The 2012 Buick Regal with eAssist will arrive at Jim Hudson Buick in Fall 2011. (Image: GM Media)

Jim Hudson Buick, the premier Buick dealer in Columbia, South Carolina, announces the 2012 Buick Regal with eAssist™ fuel-saving technology, which improves overall fuel economy by 25 percent over the 2011 four-cylinder/six-speed powertrain. Estimated fuel economy is 26 mpg city and 37 mpg on the highway (pending EPA certification); the 2011 Buick Regal CXL is EPA rated at an estimated 19 mpg city and 30 mpg highway.

Regal with eAssist joins the 2012 LaCrosse as the second Buick for sale in Columbia, South Carolina to feature the efficiency-enhancing technology. The system uses a state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery system, electric induction motor-generator and regenerative braking capability to improve fuel economy without the extra cost and complexity of a full hybrid system. Its fuel economy tops competitors such as the Acura TSX, rated at 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. Regal’s estimated 37 mpg on the highway is 20 percent greater and the TSX doesn’t offer a six-speed automatic transmission, which is offered on the Buick as standard equipment.

“Buick’s eAssist technology means customers don’t have to trade a premium driving experience for efficiency,” said Tony DiSalle, VP of marketing for Buick. “We believe Regal and LaCrosse with eAssist provide more logical and affordable choices, compared to other hybrid midsize and full-size luxury sedans.”

Regal with eAssist will be available for sale in Columbia, South Carolina in the fall of 2011. It joins an expanding lineup that also includes 2.4L and 2.0L Turbo (with manual transmission) models, as well as the upcoming Buick Regal GS. Regal with eAssist offers the range of luxury and convenience packages offered in the other models, along with unique features available to Columbia drivers including:

• Lightweight 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in lower-rolling-resistance tires
• A driver-selectable, fuel economy-optimizing mode for the air conditioning system, which enables more frequent and longer-duration periods where the engine stops
• 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.

Mated to Regal’s 2.4L Ecotec direct injection four-cylinder engine and next-generation six-speed HydraMatic 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 a halt, 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. Also included is 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 conditions when the vehicle is slowing down, which saves additional fuel for Columbia drivers. 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 and in just the right position 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 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.

Next-generation six-speed transmission improves Regal with eAssist’s efficiency in Columbia

The eAssist system works with Regal’s direct injected 2.4L Ecotec four-cylinder and next-generation six-speed automatic powertrain combination. In the Regal with eAssist, the engine is rated at 182 horsepower (136 kW) and the next-generation Hydra-Matic 6T40 takes transmission technology to the next level with features designed to enhance the efficiency of Regal’s powertrain, which will be backed by the same exceptional 5-year/100,000-mile (whichever comes first) limited warranty as any other Regal.

Significant internal transmission changes to clutch controls and hardware provide reduced spin losses while improving shift response and time. The added electric power provided by the eAssist system allows for higher gearing to improve steady state efficiency without impacting acceleration performance or driveability. The system’s ability to provide some electric assistance at cruising speeds allows the driver to accelerate lightly or ascend mild grades without the transmission downshifting.

An auxiliary, electric-driven transmission oil pump is added to the 6T40, which keeps the transmission primed and the fluid flowing when the engine shuts down at a stop. That keeps the transmission ready to perform when the driver accelerates, for a seamless, uncompromised driving experience.

Buick Regal with eAssist Coming to Jim Hudson Buick in Columbia SC

The 2012 Buick Regal with eAssist will join an impressive lineup of Buick Regal sedans this fall at Jim Hudson Buick in Columbia, South Carolina.  Jim Hudson is the oldest Buick dealership in Columbia, acquiring its franchise from Hancock Buick in 2007, and serves both new and long-time Buick owners alike with a commitment to complete customer satisfaction.  A ten-time winner of The State’s Readers’ Choice award for Best New Car Dealership, Jim Hudson’s focus on customer service is known throughout the entire city of Columbia.  For more information on the 2012 Buick Regal, visit Jim Hudson’s Buick Regal Columbia SC page on their website.