Buick Lucerne

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Buick Lucerne
Manufacturer	General Motors
Production	2006–present
Assembly	Hamtramck, Michigan
Predecessor	Buick Park Avenue Buick LeSabre
Class	Full-size
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	FF layout
Platform	G-body
Engine	3.8 L 3800 Series III V6 4.6 L Northstar V8
Transmission	4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	115.6 in
Length	203.2 in
Width	73.8 in
Height	58.0 in
Similar	Mercury Sable Toyota Avalon

The Buick Lucerne is a full-size car sold by the Buick division of General Motors that replaces the Park Avenue and the LeSabre in 2006. Although the rear-wheel drive GM Zeta platform was considered, the production Lucerne introduced at the Chicago Auto Show on February 9, 2005, is a front-wheel drive derivative of the G-body Buick LeSabre. Initial sales of the Lucerne have been strong, with the car claiming 24% of the full-size sedan market in the United States.

Contents 1 1st Generation (2006-) 2 In Pop Culture 3 Engines 4 Model Details 5 References 6 External links

[edit] 1st Generation (2006-)

Like the similar 2005 Pontiac Bonneville, the Lucerne uses a Cadillac Northstar V8 engine in addition to the standard Buick 3800 V6. The Lucerne also became the first V8-powered Buick car since the demise of the Roadmaster in 1996. The Lucerne is also available with the Corvette's Magnetic Ride Control, an active suspension technology.

The Lucerne's base price is lower than that of the LeSabre, its predecessor, though the V8 option causes the price to reach Park Avenue levels. Thus, the V6 options are considered LeSabre replacements, while the V8 option is meant to replace the Park Avenue.

In keeping with Buick tradition, the Lucerne features "Ventiports" on the front fenders corresponding to the number of cylinders in the engine — three on each side for the V6 or four on each side for the V8 Northstar.

Buick intends the Lucerne to compete with the Toyota Avalon, Mercury Sable and Hyundai Azera in the entry level-luxury segment.

The Buick Lucerne is built at GM's Detroit/Hamtramck Assembly Plant. The plant has won Initial Quality Awards from J.D. Power and Associates for the past three years. GM leads all other automakers in Stategic Vision's Total Quality Index (TQI) ^[1]

[edit] In Pop Culture

In the December 2005 conclusion of The Apprentice: Martha Stewart, winner Dawna Stone was admitted into Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia to work with the company's Body + Soul magazine. At the celebration, Stewart refused to give Stone champagne, instead giving her the keys to a Buick Lucerne for hers to keep. Promotion of the vehicle had been a task for teams earlier in the competition.

The Lucerne features prominently on the USA Network series Monk and on the show's website [1]

[edit] Engines

• 3.8 L 3800 Series III V6, 197 hp and 227  ft·lbff
• 4.6 L Northstar V8, 275 hp

[edit] Model Details

CX

• Base Price (USD): $26,410

CXL

• Base Price (USD)
  • 3.8 V6 Model- $29,425
  • 4.6 Northstar V8 Model- $31,435

CXS

• Base Price (USD): $35,440

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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	Skylark
Mid-size	Century																									LaCrosse/Allure
	Regal
Full-size	LeSabre																											Lucerne
	Electra/Electra Estate											Park Avenue
												Roadmaster
Crossover																						Rendezvous							Enclave
SUV																									Rainier
Minivan																										Terraza
Personal coupe	Riviera															Riviera
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