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Buick Intros 36 MPG Hybrid Sedan

Discussion in 'GM Hybrids and EVs' started by eheath, Mar 20, 2012.

  1. eheath

    eheath Member

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    2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist Hybrid – Review

    By Jonathan Spira
    [​IMG]
     
  2. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    I guess 25 mpg city did not make for a nice title ? :p
     
  3. smokiejoe

    smokiejoe Member

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    eAssist is kind of Bogus. It does help a little bit on the Hwy. Doesn't help much at all in the City. Its a small alternator/motor which adds a few HP to the Engine via a Fan Belt at Highway Cruising Speed.
     
  4. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    Mostly it makes stop-start and minor regen braking practical with fewer mods.

    Give them credit for the improvement over the conventional car.

    - Chris
     
  5. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    grade = D

    Selling a car that only delivers MPG in the low 30's should not be accepted as much of an effort to improve the typical consumer vehicle at a time when $4 gas is becoming common.
    .
     
  6. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    36 mpg US (43 mpg uk) is supposed to be good? Ha ha ha ha


    OK it's a step in the right direction but it isn't World class or ever class leading.

    As the teachers used to say on my report card "Must try harder" :)
     
  7. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    Or 29 mpg combined per Compare Side-by-Side.
     
  8. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    I know squat about Buicks, but don't they tend to be large cars ? As others have said, the improvement over the non-hybridized model is quite nice. I wonder why it so much better than the pathetic improvement seen in the Malibu twins.
     
  9. eheath

    eheath Member

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    Did you read the article? Reason for improvement covered therein - in reasonably great detail! :cool:
     
  10. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    It is a nice improvement. Although does anybody under 80 actually buy a Buick?
     
  11. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    I skimmed the article, but did not read anything that explained the improvement. Help me out here.

    Honestly, this mild-assist system strikes me as nothing more (or less) than a stop-start solution. I do not know specifics of ICE off coasting, but in any case I doubt it came into play in EPA testing.
     
  12. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    The MG has increased to 15hp from 5hp and the batteries are Lithium instead of NiMH. Improved transmission is a big one too. Also shutters on the grill, LRR tires, undercoating panels, and other little things.
     
  13. smokiejoe

    smokiejoe Member

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    I guess it's better than nothing. I had read that there would be some stress on the Fan Belt since that is helping drive the Engine from the MG during cruising.
     
  14. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    Which improvements are hybrid model only ?
     
  15. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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  16. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    Based on a look I took under the hood of one of the original Saturn Vue hybrids it is much beefier than a standard serpentine belt, and the tensioning arrangement's different, since it has to be able to transmit torque in either direction.
    Assuming they sized things right, the belt could work out fine.

    - Chris

     
  17. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    Around here they do ! :)