2012 Buick Lucerne

2012 Buick Lucerne

A full-size four-door sedan, the Buick Lucerne is the most important automotive sold by the GM division. A close mechanical relative of the Cadillac DTS, the Lucerne was introduced at the Chicago Auto Show in 2005 as a 2006 model, with its front-wheel drive platform powered by a selection of V-vi and V-eight engines, coupled to an automatic transmission.

Over its lifetime the Lucerne hasn't strayed from the formula that's created it the selection over the even additional traditional likes of the Ford Crown Victoria and therefore the Mercury Grand Marquis. In 2008, for instance, Buick added a Super edition with an uprated V-8 engine and distinct body trim. In 2009, a new V-6 base engine joined the lineup, together with real-time traffic and Bluetooth and flex-fuel capability.

For the current model year, Buick's adopted the Super styling across the Lucerne lineup. The clean, if aging, shape sports portholes--three for V-half dozen cars, and 4 for V-eight cars. Within, there's real walnut trim, leather seating, and sueded accents to modernize the well-executed cabin.

The drivetrains carry over, and give the Lucerne reasonable to fairly spirited power. The bottom 227-hp 3.9-liter V-6 can run on ethanol-blend fuel, however there's very little reason to suggest it over the a lot of powerful and not a lot of additional thirsty 292-hp four.half-dozen-liter V-8. A four-speed automatic is the sole gearbox. As you can imagine, the Lucerne handles in an old-college means, with moderate amounts of body lean and roll muted somewhat by a magnetically controlled suspension on the Super versions.

What the Lucerne has always done best is provide wide-open area--and it's still true. Giant seats are perfect for those broad of beam, and the inside's quiet, too. Trunk space is as giant as passenger cars provide these days.

The Lucerne's crash-check ratings are a bit of a disappointment, with some four-star ratings sprinkled in among five-star scores. Curtain airbags are commonplace, however the base model, supposed for fleet use, doesn't even supply stability management.

Today, the Lucerne is built at the Detroit/Hamtramck assembly plant that conjointly builds the Cadillac DTS.

The Lucerne likely is at the end of its life cycle. At a background preview held last year for future Buick models, no Lucerne was shown alongside a brace of little sedans and crossovers. If a Lucerne replacement version is constructed, it will possible share running gear with the new generation of Chevrolet Impala and therefore the new Cadillac XTS, both of which are due once the 2012 model year.

 2012 Buick Lucerne

 2012 Buick Lucerne

 2012 Buick Lucerne

 2012 Buick Lucerne

 2012 Buick Lucerne

2012 Buick Lucerne