The LaCrosse, Buick’s mid-size sedan offering, is doing quite well in China with 215,000 deliveries in the first seven months of the year alone. Now General Motors is adding the eAssist mild-hybrid version to the LaCrosse’s Chinese line-up and is taking orders in 25 pilot cities, with the first cars scheduled for delivery in September.
The eAssist mild hybrid system combines a 2.4-liter direct injection gasoline engine and a 115V lithium-ion battery pack along with a 15 kW generator. The latter charges the battery and offers electric power assistance during heavy acceleration. The eAssist LaCrosse also has an auto stop/start system, with the battery pack powering all of the car’s systems when the vehicle is stopped.
Improved underbody aerodynamics, active grille shutters that close at higher speeds to optimize airflow and low-resistance tires contribute further to fuel saving.
Average consumption is claimed to be 20% lower than that of the conventionally powered version, at 7.2 lt/100 km (32.6 mpg), and drops more than 30% in city driving.
Prices in China are start at RMB 265,900 (US$41,700) for the Elegant version and at RMB 285,900 (US$44,800) for the Luxury Elegant model.
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