2011 Buick Lucerne

The 2011 Buick Lucerne offers comfortable seating, plenty of power, and smooth handling. While Buick was considering changing the Lucerne to a rear wheel drive vehicle for 2011, it retains the front wheel drive capabilities.



Even the standard CX package offers luxury features when you’re considering the 2011 Buick Lucerne.

The 2011 Buick Lucerne receives only minor updates, including streamlined trim levels, new audio systems and standard stability control on all models.



Of course, some buyers may appreciate the Lucerne's old-school vibe. If you're partial to the grand Buick sedans of yesteryear like the Park Avenue and LeSabre, you'll feel right at home in the 2011 Buick Lucerne. Smooth and comfortable ride? Check. Check. On the move, the Lucerne disappoints with slow steering, lifeless handling, a bargelike turning circle and barely adequate brakes.

As basic transportation, the 2011 Buick Lucerne is good enough. The 2011 Buick Lucerne is a full-size luxury sedan offered in four trim levels: CX, CXL, CXL Premium and top-of-the-line Super. Five-passenger seating is standard and six-passenger seating with a 40/20/40 front split bench seat is available on all trim levels except Super.



The Comfort and Convenience package includes dual-zone automatic climate control and Bluetooth.

The CXL Premium includes the Driver Confidence package, plus chromed alloy wheels, a driver auto-dimming mirror, a lane-departure warning system, a blind-spot warning system and a nine-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.



Finally, the Super trim takes the Lucerne experience to another level with V8 power, 18-inch chrome alloy wheels, a sunroof (optional on CXL and CXL Premium), adaptive magnetic ride control, magnetic steering, perforated leather/faux-suede upholstery, heated and cooled front seats, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and a touchscreen navigation system with real-time traffic. The front-wheel-drive Buick Lucerne offers two engines from which to choose. The CX and CXL models are equipped with a 3.9-liter V6 producing 227 hp and 237 pound-feet of torque.



Safety

Every 2011 Buick Lucerne is equipped with antilock brakes, traction and stability control, front side-impact airbags and side curtain airbags. The Lucerne has not been rated using the government's new, more strenuous 2011 crash testing procedures. The seats are comfortable, with ample room front and back, and a Lucerne advantage is the ability to seat six if needed.



The 2011 Buick Lucerne Large Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 87 published reviews and test drives of the Buick Lucerne, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

In that respect the 2011 Buick Lucerne is a decent choice.

If you’re looking for a car that’s quiet and comfortable, with a reasonably nice interior and conservative styling, the Lucerne will work just fine. The 2011 Buick Lucerne has one of the highest starting prices in the affordable large car class. The Ford Taurus has been winning great reviews for its sharply-tailored looks and high-tech cabin. If you’re a Buick fan, it may be worth passing over the Lucerne in favor of the Buick LaCrosse.



Buick Lucerne: The Details

The 2011 Buick Lucerne has four available trims: CX, CXL, EXL and the top-of-the-line Super. For 2011, GM’s StabiliTrak electronic stability control system is standard on all trims.

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2012 Regal to Offer New eAssistTM Fuel-Saving Technology



* eAssist "light electrification" system improves fuel economy 25 percent

* Estimated 26 mpg city / 37 mpg highway (pending EPA certification)

* On sale this fall



CHICAGO - Buick announced the 2012 Regal with eAssistTM 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).



Regal with eAssist joins the 2012 LaCrosse as the second Buick 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. 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 standard on the Buick.



"Buick's eAssist technology means customers don't have to trade a premium driving experience for efficiency," said Tony DiSalle, vice president of Buick marketing. "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 goes on sale this fall. It joins an expanding lineup that also includes 2.4L and 2.0L Turbo (with manual transmission) models, as well as the upcoming Regal GS. Regal with eAssist offers the range of luxury and convenience packages offered in the other models, along with unique features that include:



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.



Next-generation six-speed

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 powertrain efficiency.



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.

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2012 Buick LaCrosse Hybrid

2012 LaCrosse Comes Standard With New EassistTM Fuel-Saving Technology, For 37 Mpg Highway Fuel Economy In A Full-Size Sedan with a full-size luxury sedan featuring 37 mpg highway and 25 mpg city for about $30,000 (exact pricing has not yet been set)

Boost in fuel economy comes with no compromises in the driving experience



Buick unveils the 2012 LaCrosse with eAssist,TM a new fuel-saving technology that increases fuel economy by 25 percent compared to the four-cylinder/six-speed powertrain in the 2011 LaCrosse. The eAssist technology provides class-leading highway fuel economy of 37 mpg, while maintaining the luxury, performance and value expected from Buick's flagship sedan.



The eAssist system becomes the standard powertrain on LaCrosse starting next summer. The system uses a state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery system and electric motor-generator to enable regenerative braking capability to improve LaCrosse fuel economy by an estimated 25 percent.

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Buick LaCrosse Eco-Hybrid

Shanghai GM, the Chinese arm of the (still) biggest automaker in the world, has announced its “Drive to Green” strategy in order to have a cleaner way of producing cars, as well as cars that pollute even less than the current ones. To prove wrong the ones that may think this is just a statement and nothing else, the company has also presented the first product from the strategy, the Buick LaCrosse Eco-Hybrid.

Capable of running 12 km/l of petrol, instead of the 10.2 km/l the regular version is able to achieve, the LaCrosse Eco-Hybrid is, according to Shanghai GM, the “first mainstream hybrid model in China’s upper-medium vehicle segment with volume production”. It offers almost an increase of 20% in fuel economy, but still nothing to be impressed with, especially considering the additional cost a hybrid vehicle offers. The real deal, the two-mode hybrid system, will be reserved to another vehicle, yet to be defined. Anyway, the fuel economy intended for this new product will be significantly better: 50%.

Besides the new cars, Shanghai GM has also announced three new engines for 2008. Although one of them is a total mistery (no information about it), the other two are the 1.2-liter S-TEC and the HFV6 3.6-liter SIDI dual mode direct injection engine, possibly the same one used on the Saturn Vue Green Line. The S-TEC generates 85.2 bhp and spend one liter of fuel every 16.7 km. As for the V6, its direct injection system enhances power and torque respectively in 15% and 8%. Fuel consumption is improved by 3%.

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