Earlier this year Buick announced major news for the 2012 model year LaCrosse when it introduced eAssist “smart electrification” technology will come standard on all trim levels paired with the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, boosting fuel economy to an impressive 37 miles per gallon on the highway for the large luxury sedan.
Today, General Motors has finally added pricing to the list of information it has shared about the next LaCrosse, with the base price starting at $29,960 plus $860 destination. The total $30,820 base price will come with the eAssist-equipped 2.4-liter engine, but a 3.6-liter 303 horsepower, 264 lb-ft of torque V6 is also available on some trim levels at no extra charge.
Buick also promises an all-wheel drive variant with the V6, but specs have yet to be announced, along with pricing.
Other new features arriving for 2012 include a dual-zone climate control system, 17-inch alloy wheel, a full-color driver information display center and both USB and Bluetooth connectivity. The 2012 LaCrosse will also have a late-year change that sees the addition of IntelliLink as standard, which will utilize Bluetooth and USB technology along with an eight-inch touch/display screen. IntelliLink is Buick’s latest telematics system and it will cover several functions ranging from phone pairing to music management.
This jump in fuel economy is made possible by adding a 115-volt lithium-ion battery, paired to a 15-kilowatt electric motor that is capable of producing 15 horsepower and 79 lb-ft of torque. The system is also capable of regenerative braking, which combined results in a 25 percent increase in fuel economy to 25 city, 37 highway.
In addition to this mild hybrid technology, Buick also equipped the 2012 LaCrosse with Start-Stop engine technology, which seamlessly powers down the engine at idle to conserve fuel, despite current EPA regulations failing to reflect savings in fuel economy ratings. Rounding out the changes that make these fuel economy figures possible is a six-speed automatic transmission, underbody aerodynamic tweaking and low-rolling resistance tires.
Like many other hybrids on the road, Buick will also equip the LaCrosse with an ECO gauge that allows drivers to see real-time usage and adjust driving accordingly for optimal economy.
The trade off for such a welcome gain in fuel economy comes in the form of a somewhat smaller trunk space, as well as the addition of approximately 65 lbs.
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