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By Autotropolis Editors
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Strengths: |
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Comfortable ride; back-seat space; acceleration (V8 models); available high-tech safety features. |
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Changes: |
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A new Buick Lucerne Super model will arrive late in the 2008 model year, with a V8 engine and exclusive interior and exterior styling and appointments.
Also, XM satellite radio is now standard across the model line, and two new safety technologies-side blind zone alert and lane departure warning-are available on all Lucernes for 2008. |
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Value: |
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The 2008 Buick Lucerne continues to be part traditional comfortable American luxury car, with a back seat spacious enough for adults, and part high-technology flagship. The new Super model, with its sportier tuning and V8 engine, especially breaks away from the image of Buicks being sedate. |
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Overview: |
Buick's Lucerne is offered in four different trim levels-CX, CXL, CXS, and Super-for 2008. These models span a wide range of roles, from a comfortable full-size car to a sporty, loaded luxury cruiser. The CX model has the softest suspension, while the CXL gets a slightly firmer "Ride and Handling" setup, along with 17-inch wheels. Top CXS and Super models upgrade to a sport-tuned suspension with magnetic ride control, which uses a fluid with magnetically charged particles to quickly adjust the damping for either quick maneuvers or rough surfaces.
CXS and Super models also get StabiliTrak stability control and brake assist in addition to the standard anti-lock brakes.
The side blind zone alert employs radar sensors and helps alert the driver when other vehicles are in hard-to-see areas around the vehicle, while the land departure warning system uses a camera to study lane markings and warn the driver if he or she is straying from the lane-a common indicator of fatigue.
CX and CXL models are powered by a 197-horsepower, 3.8L pushrod V6 that provides a good highway fuel economy rating of 25 and also brings Super Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) certification. Both the CXS and Super receive a 4.6L Northstar V8 engine. However, the engine is tuned differently in each model; in the CXS it makes 275 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, while in the Super it is expected to generate 292 horsepower and 288 lb-ft. All Lucernes get a four-speed automatic transmission.
There's a wide range of luxury features available on the Lucerne, and they're grouped into several large packages.
The Comfort and Convenience Package, which is standard on the CXL, CXS, and Super, is available on the CX and brings heated outside mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, a garage door opener, cargo net, and power passenger seat. The Driver Confidence Group, which is standard on the CXS and Super and available on the other models includes remote start, ultrasonic rear park assist, heated washer fluid, rain-sensing wipers, and StabiliTrak stability control. The top Luxury Package, standard on CXS and Super and available on CXL, brings heated power front seats with lumbar adjustment.
Standalone options include the blind zone alert and lane departure warning systems (which are also available as part of the Driver Confidence Package), a heated wood steering wheel and heated/cooled seats (also part of the Luxury Package), and a harmon/kardon audio system (which is available on CXL and standard on CXS models).
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