1968 Buick Skylark - Nice, Rot Free Condition on 2040-cars

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2018 Buick LaCrosse gets a mild hybrid model, lower price

Update: Buick provided us with horsepower and fuel economy figures. The text has been updated to reflect this. Buick is rolling out a variety of updates for the 2018 LaCrosse, including a new mild eAssist hybrid. Like the previous generation LaCrosse and Regal eAssist models, this one features a small electric motor and an equally small battery pack that together augment rather than supplant the gasoline engine. The motor, attached to a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, helps to make takeoffs smoother and provide additional torque on demand. The gasoline engine still does the majority of the work, though. Combined, the powertrain produces 194 horsepower and 187 pound-feet of torque. It will also allow the LaCrosse to get 25 mpg in the city, and 35 mpg on the highway. While the electric powertrain doesn't provide primary propulsion, it does come with other benefits. The small battery means the LaCrosse maintains a folding rear seat. The battery also provides power to accessories when the engine shuts off at a standstill. This mild hybrid powertrain will be the standard engine for all 2018 LaCrosses, and they come with a lower base price. The 2018 model will start at $31,415, which is about $1,500 less than the lowest priced 2017 V6 LaCrosse. The V6 will still be available as an option, and Buick has updated it, too. The 2018 V6 models will also all come with a new 9-speed automatic transmission. The new LaCrosses will go on sale this fall. Related Video: Image Credit: Buick Green Buick Hybrid Luxury Sedan

Poor headlights cause 40 cars to miss IIHS Top Safety Pick rating

Over the past few months, we've noticed a number of cars and SUVs that have come incredibly close to earning one of the IIHS's highest accolades, the Top Safety Pick rating. They have great crash test scores and solid automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning systems. What trips them up is headlights. That got us wondering, how many vehicles are there that are coming up short because they don't have headlights that meet the organization's criteria for an "Acceptable" or "Good" rating. This is a revision made after 2017, a year in which headlights weren't factored in for this specific award. This is also why why some vehicles, such as the Ford F-150, might have had the award last year, but have lost it for this year. We reached out to someone at IIHS to find out. He responded with the following car models. Depending on how you count, a whopping 40 models crash well enough to receive the rating, but don't get it because their headlights are either "Poor" or "Marginal." We say depending on how you count because the IIHS actual counts truck body styles differently, and the Infiniti Q70 is a special case. Apparently the version of the Q70 that has good headlights doesn't have adequate forward collision prevention technology. And the one that has good forward collision tech doesn't have good enough headlights. We've provided the entire list of vehicles below in alphabetical order. Interestingly, it seems the Volkswagen Group is having the most difficulty providing good headlights with its otherwise safe cars. It had the most models on the list at 9 split between Audi and Volkswagen. GM is next in line with 7 models. It is worth noting again that though these vehicles have subpar headlights and don't quite earn Top Safety Pick awards, that doesn't mean they're unsafe. They all score well enough in crash testing and forward collision prevention that they would get the coveted award if the lights were better.

Buick Avenir will be made...as a trim level instead of a car

Almost two years after Buick showed the gorgeous Avenir concept, the company announced the Avenir name will reach production. Specifically, it will be a top-tier trim level for 2018 model year Buicks. It's taking a page from GMC's Denali, Lincoln's Black Label, and, well, plenty of examples of extra-fancy sauce. This is disappointing news for fans of the concept, but they can take solace in the fact that the Avenir's good looks are starting to rub off on production Buicks, such as the new LaCrosse. For those interested in what this new Avenir trim will bring to the table, it's a similar formula to what many other auto brands are doing. Buick specifically compares Avenir with the Denali trim for GMC. Models with the trim will get a special 3D mesh grille inspired by the Avista concept, large wheels and unique trim finishes outside. Inside, Avenir models will receive a nicer interior, which Buick generically described as having "unique seat details" and "modern trim materials." Cars equipped with the package will also get a smattering of Avenir badges. Avenir looks like a win-win: interested buyers get some extra cachet and bragging rights and Buick gets to load high-profit options on it cars and SUVs. Buick's inspiration for the Avenir trim is a bit strange, though. The company says it is "inspired by Buick's evolving customer base," which includes women and owners of competing products. Apparently both groups are buying Buicks in greater numbers, and the company also says that many of their customers opt for the most expensive trims. While it seems straightforward to tailor a package for luxury-seeking buyers, we're not sure what would make a package specifically appeal to women and people with competitors' vehicles. That being said, Buick isn't as patronizing as Cosmopolitan was with its car. In fact, quite the opposite. With Avenir, Buick is cashing in on new customers that willing to pay for luxury plain and simple, without any pandering. Related Video: Auto News Buick Luxury denali buick avenir