Buick Invicta Concept: The Next LaCrosse?

• Looks like: Buick wants to borrow some of Jaguar’s XF magic
• Defining characteristics: Coupe roofline, more menacing Buick grille
• Ridiculous features: A menacing Buick
• Chance of being mass-produced: High, very high. Buick is a big deal in China and it needs to be cutting edge there. U.S. buyers will reap the rewards.

No story about the emergence of China as a consumer market is more intriguing to car buffs than the way Buick is lauded as a desired brand there. In the U.S., you hear Buick and you think “grandpa” or, at best, “Tiger Woords.” Besides the recent Enclave crossover, there hasn’t really been a Buick worthy of attention.

The Chinese, however, want new Buicks of every shape and size and have gotten updated large sedans from Australia and smaller sedans built just for the Asian market. Now Buick has unveiled the Invicta concept car you see here, and says it will be the global design face of Buick.

The word is the Invicta will replace the aging LaCrosse in the U.S., although the names may vary in different markets. The concept is powered by a turbo-charged four-cylinder producing 250 hp and is teamed to a six-speed automatic. Nothing outrageous about that, and it also seems aimed at an increasingly fuel-conscious America.

The extreme slope of the roofline will probably be tamed in production but we’d expect the front and rear ends to stay true to the concept. Check out photos below and let us know if you think this Buick sedan will help the brand’s image in the U.S.

First Drive: 2008 Pontiac Torrent GXP, 2008 Buick LaCrosse Super

Many car companies take aging models and snazz them up to make them relevant again. So GM isn’t alone when it comes to tarting up two underachievers like the Pontiac Torrent SUV and Buick LaCrosse. Joe Bruzek and I got to take them on the track and city streets and came away somewhat unimpressed. 

2008 Buick LaCrosse Super

Driving the LaCrosse Super reminded me of the first time I took out the last Impala SS. It drove just like the original, but with a huge, honking V-8 powering the front wheels. The Impala, however, was an underappreciated car with lots of value to it. The LaCrosse is still your grandfather’s Buick, he’ll just have a harder time driving it.

The LaCrosse Super’s ride is comfortable and dead quiet, but there’s a lot of body lean when cornering. Plus, I felt like there wasn’t a lot of headroom for such a large sedan. The blue gauges mixed with a dark brown interior was also not the most eye-pleasing combo. Don't believe me? Check out the photo gallery below. — David Thomas

2008 Buick LaCrosse, LaCrosse Super Debut

If you’re wondering what Buick is going to do to compete in a growing field of entry-level luxury cars, look no further than the front of the updated 2008 LaCrosse sedan. You’ll notice a much larger center grille, plus added chrome that will either win over fans or turn them away.

What Buick is hoping is for the new LaCrosse Super and its 300-hp V-8 to really bring in new fans. The all-new trim level adds a 5.3-liter V-8 engine with active fuel management to keep mileage reasonable, yet still reach 60 mph in 5.7 seconds.

The rest of the lineup retains the same engines as the outgoing 2007 models, in CX, CXL and CXS trims. We’re a bit surprised GM didn’t significantly alter the LaCrosse’s interior. With so much attention paid to the new grille and Super trim level, the interior didn’t get the new upgraded materials seen in most other new models, including the Buick Lucerne.

The 2008 LaCrosse goes on sale this summer. Pricing has yet to be announced.

More images below.