On the eve of the 2011 Chicago Auto Show press days, General Motors has released information on the new 2012 Buick Regal eAssist. ‘Light electrification’ is the name of the game and that helps improve overall fuel-economy by 25 percent over the 2011 4-cylinder 6-speed automatic powertrain.
Power for the 2012 Buick Regal eAssist sedan comes from a 2.4L Ecotec direct-injected 4-cylinder engine and a next-generation Hydra-Matic 6T40 6-speed automatic transmission. The system is mated to a the eAssist system, which uses power stored in a 115V lithium-ion battery battery to provide some electrified boost in different driving situations. Fuel-economy is increased with the help of a 15 kW induction motor generator, regenerative braking, automatic engine shut-off when the Regal is stopped and aggressive fuel cut-off during deceleration.
The 2012 Buick Regal eAssist sedan is estimated to achieve a fuel-economy of 26/37 mpg (city/highway). In comparison, the base 2011 Buick Regal with a 2.4L 4-cylinder averages 19/30 mpg and the 2011 Buick Regal turbo with a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo averages 18/28.
The 2012 Buick Regal eAssist sedan will go on sale later this fall. Prices will be announced closer to launch. Yes, folks eAssist sounds better than ‘hybrid.’ Let’s get ‘lightly electrified.’
Geen verrassende zet, aangezien Toyota met de Camry Hybrid in de VS hele goede zaken doet, dit lijkt een prima tegenhanger daarvoor. Wel jammer dat er bij de ontwikkeling van de Insignia duidelijk geen rekening is gehouden met de accu's, de kofferbak ziet er zo toch wat knullig uit. Maar als het werkt, wat weerhoudt Opel er dan van het model hier ook te gaan verkopen?
He who shall be last, shall be sideways and smiling!
