Buick will arrive at next week’s LA Auto Show with this in tow: the LaCrosse GL concept. Were you hoping for a high-performance LaCrosse GS to keep the hot rod Regal GS company? Well, the LaCrosse GL isn’t that, even though we thought Buick might be working on one based on these spy shots.

Instead, the LaCrosse GL is billed as a design study to see just how luxurious one can make a LaCrosse. Turns out, very. For starters, the GL concept is coated in rich cabernet red paint that’s set off by brushed and tinted chrome exterior accents. Even the 20-inch wheels, which are dead ringers for the wheel design used on the Regal GS, feature a muted satin finish.

Inside, however, is where the LaCrosse GL concept makes a standard LaCrosse look downright pedestrian. The two-tone interior features contrasting dark cocoa brown and caramel chocochino leather on the seats and dash that’s set off with ice-blue stitching to match Buick’s signature ambient lighting hue. The entire headliner is also wrapped in suede, and the dash features an attractive wood grain inspired by the ombré patina on Les Paul guitars. Even the insides of the storage compartments are flocked like the inner lining of a jewelry box.

Buick says that everything about the LaCrosse GL concept will inspire future Buick models, so we may be looking at a new top-tier trim level for the brand’s large sedan. With the Lexus ES being this car’s most direct competitor, Buick is smart to remind customers that it can do luxury just as well as the leaning L.

Continue reading Buick LaCrosse GL concept goes for luxury with a capital L

Buick LaCrosse GL concept goes for luxury with a capital L originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Nov 2011 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s hard to get a car company off of the ground these days – just look at Tesla. Despite strong financial backing from the federal government, partnerships with companies like Mercedes-Benz and Toyota and a strong IPO, many are still gun shy of Tesla stock. It’s notoriously difficult to come up with the kind of capital necessary to move a vehicle from a computer rendering to a full-blown production prototype, which may be why it appears that Sondergard Automotive has taken to courting investors via the miracle of eBay Motors. The company is primarily concerned with building a low-weight, low-emission sports car that’s as fun to drive as it is eco friendly.

According to the eBay ad, the company has already come up with one prototype that weighs just 1,300 lbs but packs more than 330 horsepower from an efficient diesel engine. How efficient? The company claims fuel economy well above the 80 mpg mark. Color us skeptical. If you’re more of the optimistic persuasion, Sondergard is looking for an investor willing to drop million to fund the Lotus Seven/Donkervoort-like project, though it will also consider a number of smaller backers with the need to pony up 0,000 each. For more information, check out the company’s eBay auction listing.

[Source: eBay Motors]

Sondergard Automotive looking for startup capital for lighweight, low C02 roadster… on eBay? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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