Buick is planning to introduce a hybrid eAssist version of the compact Verano sedan by 2015, GM Authority has learned from sources close to the automaker’s product plans.
Last October, GM Authority’s Buick Future Product Guide was first to report that the brand was planning to debut a Verano model with eAssist in 2013. Since then, however, the vehicle has been postponed until a 2014 debut, and a 2015 launch.
When the Verano eAssist finally reaches the market, we could expect to see GM’s new 2.5 liter four-cylinder gasoline engine mated to its belt-alternator starter (BAS) mild-hybrid (eAssist) setup. However, it’s unknown whether or not the mild-hybrid powertrain will become standard equipment as it did in the Verano’s larger cousins — the Regal and LaCrosse.
The GM Authority Take
We tried our best to get to the bottom of the delay, but all we got were cold stares and attempts to change the subject. However, we were told by an unrelated source that we should look at the cancellation of GM’s next-gen full-size hybrid trucks for a possible explanation.
As such, it seems to us that The General may have gotten its hands on some kind of an improved battery (or hybrid) technology, after which it reviewed its future hybrid plans and decided to postpone the release of certain future models. At least that seems to be the most plausible explanation.
Stay tuned to GM Authority as we follow this one closely.
Comments
I really hope they do a big overhaul of the eAssist system. The induction motor needs to be more powerful. Honestly I’d really like them to just switch to a permanent magnet motor and be done with it. eAssist really doesn’t help that much. Its not agressive enough to save that much fuel compared to a standard engine.
98% of rare earth permanent magnets come from china. It’s a bad product to be dependent on in the long run
GM should apply eAssist to all ICE vehicles, then convert to EREV (Voltec) and finally to BEV, and complete the total electrification of all its vehicles.