GM unveils 2014 LaCrosse

NEW YORK, March 25 (UPI) -- General Motors unveiled its 2014 Buick LaCrosse Monday, which marketing executive Tony DiSalle said has no drive train changes, but has more luxury features.

"We evolved the interior and exterior design, increased luxury amenities and materials, and enhanced the safety and personal technologies to give customers more reasons than ever to rediscover Buick," DiSalle said in a statement.

The new LaCrosse, unveiled just prior to the opening of the New York International Auto Show includes new front and rear fascia and a larger grille, The Detroit News reported Monday.

The big sedan also has a new interior look and upgraded seats, the News said.

As a safety feature, the LaCrosse includes a system that warns the driver of cars approaching fast from a neighboring lane. The system lets drivers know there if another vehicle is coming up fast from behind, starting at a distance of 230 feet. It is the first GM to include that feature, company spokesman Nick Richards said.

Additional amenities include an early alert system for forward collisions, added features to cruise control and an emergency braking system that applies the brakes for the driver.

The car is expected in U.S. showrooms sometime this summer and in Chinese showrooms by the end of the year.

It may have an uphill battle to regain market share, however.

"The large car segment that the LaCrosse is in is a tough one. We don't see a lot of growth in that segment," industry analyst Michelle Krebs at Edmunds.com said.

In February, large vehicles made up 3.9 percent of U.S. new car sales. In comparison, midsized cars made up 18 percent.