The 2012 Buick LaCrosse with eAssist, the brand's first hybrid sedan,
The pricing strategy carefully slots the Buick hybrid in a near-luxury hybrid category, just above the 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid, but below the 2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid and the 2011 Lexus HS Hybrid.
The 2012 Fusion Hybrid starts at $29,395, including a $795 destination charge. The LaCrosse hybrid carries a $2,830 premium over the base 2011 Buick LaCrosse CX, which starts at $27,990, including destination.
The LaCrosse also comes with front-wheel drive as standard, though an all-wheel drive option will also be offered.
Though final EPA estimates are yet to come in, GM’s own estimates for the 2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist are 25/37 mpg city/highway.
The latest version of GM’s eAssist technology pairs the LaCrosse’s 182 horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor rated at 11 kW (15 horsepower). Unlike a full hybrid system, eAssist cannot power a vehicle on electric power alone but works to aid the engine during high load situations and help reduce fuel consumption.
The system also features a regenerative braking system to help charge the car’s air-cooled 115 volt lithium-ion battery pack.
Standard features include dual-zone climate control, 17-inch alloy wheels, and Bluetooth and USB connectivity. The 2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist will hit showrooms in the next several weeks.
Details are limited, but eAssist has an engine start /stop system and a power boost capability (where the electric motor works with the petrol engine for improved acceleration). Thanks to this setup, the hybrid is expected to return 25 mpg city / 37 mpg highway - an improvement of 6 mpg city / 7 mpg highway
