2012 Lacrosse

[P71_CrownVic]

Buick has just announced some major new for the 2012 model year LaCrosse, new eAssist “smart electrification” technology will come standard on all trim levels paired with the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, boosting fuel economy to a very impressive 37 miles per gallon on the highway for the large luxury sedan.

 

This jump in fuel economy is made possible by adding a 115-volt lithium-ion battery, paired to a 15-kilowatt electric motor that is capable of producing 15 horsepower and 79 lb-ft of torque. The system is also capable of regenerative braking, which combined results in a 25 percent increase in fuel economy to 25 city, 37 highway.

 

In addition to this mild hybrid technology, Buick also equipped the 2012 LaCrosse with Start-Stop engine technology, which seamlessly powers down the engine at idle to conserve fuel, despite current EPA regulations failing to reflect savings in fuel economy ratings. Rounding out the changes that make these fuel economy figures possible is a six-speed automatic transmission, underbody aerodynamic tweaking and low-rolling resistance tires.

 

Like many other hybrids on the road, Buick will also equip the LaCrosse with an ECO gauge that allows drivers to see real-time usage and adjust driving accordingly for optimal economy.

 

The trade off for such a welcome gain in fuel economy comes in the form of a somewhat smaller truck space, as well as the addition of approximately 65 lbs.

 

LINK

[rodram]

I fail to see what all the hype is about cars and fuel mileage approaching the 40 mpg mark, using all this new (& expensive) technology...

 

I had two GM cars in recent years a 2002 Impala and a 2006 Allure (Canadian for Lacrosse) that had the 3800 engine....

 

both consistently got 40 miles per gallon (Canadian gallon).. but that is still 33 mpg in the US

 

... so the 2012 Lacrosse (with mild-hybrid technology) gets 37 mpg ... when the old 3800 engines in previous GM cars would get 33 mpg ... that is not such a big jump for the extra $$$ that the technology cost

 

.. for my money .. bring me back the 3800 engine

[P71_CrownVic]

I fail to see what all the hype is about cars and fuel mileage approaching the 40 mpg mark, using all this new (& expensive) technology...

 

I had two GM cars in recent years a 2002 Impala and a 2006 Allure (Canadian for Lacrosse) that had the 3800 engine....

 

both consistently got 40 miles per gallon (Canadian gallon).. but that is still 33 mpg in the US

 

... so the 2012 Lacrosse (with mild-hybrid technology) gets 37 mpg ... when the old 3800 engines in previous GM cars would get 33 mpg ... that is not such a big jump for the extra $$$ that the technology cost

 

.. for my money .. bring me back the 3800 engine

 

The 2012 LaCrosse weighs about 400-500 pounds more than those two cars despite using a tiny 2.4 I-4 (which makes 91% of the HP as the old 3800 did).

 

I will agree though...that the 3800 was one of the best engines ever produced. Reliable as the sunrise, extremely efficient, an all around excellent engine.