For immediate release
BUICK SUPER MODEL GIVES JOLT TO LACROSSE LINEUP
DETROIT – The 2008 Buick LaCrosse Super lives up to the legacy of the Super designation with increased power, refined performance and a full portfolio of elegant amenities.
“The LaCrosse Super looks like a Buick should and drives like the high-end luxury performance car our engineers intended,” said Jim Bunnell, Buick-Pontiac-GMC general manager. “The Supers are not boy-racers, but very refined, powerful, controllable, smooth and exceptionally quiet vehicles.”
Engineered by GM Performance Division, the new LaCrosse Super features exclusive powertrain enhancements, design appointments, a specially tuned suspension, premium steering gear and braking system. The LaCrosse Super also pays homage to the brand’s Super legacy by being the first and only LaCrosse model with Buick’s trademark portholes – four per side.
A powerful yet efficient force
The LaCrosse Super has the quickest 0-60 mph performance since the famous Buick Grand National and GNX models of the 1980s, and the best top speed in the marque’s 104-year history. It features a robust 5.3L V-8 small-block delivering 300 hp (224 kW)* and 323-lb.ft (438 Nm)* of torque that is capable of launching the car from 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds, with a top speed of 150 mph (241 km/h).
The engine also delivers the fuel efficiency of a V-6 because of GM’s Active Fuel Management (AFM) cylinder deactivation technology, which seamlessly switches between four and eight cylinders to save fuel during low-demand conditions. The LaCrosse Super achieves an EPA estimated fuel economy rating of 16 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.
Premium look and feel, inside and out
All 2008 Buick LaCrosse models wear the new face of Buick – a new hood and chrome waterfall grille inspired by the Buick Velite convertible concept. The LaCrosse Super also features a new front fascia that incorporates a lower grille opening with chrome trim and chrome fog lamp bezels. Along the vehicle’s flanks, the eight unmistakable heritage-inspired portholes (four per side) are visual cues that there’s a V-8 engine under the hood. The rear fascia, which integrates the vehicle’s rear park assist sensors, is wrapped around 3.5-inch dual chrome exhaust tips. A rear spoiler completes the transformation.
Inside, the LaCrosse Super elevates comfort and style. The front seats feature increased seatback bolstering for improved lateral support, and all seats feature new, woven-embossed “Dreamweave” leather inserts. The sense of premium is further enhanced by warm chestnut woodgrain accents, a silver finish on the instrument panel center stack, exclusive instrument cluster graphics, new front sill plates, and more. Tight fits, flush components and a library-quiet interior continue the tradition of Buick craftsmanship and quality.
Ride and handling tuned for action
Complementing the LaCrosse Super’s performance is a specially tuned suspension system that delivers precise steering, improved ride control and feel, and increased braking performance.
For enhanced vehicle control, the LaCrosse Super features larger front and rear brake rotors, a high-precision premium steering gear, StabiliTrak electronic stability control system and recalibrated chassis controls. The LaCrosse Super is outfitted with standard 18-inch by 7-inch painted aluminum wheels shod with P235/50R18 all-season Michelin tires – the largest tire and wheel combination available on any LaCrosse model. Chrome-finish wheels are available.
The overall result of these enhancements is a vehicle that delivers confident handling and superb road manners, while also maintaining overall ride comfort.
Standard equipment covers safety, entertainment needs
The Buick LaCrosse Super includes a host of standard equipment, including factory installed remote start; XM Satellite Radio; telescoping steering wheel column; redundant steering wheel controls; dual-zone automatic climate control; leather-wrapped steering wheel; theft deterrent system; illuminated vanity mirrors; driver information center with personalization feature and more.
LaCrosse Super customers also receive important safety and security features including anti-lock brakes, StabiliTrak; dual-stage frontal air bags; side curtain air bags; OnStar with Turn-by-Turn Navigation; PASSLock III theft deterrent system with engine immobilizer and content theft alarm; and Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist.
Also standard on the LaCrosse Super and all Buicks is the industry’s best coverage: a four-year/50,000-mile new vehicle warranty and a five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Buick quality advantage
Buick builds the most dependable vehicles in the automotive industry, according to a recent annual vehicle dependability study published by J.D. Power and Associates. The study showed that Buick improved eight points from last year’s third-place finish to the head of the class .
GM manufacturing centers where Buicks are built are also recognized industry leaders for quality. The entire LaCrosse lineup is built at GM’s Oshawa 2 Assembly, ranked among North/South America’s top manufacturing facilities for quality the past three years, including a Silver Award this year.
Buick dealers are among the best in the industry, according to the 2007 J.D. Power and Associates Customer Service Index. Buick improved seven points over last year to retain second place. The annual study measures service delivery, user-friendly service and service quality.
The 2008 Buick LaCrosse Super will arrive in dealerships in early September, with a base MSRP of $31,995, including a $685 destination charge.
The ‘Super’ legacy
In 1939, Buick introduced the Super line for the 1940 model year. Under Buick General Manager Harlow H. Curtice – later chief executive of General Motors – Buick returned to its position as a brand of great elegance, style and premium value following the Great Depression.
From the beginning, the Super was a star in the Buick lineup and a big seller, with the name appearing on sedans, sport coupes, convertibles and even the Estate Wagon, which, in 1940, was Buick’s first production station wagon.
Super remained in the lineup through 1958 (not counting the war years of 1943-45). In the 1958 model year, Limited, Roadmaster, Super and Special all appeared for a finale, before Buick made a complete model change with the radically designed Electra, LeSabre and Invicta – all with large tail fins – for the 1959 model year.
Over the decades, Buick has revived the brand names of Century, Special and Skylark; Roadmaster returned briefly in the 1990s. But the Super name stayed on the shelf for 50 years, until now.
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Contacts:
David Darovitz
Buick Communications
Phone: 313-665-3188
E-mail: david.darovitz@gm.com
Anne Santori
GM Product Communications
Phone: 586-575-8943
E-mail: anne.santori@gm.com