2016 Buick LaCrosse spied

Although heavily camouflaged, what’s believed to be the next-gen Buick LaCrosse was recently spotted undergoing testing at a GM facility in Michigan. Despite the cladding, it’s clear this sleek 4-door has a decided coupe-like character, which is tastefully complemented by its sweeping roof treatment with panoramic panels, fully-rounded wheel arches, sculpted side panels and a rising beltline that resolves into a signature Buick-style "shoulder" at the rear. Based on the overhead shot with a Chevy Silverado Crew Cab, it also appears that Buick‘s upcoming flagship 4-door will be larger than the current LaCrosse. It’s short dash to axle ratio (the distance between the leading edge of the door and the front wheels, suggest that the car will remain front-drive.

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Expected as a 2016 model, the redesigned Buick LaCrosse is set to transition from the current Epsilon 2 platform to GM’s new "E2XX" global architecture that will be used on various midsize and full-size vehicles, including the next Chevrolet Impala as well as the Buick Regal. Buick intends to further distance the new LaCrosse from its full-size Chevy cousin — and give this flagship 4-door even more premium touches that will also bump its status relative to the next-gen Regal due as a 2018. How that will translate into the final product remains to be seen. 

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Production of the new 2016 Buick LaCrosse will take place at GM’s Detroit Hamtramck assembly facility. That state-of-the-art plant also will be home to the upcoming Cadillac flagship rear-drive sedan that’s due to start production late next year. 

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