NEW V-6 FLEXFUEL ENGINE AND MORE STANDARD CONTENT HIGHLIGHT 2009 BUICK LUCE
06/09/2008
Buick
The Buick Lucerne has consistently delivered more of what customers demand from a premium full-size sedan: more technology as well as more comfort, convenience and safety and security features. Enhancements for 2009 include more standard content and a more powerful V-6 engine in CX and CXL models that can operate on E85 ethanol.
Lucerne models for 2009 are the CX, CXL and the top-of-the-line Super, introduced mid-year 2008.
"For premium and near-luxury passenger cars, the Lucerne lineup exemplifies Buick's ongoing commitment to meeting or exceeding buyer expectations," said Buick-Pontiac-GMC vice president Susan Docherty. "Their flowing design, luxurious appointments, technical sophistication and on-road performance are right on the mark."
Engine performance
Powering Lucerne CX and CXL models is a more powerful 3.9L V-6 engine. It delivers an SAE-certified 227 horsepower (169 kW) and 237 lb.-ft. of torque (321 Nm). By comparison, the 3.8L V-6 it replaces delivered 197 horsepower (147 kW) and 227 lb.-ft. of torque (308 Nm). Even with the increase in available horsepower, the new engine offers an estimated one-mile-per-gallon fuel economy improvement in both city and highway driving.
The 3.9L V-6 engine is also FlexFuel capable, meaning it can run on 100 percent gasoline, up to 85 percent ethanol or any variation of the two. This marks the first time that the Buick Lucerne is available with an E85-capable powerplant.
The ultimate Lucerne model carries Buick's historic "Super" designation and is powered by a 4.6L Northstar V-8 engine that is rated at 292 horsepower (218 kW)* and 288 lb.-ft. of torque (390 Nm)*.
The 4.6L V-8 is paired with GM's electronically controlled Hydra-Matic 4T80 four-speed automatic transaxle, while the 3.9L V-6 is mated to the 4T65 four-speed automatic transaxle.
All Lucerne engines feature electronic throttle control to seamlessly match driver input with engine response while maximizing overall fuel efficiency.
More standard equipment
Buick Lucerne delivers an expanded list of standard equipment for 2009. Lucerne CX models now include cornering lamps; six-way power passenger seat; heated power outside rearview mirrors; an extended-range key fob and 17-inch premium painted wheels. CX models are available with cloth seating in five-passenger configurations. Six-passenger seating is available.
More standard luxury features are also found on the 2009 CXL model: eight-way heated driver and front-passenger seats; power lumbar adjustments; memory settings; heated leather steering wheel; outside rearview mirrors with integrated turn signal indicator and 17-inch premium painted wheels. Leather-appointed, five-passenger seating is standard on Lucerne CXL models; six-passenger seating is available.
Befitting its sporty character, Lucerne Super models feature:
Premium steering components for more precise steering and a higher level of responsiveness
Magnetic Ride Control technology - recalibrated for even more driver control and performance, while further reducing body roll in cornering and lane changes
Eighteen-inch aluminum wheels shod with P245/50R18 all-season radials
Exterior Lucerne Super enhancements include a unique grille, front and rear fascias, and rocker panels. Also setting Lucerne Super apart are integrated exhaust tips and a "Super" badge on the decklid. Inside, Lucerne Super features a leather-wrapped instrument panel upper with French seam stitching; suede trim on the doors and on the standard heated and cooled front seats; heated real walnut wood-accented steering wheel; walnut wood shifter; a Nova Silver finish for the center stack; model-specific sill plates and premium floor mats.
Additional Lucerne Super premium amenities include a 280-watt, nine-speaker Harman Kardon sound system that includes a six-disc CD changer and MP3 player. Lucerne Super customers may also opt for touch-screen navigation; sunroof; Side Blind Zone and Lane Departure Warning safety-enhancing technologies; and 18-inch chrome wheels. Lucerne Super is available exclusively in Cocoa/Shale or Ebony interior trim.
Simplified packages
Only two option packages are available on 2009 Lucerne models: the Comfort & Convenience package and the Driver Confidence Package. The Comfort & Convenience package adds dual-zone, automatic climate control, universal home remote and a cargo net. This package is standard on Lucerne CXL and Super models and is available on Lucerne CX.
The Driver Confidence package adds StabiliTrak, rear parking assist, remote start, theft-deterrent system, RainSense wipers and heated washer fluid. It's standard on Lucerne Super models and available on CX and CXL models.
Additional 2009 Buick Lucerne enhancements include:
XM NavTraffic delivers real-time traffic information right to the vehicle's touch-screen navigation system. XM NavTraffic is available in 80 major North American markets and delivers comprehensive road condition data - such as crashes, traffic backups and road construction - to the subscriber's navigation screen. XM NavTraffic is available on Lucerne CXL and Super models
OnStar Destination Download, which enables OnStar subscribers with screen-based navigation systems to quickly input their destination via the press of a button
OnStar eNav allows subscribers with Turn-by-Turn Navigation service to find and save destinations on MapQuest.com and have those destinations sent to their vehicle's OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation system
Bluetooth for Phone is now standard on all models and enables true hands-free calling. It uses OnStar's voice recognition to interpret voice commands to dial phone numbers and name tags and the phone conversations are played through the vehicle's audio system
Enhanced XM Satellite Radio display delivers more channel and artist information. All XM-equipped Lucerne models feature a three-month complimentary XM Satellite Radio subscription
Outside rearview mirrors with integrated turn signal included as standard equipment on Lucerne CXL and Super models
Chrome grille replaces black painted grille on CXL models
Body-color roof antenna included on all models
Three new exterior colors: Mystic Sapphire Tricoat, Quicksilver Metallic (replacing Platinum Metallic) and Cyber Gray Metallic (replacing Sharkskin). Lucerne Super also adds Crystal Red Tintcoat and Black Onyx to its palette.
QuietTuning
Every Lucerne model, from the well-equipped base CX to the Super, receives Buick's unique, all-encompassing engineering initiative called QuietTuning. QuietTuning is designed to significantly reduce, block and absorb unwanted road, wind and powertrain noise with the goal of providing leading levels of interior cabin quietness.
It starts with a stiff body structure, extremely tight body gap tolerances and an extensive wind-sealing system. Buick then adds notable QuietTuning features, including laminated side glass in all four moving passenger door windows; noise-reducing outside rearview mirrors; lower profile "structureless" windshield wipers with a flexible airfoil surface; a "double-isolated" powertrain mounting system; laminated steel and composite nylon baffles in the roof pillars, rocker panels and cross-car structures; composite wheel housing liners, and more.
Engines receive QuietTuning attention, too. For example, the 4.6L V-8 features an acoustically tuned engine cover, special cam chain tensioner, camshaft cover isolator mounts, and pistons coated with a Grafal polymer. All contribute to quiet operation.
Safety
Lucerne 's body structure is engineered to provide maximum occupant protection under a wide range of impact conditions. Active safety and handling features offered on Lucerne include a four-channel anti-lock braking system and traction control; an auto-leveling rear suspension that automatically adjusts the vehicle height for heavy loads; and four-channel StabiliTrak electronic stability control with brake assist, which senses emergency braking situations and boosts the power as needed.
All Lucerne models have six standard air bags: a dual-stage driver front air bag, side-impact thorax air bags, roof-rail curtain air bags and the segment's only dual depth front passenger air bag. The dual depth air bag can deploy in two different shapes and pressures - depending upon crash impact, seat belt usage and seat position. Working with other front passenger safety features, such as a weight-based occupant detection system, the dual depth air bag deploys in one of two different sizes from behind the instrument panel within milliseconds to provide optimal restraint for the front passenger.
In addition, the standard OnStar service includes General Motors' Advanced Crash Response System. It makes crash data available to the participating 911 centers to help them dispatch the appropriate life-saving personnel and equipment to crash scenes faster. OnStar features enhanced hands-free voice recognition capabilities to provide more intuitive continuous digit dialing and improved voice recognition accuracy. Using the GPS satellite network and wireless technology, OnStar features core safety services and OnStar Hands-Free Calling that allows drivers to make and receive voice-activated phone calls using an externally mounted antenna for greater reception.
Side Blind Zone Alert and Lane Departure Warning
Available on only a few high-end luxury cars worldwide, Buick's new Side Blind Zone Alert system and Lane Departure Warning systems are leading technologies that add to Lucerne's safety story and enhance the feeling of confidence behind the wheel.
The Side Blind Zone Alert system uses radar sensors on both sides of the vehicle (mounted behind the rear fascia) to scan a 150-degree field of view within a 3.5-meter range - alternating radar beams sweep the adjacent traffic lanes to "look" for other cars. Vehicles entering one of seven zones identified by the system will illuminate an LED symbol in the outside rearview mirror. The system ignores stationary objects, such as fire hydrants or parked cars.
The Lane Departure Warning system is a camera-based lane detection system that warns driver of inadvertent lane changes. The camera, mounted near the inside rearview mirror, identifies traffic lane markings and provides audible alerts.
Lane Departure Warning and Side Blind Zone Alert systems are available together as an optional upgrade to Lucerne's Driver Confidence Package, which includes remote start, theft-deterrence system, Ultrasonic Rear Park Assist, heated washer fluid, StabiliTrak and RainSense windshield wiper system . Both technologies are available in the United States and Canada.
Lucerne is manufactured at GM's award-winning Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Center.
*SAE certified.