By John LeBlanc for MSN Autos

Among the annual “big” international auto shows, stereotypically, the Los Angeles gig is about “green” cars, the Detroit circus is about “power”, the Geneva salon is about “exotics” and the New York event focuses on “traditional American luxury.” And while both Cadillac (with its new 2014 CTS) and Buick (with its refreshed Regal and LaCrosse) will be showing off new versions of their traditional American luxury sedans, the relatively fresh genre of crossovers will dominate the debuts during this week's Big Apple media days.

Clockwise: Chevrolet Impala, Buick Lacrosse, Cadillac XTS — They're all different ... sort of.

By John LeBlanc for MSN Autos

On sale later this year, General Motors is previewing its new 2014 Chevrolet Impala in San Diego, California this week. No doubt, you’ll read forthcoming reports that the 2014 version is a much better vehicle than the out going version. Seeing how the current Impala uses a platform first seen in 1988, that shouldn’t be a stretch. But as much of an improvement the new Impala should be over the outoing model, how much different is than than other similarly packaged sedans in General Motors' lineup?

By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

The history of General Motors in Canada can essentially be traced back to one Oshawa man who decided to build his own cars but needed engines to power them. Eventually, the cars that started as McLaughlins, then McLaughlin-Buicks, finally Buicks as we Canadians know them. There's lots of intrigue, misinformation and money involved in the creation of Canada's biggest car company, but the early products were fit for kings.

Want proof? Well, one of two 1928 McLaughlin-Buick 496 Tourer built that year - and the only one pressed into service for the 1927 Royal Tour of Canada - is being auctioned by Bonhams off in the United Kingdom in early March. The seven-seater was used to transport two future kings; according to the press release, "they were used extensively by the then Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII), his brother the Duke of York (later King George VI), and their entourage carrying out their civic duties." The 496 Tourers completed the, well, tour by being shipped by train between provinces on their route across Canada.

Bonhams figures the McLaughlin-Buick should fetch between £40,000-£45,000 (or about $65,000-$71,000) during its March sale. We're hoping a Canadian comes forward with the cash to bring it home for retirement.

By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

Buick's on a tear recently with its combination of global products (Regal, Encore) and others designed with North American sensibilities in mind (Enclave, Verano). Perhaps the latest addition to the mix might be a two-door four-seat convertible?

Well, Opel and Vauxhall, General Motors' two European brands, recently revealed details and photos of their new Cascada convertible, a stunning product that uses the same platform as the current Regal. It uses all the same smart technology - HiPerStrut suspension and a driver-focused adaptive chassis control system - that makes even the least-expensive Regal dance pretty well. Given its European focus, the Cascada debuts a new 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with 170 horsepower, but will also use the same 1.4-litre turbo found in the Cruze and - of course - a few diesel options we'd never see here.

But the shape could launch thousands of sales on this side of the pond. It wouldn't be that difficult to swap over to Buick badges, put in a 2.0-litre turbo with about 220-horsepower and it'd scare the Chrysler 200 Convertible silly.

What do you think of the Cascada? Silly name, maybe... Maybe this is why Buick renewed its Riviera trademark a while back?

By Greg Migliore, AutoWeek

Buick is adding a turbo variant this fall as the premium model for the Verano lineup.

While it's meant to be sporty, the idea behind the sedan is to offer buyers a reasonably powerful option that allows for more amusing commutes, but admittedly, it isn't a dedicated performance model.

This is a measured approach, which means extra output for expressway merges and launches from lights, but no hard-core suspension or brake packages. It does get a dual exhaust, a rear spoiler and sportier aluminum-and-rubber pedals.

By Greg Migliore, AutoWeek

Is Buick's lusty Riviera poised for a comeback? Perhaps, and General Motors isn't shutting the door completely.

GM moved to trademark the "Riviera" name on May 3, according to the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Why do this?

By Jeremy Sinek for MSN Autos

Detroit, Mich. - Talk about being blind-sided by a curve ball out of left field. We knew Buick was planning to unwrap a small crossover at Detroit, and we thought we knew what it would be: obviously, a Buick version of the Chev Equinox/GMC Terrain, designed to compete in the compact luxury segment against the likes of the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes GLK.

By Greg Migliore, AutoWeek

Summoning the colors of coffee, saddles and wine, Buick has crafted an upscale concept car to illustrate its potential for interior design. The LaCrosse GL debuted on Wednesday afternoon at a Detroit concert house, ahead of a showing next week at the Los Angeles auto show.

The Buick LaCrosse GL features brown and caramel-colored cocochino leather inside, ice-blue stitching and an expensive-feeling suede headliner as Buick tries to lure new customers by promoting top-shelf interiors. The car also has ambient lighting and an upscale suede steering wheel.

By Dale Jewett, AutoWeek

General Motors will equip the 2013 models of its large crossovers--the Chevrolet Traverse, the Buick Enclave and the GMC Acadia--with a center-mounted airbag that protects front-seat passengers in side impacts.

The airbag, developed by GM and safety-system supplier Takata, is mounted on the inboard side of the driver's-seat backrest.

Bing: How does an airbag work?

GM says the airbag helps restrain and protect the driver in the event of a crash on the passenger side of the vehicle when the front passenger seat is empty. It can also act as a cushion between the driver and a front-seat passenger in a side impact.

GM says the airbag will be standard on all models of the Enclave and on models of the Traverse and the Acadia that have power seats.

By Greg Migliore, AutoWeek

This is a heady title: highest specific output of a General Motors production engine. Ever. Better than any Corvette, Cadillac or Camaro or anything else GM has produced in the last century.

That's what Buick is claiming for the turbocharged four-cylinder in the halo sedan launching this fall, the 2012 Regal GS.

Granted, it's only 2.0 liters. But still. Buick said on Wednesday that the sporty four-door will punch out 270 hp from a direct-injection, 2.0-liter Ecotec powerplant—more than the 255 hp the car was expected to get. That breaks down to 135 hp per liter. Torque is rated at 295 lb-ft, which Buick claims bests many import competitors.