Buick Dealer in Columbia SC Announces 2012 LaCrosse with eAssist

Nov. 15, 2010 - PRLog -- Jim Hudson Buick is proud to announce the unveiling of the 2012 Buick LaCrosse with eAssist technology, which will improve fuel economy some 25% compared to the current four-cylinder 2011 LaCrosse.  

The eAssist system uses an electric motor coupled to the four-cylinder engine on the LaCrosse in lieu of a traditional alternator.  A 115V battery pack in the rear of the car provides the motor with up to 11 kilowatts (about 15 horsepower) of electric assistance during heavy acceleration.  This is a significant improvement over the 2 kilowatts of the last-generation belt-alternator-starter system found on models such as the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid and the Saturn Aura Green Line.  The eAssist system also provides up to 15 kilowatts of regenerative braking power, capturing energy for later use that would otherwise be lost to heat and friction.  The system also allows the 2.4L Ecotec engine to shut down fuel delivery in certain situations, allowing the motor to spin the engine to a stop at just the right position to restart smoothly.  Unlike many hybrid sedans available in Columbia, the LaCrosse will retain its split-folding rear seat; cargo space will be reduced slightly to 10.9 cubic feet in order to make room for the 65-pound battery.

LaCrosse with eAssist will also include improved aerodynamics thanks to a new underbody tray and actively-controlled shutters on the lower part of the front grille.  These shutters open and close according to the cooling needs of the engine; when cooling is not needed, the shutters close to divert more air around the car for even better aerodynamics.

The new eAssist system will come standard on all 2012 LaCrosse sedans equipped with the four-cylinder engine.  Pricing has not been announced, but is expected to be around $30,000.  For more information about the Buick LaCrosse sedan, visit Jim Hudson Buick's website at http://www.jimhudsonsuperstore.com/buick-lacrosse/ .

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Jim Hudson Buick has many years of experience serving Buick customers in the midlands of South Carolina, including Columbia, Newberry, Orangeburg, Sumter, and Lugoff. A ten-time winner of The State's Reader's Choice award for Best New Car Dealership, Jim Hudson Buick is committed to complete customer satisfaction before, during, and after the sale. Jim Hudson Buick is located at 7201 Garners Ferry Road in Columbia and can be reached online at http://www.jimhudsonsuperstore.com or by phone at (803) 783-0110.