Following the LaCrosse, Buick Regal is the next model in the range to get eAssist fuel-saving technology, an electronic system that improves fuel economy by 25 percent. 2012 Buick Regal eAssist is capable of 26 mpg city and 37 mpg on the highway.

eAssist in essence, uses a state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery system, electric induction motor-generator and regenerative braking capability to improve fuel economy. So inlike most of the other fuel saving technologies it doesn’t really have an effect on the performance of the car.

The system can be had on all models of the car with 2.4L and 2.0L Turbo (with manual transmission) models, as well as the upcoming Regal GS. On sale from Fall 2011, the Regal eAssist also features:

* Lightweight 17-inch alloy wheels and tires with lower rolling resistance
* A driver-selectable, fuel economy-optimizing mode for the air conditioning system, which enables more frequent and longer-duration engine stop periods
* An ECO gauge on the instrument panel that continuously responds to driving behavior, enabling the driver to drive with greater efficiency
* A powerflow readout in the 7-inch infotainment screen, which shows the flow of energy through the electric assist system, such as battery charging from regeneration and electric power directed to the engine.

eAssist details

Mated to Regal’s 2.4L Ecotec direct injection four-cylinder engine and next-generation six-speed automatic transmission, the eAssist system uses power stored in the battery to provide needed electrical boost in various driving scenarios, optimizing engine and transmission operation. An advanced 115V lithium-ion battery and latest-generation 15-kW induction motor-generator unit help increase fuel economy through:

* Regenerative braking, which provides up to 15 kW of electricity to charge the battery
* Providing up to 11 kW (15 hp) of electric power assistance during acceleration
* Automatic engine shut-off when the vehicle is stopped
* Aggressive fuel cut-off during deceleration down to zero vehicle speed, enabled by the torque smoothing provided by the induction motor-generator unit
* Intelligent charge/discharge of the high-voltage battery.

“The capability to deliver electric boost to the powertrain system during heavy acceleration and grade driving enables the engine and transmission to operate more efficiently,” said Steve Poulos, global chief engineer of the eAssist system. “Full fuel shutoff at stops and during deceleration complements electric boost and regenerative braking with additional fuel savings.”

Regal with eAssist technology also features improved underbody aerodynamics and tires optimized for performance and fuel economy. It also features a hill-assist system that captures brake pressure to help the driver more comfortably accelerate from a stop on a moderate or steep grade. It does this by greatly reducing the tendency of the vehicle to roll backward with the engine in shut-down mode.

The eAssist system’s 115V air-cooled lithium-ion battery bolsters the 2.4L Ecotec four-cylinder engine with approximately 11 kW (15 hp) of electric power assist during heavy acceleration and 15 kW of regenerative braking power. The system also enables the Ecotec engine to shut down fuel delivery in certain deceleration conditions, which saves additional fuel. While in fuel shut-off mode, the induction motor-generator unit continues spinning along with the engine to provide immediate and smooth take-off power when the driver presses on the accelerator. Then, as the vehicle comes to a stop, the induction motor-generator unit spins the engine, bringing it to a smooth stop – properly positioned for a smooth restart.

“The battery system is designed to provide power assistance to the internal combustion engine, rather than store energy for all-electric propulsion,” said Poulos. “It’s really an extension of the conventional internal combustion engine, not a replacement for it.”

The eAssist power pack contains the lithium-ion battery pack, the integrated power inverter and 12V power supply. It is located in a compartment between the rear seat and trunk; and it is surprisingly compact and lightweight, weighing only about 65 pounds (29 kg). Trunk space is slightly reduced when compared with 2011 models with the four-cylinder/six-speed powertrain, but still offers 11.1 cubic feet (314 liters) of storage. A quiet electric fan cools the power pack, drawing air from a vent located in the package tray, behind the rear seat.

The eAssist system’s electric induction motor-generator is mounted to the engine in place of the alternator to provide both motor assist and electric-generating functions through a unique engine belt-drive system. The induction motor-generator is a high-performance, compact induction motor that is liquid-cooled for increased performance and efficiency.