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2017 Buick LaCrosse gets Avenir-inspired tease

Stylish touches from the beautiful Buick Avenir Concept are actually hitting the road on the front end of the new 2017 LaCrosse. The brand is showing off this single teaser of a more angular grille surround than what is currently seen on its lineup. In the center there's a three-color version of the well-known Tri-Shield badge. Chrome wings meet at the logo, and vertical chrome bars lead the eye up over the body. A version of this design is eventually becoming part of the entire Buick lineup by 2018. Debuting at the 2015 Los Angles Auto Show in November, the future LaCrosse rides on stronger, lighter underpinnings than the current model. It also gets a five-link rear suspension. The company promises that the changes mean a more engaging drive from the sedan. "The Avenir concept shattered expectations of what a Buick could be and the 2017 LaCrosse promises to do the same," Duncan Aldred, vice president of Buick, said in the release of the teaser image. The show car's look was highly praised by critics when it debuted at this year's Detroit Auto Show. The Avenir even won Eyes on Design awards for Best Designed Concept Vehicle and Innovative Use of Color, Graphics, and Materials. Related Video: Buick Previews All-New 2017 LaCrosse Expressive, Avenir-inspired design cues introduce the new face of Buick DETROIT – Buick today confirmed the all-new 2017 LaCrosse, with a preview of its Avenir concept-inspired design cues. A striking evolution from current Buick models, LaCrosse features a grille design that puts a new face on the brand, including a new, three-color tri-shield insignia set on a wing-shaped element. Contrasting with darkened waterfall grille bars and spanning the width of the opening, it connects the grille and headlamps, and emphasizes LaCrosse's new sculptural surfacing. The design was introduced on the Avenir concept and was inspired by the 1954 Wildcat II concept. It's a face all Buick models will adopt by 2018. "The Avenir concept shattered expectations of what a Buick could be and the 2017 LaCrosse promises to do the same," said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Buick. "Its expressive design represents a break from convention and highlights the progressiveness in all new Buick models." The next-generation LaCrosse's design is framed on an all-new chassis that is stronger yet lighter than the current model and serves as the foundation for a more dynamic driving experience.

Buick adds Sport Touring trim to sedan lineup

Buick has made a few tweaks to its sedan lineup today, announcing that a new Sport Touring trim will be offered on the LaCrosse, Regal, and Verano. It's best to think of the new Sport Touring models as Buick's answer to Chevrolet's limited range of RS models, focusing on very small style changes rather than any added performance. Best to leave that to the Regal GS, we guess. For the ST trim, Buick has fitted its three four-doors with new 18-inch wheels. These relatively sporty hoops get machined faces with black inserts, like those offered on the Encore Sport Touring and the Enclave Tuscan Edition. Also coming to the LaCrosse, Regal, and Verano Sport Touring is a new rear spoiler. Like we said, these are simple styling packs meant to spice up the staid but handsome exteriors of the brand's sedans. "These new ST models underscore the importance of design choices, while complementing the safety, refinement and connectivity technologies that are drawing new customers to Buick dealerships," Buick VP Duncan Aldred said in the attached statement. The new trim level will be available on all three vehicles this fall, with prices to be announced closer to the on-sale date. Scroll on for the official presser from Buick. Related Video: Buick Expands 2016 Sport Touring Lineup Distinctive sedans join Enclave Tuscan Edition, Encore Sport Touring DETROIT – Buick unveiled 2016 LaCrosse, Regal and Verano Sport Touring (ST) models today – sedans with distinctive exterior cues designed to set them apart from the pack. Each features special 18-inch wheels with machined faces and black "pockets," and a rear spoiler. They join the Enclave Tuscan Edition and recently announced Encore Sport Touring as special models expanding Buick's lineup with more design-focused choices. "Buick is reaching an all-new generation of customers by reinventing itself in terms of design, function and capabilities," said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Buick. "These new ST models underscore the importance of design choices, while complementing the safety, refinement and connectivity technologies that are drawing new customers to Buick dealerships." The new Sport Touring sedans – and Encore Sport Touring – go on sale this fall. LaCrosse Sport Touring includes Buick IntelliLink with Apple CarPlay capability, OnStar 4G LTE connectivity with Wi-Fi hotspot, remote start, eight standard air bags (including rear-seat thorax air bags) and leather-trimmed seats – with heated front seats.

Buick Enclave spy photos reveal curvy, minimal interior

We got a pretty good look at the next-generation Buick Enclave last month via some spy photos, and this month we get a peek inside. While the exterior takes after the Wildcat concept, the interior follows in the path set by the recently redesigned and launched Encore GX and Envista. The focal point of the new Enclave's interior is the curved screen panel encompassing both the instrumentation and the infotainment. It has the rounded, inverted trapezoid look of the little Buicks, but from the gap in the screen covers, it looks like the screens will fill up the housing much better on those base crossovers. Just below the infotainment side of the screen array is a minimalist set of climate control buttons (piano key style) and a pair of air vents. It's difficult to tell much else of the dash due to the coverings. Based on the little Buicks, the screen probably sits on a small alcove with the rest of the dash being smoother and wrapping around behind the screen. The steering wheel isn't shared with the smaller Buicks, nor does it appear to be that similar to what we've seen in either the new Chevy Traverse or the GMC Acadia. It has a sleek, simple three-spoke design with a small circular center horn and airbag section. We also noticed the black plastic strip at the top of the wheel that likely houses the lighting and infrared sensors that go along with GM's Super Cruise hands-free highway driving assist. We're expecting the Enclave to be revealed soon, possibly early next year, with deliveries coming soon after. This is because this prototype looks pretty much production-ready, and we've already seen its cousins from Chevy and GMC. It will likely get the same turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder making 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque with an eight-speed automatic and either front- or all-wheel drive. Related video: