At the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 12, Buick will perform the world debut its all-new LaCrosse sedan. Buick’s new mid-size luxury saloon is essentially the production version of the warmly received Invicta Concept, revealed at last year’s Beijing Auto Show in China. Fresh styling aside, the LaCrosse offers the option of all-wheel drive, a choice of two direct-injection V6 engines and a suite of modern personal technologies and safety features.

Redesigned from the ground up, the 2010 LaCrosse is Buick’s latest proposal in the near-luxury segment with rivals such as the Lexus ES350 and the Chrysler 300. The all-new LaCrosse that will make its premiere at the 2009 Detroit auto show will go on sale in the States this summer offered with the choice of two direct injection V6 engines and the option of all-wheel drive.

GM’s lineup is cancerous, malignant tumors coming in the form of superfluous platforms. Some are only being used for one vehicle; what a waste. The K-platform beneath the DTS is on its death bed, as is the H-platform under the Lucerne. The Chevy Impala will soon be the last remaining car on the W-platform, and plastic surgery will do little to alleviate the pain. Why not consolidate?

It seems that China has become some kind of paradise for Buick as the brand is getting some of the best products that General Motors has to offer. After the Park Avenue and Regal which are essentially rebadged variants of the Holden Statesman/Caprice and Opel Insignia respectively, it looks like that Buick’s Chinese range will also benefit from the addition of the next generation Opel Astra, the first photos of which you can check out here.

For those that know a thing or two about the auto industry, GM’s decision to get rid of Saturn automatically meant that there was a strong possibility that the brand’s current and future planned Opel-based portfolio could pass onto Buick which will remain along with Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC and most likely, Pontiac, under the umbrella of General Motors. Apparently, the same thought has crossed the minds of GM’s people.

General Motors surprised us at the Shanghai Auto Show with the unveiling of a brand-new concept vehicle bearing the Buick logo. The Business Hybrid Concept that was designed and developed in China by GM’s Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC), is a proposal for a full-size minivan that can accommodate a total of six-passengers in three rows of individual seats. The concept measures 5.278mm (207-in.) in length and rides on 3.198mm (129-in.) wheelbase.

Saab brands as well as the demise of Pontiac in 2010, there seems to be plenty of space for Buick to expand in new vehicle segments that would otherwise be considered a ‘no-no’. How else would you explain this new Buick small sedan prototype that was caught by our spy photographers testing in Germany?

Despite the looming bankruptcy and the other serious issues facing the company, General Motors’ global product development chief, Tom Stephens told journalists on the sidelines of an event at the University of Michigan that the American automaker is on plan with the development of the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid. “At this point in time, I know of no reason why we can’t be in production by November of 2010,” Stephens said.

As predicted, General Motors has confirmed the availability of a more fuel-efficient four-cylinder power plant for its new 2010 Buick LaCrosse semi-luxury sedan. The engine of choice is none other than GM’s direct injected 2.4-liter Ecotec unit that churns out 182 horsepower and 172 lb-ft. of torque (233 Nm), and is matched to a six speed automatic transmission. GM expects that its entry-level Buick LaCrosse will deliver a fuel economy rating of 30mpg highway (7.8lt/100km) and 20mpg city (11.8lt/100km).

The Nurburgring webcam (click here) is one of our favorite free-time activities as the fact that you never know what you’re going to stumble upon makes it rather addicting. Just a few minutes ago, after a couple of bimmers, a Volkswagen Scirocco and a Ford Focus RS, we saw two camouflaged prototype models. We are not 100 percent sure, but we reckon that the first car up front is the 2010 Opel Astra followed closely behind by Buick’s small-sized sedan. What’s your guess?

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