Buick was fairly blunt regarding the possibility of a hotter Buick LaCrosse GS: it’s not going to happen. Speaking to Jeff Yansenns, lead LaCrosse engineer, we briefly conversed about performance and where it stands in the Buick lineup. Yansenns was a Corvette engineer after all.
He stated the LaCrosse’s unique platform, and what it was engineered to do, really wasn’t designed with hopped up performance in mind. Instead, the 2017 Buick LaCrosse‘s mission is comfort, with relative engagement offered with its 20-inch wheel and tire package.
After all, there is another Buick sedan that has already been bestowed with performance: the Regal GS. We’re expecting big things from a next-generation, 2018 Buick Regal GS and a twin-turbo V6 may be a part of the formula.
Comments
That’s not surprising at all. More than that, IMHO, it may be the case that LGX will be the only 3rd gen LaCrosse’s powertrain in North America during whole 3rd gen lifespan (6 or 7 years – till 2022 or 2023, based on how long 2nd gen LaCrosse was manufactured, which was 7 model years from 2010 till 2016 inclusively).
Besides, new 3rd gen LaCrosse with LGX already does 0-60 in 6 + something (like 6.3 or something) seconds, so it should match or maybe even exceed ES350 in this regards, and, thus, be “fast enough” for its target market. So, maybe LaCrosse just doesn’t really need more performance.
Too bad a 3.0 TT would have been a nice fit. How about a RWD based on the omega platform to sit atop of the Buick lineup. While they are at it offer a shorter wheelbase model to replace the Chevy Impala and add a performance version for the SS and also ship it to Australia to replace the Comodore.