by
Jessica Howell
A
Front-wheel drive vehicle (FWD), the Lucerne comes
with a four-year/50,000 mile warranty. It also boasts
safety features aplenty including six standard airbags,
one of which is the industry-first dual-depth passenger
bag. Co-patented by GM, this air bag deploys from
behind the instrument panel in two different shapes
and pressures depending on the passenger seat position,
crash impact and safety belt. The other five are
comprised of a dual-stage driver front air bag,
side-impact thorax air bags and roof-rail curtain
air bags.
Safety
upgrades continue with the engine mounted fully to
an energy-absorbing cradle, now taking a split-load
path in front-end collisions. The vehicle structure
has also been reinforced with foam and nylon elements,
providing maximum protection to passengers. Another
safety feature standard on all Buicks is GM's OnStar.
Expect
to see a lot of the Lucerne in the near future as
Buick will most likely dump a hefty amount of change
into its advertising and promotion, luring both Buick
loyalists and younger consumers alike. According to
Steve Shannon, Buick General Manager, this is the
car that will get America out of imports. Specifically,
noted Shannon, the Lexus ES330, competitive rival
of Lucerne.
Available
in 12 paint colors, including the stare-inducing Ming
Blue Metallic and Sharkskin, and four leather trims,
the Lucerne MSRPs range from $26,990 to $35,990.
| For more information visit the Buick website here. |
JUST
THE FACTS
| 2006
Buick Lucerne |
|
Description:
|
Full-size
entry-level luxury sedan |
|
Model
options:
|
CX, CXL V6, CXL V8,
CXS
|
|
Wheelbase:
|
115.6
inches |
|
Overall
length:
|
203.2
inches |
|
Engine
size:
|
3.8L 3800 V6
4.6L DOHC V8 Northstar
|
|
Transmission:
|
4-speed automatic, Enhanced Electronic |
|
Drive:
|
FWD
|
|
Braking:
|
4-wheel antilock, 4-wheel disc ABS/BA
|
|
Air
bags:
|
2
(front) 2 (side thorax) 2 (roof rail) |
|
Fuel
mileage city/hwy:
|
V6 FWD: 19/28 mpg
V8 FWD: 17/25 mpg
|
|
MSRP:
|
CX: $ 26,990
CXL: $ 28,990
CXS: $ 35,990
|
(...BACK) |
