Understanding the 2012 Buick LaCrosse with eAssist System

[Z-06]

Understanding the 2012 Buick LaCrosse with eAssist System

With the 2012 Buick LaCrosse General Motors (GM) introduced the second generation Belt Alternator Starter (BAS) system, officially known as the eAssist, at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show. GM claims that eAssist, which means "light electrification" helps the near 2 ton car achieve a 25 percent increase in the fuel economy compared to the fuel economy of the 2.4L, 4 cylinder/6-speed LaCrosse. GM expects the eAssist LaCrosse to deliver a class leading fuel economy of 25 mpg city and 37 mpg highway. The system will be standard on all 4-cylinder equipped 2012 LaCrosses.

The eAssist system will become the standard powertrain on the LaCrosse starting next summer, with prices to start around $30,000.

Cheers and Gear's Z-06 presents a technical review of eAssist, which is essentially GM's Generation II BAS system.