The Buick LaCrosse eAssist makes up approximately one quarter of all LaCrosse sales, GM Authority has learned.
eAssist, otherwise known as a belt-alternator starter (BAS) system, is standard on the 2012 LaCrosse and couples a direct-injected 2.4 liter 4-cylinder Ecotec engine with an electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery to mildly assist the vehicle during acceleration; the powertrain also features start/stop technology and results in a 25 MPG city/36 MPG highway rating.
The up-level powertrain option for the LaCrosse is the 3.6 liter direct-injected V6 (LFX) good for 303 horsepower; the six-banger is E85 FlexFuel capable and achieves an EPA-estimated 27 MPG on the highway.
The GM Authority Take
Looks like Buick is on to something with the mild hybrids… let’s just hope it’s a stop-gap solution for a true two- or four-mode hybrid system.
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Comments
We were selling one a month when gas was $3.20. Now that gas is $3.90 we’ve sold 8 already this month.
“Oh this ‘green thing’ and ‘hybrid that’ stuff is just a scam! It’ll never take off!”