The 2012 LaCrosse midsize premium sedan will feature a system called eAssist that uses regenerative braking, an electric motor, lithium-ion batteries, aerodynamic tweaks and other changes to outstrip the fuel efficiency of competitors like the Lexus ES 350 and Acura TL.
“We’re very high on eAssist,” Buick boss Tony DiSalle told me after I drove a LaCrosse with the system Thursday. “It’s a brand that can be very good for Buick.”
Buick hasn’t announced prices, but LaCrosses with eAssist should start around $30,000 when they reach dealerships in June or July. The base price will be the same as 2012-model V6-powered versions of the popular sedan.
The EPA hasn’t released official fuel economy figures yet, but Buick expects an impressive 27 mpg in the city, 37 on the highway and 29 in combined driving.
That’s better than some compact cars, and far better than any non-hybrid midsize sedan.
The LaCrosse uses some of the same technology as hybrids, of course, but Buick will promote it as a practical and luxurious fuel-efficiency leader rather than a car for hyper-milers.
The electric motor and lithium-ion battery can’t move the LaCrosse on their own, and GM isn’t calling the car a hybrid. They provide a boost for acceleration from a stop, on hills and for highway passes.
In addition to turning energy from braking into electricity for later use, the LaCrosse’s engine stops running when the car is stopped or coasting. During my test, engine restart was immediate, with plenty of power for acceleration and passing.
The eAssist LaCrosse accelerates to 60 mph two-tenths of a second faster than the 2011 model of the sedan with the same 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine but without electric boost.
The system can be used to improve the fuel efficiency of anything from a small car to a luxury sedan or full-size sedan, engineer Stephen Poulos said.
It will initially be exclusive to Buick.
“This can help define Buick for the customer,” Hall said. “I’d make it a Buick exclusive for two or three years and put it on every model Buick sells.”
Buick will also offer eAssist as an option on the smaller Regal sporty sedan.
There’s no word yet on prices or fuel economy for that model, which goes on sale in August or September.
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