GM shuns "hybrid" label for latest electric-assisted model: Buick Lacrosse 25/37 mpg

[MetroMPG]

Buick LaCrosse with "eAssist" EPA rating: 25/37 mpg (US)
Compare to LaCrosse without "eAssist": 19/30 mpg (US)
Compare to Camry hybrid EPA rating: 31/35 mpg (US)

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Looks like GM is taking a new marketing direction for its mild hybrid "BAS" (belt-alternator-starter) system, which was generally ignored by buyers in the Malibu & Saturn Aura "hybrids", and dismissed by hybrid enthusiasts as weaksauce.

Significantly, it looks like they aren't going to use the "hybrid" label in their marketing. Now they're calling it an "eAssist" light electrification system. And buyers won't be able to ignore it because it's standard equipment on the LaCrosse.

Technical / efficiency details:

• fuel economy up by an estimated 25 percent
• 2.4L Ecotec direct injection four-cylinder, 180 horsepower
• compact, liquid-cooled 15 kW induction motor
• 15 kW of assist/regen from the motor-generator is 3x more powerful than previous GM BAS system (was 2 kW of power assist and 5 kW of regen)
• 115V air-cooled (electric fan) lithium-ion battery, integrated power inverter and 12V power supply weighs 65 pounds (29 kg)
• six-speed automatic transmission with higher gearing & electric-driven transmission oil pump

Looks like the car also gets new LRR tires and some aero upgrades over the previous year:

• active grille block
• underbody smoothing (panels, probably - doesn't say)
• rear deck spoiler

Source: Buick News - United States - News

[Old Tele man]

...interesting, especially the motor-generator application; wonder if they'll fit on other GM cars?

...notice the wording, they call it a "motor-generator" not a "starter-alternator"!

...but, quoting: "...While the eAssist system shares the same basic belt-alternator-starter configuration of previous BAS designs, it delivers more than three times the power and is much more capable than the previous-generation BAS system."

[euromodder]

Using the smaller displacement European Insignia engines would probably have been blasphemy.

[MetroMPG]

Unfortunately, that's a reality of marketing vehicles in North America.

Which sucks.

[Daox]

Wow, they really upped the voltage and power on this one. Good idea. Wasn't the first BAS only like 36V or something like that?

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by euromodder

Using the smaller displacement European Insignia engines would probably have been blasphemy.

Well, they're orthogonal. No reason in the world they can't add this system to their European engines too.

The good part is that it's not even an option, just normal.

[tjts1]

3835 LB sounds like a recipe for bleh.

[Old Tele man]

...all-American "lightweights" (not!)

CHEVY @ 3200 lbs.
BUICK @ 3800 lbs.
CADDY @ 4200 lbs.

[Nevyn]

Retrofit the eAssist system into a Cruze Eco.

[dennyt]

Wow, as pudgy as it is, this is a 25-30% increase in MPG, as standard equipment. Way to go GM!