Car Design Fetish

The new Lacrosse is a real step up in quality, craftsmanship and design.  We have shown the exterior and now it is time to go inside.  The interior is a pleasant surprise with a wide open wrap around IP and a “floating” center stack.  The forms give the impression of ample interior space and break the trend of the typical T shaped instrument panel (IP) and center stack.  The T is still there but is at least broken up with offset surfaces.

There is a great use of ambient lighting and the materials are top notch, finally.  If you thought the new Malibu was a great car, check this out because it will blow that away.

More review and pics after the jump…

Sorry for the bad pics, but the car was at a party and I already had a few in me….  Anyway, you can see the soft sweeping surfaces making a very comfortable atmosphere.  I like how the surfaces are clean and uncluttered with minimal details or buttons.  The center stack info area does get a little overwhelming since so many controls are so close together.  I am sure a day in the car would clear up this issue.

The navigation screen is nicely tucked away without having a large bulge on top of the IP.  Lighting colors are green and white throughout.  You can see in the pic below the light pipe that runs across the top of the IP above the fake, old, glossy wood trim.

The doors are probably my favorite part.  The simple forms with dynamic arcs and a layered looking armrest look fresh for the industry.  The pull cup is artfully masked away under the armrest pad.  The use of real accent stitching is a high quality touch.

The steering wheel has a nice look to it but is a bit to angular in contrast to all of the arcs in the interior.  That is where the parts bin gets you.  I am sure this is off of another vehicle.

The cluster has a nice high end watch look to it.  It looks almost like  night vision from some Navy Seal goggles.  Or maybe not…

Overall a great interior managed by Jeff Nasca.  It deffinitely has a Buick feel to it from the old days.  Now hopefully they will make sure this design language stays unique to Buick and doesn’t get sprinkled throughout the other brands.  GM is certainly on the right track with their interiors and hopefully they will continue to push for new ground.