2012 Buick Regal to Have eAssist Mild Hybrid

In brief: The 2012 Buick Regal is to offer the company's new eAssist Mild Hybrid system, the second Buick model to do so.

Vehicle in the news

Make/Model: 2012 Regal

Manufacturer: Buick (GM)

The word

The eAssist Mild Hybrid system is General Motors' default mild hybrid system for electrification. The system uses a 115V / 0.5kWh lithium-ion battery system (from Hitachi) and an electric induction motor-generator with regenerative braking capability for fuel economy improvement.

The system is made to combine with the Ecotec engine and in the Regal will be coupled with the four-cylinder 2.4L (or 2.0L turbo) to give about 15hp of added power assist during heavy acceleration as well as increase stopping power and lower brake usage by assisting with slowing in a regenerative capacity.

The setup increases fuel economy by about 25% in most applications.

And so ...

Interesting and simple electrification technology from GM that will hopefully be seen in all models soon.

Photo credits: General Motors

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