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When Buick grows up, it wants to be Lexus.

Or at least the “American Lexus,” according to Bob Casparian, product manager for the Buick LaCrosse sedan.

To achieve this, Buick is focusing on a premium image. It also helps that only a few weeks ago J.D. Power and Associates reported that Buick tied with Lexus for first in its annual dependability study among car owners.

For 2005, LaCrosse replaced the Buick Century and Regal as the midsize, front-wheel-drive sedan offering. For 2006, Lucerne took the place of Park Avenue and LeSabre in the full-size, FWD segment. And the 2008 Enclave crossover bumps the Rendezvous and Rainier sport-utilities and Terraza minivan.

For those keeping score, that’s three in and seven out, leaving Buick a pair of sedans and a crossover or “fewer, but better” offerings, Casparian says.

To give it more firepower until the lineup is redone and expands, Buick is bringing out a LaCrosse Super now, a Lucerne Super next spring. And don’t rule out an Enclave Super at some point.

Super is a name used 50 years ago to denote an elevated level of style and performance. It means Buick has paid special attention inside and out to fit and finish. No gaps between body panels. Trim looks rich and feels smooth, important considering uneven lines and cheap plastic leave the impression of sloppiness, a perception that spills over to engineering. Super boasts a quality look — American Lexus indeed.

We tested the 2008 LaCrosse Super, which packs a V-8 into a car dedicated to V-6s and ventiports along the fenders just like the Lucerne, a styling cue from Buick’s glory days.

Super’s 5.3-liter, 300-horsepower V-8 delivers a jolt of energy leaving the light or pulling out to pass, a vast improvement over LaCrosse’s standard V-6 pair for those who live by the theory that you never have too much horsepower.

Buick says the Super is as fast as the Buick Grand National and GNX of the 1980s. It cites zero- to -60-m.p.h. times 5.9 seconds for the Super versus 6.4 for the GNX.

The Super doesn’t linger at the light or need a running start to make it up inclines. But even Casparian admits this isn’t a car for the track — unless you just want to get there. So don’t wait for the decals to be slapped on and NASCAR to come calling.

Why? The V-8 doesn’t slam you into the seat when you stand on the pedal. Lively but refined, quiet power. And expect some torque steer — front end shooting hard to one side on a power takeoff — because that’s what FWD does.

The 5.3 comes with active fuel management, which shuts off 4 cylinders to conserve fuel when coasting, though you never feel it. The mileage rating is only 16 miles per gallon city and 24 m.p.g. highway; stricter testing for 2008 lopped at least 2 m.p.g. from each.

The sports-tuned suspension controls the size and weight. At low speed, Super acts like a typical midsize family sedan with some lean in corners. The faster you go, however, the better it resists lean or sway.

Super comes with stability control with traction control as standard and larger 18-inch, all-season radials (16-17 inch on V-6 models) tuned for quiet ride and predictable handling.

Front seats have woven leather bottoms and special foam backing to hug the driver and passenger in high-speed maneuvering. And they do — at speed. Go slower and the seats feel a tad stiff. This LaCrosse isn’t super in terms of lap-of-luxury softness.

Super borrows the look of the Velite concept convertible that made the 2004 auto-show rounds as the future flagship of the fleet until General Motors said it didn’t pass financial muster. Instead its chrome waterfall grille has become the new face of Buick.

To advance the American Lexus aspirations, all LaCrosse sedans have dual climate control, remote start and XM satellite radio as standard for ’08, along with four-wheel anti-lock brakes, side-curtain air bags, one-year free OnStar satellite communications system, remote keyless entry, power seats/mirrors/locks/windows, AM/FM stereo with CD player and MP3 format, rear-window defroster, tilt and telescoping steering and steering-wheel radio controls.

About the only thing that needs to be added to the $31,310 base price is $900 for a power sunroof.

The next-generation LaCrosse arrives for the 2010 model year, perhaps off a new front/all-wheel-drive platform and a new Regal name. The next-generation Lucerne arrives for 2011, probably sharing rear/all-wheel-drive platforms with the Park Avenue now sold in China.

A concept Riviera coupe shown in China this year will be at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. Speculation is that it will be built and sold here and there; Buick won’t say.

Buick still needs a halo car, a role a Riviera with retractable hardtop could fill.

“For now we will have a mid- and full-size car and crossover arsenal,” Casparian says tersely.

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2008 Buick LaCrosse Super

$32,360 as tested *

Wheelbase: 110.5 inches

Length: 198.1 inches

Engine: 5.3-liter, 300-h.p. V-8

Transmission: 4-speed automatic

Mileage: 16 m.p.g. city/24 m.p.g. highway

THE STICKER

$31,310 Base

$900 Power sunroof

$150 Six-disc CD changer and nine speakers

* Add $685 for freight.

PLUSES

V-8 version of midsize sedan for ample dose of power when needed.

Cylinder deactivation to save fuel.

More equipment standard.

All the goodies without having to add tons of options.

Stability control with traction control and side-curtain air bags standard.

MINUSES

Where are the promised softer seats?