2008
BUICK NEW CAR MODEL GUIDE
 Buick,
one of General Motors' oldest marques,
contains some of the company's newest
nameplates for 2008. Buick's new models
include two sedans, the Lucerne and LaCrosse
and a new CUV called Enclave. The two
sedans spawn new V8-powered Buick Super
editions, while the Enclave supplants
Buick's other wagons including the truck-based
Rainier SUV, mid-size Rendezvous CUV and
the Terraza sport van.
 Lucerne
Buick's grand-size sedan with front-wheel-drive
(FWD) traction brings luxurious appointments
and high-tech mechanical components like
GM's Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) suspension
and the StabiliTrak skid controls. Lucerne
stocks a V6 or V8 engine, and a variety
of safety and security innovations for
its five or six passengers. The cabin,
engineered with Buick's QuietTuning measures
for noise damping, contains fancy gear,
either stock or optional. The new Lucerne
Super offers a more powerful version of
the 4.6-liter Northstar V8 rated at 292
horsepower. Also, it has a tuned chassis
with GM's Magnetic Ride Control (MRC)
variable suspension for a refined ride
quality.
 LaCrosse
Buick's mid-size sedan feels like a well-heeled
car with a plush ride quality, surprisingly
quiet isolation for the passenger compartment
and more than sufficient pedal power.
The cabin offers seating for five or six.
The six-seat version sets a bench for
three in front of the three-place back
bench, while a five-seat arrangement applies
twin front buckets divided by a console
and padded armrest. The new LaCrosse Super
edition packs a 300-horsepower V8 with
GM's Active Fuel Management (AFM) technology
to pare the number of cylinders engaged
in the combustion process when boosted
power is not needed.
 Enclave
Buick's curvaceous new CUV looks cool
in a slinky package stretched long and
decorated with a chrome-plated prow. The
sculpted body measures nearly 17 feet
long and carries a full-size passenger
compartment with seating for up to eight,
and a wagonload of amenities. Both trims
— the CX and CXL — stock electronic
traction control (ETC) and GM's electronic
stability device, StabiliTrak, with options
for front-wheel-drive (FWD) or all-wheel-drive
(AWD) traction. Motivation stems from
a 3.6-liter V6, which creates 275 horsepower
through a six-speed automatic shifter.
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