All Buicks to Get Standard Multimedia System

Later this year, Buick will begin rolling out its IntelliLink multimedia system as standard across the brand’s entire lineup. Among other features, it will give owners access to Pandora internet radio.

The new 2012 Buick Verano and 2012 Regal will come standard with a 7-inch touch-screen, while the LaCrosse will get an 8-inch screen. The 2013 Buick Enclave will get a touch-screen and IntelliLink standard, too.

Much like Chevrolet’s MyLink system, IntelliLink gives Buick owners access to Pandora and Stitcher internet radio streaming programs and a better voice-recognition system, which allows for simple voice commands. There’s also upgraded USB connectivity, including the ability to play music from a memory stick as well as an MP3 player. Those updates are on top of other recent OnStar enhancements that include hands-free texting and Facebook updates, along with navigation and traffic updates.

When the launch is completed, Buick will be one of the first automotive brands to offer a multimedia system as standard equipment. 

Recall Alert: 2012 Buick LaCrosse

GM is recalling 4,077 2012 Buick LaCrosse sedans because the electronic stability system may not be properly calibrated, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In the affected vehicles, which were built between June 9 and July 2, the Stabilitrak system may not detect a sensor malfunction. As a result, the warning light indicating the system is not operating would not illuminate. You can check your car's assembly date on a label affixed to the driver-side doorjamb.

A malfunctioning sensor could cause the electronic stability system to falsely activate and cause sudden changes in vehicle handling, increasing the risk of a crash.

The recall is expected to begin this month. Dealers will reprogram the electronic brake control module for free. Owners can call Buick at 866-608-8080 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 for more info.

2012 Buick LaCrosse V-6 Rated at 27 MPG Highway

The 2012 Buick LaCrosse will go on sale later this summer and come with either a new mild hybrid four-cylinder power plant or a V-6 powertrain. Today, we learned that the 303-horsepower V-6 powertrain will receive a 17/27 mpg city/highway fuel-economy rating.

While that’s the same gas mileage that the V-6 got in 2011, the 2012 model’s V-6 has 23 more horsepower. An all-wheel-drive option will also be available, but it’s not yet rated. The all-wheel-drive 2011 LaCrosse got 16/26 mpg.

The V-6 LaCrosse starts at $29,960, excluding an $860 destination charge; the new mild hybrid eAssist model, which gets 25/37 mpg, can be had at no extra cost. To read more about the standard features on the 2012 LaCrosse, go here.

2012 Buick LaCrosse Priced at $29,960

The 2012 Buick LaCrosse, which now comes equipped with a standard mild hybrid system, will start at $29,960, excluding an $860 destination charge, according to General Motors. The 2012 goes on sale later this summer.

The price is a significant increase from the 2011 model year, which started at $27,130. The new mild hybrid system — Buick calls it “eAssist” — is capable of delivering an EPA-estimated 25/37 mpg city/highway.  For more information on how the eAssist system works, go here.

If hybrids aren’t your thing, an E85-capable, 303-horsepower V-6 is available as a no-cost option. This is a similar marketing approach that Lincoln is taking with its MKZ sedan ($34,645). The 2.4-liter four-cylinder from last year is no longer offered in the LaCrosse, while an all-wheel-drive version (V-6 only) is again available.

Impressive New Six-Speed Transmission Heading to 2012 GM Cars

As I mentioned in my earlier Quick Drive report, the eAssist mild hybrid system performs well in the 2012 Buick LaCrosse, but to me the greater impression from that test drive was how well the next-generation six-speed-automatic transmission behaved. There's hope for GM yet.

The LaCrosse is the first model to integrate the second generation of GM Powertrain's GF6, the global front-wheel-drive six-speed automatic transmission. I've complained about hesitancy among GM automatics for years, including everything from the early Saturn Outlook (since retired) and current Cadillac CTS to the new Chevrolet Cruze. The kickdown delay on the Cruze is the single major blight on an otherwise excellent model.

2012 Buick LaCrosse with eAssist: First Drive

The 2012 Buick LaCrosse will be the first model to receive GM's eAssist mild-hybrid system, a new take on a design used in past cars like the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid and Green Line versions of the Saturn Aura and Vue. Regrettably, those cars delivered maximum public-relations pain for their mileage gain: They failed to provide the efficiency of the day's full hybrids, and critics thought GM was disingenuous to use the hybrid term. The newly named eAssist boasts up to 25% better mileage than the current four-cylinder LaCrosse, and it drives well, too.

GM's estimated mileage for the eAssist LaCrosse is 25/37 mpg city/highway, compared with the 2011 LaCrosse four-cylinder's 19/30 mpg. For the 2012 model year, the eAssist version will become the car's standard drivetrain, supplanting the gas-only four-cylinder. Buick says the car will cost roughly $30,000, almost $3,000 more than the 2011's starting price. Along with the drivetrain comes low-rolling-resistance tires, underbody aerodynamic treatments and automated grille shutters that close at higher speeds to improve aerodynamics.

Recall Alert: 2011 Buick Lacrosse, Cadillac SRX

General Motors is recalling about 10,000 Buick LaCrosse and Cadillac SRX vehicles over potential failures of the climate control system, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In the affected vehicles, software in the electronic climate control unit may disable the ability to adjust the heating, ventilation or air conditioning. If the condition affects the defrost system when it is required, it may decrease the driver’s visibility and increase the likelihood of a crash.

The recall is expected to begin this month. Dealers will reprogram the software in the climate control system to correct the problem. Owners can call GM at 866-608-8080 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236.

Buick Sales Soar Past Lexus

An air of hyperbole seems to float in the mainstream media about the success of General Motors, Chrysler and Ford. They cite things like earnings reports, repaying debt, you name it. But they don’t usually tackle the concrete sales of cars.

When you look at the numbers, one success story clearly stands above all: Buick outsold Lexus in February, for the second month in a row. Buick also outsold Mercedes-Benz (if you discount sales of the Sprinter work van), along with Audi and Acura. Only BMW outsold Buick on the strength of BMW’s new X3 SUV. The storied German brand topped Buick by 800 units.

The story, though, is Buick. With just four vehicles in showrooms — the Enclave crossover and the LaCrosse, Lucerne and Regal sedans — it has outsold the nearly unbeatable Lexus.

2012 Buick LaCrosse Gets Standard Hybrid System, 37 mpg Highway

Every day we edge closer to the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, and every day we seem to get another jaw-dropping fuel-economy figure from an automaker.

Today, GM surprised us with a new standard powertrain for the 2012 Buick LaCrosse that’ll allow it to achieve 25/37 mpg city/highway. Combined horsepower is rated at 182 hp.

The new powertrain involves a traditional four-cylinder, automatic transmission and GM’s new mild hybrid system, dubbed “eAssist.”

It’s a similar system to the Chevy Malibu Hybrid, which returned mileage of 26/34 mpg. The Malibu Hybrid is no longer made.

The LaCrosse’s system, however, uses a lithium-ion battery pack, a small 15-horsepower electric motor, regenerative braking, a fuel cutoff system and start-stop technology to achieve a 25% fuel-economy gain over the 2011 LaCrosse that’s equipped with the four-cylinder (19/30 mpg).

2011 Buick Regal Earns IIHS Top Safety Pick

The 2011 Buick Regal has received the Top Safety Pick designation in the large-car category by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

To earn the award, a vehicle must receive the top rating of Good in front, side, rear and rollover crash tests. The vehicle also must have electronic stability control, which is standard on the Buick Regal.

Measurements taken from the dummies used during the Regal’s testing show a low risk of significant injury in a 40-mph frontal offset crash. During side impact testing (pictured above), rib fractures would be possible for the driver and there is a low risk of any significant injury for the rear passenger in the type of simulated crash performed during IIHS’ testing.

The Buick Regal is the seventh vehicle from GM to earn a Top Safety Pick award since the Institute implemented a tough roof-strength requirement to test vehicle rollover safety.

To pass IIHS’ roof-strength test, a vehicle’s roof must be able to withstand the force of four times the vehicle’s weight. The Buick Regal can withstand 4.97 times its own weight.

The 2010-2011 Buick LaCrosse has earned a Top Safety Pick award. The 2008-10 Buick Enclave was also a Top Safety pick, but that was before the roof-strength test and the Institute has not tested the crossover in that category. The 2006-10 Buick Lucerne has a Good rating in the frontal crash test but Acceptable in side impact. It has not been tested for rollover strength.

2011|Buick|Regal