Wake the Kids: Buick LaCrosse Avenir Is Coming in 2018
As part of a larger group of automotive publications, TTAC has access to a variety of content. We wanted to bring you some of the unique content we think lives up to TTAC’s standards and offers legitimate insight or a properly critical viewpoint to car evaluation. This story, by GM Inside News editor Michael Accardi, showcases Buick’s latest attempt to boost flagging LaCrosse sales.
NHTSA documents discovered by GM Inside News reveal Buick will expand its Avenir sub-brand in 2018 with the addition of the LaCrosse.
As the full-size sedan market continues to crumble, and the LaCrosse carries a production-crippling 204-day supply of inventory, Buick will push its flagship sedan further into the premium sphere as it attempts to chase unsatisfied luxury shoppers with its new top-shelf Avenir line.
The information comes from GM’s 2018 Vehicle Identification Number Decoder, which the company revised and submitted to the NHTSA late last month. As denoted by the VIN’s fifth position, Buick plans to offer the LaCrosse Avenir in both front and all-wheel-drive configurations, likely paired exclusively with the existing 3.6-liter V6 and GM’s nine-speed automatic transmission.
Expect the LaCrosse to gain visual cues similar to the recently launched Enclave Avenir: Buick’s new Evonik Acrylite LED lighting system will don the front and rear fascias, along with a new three-dimensional grille flanked with Avista-style chrome wings, along with Avenir-exclusive wheels.
Inside, the LaCrosse Avenir should get new color choices, accent piping, contrast stitching, embroidered front headrests, a wood-trimmed steering wheel and Avenir branded door sills.
Like the Enclave, expect Buick’s full suite of safety and tech features: adaptive cruise control, forward automatic braking, rear cross traffic alert, pedestrian baking, lane keep and departure, a vibrating safety seat, and 360-degree surround vision. Tech wise, look for an 8-inch infotainment screen with nav, wireless charging, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and probably another application of GM’s rear camera mirror technology. Oh, and there might even be an air ionizer.
Using the $5,400 price difference between Avenir and Premium trim Enclaves, it’s likely pricing for the LaCrosse Avenir will start north of $45,000.
[Image: General Motors]
More by Michael Accardi
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As if 49-51K AWD LaCrosse Premiums weren't overpriced by about 5K to start with they go and add an even more expensive model in the works. I'm going to guess 52-55 range. The comical thing is they must actually think these will sell for close to sticker as there is barely anything being offered as far as rebates go. And sales go accordingly. My 3 Buick dealers have had the same 5-8 2017 model cars sitting on the lot the entire Summer and here it is nearly November. Expect nothing to change for 2018 with a powertrain combo that nobody asked for (the eAssist) and a V6 model that now starts at 37090 at entry point compared to 32990 for the 2017's. Note too that the 3.6 loses 14 LBS FT of torque for 2018 (WTF) and one highway and combined MPG despite being attached to the supposedly more efficient 9 speed. New MPG ratings are 21/30/24 but the AWD version seems to somehow stay the same.
Waaaayyyy too much cash for a FWD V6 that does not have four interlocking rings on it's grill.