08 Buick LaCrosse Super By: ALAN GELL www.CarColumn.Net The designation of "Super" has been used by Buick since 1939.  It has been reserved for those special models of Buick's that had more comfort, more style, and more performance.  Buick hasn't used the Super moniker for about 50 years, but now they are bringing it back.  The 2008 LaCrosse is the first Buick to have an elevated design.  The Lucerne probably won't be very far behind.  The LaCrosse is a very powerful midsize car and makes a statement, whether you're looking at it, sitting in it, or driving it down the road.

I was able to attend a special introduction of this new 2008 model in September at a special media event in Nashville, Tennessee.  I had the opportunity to really look this car over carefully.  The waterfall grille design is standard on all the 2008 LaCrosse models, and it's large and chromed -- not plastic.  There's a new hood and a front fascia and they are trimmed in chrome.  Those classic Buick portholes along the side are distinctly noticeable, letting you instantly know that there is a V-8 under the hood.

Under the hood of the LaCrosse Super is a fuel-efficient, small block V8 engine, 5.3 liter, which delivers 300 horsepower and 323 lb ft of torque.  It can go 0 to 60 in 5.9 seconds and do a quarter mile in 14.4.  Obviously, none of use would be at all interested in wanting to go that fast, right?  This new small block engine features GM's Active Fuel Management technology.  That helps improve fuel efficiency by automatically cutting back to only 4 cylinders when full power is not required.  For example, we spend a lot of time sitting at traffic signals and simply coasting down the highway.  Most of that time, we don't need the full power of the V8 engine.  The 2008 LaCrosse Super's V-8 engine is matched with a four speed automatic transmission.

Performance and power is important and the LaCrosse Super delivers on both counts.  But it also offers a very refined ride and easy handling.  As I took it out for a test drive around the twisting roads and hilly area around Nashville, I noticed that it was a smooth, quiet ride -- very comfortable.  It's not intended to be a track car, but the Buick engineers tuned it and developed it to the standards of a test-track.   They call all of this "road manners."  The exhaust system was engineered to be quiet.    There wasn't any noticeable tire slippage during the drive.  It corned easily and smoothly around tight turns.  It's the type of car you feel like you are connected with during a long drive.

The LaCrosse Super has rear park assist sensors, wrapped around dual chromed exhaust tips.  There's a rear spoiler that adds just the right touch of class.  The seats are not full leather, but are a new woven design that features leather inserts.  There's woodgrain accents and silver finish on the instrument panel.  Bottom line -- this car is simply "SUPER."  I remember by grandmother having a big black Buick in the 50's.  It was a Super and I was so impressed with how fancy, how big, and how nice that big, black, Super Buick was like.  This new 2008 LaCrosse Super is reviving that legacy and probably stirs memories in others as it did for me.