Instead, the LaCrosse GL is billed as a design study to see just how luxurious one can make a LaCrosse. Turns out, very. For starters, the GL concept is coated in rich cabernet red paint that’s set off by brushed and tinted chrome exterior accents. Even the 20-inch wheels, which are dead ringers for the wheel design used on the Regal GS, feature a muted satin finish.

Inside, however, is where the LaCrosse GL concept makes a standard LaCrosse look downright pedestrian. The two-tone interior features contrasting dark cocoa brown and caramel chocochino leather on the seats and dash that’s set off with ice-blue stitching to match Buick’s signature ambient lighting hue. The entire headliner is also wrapped in suede, and the dash features an attractive wood grain inspired by the ombré patina on Les Paul guitars. Even the insides of the storage compartments are flocked like the inner lining of a jewelry box.

Buick says that everything about the LaCrosse GL concept will inspire future Buick models, so we may be looking at a new top-tier trim level for the brand’s large sedan. With the Lexus ES being this car’s most direct competitor, Buick is smart to remind customers that it can do luxury just as well as the leaning L.

General Motors has granted us with pricing for its new entry-level Buick model, the 2012 Verano compact sedan, before it goes on sale in the United States later this year.

Pricing for the base Verano starts at $23,470 and tops out at $26,850 including $885 in destination charges, with all three available trim levels powered by a 2.4L four-cylinder engine linked to a six-speed automatic transmission that delivers 180HP at 6,700 rpm with 171 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,900 rpm.

In an attempt to place the Opel Astra-basedVerano in a higher class than its sister Chevrolet model, the Cruze that is priced from a significantly lower entry-point at $17,470, GM states in the press release that the Buick “offers more passenger and cargo volume than the Acura TSX sedan or Lexus IS 250″ and that it is available with a “heated steering wheel – an option not found vehicles like the Lexus IS250 or Infiniti G25″.

Standard features across the range include leatherette seating, a 7-inch diagonal LED backlit color-touch radio display with IntelliLink technology, 10 air bags, automatic climate control, remote start, power windows and steering wheel radio controls.

Moving up to the top level model adds a number of standard features such as leather upholstery, seat heaters that automatically activate in temperatures below 45 F (7 C) when using the remote start function, and push-button engine start.

The LaCrosse, Buick’s mid-size sedan offering, is doing quite well in China with 215,000 deliveries in the first seven months of the year alone. NowGeneral Motors is adding the eAssist mild-hybrid version to the LaCrosse’s Chinese line-up and is taking orders in 25 pilot cities, with the first cars scheduled for delivery in September.

The eAssist mild hybrid system combines a 2.4-liter direct injection gasoline engine and a 115V lithium-ion battery pack along with a 15 kW generator. The latter charges the battery and offers electric power assistance during heavy acceleration. The eAssist LaCrosse also has an auto stop/start system, with the battery pack powering all of the car’s systems when the vehicle is stopped.

Improved underbody aerodynamics, active grille shutters that close at higher speeds to optimize airflow and low-resistance tires contribute further to fuel saving.

Average consumption is claimed to be 20% lower than that of the conventionally powered version, at 7.2 lt/100 km (32.6 mpg), and drops more than 30% in city driving.

Prices in China are start at RMB 265,900 (US$41,700) for the Elegant version and at RMB 285,900 (US$44,800) for the Luxury Elegant model.

This fall will see Buick adding two more offerings to its Regal range, namely the performance orientated GS that’s powered by a turbocharged four, and the fuel efficient eAssist featuring a “light” hybrid powertrain.

Pricing for the 2012 Regal GS starts at $35,310 while the 2012 Regal eAssist at $29,530 , with both prices including $860 in destination charges.

The Regal GS comes with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 270 horsepower (201kW) and 295 lb.-ft. of torque (400Nm). Power is transferred to the front-wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox, with a six-speed automatic to be available later in the year. The Regal GS returns an estimated fuel economy of 27 mpg on the highway.

Standard features include 19-inch rims, push-button start; a leather-wrapped, flat-bottom sport steering wheel with audio controls; metal sport pedals; leather-appointed, heated and 12-way adjustable sport seats and a Harman Kardon sound system with nine speakers.

The Regal eAssist features a belt-driven, liquid-cooled electric motor/generator in place of the alternator that provides15HP (11 kW) and 79 lb-ft of assistance for the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine.

The system allows the Regal eAssist to deliver an EPA-rated 25 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway.

Buick said the eAssist system is a $2,000 option on the Regal base model which will continue to be offered as a standalone model with the 2.4-liter gasoline engine.

The big news surrounding the 2012 Buick LaCrosse is the addition of General Motors’ eAssist technology – a new powertrain that will help the big sedan achieve up to 37 miles per gallon on the highway. Buick will offer the eAssist four-cylinder as the standard engine in the 2012 LaCrosse, but The General’s 3.6-liter V6 will be available as a no-cost option, and GM has now confirmed that the six-cylinder powerplant will get a boost in power versus the 2011 LaCrosse.

For 2012, the 3.6-liter direct-injected V6 will churn out 303 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of torque – an increase of 23 hp versus the 2011 model. However, this added power will not result in any loss of overall efficiency, with GM stating that the V6 LaCrosse’s 17/27 city/highway mile-per-gallon ratings will remain intact.

The 2012 Buick LaCrosse will start production this summer. For the full details on the V6′s power increase,follow the jump for GM’s official press blast.