Starting next summer, GM is bringing back mild hybrids. Going under the name of eAssist, the system will be introduced in the 2012 Buick LaCrosse – and it won’t be yet another option.
So long as it’s equipped with the 2.4L ECOTEC four, the Buick LaCrosse will come standard with the eAssist system, which gives the vehicle a 25 percent boost in fuel economy without sacrificing any performance (not that there is much to be seen in an ECOTEC-powered LaCrosse.) The result is an astonishing 37 mpg on the highway and 25 mpg in the city – better than the much smaller Chevrolet Cruze base model.
The 3,835 lb. LaCrosse with eAssist achieves that amazing fuel economy by utilizing a 115V lithium-ion battery and the latest 15-kW generator motor that assists the gasoline ECOTEC engine. All that fancy battery technology comes at the expense of trunk space, since the battery is stored in the right-hand compartment of the trunk (as you can see in the gallery below).
We also see technology such as regenerative breaking, an automatic engine shutoff when the vehicle is at a standstill while in drive, and even a fuel cut-off system that engages during deceleration. The 2012 LaCrosse with eAssist is expected to run a price of around $30,000.
For more details, check out the presser below.
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Comments
Excellent story.
That you, Garrett! It’s much appreciated. Be sure to tell your friends!