All-Wheel Drive Available on 3.6L V6 for 2011
Canadian Auto Press
It wasn’t all that long ago that four-cylinder engines were the norm in the midsize class. Cars like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord began life by only offering a four-cylinder, as did Nissan’s Altima. Now there appears to be a move back to four-cylinder motivation for much of the same reasoning behind the original cars’ popularity, fuel economy.
2011 Buick LaCrosse
The Japanese cars in question quickly replaced the equivalent Detroit iron that had long been the midsize mainstay. Cars like the ‘70s and early ‘80s era Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Fairmont and Dodge Aspen were domestically-built answers to the fuel economy crisis, smaller and more efficient than their predecessors, but hardly as fuel-friendly as the aforementioned Japanese upstarts. Such massive variances have disappeared within today’s four-door midsize market segment, Chevrolet’s new Malibu easily comparable with Toyota’s Camry or Honda’s Accord. The new Buick LaCrosse, however, can only be compared with upper crust Lexus and Acura models that cost thousands more.
That LaCrosse will soon get a much more fuel-efficient alternative drivetrain than either its Lexus or Acura equivalents. The same all-aluminum, dual overhead cam, four-valve 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine that Chevy uses for its new Equinox, a 24-valve, DOHC mill with direct-injection, variable valve timing and flex-fuel capability, plus an efficient six-speed automatic, will come standard. It makes 182-horsepower and 172 lb-ft of torque, similar performance numbers as offered by Japanese rivals. Its EPA equivalent 7.8L/100km highway rating is exceptional too, and will do much for LaCrosse marketing efforts, which will also be helped along by the 2.4 achieving Ward’s Auto World magazine’s 2010 “10 Best Engines” for North America list.
“Direct injection (DI) was designed into the 2.4L to boost fuel efficiency and for refined power,” said Chris Meagher, chief engineer for Ecotec engines. “The VVT (variable valve timing) system is tuned to work in tandem with direct injection to achieve optimum fuel economy and lower emissions.”
The introduction of the new four-cylinder means the end of the previous standard engine, a 3.0-litre V6 available in the CX and CXL. Previously all-wheel drive could only be had with the entry-level engine, but now it will be available in the top-tier 3.6, where more buyers will likely be willing to spend extra for the added performance benefits.
