Lutz: Buick Invicta provides strong hint at next-generation LaCrosse

Posted: May 01, 2008

Filed under: Buick, GM, Industry News

Unveiled at the Beijing Motor Show last month, the Buick Invicta, according to Bob Lutz, gives us a strong hint at what the next-generation Buck LaCrosse will look like. Writing at GM’s FastLane Blog, Lutz said that the Invicta symbolizes the progress GM’s Global Product Development in making and rolling out new global architecture programs.

While the next-generation LaCrosse will share platforms with other midsize sedans from Chevrolet and Saab, Lutz says don’t think of it as re-badging models for GM brands.

“It goes beyond common platforms,” said Lutz. ”This is taking the parts of the vehicle that the customer doesn’t see or come in contact with and commonizing them — and then investing the savings in the sheet metal and the interiors and the other factors that differentiate the vehicles from brand to brand.”

Lutz says that the GM still has work to do to roll out more global architectures as it phases out older ones. He said that GM is committed to providing more emotion to its vehicles and identifying more with the customers.

Power for the Buick Invicta Concept comes from a direct-injection turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that produces 250-hp and 220 lb-ft of torque. It is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Buick Invicta: