Car and Driver has caught a very mildy camouflaged, pre-production Buick LaCrosse sedan testing not far from its offices in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The svelte new four-door was travelling in a convoy of six other identically equipped models, all showing off their nearly uncovered greenhouse sections and doors.
Buick’s next-generation LaCrosse will ride on General Motors’ all-new Epsilon-replacing E2XX global vehicle architecture, which is also slated to underpin future models from the automaker including the Buick Regal, Opel Insignia and Chevrolet Impala and Malibu. Buick has clearly applied some of the same design cues to the LaCrosse as it did its hot new Avenir concept, however we expect the flagship Avenir to arrive much further down the road than the new LaCrosse.
The engine options in the LaCrosse will likely be plucked from GM’s new line of EcoTec motors which offers up both turbocharged and naturally aspirated four-cylinders, however a V6 isn’t out of the question. Base models will probably be equipped with front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive will be offered to compete with products like the the Lincoln MKZ. C&D also thinks the LaCrosse will be the first GM product to receive its nine-speed automatic transmission for front-wheel drive applications it is co-developing with Ford.
The new LaCrosse is expected to arrive either late this year as a 2016 model, or early next year. Check out the spy shots here, and let us know what you think in the comments.
Comments
I wounder when the Avenir flagship will arrive.
Don’t call it a flagship we are banning that word LOL!
I expect in 2017 as a 2018 model. The new CT6 will be out around Dec 2015 as a 2016 and it will be the first Omega platform.
Note I Up voted you as why would someone down vote that?
Note the real roof line is similar to the A7 Audi on the Lacrosse.
I voted him down. He only ever seems to post when something about the LaCrosse comes up, and always the same talking points. “200 in wheelbase Lacrosse replacement called the Roadmaster”; it’s tired and directionless fluff that adds nothing of value to the conversation. After 2 years now, it’s getting tiring in the same vein as Impy’s lame posts.
Googling his name reveals that he may have autism, which may explain his behaviour, and lend credence to why all of Google’s hits for him come back under Buick tags on GMA. Even the non-Buick GMA posts Google result that he’s posted in have him going on about Buick Lacrosse needlessly.
One reason i stayed away from the current Lacrosse is do to it being too small. And yes I understand for today’s standards thats not small. But in my book any car under 200 inchs long is too small for my taste. That being said this car does look longer then the current model. I might look into getting a 2016 if it truly did grow in size.
It will get a little larger but not much. If you want larger the Avenir will be the one you look to. But be prepared as it will not be cheaper.
I am sure the Avinir will be a lot more then the Lacrosse. But this will be out much sooner then a Buick flagship which I would estimate we would see somewhere around 2018 or 19. This Lacrosse looks like it grew a good 3 or 4 inch’s which would put in on my radar. It looks about as long as the XTS and Impala now. I do also hope Buick brings back the color tri-shield emblem like on the Avinir concept as it looks so much nicer then the current one.
I have avoided the current Lacrosse due to size too. Mostly due to the cramped feel to the front seat, and the TINY trunk… less cargo space than a Chevy Sonic sedan! This looks great, but that V6 better be part of the line up or I will still be uninterested.
New Opel Omega please… Better a Opel Omega Evolution 500 🙂
I think Buick should get a RWD flagship in around 3-4 years and have the Lacrosse as a car below the RWD flagship….because a FWD flagship is just plane old and aged….Mark ross has said Buick is reddy for a RWD flagship….and plus its been over 30 years since Buicks flagship has turned into FWD.
I can only hope that the Lacrosse will have some exterior features of the Avenir. Buick needs to design cars that don’t look so bland. Their designs need to be even more distinctive and bold like what they did with the Avenir. Take some risks and throw caution to the wind.