NEW YORK AUTO SHOW: Buick Chasing Acura's, Lexus' And Lincoln's Market Share, Introduces Revised 2014 LaCrosse

It's hard to believe but Buick has actually been able to inject some vitality into its products and eat up some market share from the likes of its competition, Acura, Lexus and Lincoln. And at the 2013 New York Auto Show, it was clear that it's about to try and take another bite from that sweet, sweet pie.

Though it's safe to say that for the most part Lincoln is a lost cause at this rate — maybe if it introduces that cool concept sport-utility vehicle it can be relevant again — if Buick can keep nibbling away at Acura and Lexus, it could continue building itself up.

While the brand has some serious work to do with its image, I have to admit it's already made strides and I do see quite a few LaCrosses on the road.

Instead of losing momentum, General Motors has revised the LaCrosse going into 2014 and even has spiffed it up with an all-new "Ultra luxury" package with elements that sound like they're stolen from the Lexus LS flagship — 1) semi-aniline leather 2) Alcantara headliner.

**For the FULL details, check out Buick's release below and scope out Agent 001's great shots of the updated LaCrosse


2013 New York Auto Show Photo Gallery


Buick's press release follows:

Buick Introduces the New 2014 LaCrosse

NEW YORK – Buick today introduced the new 2014 LaCrosse, the evolution of the landmark luxury sedan that established the brand’s modern sedan lineup with design leadership and technological innovation.  

The full-size LaCrosse offers new interior and exterior design cues, advanced safety technologies and enhanced in-vehicle connectivity. New front and rear styling, featuring signature wing-shape LED daytime running lamps and LED wraparound tail lamps, complements its sculpted exterior design. The interior is more contemporary, with new seats, enhanced materials, redesigned central instrument panel and console – and an all-new, available Ultra Luxury Interior Package. The cabin also incorporates Buick’s next-generation IntelliLink infotainment system, with intuitive controls and natural voice recognition.

New radar- and camera-based safety features help surround the new LaCrosse with protection. They include Side Blind Zone Alert, Lane Change Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Automatic Collision Preparation. GM’s patented Safety Alert Seat works with these features, providing seat vibration pulses indicating the direction of a potential crash threat. 

Adaptive Cruise Control is also offered. It senses traffic in front of the LaCrosse to adjust vehicle speed, including stopping the vehicle in heavy traffic and accelerating again.

“We evolved the interior and exterior design, increased luxury amenities and materials, and enhanced the safety and personal technologies to give customers more reasons than ever to rediscover Buick,” said Tony DiSalle, U.S. vice president of Buick Marketing.

Globally, LaCrosse sales have exceeded 500,000 since its 2009 introduction and U.S. sales topped 57,000 in 2012, making it more popular than many other full-size luxury sedans, including Lexus ES, Acura TL and Lincoln MKS.

The 2014 LaCrosse is offered in front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive models and offers two powertrains: a 2.4L engine with eAssist light electrification technology or a 3.6L direct-injected V-6. Each is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.

All models feature Buick’s QuietTuning engineering process that reduces, blocks and absorbs unwanted noise from the LaCrosse’s cabin, making it one of the quietest in the segment.

The new LaCrosse makes its public debut at the New York International Auto Show, where it will be on display March 29-April 7. It goes on sale this summer.

Ultra Luxury Interior Package

Sangria seating color and Ebony accents, with semi-aniline leather seats and trim, along with Shadow Tamo Ash wood décor, represents LaCrosse’s new Ultra Luxury Interior Package. 

“The warm color combinations, premium interior materials and advanced technology in the 2014 LaCrosse provide the interior environment our discerning luxury customers are seeking,” said Ven Lai, Buick creative designer for color and trim.

The new Ultra Luxury Interior Package features premium semi-aniline leather. It covers the seats, console armrest and door armrests and is complemented by synthetic suede on the headliner and door pillars. The Sangria contrast color with the Ultra Luxury interior is exclusive to LaCrosse.