When it comes to Lucerne's running gear, Larson likes to describe it as combining ''luxury features and useful technology.''
The list of useful technology in Lucerne would have to start with Magnetic Ride Control paired with StabiliTrak, since the former is an adaptive suspension system that delivers the best ride possible for every meter the car covers, and the latter will help to keep it from going off the road on a bad surface.
Other useful technology would have to include remote start, heated washer fluid, rain sensing wipers, a DVD-based map, a 245-watt nine-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, seats that are heated and cooled, and the OnStar system that delivers safety and security features as well as guidance and concierge help.
All of this and more is of course rendered in such a way as to follow Buick's QuietTuning principle, which ''reduces or tunes out unwanted wind, road and powertrain noise with the goal of providing best-in-class levels of ride quietness.''
The other big noise, as it were, concerns the inclusion of a V-8, as an upgrade from the base V-6. For those keeping score, this is the first time a Buick car has a V-8 in about a decade, when the late and largely unlamented Roadmaster was so equipped.
Base power comes from the 3800 Series V-6 that served Park Avenue so well for many years, though this time it's only the non-turbo model. That means it gets 195 hp at 5,200 rpm and 225 lb-ft of torque at 4,000.
The 4.6-litre V-8 delivers considerably more juice -- specifically 275 hp at 5,600 rpm and 300 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm.
Both horsepower figures are early estimates, it must be noted, so we can expect them to rise at least a little.
Larson is convinced that these starring features and a host of supporting equipment will appeal to people who want a luxury car at a premium price, which is perhaps a fine distinction but one that smart buyers will have no trouble making.
photo:General Motors
The list of useful technology in Lucerne would have to start with Magnetic Ride Control paired with StabiliTrak, since the former is an adaptive suspension system that delivers the best ride possible for every meter the car covers, and the latter will help to keep it from going off the road on a bad surface.
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| 2006 Buick Lucerne (photo : General Motors) |
All of this and more is of course rendered in such a way as to follow Buick's QuietTuning principle, which ''reduces or tunes out unwanted wind, road and powertrain noise with the goal of providing best-in-class levels of ride quietness.''
The other big noise, as it were, concerns the inclusion of a V-8, as an upgrade from the base V-6. For those keeping score, this is the first time a Buick car has a V-8 in about a decade, when the late and largely unlamented Roadmaster was so equipped.
Base power comes from the 3800 Series V-6 that served Park Avenue so well for many years, though this time it's only the non-turbo model. That means it gets 195 hp at 5,200 rpm and 225 lb-ft of torque at 4,000.
 |
| 2006 Buick Lucerne (photo : General Motors) |
Both horsepower figures are early estimates, it must be noted, so we can expect them to rise at least a little.
Larson is convinced that these starring features and a host of supporting equipment will appeal to people who want a luxury car at a premium price, which is perhaps a fine distinction but one that smart buyers will have no trouble making.
photo:General Motors
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