6:43 AM
Buick is doubling the amount of vehicles it provides having a crossbreed powertrain using the introduction of the 2012 Buick Regal eAssist crossbreed. The more efficient Regal is supposed to be ranked 26/37 mpg city/highway pending EPA certification. The eAssist Regal is debuting at the 2011 Chicago Automobile Display.
For anyone keeping track, that is 1 mile per gallon more in the city for the Regal eAssist crossbreed than Buick forecasts the LaCrosse eAssist crossbreed will accomplish in the EPA's hands. The two vehicles include a 115V lithium-ion electric battery and a 15-kilowatt motor/generator. The motor at the heart of the vehicles is a TWO. 4-liter four-cylinder motor that creates 182 horse power by itself, and is mated to a six-speed computerized transmission.
The same 17-inch lightweight alloy wheels (and low rolling resistance tires) are used on both Buicks. Thanks to the Regal's smaller size, however, the wheels don't appear as undersized as they do on the LaCrosse. If the driver is in an especially green mood, the car can be put into a fuel economy optimizing mode with the AC unit that allows for more frequent and longer engine stop periods.
Regenerative braking is, of course, part of the package. Unfortunately, so is reduced cargo capacity. Trunk space on the hybrid Regal is 11.1 cubic-feet (down from just about 14 cubic-feet on the regular Regal), still a smidge bigger than the LaCrosse eAssist's 10.9 cubic feet.
The Regal with the eAssist technology goes on sale this fall, but it's unclear where Buick will price it, given the LaCrosse is expected to start around $30,000. We'll have more details soon, live from the Chicago show floor.
Buick Regal eAssist hybrid 2012
2012 Buick Regal eAssist Hybrid
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| 2012 Buick Regal eAssist Hybrid |
Buick is doubling the amount of vehicles it provides having a crossbreed powertrain using the introduction of the 2012 Buick Regal eAssist crossbreed. The more efficient Regal is supposed to be ranked 26/37 mpg city/highway pending EPA certification. The eAssist Regal is debuting at the 2011 Chicago Automobile Display.
For anyone keeping track, that is 1 mile per gallon more in the city for the Regal eAssist crossbreed than Buick forecasts the LaCrosse eAssist crossbreed will accomplish in the EPA's hands. The two vehicles include a 115V lithium-ion electric battery and a 15-kilowatt motor/generator. The motor at the heart of the vehicles is a TWO. 4-liter four-cylinder motor that creates 182 horse power by itself, and is mated to a six-speed computerized transmission.
The same 17-inch lightweight alloy wheels (and low rolling resistance tires) are used on both Buicks. Thanks to the Regal's smaller size, however, the wheels don't appear as undersized as they do on the LaCrosse. If the driver is in an especially green mood, the car can be put into a fuel economy optimizing mode with the AC unit that allows for more frequent and longer engine stop periods.
Regenerative braking is, of course, part of the package. Unfortunately, so is reduced cargo capacity. Trunk space on the hybrid Regal is 11.1 cubic-feet (down from just about 14 cubic-feet on the regular Regal), still a smidge bigger than the LaCrosse eAssist's 10.9 cubic feet.
The Regal with the eAssist technology goes on sale this fall, but it's unclear where Buick will price it, given the LaCrosse is expected to start around $30,000. We'll have more details soon, live from the Chicago show floor.
