Buick Lucerne Model Information

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The Buick Lucerne was a full size upscale sedan sold by Buick from 2006 to 2011. It was Buick's most premium and elegant model, incorporating themes of the brand's new design direction. It was loaded with safety, comfort and convenience features one would expect in a high end luxury sedan at an entry level luxury price. Introduced at the 2005 Chicago Auto Show, the Lucerne replaced both the Park Avenue and the LeSabre for the 2006 model year. It served as Buick's flagship until replaced by the second generation Buick LaCrosse. The Lucerne marked the return of V8 power to Buick passenger cars with a Northstar engine that delivered 275 horsepower and 290 foot pounds of torque.

Features
The Lucerne was introduced with the standard Buick 3800 V6, with a Cadillac Northstar V8 and a Magnetic Ride Control suspension available as options. All General Motors 3.8 liter V6 powered cars became the first SULEV compliant vehicles.

The Lucerne offered either a V8 or V6 engine, five or six passenger seating and a long list of innovative safety and security features. Available in three trim levels:
- The well-equipped CX
- The elegantly appointed CXL
- The luxurious, performance-oriented CXS model

The Lucerne's base price was lower than its predecessor, the LeSabre, though the V8 option caused the price to reach that of the Park Avenue. It was built on the same platform and alongside the Cadillac DTS. In keeping with Buick tradition, the Lucerne featured a row of "Ventiports" on the front fenders corresponding to the number of cylinders in the engine — three on each side for the V6 or four for the V8.

Two new trim levels were available for 2007 models:
- CXL Special Edition (with more standard features than regular CXL)
- Super

For 2008 the Lucerne received a modest mid life refresh including a lane departure warning system and revised exterior colors.

The 2009 Lucerne received a few small upgrades including:
- A new 3.9 liter V6 base engine
- Bluetooth connectivity
- XM NavTraffic
- Flex-fuel technology was also made available at no additional cost.

For 2010, the Lucerne added the Super's rocker panels, grille, and fog lights to the entire Lucerne lineup.

The 2011 Lucerne was unchanged.

Technology you expect in a premium luxury sedan
Magnetic Ride Control, standard on the performance oriented CXS, first made it to Buick vehicles in the Lucerne. It was paired with StabiliTrak to improve overall ride performance. It used magnetically charged particles suspended in a synthetic fluid to continuously adjust the fluid's viscosity to varying road surfaces and driving characteristics. The system had quicker response than conventional valve-damping systems and provided exceptional vehicle control along with increased road surface tire contact.

Four specifically tuned suspension packages were offered. Lucerne CX was equipped with a standard FE-1 suspension with 16 inch wheels. CXL models with the V6 engine would benefit from an F41 suspension with a slightly firmer calibration - complemented by 17 inch wheels. CXL V8 models were also equipped with 17 inch wheels - but with firmer damping and GM's magnetic assist steering system. The top-end Lucerne CXS featured 18 inch wheels and added Magnetic Ride Control.

The Buick Lucerne had a complete range of comfort and convenience features befitting of Buick's premium image:
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
- Heated/cooled front seats
- Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist
- Factory-installed remote start
- The first heated windshield washer fluid application in its class
- DVD map navigation.
- A nine speaker, 280-watt Harman Kardon audio system with six disc in dash CD changer and MP3 capability

QuietTuning
Every Buick Lucerne was equipped with Buick's all encompassing engineering initiative called QuietTuning to reduce or tune out unwanted noise vibration and harshness (nvh). The goal here was to provide best-in-class levels of interior serenity. This had people calling Buick "The Domestic Lexus".

The Quiet Tuning "system" consisted of a stiff body structure, extremely tight body gap tolerances and an extensive wind sealing system, laminated side glass for all passenger door windows, noise reducing exterior rear view mirrors, lower profile "structure-less" windshield wiper blades with a flexible airfoil surface, a new "double-isolated" powertrain mounting system, multi-layer steel laminate used for the dashboard/cowl stamping, composite nylon baffles in the roof pillars, rocker panels and cross-car structures, and composite wheel housing liners.

Refinements to the 4.6 liter V8 for even quieter operation include a revised cam chain tensioner, camshaft cover isolator mounts, QuietTuned engine cover, and pistons coated with a Grafal polymer for quiet operation.

Lucerne Super
Introduced at the 2007 New York Auto Show, the Lucerne Super was a more powerful, upscale trim of the original Lucerne. With an enhanced 4.6 liter Northstar V8 engine, the Lucerne Super added 17 horsepower to the CXS model's V8. Updated styling to the front end and the addition of a spoiler to the rear aimed to create a bolder and more aggressive appearance. Production of the Lucerne Super began in 2008.

The Lucerne Super adds a more powerful version of the legendary 4.6 liter Northstar V8. It's rated at 292 horsepower for an increase of more than 6 percent over existing models. The Super has an enhanced chassis with a specially tuned version of the Lucerne's Magnetic Ride Control suspension for a refined, premium ride that simultaneously enables crisp, responsive handling.

Lucerne Super adds more luxury appointments
Distinctly designed, the Lucerne Super stood out with a new bright chrome waterfall grille, front and rear fascias, integrated dual exhaust tips, rocker panels, and Super badge on the decklid. Exclusive aluminum wheels and premium all-season tires completed the visuals, complementing the vehicle's sport touring attitude. The Lucerne Super was available in four exterior colors: Dark Mocha Metallic, Gold Metallic, Sharkskin and White Diamond. The interior color choices were Ebony and Cocoa/Shale.

Lucerne Super's new premium steering gear, StabiliTrak stability control system, brake assist and specifically calibrated Magnetic Ride Control suspension helped deliver a crisp response and enhanced driver control. It rode on standard 18 inch by 7 inch aluminum wheels wrapped by P245/50R18 all season radials. The exclusive wheel design was finished in bright silver premium paint. Mirror-finished chrome plated wheels were available.

The Lucerne Super's interior wrapped occupants in luxury including a leather wrapped upper instrument panel with French seam stitching, a unique finish on the instrument panel center stack, leather seats with perforated suede fabric inserts for the outboard seating positions, and suede door trim inserts. A heated, real wood steering wheel and shift knob finished in Walnut Burl, power tilt and telescoping steering column, front chrome sill plates and Buick embroidered floor mats rounded out the Lucerne Super's special content.

The Lucerne Super came with three standard equipment packages including Driver Confidence, Luxury and Comfort & Convenience. OnStar's Directions and Connections with Turn-by-Turn voice-guided navigation, XM Satellite Radio and Harman Kardon audio system were also standard.

Sales in the United States
2005 - 8,821
2006 - 96,515
2007 - 82,923
2008 - 54,930
2009 - 31,292
2010 - 26,459
2011 - 20,358
2012 - 971