The 2012 Buick Regal eAssist will be a mild hybrid version for the mileage and gas minded drivers out there looking for a little more luxury in their drive. Despite its not so stylish name, the luxury sedan will start at $29,530 which will include shipping. This pricing makes the eAssist system a $2,000 option on a base Regal that has the 2.4-liter 4 cylinder without the system. Regal with eAssist goes on sale in the fall of 2011. It is an available powertrain option on Regal models equipped with the 2.4L engine. Unlike the LaCrosse, which Buick is dropping the less expensive, non-eAssist model, Buick will still offer the Regal’s base models without the eAssist system.
The 2012 Regal eAssist package will include different tires, start-stop technology (push button start) , improved aerodynamics, energy-capturing regenerative brakes, a small electric motor, and of course a state of the art lithium-ion battery. In the city the Regal will average 25mpg and 36mpgs on the highway. The eAssist package combines an Eco gauge and powerflow graphics for driver biofeedback. In the fall, the Regal eAssist package will also get Buick’s Intellilink communications system that uses Bluetooth Linking of handhelds and will be able to stream audio from them using PANDORA® Internet Radio or the up and coming Stitcher SmartRadio® services and the like.
Here are some more product features:
- “Light electrification” technology available on 2.4L Ecotec-equipped Regal Hybrid-level fuel economy at a more affordable price – 25 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, a more than 25-percent improvement over the standard 2.4L four-cylinder/six-speed powertrain
- State-of-the-art lithium-ion battery system, electric motor-generator and regenerative braking capability
- Next-generation six-speed transmission with Driver Shift Control
- Lightweight 17-inch alloy wheels and tires with lower rolling resistance
- Driver-selectable mode for the air conditioning system to improve fuel economy
- ECO gauge continuously responds to driver behavior, to encourage greater driving efficiency
- Improved underbody aerodynamics for efficiency
- Powerflow readout in the color infotainment screen or driver information center shows the flow of energy through the eAssist system
- Standard Buick IntelliLink (later availability) uses Bluetooth or USB to connect the driver’s smart phone to a high-resolution, full-color touch screen display radio that enables streaming stereo audio from the phone through services like PANDORA® Internet Radio and Stitcher SmartRadio®
Come out and see us at Bill Dodge Westbrook in the Fall for your first chance to test drive the new 2012 Buick Regal!
Tags: 2012, Buick, fuel economy, hybrid, luxury, Maine, performance, regal, sales, technology
