G connectivity that most General Motors models had. If you were being chauffeured by your personal driver, getting indulged inside the new LaCrosse is just one of the many meanings of the lap of luxury because it's like being on a personal office desk on wheels. It's all work, all play that won't make you dull, even on Mondays.

2017 Buick LaCrosse

Being the flagship of the Buick lineup in America, the new LaCrosse comes exclusively with a brand new 3.6L V6 engine, which produces 305 HP of power and 268 lb-ft of torque, mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox. Living it up to its world-class performance that matches the German saloons, the new LaCrosse comes with a 5-link rear suspension and an optional Sport Mode feature to make it more responsive in the corners. Summing it up, the new suspension doesn't make the LaCrosse feel as American as old Buicks from the last century and therefore, a bit more European, but when compared to cars like the BMW 5-Series and the Lexus GS, the new LaCrosse is nowhere near enjoyable as the other two, but when opted to the optional All-Wheel Drive with Active Twin-Clutch, the way it behaves is somewhat Audi A6 territory, swooning even under the weather.

As a technologically-focused Buick ever made, the new LaCrosse comes with driving aids such as Front Automatic Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Alert, Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Automatic Parking Assist, Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and a Rear Vision Camera.

As mentioned, the new LaCrosse starts at 32,065 US dollars, which sounds very reasonably priced to owned but more pricey compared to Korean cars such as the K7 and the Grandeur. It maybe living up to its "world-class" promise but judging from its current standing now, feels like the LaCrosse is almost cutting short from the competition, even though its dream of selling it to South Korea as a new Alpheon was ended in rubbles, thanks to the Chevrolet Impala. That makes us very sad...

Available colors: Crimson Red Tintcoat, Black Onyx, Summit White, Ebony Twilight Metallic, White Frost Tricoat, Graphite Gray Metallic, Dark Sapphire Blue Metallic, Quicksilver Metallic, and Dark Forest Green Metallic.

Photo: General Motors

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

2014 Buick LaCrosse (GM Korea Alpheon) for NY debut

2014 Buick LaCrosse
Set for New York Auto Show debut, the minor change version of the Buick LaCrosse for the 2014 is getting a bit more interesting and a bit more "flagship" for a world-class luxury car. Aside from a well-refined exterior, the interior is now all new and it even comes with Buick's IntelliLink telematics system.

It's now safer as well thanks to numerous safety features such as Side Blind Zone Alert, Lane Change Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Automatic Collision Preparation.

It still comes with front- and all-wheel-drive models with two gasoline powertrains: a 2.4-liter engine with eAssist or a 3.6-liter direct-injected V6, both linked to a six-speed automatic transmission.

This car is set for NY debut and sales start in Summer 2013. Sadly though, it is unclear for Koreans if the Alpheon will get the same treatment as the 2014 LaCrosse.

Story: http://www.carscoops.com/2013/03/2014-buick-lacrosse-features-mild.html

Friday, September 23, 2011

All about eAssist

2012 Buick LaCrosse


2012 Buick Regal

Back in November 2010, at the Los Angeles Auto Show, General Motors announced the next generation BAS (Belted Alternator System) Hybrid system called "eAssist" and the first models to be equipped with this new mild hybrid system are the 2012MY Buick LaCrosse and 2012MY Buick Regal.

Before we explain about the new eAssist system, let's talk about what just happened at the Buick LaCrosse and the Buick Regal for the 2012 Model Year. The change was the trim names. As of now, Buick will start ditching the CXL/CX/CXS trim names in favor of something specific like Base, Convenience, Leather, Premium, or Touring. That's all, let's explain about eAssist:

The new eAssist system features a powerful 115-Volt Lithium-ion battery sourced from Hitachi, generating a 20HP, 79lb-ft electric motor that provides aid to the 2.4L ECOTEC engine. This new system will provide useful features such as idling stop system, regenerative braking, and a fuel economy of 36MPG (15.3km/L) highway. The new eAssist system comes standard on the 2012 Buick LaCrosse but on the 2012 Buick Regal, it may be considered an optional feature. Either way, they both come with a modified version of the 6T40 6-speed AT FWD transaxle.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Luxury for Professional - 2012 Alpheon

2012 GM Korea Alpheon


Einige Verbesserungen für die Alpheon...

韓国GM, アルフェオンを一部改良...

The launch of the 2012 GM Korea Alpheon, the Korean equivalent of the Buick Lacrosse, is imminent. For this updated version of Korea's most prestigious sedan that made it the "Luxury for Professional", the 2012 Alpheon gets new features such as Lane Departure Warning System and Smart Audio Color System. For the 2.4L variant, the fuel economy is improved from 10.6km/L (estimate 25MPG) to now, 11.3km/L (27MPG estimate).

Made by professionals, for professionals.


Tuesday, March 29, 2011

The Prestige K7 vs. 5G Grandeur vs. World Class Luxury Alpheon

2011 Kia K7


2012 Hyundai Grandeur

2011 GM Korea Alpheon

A trio of luxury Korean premium midsize sedans are one of my favorites. The Kia K7 (known worldwide as the Kia Cadenza), the Hyundai 5G Grandeur, and GM Korea's world class luxury Alpheon, are highly luxurious and both have GDi engines depending on the Korean executives' tastes. I wonder which of these three is my pick?

CASE ONE: On February 2011, the Kia K7 made its transition that all of the engines offered on this premium midsize sedan are all Gasoline Direct Injection engines. Now called "The Prestige K7", the Kia K7 now offers the 2.4L Theta-II GDi and the new Lambda V6 GDi engine, first offered on the Hyundai 5G Grandeur. The fuel economy of the K7 2.4 GDi takes about 12.8km/L while the K7 3.0 GDi goes for about 11.6km/L. The styling of the Kia K7 was too plain and bulgy but the headlamps seem to be a shining inheritance because when night falls, expect these daytime running lamps shine through.

CASE TWO: After its surprise appearance at one episode of KBS' action drama, The Fugitive Plan B, and debuted in South Korean market since mid-January 2011, the term 5G in the 5G Grandeur naming stands for "fifth generation", meaning that the Grandeur (known in some markets as the Azera) is now on its 5th generation. A legendary evolution on Hyundai's legendary name that made it the Korean take of Toyota Crown. The 5G Grandeur packs two engine types; a 2.4L Theta-II GDi and the new Lambda V6 GDi engine. The front looks more of an oversized YF Sonata and the rear view kinda looks like a Maserati Granturismo but the new 5G Grandeur is one beautiful specimen thanks to Hyundai's fluidic sculpture. This exterior look is way better than the Kia K7!

CASE THREE: The GM Korea Alpheon (formerly GM Daewoo Alpheon, after this company switched its name to GM Korea Company) was just a rebadged version of the second-generation Buick LaCrosse and it replaced the poor-selling, Australia-built, Veritas as the flaghsip model that takes on the likes of the BMW 5-Series, Audi A6, Lexus GS, and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The gorgeous exterior and the swooping interior lines truly made the Alpheon the new class of world class luxury. The 2.4L SIDI and the 3.0L SIDI engine are the available engine types available for the Alpheon. The 2.4L SIDI is a GDi engine that has a fuel economy of 10.6km/L and the 3.0L SIDI is also a GDi engine, packing a fuel efficiency of 9.3km/L. Not quite fuel efficient but its design is truly a work of art for the Alpheon.

As for me, I think the GM Korea Alpheon and the Hyundai 5G Grandeur are my pick when it comes to the design but if I had to choose one of these, I'd say it would be the Alpheon because of its world class design. The 5G Grandeur looks more of an oversized Sonata to me but I think the new look would need to be more attractive to appeal more Korean executives. Both the K7 and the 5G Grandeur are more fuel efficient than the Alpheon because their advanced GDi engines are optimized to make it more powerful, emit less, and labeled as full-fledged eco cars. It's up to you to decide which of these three sovereign Korean sedans is your pick. ^^

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Alpheon World Class Owner's View

GM Korea Alpheon '11


Face it, even where you're in the North America, China, or in South Korea, it's good to say that the Buick LaCrosse/GM Korea Alpheon is truly a world class luxury sedan that is the new class of world class. The design and silence of the LaCrosse or Alpheon truly stands out against European and Japanese luxury cars, even the BMW and Lexus.




Now, what would the Japanese and the Germans said when they encounter the LaCrosse/Alpheon luxury sedan? Last February, GM Korea launched a test drive event to those who owned a Lexus, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, or Audi. It was made to check how does the Alpheon stacks up against the European and Japanese luxury cars of this category.

Pretty much to say that the Europeans and the Japanese who've indulged in the GM Korea Alpheon/Buick LaCrosse made them like this car because of its World Class Design and World Class Silence.

I hope I'll find either the LaCrosse or Alpheon as a grey import at Subic and see the difference.

Friday, August 13, 2010

GM Daewoo Alpheon

GM Daewoo Alpheon
Slated for Korean sale this late summer following the entry-level grade this October, GM Daewoo's newest luxury sedan, the Alpheon, is truly the main target of the new Kia K7 and the upcoming Hyundai Grandeur HG, despite the pricing Koreans want to know more about this medium-sized premium sedan.

Do not be hasty just because the Alpheon is the OEM of the second-generation Buick LaCrosse, this would be different from what you used to the new LaCrosse. Pretend you will learn more about this car for the first time, readers. The Alpheon delivers a gorgeous exterior that makes its rivals mow down before the might of the Alpheon's prestige design which is simply a Korean-American flair. It is equipped with adaptive headlamps so whenever you turn the steering wheel from the left to the right, the Alpheon's headlamps will also turn left or right, for a safer night driving in any direction.

The Alpheon's interior shows its true beauty with its swooping lines scattered around the premium interior. At night, the Alpheon shows its Ice Blue lighting that shows its aura of elegance with an exquisite contrast, leaving the Kia K7's interior mowed down before its might. With an 8-inch navigation system equipped on the Alpheon, this premium Korean-American sedan shows the right way and the enjoyment on the go thanks to the Digital Media Broadcasting (DMB) feature so you will never miss a thing when it comes to sports, music, news, and entertainment.

The Alpheon comes with the 3.0L V6 SIDI engine that has a power output of 265 PS/ 6900 RPM and a torque output of 29.6 kg-m/ 5600 RPM. On the downside, this engine spec was not good enough to outsmart the Kia K7's 3.5L V6 engine, but with the entry-level 2.4L engine (coming this fall) with the 185 PS of power output, the Alpheon declares checkmate against the K7's 180 PS 2.4L engine because it has 5 PS more.

My thoughts about the Alpheon:
Since GM Daewoo planned to bring the Chevrolet brand to Korea next year, would the GM Daewoo branded cars be branded as Chevrolet in the Korean market? The answer will be revealed in the near future. As for that, we have to make do with the latest offering that slots between the Holden Statesman-based GM Daewoo Veritas premium sedan, and the Buick LaCrosse-based GM Daewoo Alpheon are made for the Korean alpha males suitable for their luxury lifestyles. The Kia K7 seems to be catchy enough to topple against the Alpheon but if all else attacks, the Alpheon will strike back, just as the LaCrosse dubbed as the "Lexus Fighter" by the press when General Motors has resurfaced despite the never-ending Lehman Shock. That Lehman Shock claimed many of everyone's favorite car genres, will the Alpheon pay it back from them?

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Buick LaCrosse Second Generation

Since 2004, Buick's new premium mid-size sedan, known as the LaCrosse, replaced the traditional Buick Century and Regal as part of re-visioning the Buick brand. Not only the LaCrosse provides exceptional comfort as a sedan, but also this premium sedan's packaging and performance truly offered for executives everywhere. This year, when GM pulled out of bankruptcy under a new name, new set of rules, and a new lease of life for the company, Buick blows the cover for the new look and new features of the Buick LaCrosse. With this new premium look of this American executive sedan, this is truly an one-stop premium sedan offered for its packaging, styling, and performance you can trust.










The reason why automobile enthusiasts called the new LaCrosse a real "prize fighter" against Toyota's Lexus division is simply the way this luxury car was born to do this that the LaCrosse is the direct competitor to the Lexus ES (formerly known as Toyota Windom that is now sold in most countries, including the Philippines). How to consider the new face of the LaCrosse is simply beautiful enough to balance and contrast the aspects of both luxury and sportiness of the vehicle thanks to its new headlamps, new grille, new rear lamps, and the side view cannot describe where the lines start. Honestly, the exterior of the new LaCrosse resembles Buick's design language as seen on the Enclave crossover.

The second-generation LaCrosse carries two different types of engines to choose from; the 3.0-litre GM High Feature V6 engine capable of having 255-259PS of power and the high-performance 3.6-litre, HFV6 engine that delivers almost 300PS of power. All LaCrosse variants are powered with the electronically powered, 6-speed automatic transmission with Driver Shift Control. Aside from the engine and transmission details, the new LaCrosse has it all; MacPherson struts, two rear suspension choices (4-link or H-arm), power brakes, StabiliTrak, engine block heater, dual exhaust systems, and a host of packages available to suit the drivers' need






With the sportiness of the sports car, the premium luxury comes standard in the new LaCrosse; ice-blue lighting, premium audio system, panoramic sunroof, navigation system, rear-seat entertainment system, climate control, and longer legroom to experience the word "premium" to a completely new level. Much ado to advance the word "premium" , the LaCrosse exceeds the luxury amenities to bring executives a touch of class.

GAME ON!

With the LaCrosse out to the public a few moments ago, General Motors' Buick division finally gets a face-lift thanks to the new look of the Buick LaCrosse. Because of such premium features to bring this premium medium-sized sedan a bar to rise, will this new look keep rising up the bar to General Motors? Step inside the LaCrosse and prepare yourselves to blown by the raw power of its V6 engine and make you comfortable on the inside.