DriveTech

2006 Buick Lucerne is a hole in one
If you've always loved Buick but wanted a V8 in your ride, you're in luck.
That's exactly what you get with the introduction of the 2006 Buick Lucerne.

The 2006 Buick Lucerne has a 4.7-liter Northstar V8 engine that provides 275 horses and 290 pound foot of torque (there's also a V6 model). Yet it still gets an estimated 25 miles per gallon on the freeway and 27 miles per gallon in the city. And there's enough interior room for five full sized adults and golf bags in the trunk.

The golf bags in the back are why I got to drive the Buick Lucerne during the Buick Golf Tournament at Torrey Pines. Buick decided this would be the
ideal location since Tiger Woods is its spokesperson and if he won the tournament (which he did), the public could click onto www.buick.com to enter to win the Lucerne he drove during the tournament.

What really stands out about this Buick is how comfortable and quiet it is.
That's thanks to technology such as laminated window glass, stiffer body construction, tighter fit at the window, door, hood and trunk gaps, specially designed outside mirrors, better sealing at the doors and low profile structureless wiper arms that keep most of the outside noise outside. All this allows passengers to enjoy the nine-speaker AM/FM/Harman Kardon sound system with a six-disc in-dash system that's MP3 ready, plus it
has XM radio.

The folks at Buick really put a lot of work into comfort, starting with the driver's seat. Not only is it very supportive, it comes with the option to either cool or heat your torso. To enhance Buick's premium image, it has factory installed remote starting, ultrasonic rear parking assist, rain-sense wipers, and it's the first in its class to have heated wiper fluid. That may not be a big thing here in San Diego, but head up to the mountains for a weekend of skiing and you'll be very grateful to have it.
Rear seat occupants are treated to a very comfortable rear seat, center armrest and 41 inches of legroom.

The Lucerne's exterior cuts a stylish profile with European styling and a splash of Japanese style as well. But walk around the Lucerne and you'll notice it's all American, from its waterfall grill to its well-styled
taillights. If you look closely at the photo, you will see portholes - three for the V6 and four for the V8. If you're old enough you may remember Buick using portholes in the '50s as a styling cue. Well, they're back and I think
they look sharp.

You can get a 16-inch wheel package with the V6 and up to an 18-inch wheel package on the V8 CXS model. The latter comes with magnetic ride control (for the first time), Stabilitrak and brake assist. The Buick Lucerne
equipped with magnetic ride control handles better, is a lot more responsive and automatically adjusts to your speed. It impressed me cruising through the twisting roads of Rancho Santa Fe.

Lucerne takes a comprehensive approach to safety with standard features that protect occupants before, during and after a collision. Preventative features include four channel anti-lock brake system, traction control, auto leveling rear suspension that automatically adjusts the vehicle height for heavy loads, a new energy absorbing engine cradle and high strength steel in
appropriate places for maximum safety. All Lucernes come with six airbags, dual stage front driver side airbags, side impact thorax airbags, roof rail curtain airbags and (a first for Buick) a dual depth front passenger airbag.

You can get a fully-loaded V8 Lucerne for under $35,000. Trust me, the competition is shaking in its boots. Head to your local Buick dealer to take
a Lucerne for a test ride and see if I'm not on the money! Don't forget to click onto www.buick.com for more information. And yes, that is a picture of Tiger Woods and me!

Next week, a vehicle from Witt Lincoln Mercury.