titan

Ofcourse. Back then Buick's brand had the aspirational luster that Lexus now has, and that Buick is trying to regain.

I'm almost with you in agreement, but would tweek things a little. Let the only engine for the LaX be the 3.6L, and loas it with everything from ventilated seats to memory seats to a cd changer as standard equipment. Use the best materials, nicest wheels currently available, and price it around $30-1K. Only add a navi as a $2K option. Do the same with the Lucerne, having everything under sun as standard equipment, and have two engine choices. The Reserve (3.6L V6 with 17" wheels) will go for 35K; the Super (N* with 18" wheels) goes for $38K. Again, offer the navi as the only option for both Lucernes for 2K more. And while I'm dreaming, I'll say that the 3.6V6 is rated at 270HP (the CTS should get a version at around 285HP), and the N* is rated at 320-330HP (Caddy should get a higer output version, even at a slightly larger displacement, to compete with MB/BMW's new V8s)... okay, I'm done.

Yeah, the I5 has got to go.

Damn Right... me too. I still miss my dad's Regal.

Same here. The value's to great... it's a no brainer.

So true.

^^ I know exactly what you mean. It is total bullshit, and I agree with your points on lack of independent styling, V8 power, and RWD cars. As far as the tagline, I think that what Buick WANTS to do is mimick Acura's image as a value packed line, while competing more directly with Lexus concerning lineup, etc. The article said that "Beyond Precision" means that they're giving the customer something more than expected... Acura's got a great pricing strategy of basically loading they're cars with everything but maybe a navi option, and selling at a discount to the competiton. Hence, the great value. I think this is a good move, and that Buicks should be similarly equipped. Load them up with everything under the sun, push the Quiet tuning, and leave very few options (Navi, V8 option).

Did I miss something. When was it ever said that the Aura would get 300HP out of the 3.6?! I dont' think so... :huh:

Not really. As said, it's all about product. And GM has not stepped up to offer enough desirable product, or they'd be selling more. It's easy to predict Saturn will come back hard in the next few years... all they're cars will be phenomenal. Buick and Pontiac needs the same thing. To seperate themselves from other divisions, Pontiac should offer a manual in every vehicle; and definitely offer alot more RWD products. Buick should be true lux, with the upgrade engine range we've all discussed a million times, and design elements true to Buick (like the portholes) throught it's entire range. Give them RWD cars, and we'll see some Lexus competition then. So, it's not that Saturn is getting the light at the expense of the other divisons in as much as the other divisons are starved for the product they need and deserve.

I'm with Croc. As he said, the brand is pure profit. It's also another very old brand, with alot of history. Saturn's the baby in GM's portfolio, not GMC. I agree that there should be two full lines. The value filled Chevy brand, with an offering in every segment (like Ford or Toyota), and an upscale alternative (Saturn), that is also in every segment (minus trucks and truck-based SUVs). Pontiac/Buick/GMC will compete in it's on niches, not having full lineups. GMC will remain the "Professional Grade" trucks and SUVs, the premium SUV alternative to Chevy, while Saturn is the premium alternative for everything else. Pontiac, very narrow in vision and focused on driver oriented cars. Three sedans/performance SUVs (small and midsize)/Solstice/GTO/G6 coupe/vert. Buick, the value packed Lexus alternative, with 3 sedans, the Velite, and atleast two SUVs (small and midsize), and maybe an R-class competitor. Caddy, full lux line, with a competitor for every Benz/Bimmer product.

THIS IS GREAT NEWS! I've really been hopin that the next gen would look like the concept! Though the oval grill is great I think that a Velite grill on the car would look awesome, and seating eight is a must. I hope it grinds the RX330/MDX in the dust.

I'm almost with you. The LaX should have a 3.6L 260 V6 only; and the upcoming V8 for the Super... The Lucerne should have a 3.6L 260HP V6; 310HP N*. The DTS should get a 10HP bump to 320HP as it's only engine choice.

I love the looks of the grill and lower fascia... amaziang what a little mesh and the Velite grill can do.

I agree. That's all that's wrong with it, IMO. I love the curves and profile.

Kappa's flexibility hasn't been fully utilized yet. We only know it as a two seat roadster. What about a sedan variant (1 or 3 Series KILLER, anyone?)? Or a coupe off of the stretched sedan? Who knows? I think that most of these cars I'm speaking of should go to Pontiac. Still, it'd be nice to see that happen. Buick needs a Velite coupe/vert, not one the side of the Solstice.

I'll be honest, I don't think that the 3800 is needed at all. I think that it should be simplified, like Infiniti/Caddy. Have the 3.6HF V6 for the only engine option for the LaX; the 3.6L standard and the N* as an option for the Lucerne, and a V8 only flaghship (I wish) featuring the N* as the only engine. What's wrong with that? The LaX is so close to being RIGHT. Fill it with equipment, tweek the front (that's just my opionion), do a minor upgrade to the interior, and make the 3.6HFV6 as the engine, and you won't have to apologize for this car being $30-33K; you'll command the price. I really like Acura's strategy of loading cars up and only offering a few options (like navi). That way it's luxurious and valuepacked.

Absolutely. My granddad had a maroon '96 Roadmaster that my cousin has now... Loaded to the gills with whitewalls... rides like an absolute dreams. THAT name should be resurrected as the flaghship.

Amazing, isn't it? It's a shame how easily they disregard yet another 100 yr. old. brand (Buick).

I agree. Some of you guys are talking like RR will be producing $80K S-Class competitors... that would be scrapping the bottom of the barrel for them. The article will says it'll introduce a baby RR to compete with the GT and Flying Spur, at no less that $180K a pop. So, RR's really not sluming here. Bently made only 5K GTs! It's not like everyone will have one.

That's an awesome concept; inside and out. Low-slung, fast and aggressive. The interiors typical Audi beautiful.

Great find. It's the new LS, and it does look like an IS on steroids.

Damn I can't wait to see that car in person... The CXS pic of it in black is sick.

Let's hope that's temporary. I'm still hoping for a V8 based, RWD, full body sedan for a flagship in a few years.

I agree. I hate Toyota, and dislike Lexus. When my dad got the new GS I sat in every car in the showroom. The ES's interior is awesome, and they did an excellent job of differentiating it from the Camry. GM should take notes on how to badge cars... You wouldn't know it's a lux Camry just by looking at it. They only reused part in the interior is the radio/navi unit. Then look at the Lucerne/DTS. Same interior... so, Toyota's done a good job in that regard. What struck me is that it looks like the ES will have an all glass roof in the next Gen. VERY COOL. I'd love to see that feature make it's way to the Lucerne/LaX.

Yesss!!!! Exactly! Why can't Buick have something to call it's own?! Let them have the Velite grill, and portholes atleast!