DailyTech - GM Makes eAssist Hybrid Standard on Buick 2013 Regal

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Auto GM Makes eAssist Hybrid Standard on Buick 2013 Regal
Brandon Hill (Blog) - February 7, 2012 9:27 AM

41 comment(s) - last by cokbun.. on Feb 8 at 3:00 AM

GM's eAssist technology looks dated next to its competitiors

General Motors is taking its efforts to increase fuel economy across the board seriously with its "near luxury" Buick brand. Last year, GM made the 2.4-liter four-cylinder eAssist engine standard on the Buick Lacrosse and made the more powerful (and thirstier) 3.6-liter V6 engine a no-cost option.

That same approach is now being applied to the slightly smaller Buick Regal. The traditional 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is being replaced with the 2.4-liter four-cylinder eAssist. GM hasn't announced pricing yet for the 2013 Regals, so we're not sure how much will be added to the vehicle's base price to account for the more expensive hybrid components.

^{Buick Regal eAssist}

With that being said, GM's mild hybrid offering is hardly competitive in today's market and it only matches the fuel economy of traditional midsize sedans with regular gasoline engines. For comparison:

2013 Buick Regal eAssist: 25/36 (city/highway)
2013 Ford Fusion: 26/37
2012 Toyota Camry: 25/35
2012 Hyundai Sonata: 24/35

When it comes to true hybrid competitors, the eAssist smackdown is even more apparent:

2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid: 47/44 (city/highway)
2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid: 43/39
2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: 35/40

It remains to be seen how long it will take GM to start offering a true hybrid powertrain that can hold its head up high when compared with the rest of the competition.

Source: General Motors

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GM mild hybrid

By rich876 on 2/7/2012 6:19:19 PM , Rating: 1

Someone should tell the moron who wrote this article that the GM hybrid he's criticizing is a mild hybrid. It is inexpensive and gives a lot for the bucks. What's wrong with that? GM has hybrids that are superior to the competition, why not write about them?