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Check this out....for 2017, next spring when it is introduced, the Lincoln MKZ gets a new Continental-inspired grille (IMO it looks Jaguar-esque), new interior trim, new knob controls on the console replacing those idiotic capacitors (I couldn't stand them), and some major changes under the hood......one version will have a 400 HP/400 ft-lbs. from the twin-turbo 3.0L V6.
The LaCrosse gets what IMO are enormous interior trim-improvements, the traditional tri-colored Buick emblem,
Those of you at the L.A. show (the public show starts Friday) should be able to see them there...but they may not be out on the floor, unlocked. You might have to look at it on a turntable.
http://www.autoblog.com/2015/11/18/2017-lincoln-mkz-la-2015/
Quiet Luxury: Intuitive Technology, Effortless Performance and Distinctive Design Drive 2017 Lincoln MKZ
-Suite of cutting-edge intuitive technologies including available adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, auto hold, Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection and enhanced park assist help ease the new Lincoln MKZ driving experience
-Effortless performance enabled by available new Lincoln-exclusive 3.0-liter GTDI V6 engine, which creates a quiet, powerful ride, or popular hybrid option
-Distinctively redesigned from the inside out, including three new Lincoln Black Label themes available, plus two available Revel® audio systems delivering the height of Lincoln luxury
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 18, 2015 – Discover your new favorite space. The new Lincoln MKZ combines intuitive technology, effortless performance and distinctive design to deliver an enhanced driving experience Lincoln calls quiet luxury.
Lincoln reveals a newly designed MKZ today, focusing on areas most desired by today's luxury midsize sedan customer – quality, performance and style.
"Our customers are looking for three attributes in a luxury midsize sedan – technologies that ease their everyday experience, a beautiful design that is crafted with attention to detail, and a vehicle with impressive power that makes it a pleasure to drive," said Kumar Galhotra, president of Lincoln. "The new Lincoln MKZ elevates all of these attributes – and many more – to create a compelling entry in this large and highly competitive portion of the luxury market."
The new Lincoln MKZ is designed to appeal to those who are looking for something different in the luxury market. From the placement of technology features such as the push-button gear shift to reimagined interior spaces including the floating center console, drivers can relish in discovering an unexpected experience based on intelligent function and beautiful form that offers, above all, an enjoyable drive.
The Lincoln Experience is brought to life through the available Lincoln-exclusive 3.0-liter GTDI V6 engine, as well as intangible elements like the quiet cabin provided by the Active Noise Control system.
Features that make the new Lincoln MKZ a haven of refined comfort include curated spaces for storage, the availability of three Lincoln Black Label interior packages with exclusive, personal in-home design consultation, available fully retractable panoramic glass roof, and concert-quality Revel® audio with specially designed doors for optimal positioning of the speakers.
Intuitive technology
The new Lincoln MKZ is designed to make the drive ride easier and more enjoyable. Available adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality automatically can slow the car, resuming higher speeds when traffic clears. The system activates the brakes automatically to bring the car to a complete stop if the driver fails to apply brakes in time1.
An auto hold feature keeps the car at a complete stop without the driver having to press and hold the brake pedal – making stop-and-go driving more relaxing for MKZ owners.
Available enhanced park assist uses ultrasonic sensors to help Lincoln MKZ seamlessly steer itself into a parallel or perpendicular parking spot. The car can assist with park-out as needed1.
Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection is an available technology that can help avoid some frontal crashes (1), or lessen the severity of such events.
Lincoln-exclusive engine provides effortless performance
An all-new, Lincoln-exclusive 3.0-liter GTDI V6 leads available engine choices for the new Lincoln MKZ. When paired with an intelligent all-wheel-drive system, the twin-turbocharged engine produces 400 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque (2,3 )for effortless performance and refinement.
Dynamic Torque Vectoring (4), part of an available Driver's Package for MKZ with the 3.0-liter engine, enhances cornering agility without compromising ride comfort, helping drivers enjoy a smooth, seamless experience.
The new Lincoln MKZ provides a hybrid alternative as well; and a 2.0-liter GTDI, 245-horsepower2 four-cylinder engine with front-wheel drive.
Available Lincoln Drive Control allows drivers to adjust among three drive ride modes – comfort, normal and sport. The system includes continuously controlled damping, and electric power-assisted steering to provide comfortable, confident handling.
The Driver's Package for Lincoln MKZ with 3.0-liter V6 also includes 19-inch wheels, Ebony-painted calipers, light Magnetic-painted grille, Ebony interior with carbon fiber appliqués, customizable multi-contour seats and aluminum pedal covers. In addition, the package features retuned continuously controlled damping and suspension for enhanced driving dynamics.
Distinctive design
The new face of Lincoln is highlighted by available adaptive LED headlamps that help deliver cleaner, clearer lighting for drivers, complemented by the all-new one-piece Lincoln signature grille.
Inside, engineers paid particular attention to the sound and feel of new switches and dials that replace slider adjustments for easier control of ventilation and audio functions for new Lincoln MKZ customers. Commonly used buttons and USB ports are now even easier to access.
Two all-new Lincoln Black Label themes, Chalet and Vineyard, as well as Thoroughbred, deliver desired uniqueness and options paired with luxurious materials. Lincoln MKZ's available fully retractable panoramic glass roof offers the largest open-air roof among sedans.5
The new Lincoln MKZ goes on sale in summer 2016.
1. Driver-assist features are supplemental and do not replace the driver's judgment. 2. Tested with 93-octane fuel. 3. 3.0-liter GTDI V6 engine in front-wheel drive models is limited to 350 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque. 4. Requires 3.0-liter GTDI V6 engine and AWD. 5. Based on effective roof opening as measured by Webasto.
About The Lincoln Motor Company
The Lincoln Motor Company is the luxury automotive brand of Ford Motor Company, committed to creating compelling vehicles with an exceptional ownership experience to match. For more information about The Lincoln Motor Company, please visit www.media.lincoln.com or www.lincoln.com. Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/lincoln.
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2017-buick-lacrosse-studio-shots/
Buick Introduces All-New 2017 LaCrosse
Leaner and sleeker with effortless technology
LOS ANGELES – Beautifully crafted and thoughtfully innovative, the 2017 Buick LaCrosse offers full-size sedan customers a striking, all-new design, sophisticated technologies and more-responsive performance.
The next-generation LaCrosse also introduces the new face of Buick, which is influenced by the dramatic cues of the award-winning Avenir concept. Notably, it features a new grille design with a large opening distinguished by the return of a three-color – red, silver and blue – Buick tri-shield insignia, accented by wing- shaped elements set against darkened waterfall grille bars.
Buick revealed the 2017 LaCrosse today at the Los Angeles Auto Show. It goes on sale early next summer.
"The new LaCrosse signals the next phase of Buick's international momentum," said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Buick Sales and Marketing. "Its quietness, comfort and connectivity were developed to set new standards in the segment, supported by technologies not offered on competitors such as the Lexus ES. It is also drop- dead gorgeous."
Longer, lower and wider than the current model, the 2017 LaCrosse is built on a stronger yet lighter structure. In fact, it is about 300 pounds lighter than the current LaCrosse – thanks largely to the use of press-hardened, high-strength steels – which contributes to greater efficiency and more responsive handling.
The new LaCrosse's lower weight is also due in part to new, dissipative sound- absorbing materials that are lower in mass, but provide more effective sound attenuation, resulting in a new threshold for Buick's signature QuietTuning and forming a pillar of the car's enhanced comfort.
The balance of the efficiency equation comes from a technologically advanced, second-generation 3.6L V-6 paired with a new eight-speed automatic transmission. Standard Stop/Start technology improves efficiency in stop-and-go driving.
Additional new and enhanced features include:
New five-link rear suspension and available HiPer Strut front suspension
Available electronically controlled Continuous Damping Control active suspension with selectable Touring and Sport modes
Driver-selectable Electronic Precision Shift
Advanced, all-new dual-clutch AWD system (available)
Efficiency-enhancing low-drag disc brakes with Duralife rotors
Electric power steering system with Lead/Pull Compensation
Easier rear-seat entry/egress and more usable storage space
Technologies including available wireless charging, available Teen Driver and configurable, LED driver information center with 8-inch-diagonal color display
Perforated leather-appointed front seats with new lumbar massaging feature
IntelliLink with frameless 8-inch-diagonal color touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and OnStar 4G LTE with Wi-Fi hotspot integration.
The 2017 LaCrosse also features extensive active and passive safety features that offer driver awareness and protection surrounding the vehicle, including:
Ten standard air bags – including two knee air bags for front passengers
Front Pedestrian Braking, which alerts drivers to and can automatically apply the brakes for pedestrians detected directly ahead in some driving conditions
Lane Keep Assist, which provides gentle steering wheel turns – and Lane Departure Warning alerts, if necessary – to help drivers avoid crashes due to unintentionally drifting out of their lane
Automatic Park Assist, which helps the driver parallel park/perpendicular park by automatically steering the vehicle into a detected parking space while the driver applies the brakes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Forward Automatic Braking
Forward Collision Alert
Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert
Rear Vision Camera
Safety Alert Seat.
"The blend of sophisticated technologies and advanced safety systems offer a more enjoyable and engaging driving experience," said Aldred. "It's a rewarding sedan for those who seek luxurious appointments, style and quality."
New face of Buick
The new LaCrosse's expressive exterior design creates a new proportion, rendering a more dramatic road presence. The front wheels have been pulled forward and the wheelbase stretched 2.7 inches (65 mm), while the overall length is only 0.6-inch longer (15 mm). The dynamic proportion is further enhanced by a roofline that's 1.6 inches (40 mm) lower than the current model.
The longer wheelbase is matched by wheels pushed outward 1.3 inches (33 mm) in the front and 1.1 inches (28 mm) in the rear, while the car's width has grown only 0.4-inch (10 mm), creating a wheels-at-corners stance that conveys road confidence.
"It's a sleeker design that looks confident and purposeful," said Holt Ware, exterior design director. "Stretching the wheelbase, lowering the roofline and making it slightly wider creates a dramatic effect that is enhanced by the design's supporting elements such as the swept headlamps."
LaCrosse's new proportion is further complemented by an all-new grille that signals the next chapter in Buick's design anthology. Inspired by the Avenir concept, it's distinguished by a new, three-color tri-shield insignia set on a wing-shaped element. Contrasting with darkened waterfall grille bars and spanning the width of the opening, it connects the grille and headlamps, and emphasizes LaCrosse's new sculptural surfacing. The design was introduced on the Avenir concept and was inspired by the 1954 Wildcat II concept.
"It's the new face of Buick – one that reflects the sophistication, modernity and international reach of this evolving brand," said Ware. "The new, winged motif also emphasizes the wider, lower proportion of the LaCrosse."
The signature sweepspear body-side design element has been reinterpreted in a modern fashion, enhancing the car's sculptural identity. It has a split design that gives the body side a greater perception of depth, while picking up additional body lines, for an elegant, uninterrupted flow from the front fenders to the rear.
The 2017 LaCrosse's body lines are reinforced by a longer, uninterrupted "daylight opening" – the portion of the upper body between the A- and C-pillars. They're ringed with chrome, which adds a tastefully restrained premium accent to the body side.
Other details blend form and function such as outside mirrors mounted on pedestals on the doors rather than the corners of the front side windows. The design offers a greater field of view, while the mirror housings were shaped in the wind tunnel to help reduce wind noise.
Aerodynamic considerations also drove the dynamic sweep of the decklid, which acts as a spoiler to optimize airflow over the LaCrosse, and the front of the car features deflectors in front of the tires to reduce drag.
Additional exterior elements include:
High-intensity discharge headlamps and LED signature lighting are standard
LED taillamps are standard
Eighteen-inch wheels are standard and 20-inch wheels are available
Active grille shutters
Capless fuel filler on all models.
Seamless ambience, authentic craftsmanship
The new LaCrosse's interior is designed to offer an open and inviting space for passengers – one that is relaxing, luxurious and well-connected. Sculpturally beautiful form and premium materials complement technologies developed for effortless interfacing.
It is the first Buick with a new single cockpit design aesthetic, characterized by a horizontal form that sweeps across the instrument panel and into the doors. It also incorporates a "floating" center console that positions the controller for the new Electronic Precision Shift high and close to the driver, while creating storage space below the console for items such as a handbag or tablet.
"There is fluidity in the interior forms – a seamless ambience that flows throughout the cabin," said Liz Wetzel, interior design director. "Like the exterior, there is sculptural beauty in the interior's functionality, complemented with high-quality, authentic materials and exceptional attention to detail."
That attention to detail includes soft materials for virtually every touchpoint; real French stitching on the seats, instrument panel and more; and genuine aluminum sill plates and wood décor trim, depending on the model.
"There is a handcrafted essence that is inviting and rewarding," said Wetzel. "It is clean environment that is designed to refresh and inspire."
A number of new and enhanced available luxury features amplify the LaCrosse's comfort quotient:
Three fashion-inspired interior trim choices: Jet Black, Dark Atmosphere and Shale, and Jet Black and Brandy
Contemporary Moon White ambient lighting
Eight-way-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with new massage feature – with improved heating for quicker warm-up on cold mornings
Perforated leather-appointed seats
Heated steering wheel with power tilting/telescoping steering column
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Power rear sunshade
Premium Bose® audio system.
It also offers greater, more practical storage space and easier access. The rear doors, for example, open wider and offer easier entry/egress, and the trunk not only offers approximately 7 percent more storage space than the current model, but was configured to accommodate four golf bags.
Sophisticated, intuitive technologies – including phone integration
As one of the segment's most technologically advanced vehicles, the new LaCrosse offers a host of communication and convenience features designed for effortless connectivity.
The central technology is the latest edition of Buick IntelliLink, which is controlled by a new, frameless 8-inch-diagonal color touchscreen located at the center of an ergonomically optimized instrument panel. Along with the climate system and other features on the "center stack," it was designed with fewer buttons and controls for more intuitive use.
Phone integration technology is paired with IntelliLink and is designed to take phone features users would want to access while driving and put them on the 8- inch display via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The features allow customers to use select smartphone apps through the touchscreen interface. Many features can be controlled via voice commands through a button on the steering wheel, helping drivers keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.
Additional LaCrosse technology highlights include:
All-new Electronic Precision Shift – Rather than a traditional shifter, gears are chosen and engaged via a simple toggle pull. It provides smooth, precise and responsive shifting while enabling added storage in the center console.
Configurable, high-definition driver information center – Located in the center of the gauge cluster and flanked by round instrument binnacles, it has a large, 8-inch-diagonal full-color display.
Head-up display – This available feature offers four page views: speed, audio, navigation and performance. It also offers alerts for certain active safety features such as Lane Keep Assist and Forward Collision Alert.
Available Teen Driver Technology – It encourages safe driving habits for new drivers by muting the audio or any device paired with the vehicle when front-seat occupants aren't wearing their safety belts. It also provides audible and visual warnings when the vehicle is traveling over predetermined speeds – and offers a "report card" for parents.
Wireless charging – When equipped with this available feature, the phone storage slot in the center console enables inductive charging without the need for plug-ins or cables.
Buick QuietTuning process
The new LaCrosse builds on the exemplary reputation of the current model – already a benchmark in the segment – to offer an even quieter driving experience that contributes to the car's comfort and enjoyment.
Significantly, the Buick QuietTuning team employed a dissipative approach to sound attenuation rather than the current model's barrier system. That means the sound is absorbed primarily with a specialized, lightweight dissipative dash mat rather than heavier noise-blocking pads.
Additional quieting features include:
New five-link rear suspension provides greater isolation from road noise than the current four-link design
Active noise cancellation is standard on all models
Acoustic wheelhouse liners
Acoustic-laminated windshield and front side windows
Triple-sealed doors
Improved body noise-path sealing
The windshield wipers "park" below the hood line to reduce wind noise.
Next-generation powertrain
LaCrosse's all-new 3.6L V-6 engine with direct injection and dual overhead cams represents the second generation of GM's acclaimed DOHC V-6 engine family and incorporates new features such as Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation) and Stop/Start technology.
Active Fuel Management system temporarily deactivates two the 3.6L's cylinders in light-load driving conditions to enhance fuel efficiency and seamlessly reactivates them when the driver demands full power.
With the efficiency-enhancing Stop/Start system, the engine is shut down in certain driving conditions such as stop-and-go city driving to reduce fuel consumption, automatically restarting when the driver takes his or her foot off the brake pedal.
Additionally, noise-reducing features including an all-new cam drive system contribute to the vehicle's benchmark quietness.
The 3.6L is estimated at 305 horsepower (227 kW) and 268 lb-ft of torque (363 Nm); and it's matched with a new eight-speed automatic transmission.
Balanced, efficient driving experience
Thanks to its new, lighter and stiffer architecture – and a number of new and enhanced complementing technologies – the 2017 LaCrosse offers a driving experience that is as responsive and direct as it is quiet and comfortable. It also offers enhanced capability with Buick's first twin-clutch all-wheel-drive system.
A new five-link rear suspension is the central component of the improved ride and handling characteristics. It helps reduces roll center motion, enables positive lateral control and promotes excellent dynamic stability. In short, it helps keep the tires planted on all surfaces – and contributes to a quieter ride through greater isolation from road noise.
At the front, a MacPherson-strut suspension is standard and Buick's HiPer Strut suspension is used on front-wheel-drive models with 20-inch wheels. It helps reduce torque steer and maintain negative camber during cornering, improving maximum grip in all road conditions. It also improves the direct feel of the vehicle, while isolating undesirable feedback.
Available, electronically controlled Continuous Damping Control further optimizes ride comfort and handling capabilities over varying road surfaces and profiles. It's an active suspension system that can adjust damping every two milliseconds, with Touring and Sport damping modes selected by the driver through the Electronic Precision Shift.
Also contributing to LaCrosse's more-direct driving experience is an enhanced, rack-mounted electronic power steering system, which incorporates Lead-Pull Compensation. It automatically adjusts the steering angle to account for factors like crowned roads or high crosswinds.
LaCrosse's new twin-clutch AWD system offers the ultimate in grip in and control, with better performance during acceleration and cornering. It allows torque to be split between the rear wheels for optimal performance and the twin-clutch design uses independent clutch actuation to determine and control the amount of torque sent to each rear wheel.
Additional chassis and driver control features on the 2017 LaCrosse include:
Low-drag four-wheel disc brakes with Duralife rotors, which offer up to double the service life of conventional rotors
Hill Start Assist with Automatic Vehicle Hold, which can hold the brakes up to five minutes, depending on conditions
Electronic park brake
Shear-type suspension mounts that offer greater ride, handling and noise isolation attributes.
FAST FACT: Sales of the Buick LaCrosse have exceeded 900,000 globally since it went on sale in 2009.
The LaCrosse gets what IMO are enormous interior trim-improvements, the traditional tri-colored Buick emblem,
Those of you at the L.A. show (the public show starts Friday) should be able to see them there...but they may not be out on the floor, unlocked. You might have to look at it on a turntable.
http://www.autoblog.com/2015/11/18/2017-lincoln-mkz-la-2015/
Quiet Luxury: Intuitive Technology, Effortless Performance and Distinctive Design Drive 2017 Lincoln MKZ
-Suite of cutting-edge intuitive technologies including available adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, auto hold, Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection and enhanced park assist help ease the new Lincoln MKZ driving experience
-Effortless performance enabled by available new Lincoln-exclusive 3.0-liter GTDI V6 engine, which creates a quiet, powerful ride, or popular hybrid option
-Distinctively redesigned from the inside out, including three new Lincoln Black Label themes available, plus two available Revel® audio systems delivering the height of Lincoln luxury
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 18, 2015 – Discover your new favorite space. The new Lincoln MKZ combines intuitive technology, effortless performance and distinctive design to deliver an enhanced driving experience Lincoln calls quiet luxury.
Lincoln reveals a newly designed MKZ today, focusing on areas most desired by today's luxury midsize sedan customer – quality, performance and style.
"Our customers are looking for three attributes in a luxury midsize sedan – technologies that ease their everyday experience, a beautiful design that is crafted with attention to detail, and a vehicle with impressive power that makes it a pleasure to drive," said Kumar Galhotra, president of Lincoln. "The new Lincoln MKZ elevates all of these attributes – and many more – to create a compelling entry in this large and highly competitive portion of the luxury market."
The new Lincoln MKZ is designed to appeal to those who are looking for something different in the luxury market. From the placement of technology features such as the push-button gear shift to reimagined interior spaces including the floating center console, drivers can relish in discovering an unexpected experience based on intelligent function and beautiful form that offers, above all, an enjoyable drive.
The Lincoln Experience is brought to life through the available Lincoln-exclusive 3.0-liter GTDI V6 engine, as well as intangible elements like the quiet cabin provided by the Active Noise Control system.
Features that make the new Lincoln MKZ a haven of refined comfort include curated spaces for storage, the availability of three Lincoln Black Label interior packages with exclusive, personal in-home design consultation, available fully retractable panoramic glass roof, and concert-quality Revel® audio with specially designed doors for optimal positioning of the speakers.
Intuitive technology
The new Lincoln MKZ is designed to make the drive ride easier and more enjoyable. Available adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality automatically can slow the car, resuming higher speeds when traffic clears. The system activates the brakes automatically to bring the car to a complete stop if the driver fails to apply brakes in time1.
An auto hold feature keeps the car at a complete stop without the driver having to press and hold the brake pedal – making stop-and-go driving more relaxing for MKZ owners.
Available enhanced park assist uses ultrasonic sensors to help Lincoln MKZ seamlessly steer itself into a parallel or perpendicular parking spot. The car can assist with park-out as needed1.
Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection is an available technology that can help avoid some frontal crashes (1), or lessen the severity of such events.
Lincoln-exclusive engine provides effortless performance
An all-new, Lincoln-exclusive 3.0-liter GTDI V6 leads available engine choices for the new Lincoln MKZ. When paired with an intelligent all-wheel-drive system, the twin-turbocharged engine produces 400 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque (2,3 )for effortless performance and refinement.
Dynamic Torque Vectoring (4), part of an available Driver's Package for MKZ with the 3.0-liter engine, enhances cornering agility without compromising ride comfort, helping drivers enjoy a smooth, seamless experience.
The new Lincoln MKZ provides a hybrid alternative as well; and a 2.0-liter GTDI, 245-horsepower2 four-cylinder engine with front-wheel drive.
Available Lincoln Drive Control allows drivers to adjust among three drive ride modes – comfort, normal and sport. The system includes continuously controlled damping, and electric power-assisted steering to provide comfortable, confident handling.
The Driver's Package for Lincoln MKZ with 3.0-liter V6 also includes 19-inch wheels, Ebony-painted calipers, light Magnetic-painted grille, Ebony interior with carbon fiber appliqués, customizable multi-contour seats and aluminum pedal covers. In addition, the package features retuned continuously controlled damping and suspension for enhanced driving dynamics.
Distinctive design
The new face of Lincoln is highlighted by available adaptive LED headlamps that help deliver cleaner, clearer lighting for drivers, complemented by the all-new one-piece Lincoln signature grille.
Inside, engineers paid particular attention to the sound and feel of new switches and dials that replace slider adjustments for easier control of ventilation and audio functions for new Lincoln MKZ customers. Commonly used buttons and USB ports are now even easier to access.
Two all-new Lincoln Black Label themes, Chalet and Vineyard, as well as Thoroughbred, deliver desired uniqueness and options paired with luxurious materials. Lincoln MKZ's available fully retractable panoramic glass roof offers the largest open-air roof among sedans.5
The new Lincoln MKZ goes on sale in summer 2016.
1. Driver-assist features are supplemental and do not replace the driver's judgment. 2. Tested with 93-octane fuel. 3. 3.0-liter GTDI V6 engine in front-wheel drive models is limited to 350 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque. 4. Requires 3.0-liter GTDI V6 engine and AWD. 5. Based on effective roof opening as measured by Webasto.
About The Lincoln Motor Company
The Lincoln Motor Company is the luxury automotive brand of Ford Motor Company, committed to creating compelling vehicles with an exceptional ownership experience to match. For more information about The Lincoln Motor Company, please visit www.media.lincoln.com or www.lincoln.com. Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/lincoln.
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2017-buick-lacrosse-studio-shots/
Buick Introduces All-New 2017 LaCrosse
Leaner and sleeker with effortless technology
LOS ANGELES – Beautifully crafted and thoughtfully innovative, the 2017 Buick LaCrosse offers full-size sedan customers a striking, all-new design, sophisticated technologies and more-responsive performance.
The next-generation LaCrosse also introduces the new face of Buick, which is influenced by the dramatic cues of the award-winning Avenir concept. Notably, it features a new grille design with a large opening distinguished by the return of a three-color – red, silver and blue – Buick tri-shield insignia, accented by wing- shaped elements set against darkened waterfall grille bars.
Buick revealed the 2017 LaCrosse today at the Los Angeles Auto Show. It goes on sale early next summer.
"The new LaCrosse signals the next phase of Buick's international momentum," said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Buick Sales and Marketing. "Its quietness, comfort and connectivity were developed to set new standards in the segment, supported by technologies not offered on competitors such as the Lexus ES. It is also drop- dead gorgeous."
Longer, lower and wider than the current model, the 2017 LaCrosse is built on a stronger yet lighter structure. In fact, it is about 300 pounds lighter than the current LaCrosse – thanks largely to the use of press-hardened, high-strength steels – which contributes to greater efficiency and more responsive handling.
The new LaCrosse's lower weight is also due in part to new, dissipative sound- absorbing materials that are lower in mass, but provide more effective sound attenuation, resulting in a new threshold for Buick's signature QuietTuning and forming a pillar of the car's enhanced comfort.
The balance of the efficiency equation comes from a technologically advanced, second-generation 3.6L V-6 paired with a new eight-speed automatic transmission. Standard Stop/Start technology improves efficiency in stop-and-go driving.
Additional new and enhanced features include:
New five-link rear suspension and available HiPer Strut front suspension
Available electronically controlled Continuous Damping Control active suspension with selectable Touring and Sport modes
Driver-selectable Electronic Precision Shift
Advanced, all-new dual-clutch AWD system (available)
Efficiency-enhancing low-drag disc brakes with Duralife rotors
Electric power steering system with Lead/Pull Compensation
Easier rear-seat entry/egress and more usable storage space
Technologies including available wireless charging, available Teen Driver and configurable, LED driver information center with 8-inch-diagonal color display
Perforated leather-appointed front seats with new lumbar massaging feature
IntelliLink with frameless 8-inch-diagonal color touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and OnStar 4G LTE with Wi-Fi hotspot integration.
The 2017 LaCrosse also features extensive active and passive safety features that offer driver awareness and protection surrounding the vehicle, including:
Ten standard air bags – including two knee air bags for front passengers
Front Pedestrian Braking, which alerts drivers to and can automatically apply the brakes for pedestrians detected directly ahead in some driving conditions
Lane Keep Assist, which provides gentle steering wheel turns – and Lane Departure Warning alerts, if necessary – to help drivers avoid crashes due to unintentionally drifting out of their lane
Automatic Park Assist, which helps the driver parallel park/perpendicular park by automatically steering the vehicle into a detected parking space while the driver applies the brakes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Forward Automatic Braking
Forward Collision Alert
Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert
Rear Vision Camera
Safety Alert Seat.
"The blend of sophisticated technologies and advanced safety systems offer a more enjoyable and engaging driving experience," said Aldred. "It's a rewarding sedan for those who seek luxurious appointments, style and quality."
New face of Buick
The new LaCrosse's expressive exterior design creates a new proportion, rendering a more dramatic road presence. The front wheels have been pulled forward and the wheelbase stretched 2.7 inches (65 mm), while the overall length is only 0.6-inch longer (15 mm). The dynamic proportion is further enhanced by a roofline that's 1.6 inches (40 mm) lower than the current model.
The longer wheelbase is matched by wheels pushed outward 1.3 inches (33 mm) in the front and 1.1 inches (28 mm) in the rear, while the car's width has grown only 0.4-inch (10 mm), creating a wheels-at-corners stance that conveys road confidence.
"It's a sleeker design that looks confident and purposeful," said Holt Ware, exterior design director. "Stretching the wheelbase, lowering the roofline and making it slightly wider creates a dramatic effect that is enhanced by the design's supporting elements such as the swept headlamps."
LaCrosse's new proportion is further complemented by an all-new grille that signals the next chapter in Buick's design anthology. Inspired by the Avenir concept, it's distinguished by a new, three-color tri-shield insignia set on a wing-shaped element. Contrasting with darkened waterfall grille bars and spanning the width of the opening, it connects the grille and headlamps, and emphasizes LaCrosse's new sculptural surfacing. The design was introduced on the Avenir concept and was inspired by the 1954 Wildcat II concept.
"It's the new face of Buick – one that reflects the sophistication, modernity and international reach of this evolving brand," said Ware. "The new, winged motif also emphasizes the wider, lower proportion of the LaCrosse."
The signature sweepspear body-side design element has been reinterpreted in a modern fashion, enhancing the car's sculptural identity. It has a split design that gives the body side a greater perception of depth, while picking up additional body lines, for an elegant, uninterrupted flow from the front fenders to the rear.
The 2017 LaCrosse's body lines are reinforced by a longer, uninterrupted "daylight opening" – the portion of the upper body between the A- and C-pillars. They're ringed with chrome, which adds a tastefully restrained premium accent to the body side.
Other details blend form and function such as outside mirrors mounted on pedestals on the doors rather than the corners of the front side windows. The design offers a greater field of view, while the mirror housings were shaped in the wind tunnel to help reduce wind noise.
Aerodynamic considerations also drove the dynamic sweep of the decklid, which acts as a spoiler to optimize airflow over the LaCrosse, and the front of the car features deflectors in front of the tires to reduce drag.
Additional exterior elements include:
High-intensity discharge headlamps and LED signature lighting are standard
LED taillamps are standard
Eighteen-inch wheels are standard and 20-inch wheels are available
Active grille shutters
Capless fuel filler on all models.
Seamless ambience, authentic craftsmanship
The new LaCrosse's interior is designed to offer an open and inviting space for passengers – one that is relaxing, luxurious and well-connected. Sculpturally beautiful form and premium materials complement technologies developed for effortless interfacing.
It is the first Buick with a new single cockpit design aesthetic, characterized by a horizontal form that sweeps across the instrument panel and into the doors. It also incorporates a "floating" center console that positions the controller for the new Electronic Precision Shift high and close to the driver, while creating storage space below the console for items such as a handbag or tablet.
"There is fluidity in the interior forms – a seamless ambience that flows throughout the cabin," said Liz Wetzel, interior design director. "Like the exterior, there is sculptural beauty in the interior's functionality, complemented with high-quality, authentic materials and exceptional attention to detail."
That attention to detail includes soft materials for virtually every touchpoint; real French stitching on the seats, instrument panel and more; and genuine aluminum sill plates and wood décor trim, depending on the model.
"There is a handcrafted essence that is inviting and rewarding," said Wetzel. "It is clean environment that is designed to refresh and inspire."
A number of new and enhanced available luxury features amplify the LaCrosse's comfort quotient:
Three fashion-inspired interior trim choices: Jet Black, Dark Atmosphere and Shale, and Jet Black and Brandy
Contemporary Moon White ambient lighting
Eight-way-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with new massage feature – with improved heating for quicker warm-up on cold mornings
Perforated leather-appointed seats
Heated steering wheel with power tilting/telescoping steering column
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Power rear sunshade
Premium Bose® audio system.
It also offers greater, more practical storage space and easier access. The rear doors, for example, open wider and offer easier entry/egress, and the trunk not only offers approximately 7 percent more storage space than the current model, but was configured to accommodate four golf bags.
Sophisticated, intuitive technologies – including phone integration
As one of the segment's most technologically advanced vehicles, the new LaCrosse offers a host of communication and convenience features designed for effortless connectivity.
The central technology is the latest edition of Buick IntelliLink, which is controlled by a new, frameless 8-inch-diagonal color touchscreen located at the center of an ergonomically optimized instrument panel. Along with the climate system and other features on the "center stack," it was designed with fewer buttons and controls for more intuitive use.
Phone integration technology is paired with IntelliLink and is designed to take phone features users would want to access while driving and put them on the 8- inch display via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The features allow customers to use select smartphone apps through the touchscreen interface. Many features can be controlled via voice commands through a button on the steering wheel, helping drivers keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.
Additional LaCrosse technology highlights include:
All-new Electronic Precision Shift – Rather than a traditional shifter, gears are chosen and engaged via a simple toggle pull. It provides smooth, precise and responsive shifting while enabling added storage in the center console.
Configurable, high-definition driver information center – Located in the center of the gauge cluster and flanked by round instrument binnacles, it has a large, 8-inch-diagonal full-color display.
Head-up display – This available feature offers four page views: speed, audio, navigation and performance. It also offers alerts for certain active safety features such as Lane Keep Assist and Forward Collision Alert.
Available Teen Driver Technology – It encourages safe driving habits for new drivers by muting the audio or any device paired with the vehicle when front-seat occupants aren't wearing their safety belts. It also provides audible and visual warnings when the vehicle is traveling over predetermined speeds – and offers a "report card" for parents.
Wireless charging – When equipped with this available feature, the phone storage slot in the center console enables inductive charging without the need for plug-ins or cables.
Buick QuietTuning process
The new LaCrosse builds on the exemplary reputation of the current model – already a benchmark in the segment – to offer an even quieter driving experience that contributes to the car's comfort and enjoyment.
Significantly, the Buick QuietTuning team employed a dissipative approach to sound attenuation rather than the current model's barrier system. That means the sound is absorbed primarily with a specialized, lightweight dissipative dash mat rather than heavier noise-blocking pads.
Additional quieting features include:
New five-link rear suspension provides greater isolation from road noise than the current four-link design
Active noise cancellation is standard on all models
Acoustic wheelhouse liners
Acoustic-laminated windshield and front side windows
Triple-sealed doors
Improved body noise-path sealing
The windshield wipers "park" below the hood line to reduce wind noise.
Next-generation powertrain
LaCrosse's all-new 3.6L V-6 engine with direct injection and dual overhead cams represents the second generation of GM's acclaimed DOHC V-6 engine family and incorporates new features such as Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation) and Stop/Start technology.
Active Fuel Management system temporarily deactivates two the 3.6L's cylinders in light-load driving conditions to enhance fuel efficiency and seamlessly reactivates them when the driver demands full power.
With the efficiency-enhancing Stop/Start system, the engine is shut down in certain driving conditions such as stop-and-go city driving to reduce fuel consumption, automatically restarting when the driver takes his or her foot off the brake pedal.
Additionally, noise-reducing features including an all-new cam drive system contribute to the vehicle's benchmark quietness.
The 3.6L is estimated at 305 horsepower (227 kW) and 268 lb-ft of torque (363 Nm); and it's matched with a new eight-speed automatic transmission.
Balanced, efficient driving experience
Thanks to its new, lighter and stiffer architecture – and a number of new and enhanced complementing technologies – the 2017 LaCrosse offers a driving experience that is as responsive and direct as it is quiet and comfortable. It also offers enhanced capability with Buick's first twin-clutch all-wheel-drive system.
A new five-link rear suspension is the central component of the improved ride and handling characteristics. It helps reduces roll center motion, enables positive lateral control and promotes excellent dynamic stability. In short, it helps keep the tires planted on all surfaces – and contributes to a quieter ride through greater isolation from road noise.
At the front, a MacPherson-strut suspension is standard and Buick's HiPer Strut suspension is used on front-wheel-drive models with 20-inch wheels. It helps reduce torque steer and maintain negative camber during cornering, improving maximum grip in all road conditions. It also improves the direct feel of the vehicle, while isolating undesirable feedback.
Available, electronically controlled Continuous Damping Control further optimizes ride comfort and handling capabilities over varying road surfaces and profiles. It's an active suspension system that can adjust damping every two milliseconds, with Touring and Sport damping modes selected by the driver through the Electronic Precision Shift.
Also contributing to LaCrosse's more-direct driving experience is an enhanced, rack-mounted electronic power steering system, which incorporates Lead-Pull Compensation. It automatically adjusts the steering angle to account for factors like crowned roads or high crosswinds.
LaCrosse's new twin-clutch AWD system offers the ultimate in grip in and control, with better performance during acceleration and cornering. It allows torque to be split between the rear wheels for optimal performance and the twin-clutch design uses independent clutch actuation to determine and control the amount of torque sent to each rear wheel.
Additional chassis and driver control features on the 2017 LaCrosse include:
Low-drag four-wheel disc brakes with Duralife rotors, which offer up to double the service life of conventional rotors
Hill Start Assist with Automatic Vehicle Hold, which can hold the brakes up to five minutes, depending on conditions
Electronic park brake
Shear-type suspension mounts that offer greater ride, handling and noise isolation attributes.
FAST FACT: Sales of the Buick LaCrosse have exceeded 900,000 globally since it went on sale in 2009.
