In just its third model year since debuting for 2005, the Buick LaCrosse is still a relatively new vehicle. While a freshening was expected—and confirmed earlier this year—for 2009, we weren’t under the impression that Buick’s mid-size sedan was being totally redesigned so soon. However, in light of these leaked photos of a pre-production 2010 LaCrosse, it appears GM has put the car on fast-forward.

While grainy, these photos do give us the very first look at the car without camouflage and in near-production guise. Having first seen this vehicle in concept form earlier this year at the Beijing Auto Show as the Invicta Concept—and again last month via another set of leaked GM photos labeled, simply, “Buick Sedan”—the feeling at the time was that it may have been an all-new model for Buick.

Looking very similar to the Invicta concept overall, the new LaCrosse doesn’t have a typical Buick feel to it. Sporting an aggressive roofline—similar in profile to various “four-door coupes” such as the Volkswagen Passat CC and the Mercedes-Benz CLS—and smooth front end, the styling closely mirrors that of Buick’s new Enclave sport-ute. While the translation to production from concept appears to have taken the typical toll—smaller wheels, higher stance, less flash—the rest of the car stays fairly true to its auto-show roots.

The theme continues in the cabin, which—borrowing small cues from the also recently redesigned Cadillac CTS—looks just like illustrations Buick showed us earlier this year. Featuring a slick center console, modern instrument cluster, and curvaceous dashboard, this car may be on track to appeal to a wider market than the previous-generation LaCrosse.

While the hood looks to be popped in the main exterior spy shot, unfortunately no photos were taken of the vehicle’s powerplant. With the Invicta concept sporting a 2.0-liter direct-injected and turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a six-speed automatic transmission, we would expect base versions to come equipped similarly. Another powerful and fuel-efficient possibility is the corporate direct-injected V-6, which makes as much as 304 horsepower in the CTS. With gas prices on the rise, this seems like a more palatable performance option than a V-8–powered “Super” model.

We’ll be sure to get any official photos to you as soon as we have them; we expect an official debut sometime in the near future—possibly at November’s L.A. auto show or in Detroit in January—with sales beginning next spring.