FIRST DRIVE: 2012 Buick Lacrosse 37-MPG eAssist Prototype

To date, Buick and "fuel economy" haven't often been used in the same sentence.

But the 2012 Buick LaCrosse, the brand's largest surviving car, will offer one engine option that's projected to deliver 25 mpg city, 37 mpg highway.
That's not bad for a midsize near-luxury sedan (though 1 mpg lower on city mileage than Buick had hoped).

We've just driven a development prototype of the 2012 LaCrosse fitted with the eAssist system that will be standard on the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, the smaller of two engines (the other is a 3.6-liter V-6).

Electric "boost"

It includes not only a start-stop function, saving gasoline when the car isn't moving, it also recaptures electric power via regenerative braking and stores it for use by an electric motor that assists the gasoline engine in short bursts.

That's what allows this "mild hybrid" system to improve fuel economy on the highway as well as in the city. The eAssist system was unveiled as an option for the 2012 Buick Regal at the Chicago Auto Show too; both cars will go on sale by the end of the year.

For 2011, the 2.4-liter engine is rated by the EPA at 19 mpg city, 30 mpg highway. So an increase to 25 mpg city, 37 mpg highway would be substantial: more than 30 percent in the city, almost 25 percent on the highway.

The big question is: Does the LaCrosse with eAssist drive like a Buick?

Read More: http://www.greencarreports.com/blog/1057317_first-drive-2012-buick-lacrosse-37-mpg-eassist-prototype

Regal Turbo Edges Competition in Highway Fuel Economy

DETROIT – Brad and Cathy French of Chicago have always driven cars with manual transmissions, including imports from Audi and BMW. Now the clothing industry sales and marketing reps drive a six-speed manual 2011 Buick Regal Turbo.

For the Frenchs, driving a “stick” is all about fun, fuel-efficiency and being alert in traffic.
“When you look at the Regal Turbo it just screams manual,” said Brad French, a fitness and fashion devotee for whom personal appearance factors into vehicle purchase decisions. “A few years ago I would’ve never considered Buick, but the Regal Turbo is a very sharp-looking car that is a thrill to drive. I can’t wait to show it off.”

Not only is the six-speed manual Regal Turbo a thrill to drive, it gets an EPA-rated 32 mpg on the highway, which is better than its closest competitors, Acura TSX and Volkswagen CC Sport. On the open road, Regal Turbo’s 2.0-liter direct-injection four-cylinder engine delivers 220 hp and 258 lbs-ft of torque – also better than its rivals.

Read More: http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/news/news_detail.brand_buick.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2011/Mar/0304_regal_turbo