Buick Unveils Quieter, Technologically-advanced 2017 LaCrosse

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Looking to appeal to younger buyers, Buick on Wednesday debuted a lighter and quieter 2017 LaCrosse at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The car goes on sale in the summer of 2016.

“Its quietness, comfort, and connectivity were developed to set new standards in the segment, supported by technologies not offered by competitors,” says Duncan Aldred, vice president of Global Buick.

Aldred says the vehicle is about 300 pounds lighter than the current LaCrosse, due largely to the use of pre-hardened, high-strength steels as well as lower mass sound-absorbing materials including a lightweight dash mat in place of heavier noise-blocking pads. 

The LaCrosse has a 3.6-liter V6 engine that’s paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and offers touring and sport modes, available wireless charging, leather front seats with a massaging feature, and an eight-inch color touchscreen.

New safety features include front pedestrian braking (the vehicle will automatically apply the brakes for pedestrians directly ahead), lane keep assist, automatic park assist, and a rear vision camera, among other features.

The 2017 LaCrosse has a longer length, stretched wheelbase, and lower roofline than the current model.

“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,” says Holt Ware, exterior design director of the Buick LaCrosse.

Ware says the vehicle has 18-inch wheels, LED headlamps, a capless fuel filler, and active grill shutters, which open and close automatically to control airflow.

The 2017 LaCrosse also offers eight-way adjustable heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and ambient lighting.​