Buick Lucerne

Buick Lucerne
Overview
Manufacturer	Buick (General Motors)
Model years	2006–2011
Assembly	Hamtramck, Michigan, United States
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	FF layout
Platform	G platform
Related	Cadillac DTS
Powertrain
Engine	3.8 L 3800 Series III V6 3.9 L High Value V6 4.6 L Northstar V8
Transmission	4-speed 4T65-E automatic (V6) 4-speed 4T80-E automatic (V8)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	115.6 in (2,936 mm)
Length	203.2 in (5,161 mm)
Width	73.8 in (1,875 mm)
Height	58.0 in (1,473 mm)
Chronology
Predecessor	Buick LeSabre[1] Buick Park Avenue[2]
Successor	Buick LaCrosse

The Buick Lucerne is a full-size upscale sedan sold by Buick from 2006 to 2011. Introduced at the 2005 Chicago Auto Show, the Lucerne replaced both the Park Avenue and the LeSabre for the 2006 model year. Based on a revised G platform (though GM continued to refer to it as the H platform),^[3] it served as Buick's flagship until replaced by the second generation Buick LaCrosse. It is named for Lucerne, Switzerland.

Features

The Lucerne was introduced with the standard Buick 3800 V6, with a Cadillac Northstar V8 and Corvette's active suspension Magnetic Ride Control available as options. All General Motors 3.8 Liter Buick V6 powered cars become the first SULEV-compliant vehicles.

The Lucerne's base price was lower than its predecessor, the LeSabre, though the V8 option caused the price to reach that of the Park Avenue.

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

The Buick Lucerne was built at GM's Detroit/Hamtramck Assembly Plant alongside the Cadillac DTS. The plant has won Initial Quality Awards from J.D. Power and Associates for the past three years. GM leads all other automakers in Strategic Vision's Total Quality Index (TQI) ^[4]

2011 Buick Lucerne CX

Sales remained brisk throughout much of 2007. Two new trim levels, CXL Special Edition (with more standard features than regular CXL) and Super, were added. For 2008 the Lucerne got modest mid-life updates, including a lane departure warning system and revised exterior colors.

The 2009 Lucerne got some small upgrades, including a new base engine, the 3.9 L LZ9 V6, Bluetooth phone connectivity, and XM NavTraffic. Flex-fuel technology was made available at no additional cost.^[5]

For 2010, the Lucerne added the Super's rocker panels, grille, and fog lights to the entire Lucerne lineup. The 2011 Lucerne was unchanged.

Lucerne Super

Introduced at the 2007 New York Auto Show, the Lucerne Super was a more powerful, upscale trim of the original Lucerne. With an enhanced 4.6 Liter Northstar V-8 engine, the Lucerne Super added 17 hp (13 kW) to the CXS model's V8. Updated styling to the front end and the addition of a spoiler to the rear aimed to create a bolder and sportier look. Production of the Lucerne Super began in 2008.

Discontinuation

The last Lucerne was built on June 15, 2011.^[6] No direct replacements have been announced, but any new full-sized Buick sedan would likely be based on the Super Epsilon platform or the Zeta platform. With the introduction of the entry-level Verano for 2012, the LaCrosse takes over the position of Buick's flagship model.^[7]

Engines

Years	Engine	Displacement	Power	Torque
2006–2008[8]	3.8 L 3800 L26 V6	231 cu in (3791 cc)	197 hp (147 kW) @ 5200 rpm	233 lb·ft (316 N·m) @ 3800 rpm
2009–2011[9]	3.9 L GM 3900 V6	237 cu in (3880 cc)	227 hp (169 kW) @ 5700 rpm	237 lb·ft (321 N·m) @ 3200 rpm
2006–2008[8]	4.6 L Northstar LD8 V8	279 cu in (4565 cc)	275 hp (205 kW) @ 6000 rpm	295 lb·ft (400 N·m) @ 4400 rpm
2008–2011[8]	4.6 L Northstar L37 V8	279 cu in (4565 cc)	292 hp (218 kW) @ 6300 rpm	288 lb·ft (390 N·m) @ 4500 rpm

Safety

The Buick Lucerne earns a "Good" overall score in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) front impact test,^[10] and an "Acceptable" score in the side impact test.^[11] The IIHS also found that 2006-08 model year Lucerne had the highest fatality rate in the large 4-door car class.^[12]

Yearly American sales

Calendar Year	Total American sales
2005[13]	8,821
2006[14]	96,515
2007	82,923
2008[15]	54,930
2009[16]	31,292
2010[17]	26,459
2011[18]	20,358
2012[19]	971

References

1. http://www.edmunds.com/buick/park-avenue/
2. http://www.edmunds.com/buick/park-avenue/
3. Frame, Phil (16 January 1995). "GM H CARS MOVE TO G PLATFORM". Automotive News. Archived from the original on 17 May 2013. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
4. Strategic Vision (2006). Total Quality Index MSN Autos
5. Abuelsamid, Sam (2008-04-18). "(2008)". AutoblogGreen. Retrieved 2011-02-06.
6. "US: GM axes Cadillac DTS and Buick Lucerne". just-auto.com. 2011-05-26. Retrieved 2011-06-05.
7. http://cars.about.com/od/buick/
8. 2008 specs Archived October 8, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.
9. 2009 specs Archived January 1, 1970, at the Wayback Machine.
10. "IIHS-HLDI: Buick Lucerne". Iihs.org. 2008-11-25. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
11. "IIHS-HLDI: Buick Lucerne". Iihs.org. 2008-11-25. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
12. http://www.iihs.org/externaldata/srdata/docs/sr4605.pdf
13. "GM Media Online". Media.gm.com. 2006-01-04. Archived from the original on March 1, 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-09.
14. "GM Media Online". Media.gm.com. 2007-01-03. Archived from the original on April 23, 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-09.
15. "GM Media Online". Media.gm.com. 2009-01-05. Archived from the original on April 23, 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-09.
16. http://media.gm.com/content/Pages/news/us/en/2010/Jan/0105_Dec_Sales/_jcr_content/iconrow/textfile/file.res/Deliveries%20December%2009.xls
17. http://media.gm.com/content/dam/Media/gmcom/investor/2011/DeliveriesDecember2010.pdf
18. "GM U.S. Deliveries for December 2011" (PDF). media.gm.com.
19. "GM U.S. Deliveries for December 2012". media.gm.com.

External links