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“The Buick LaCrosse expands its technological credentials by adding eAssist light electrification for the 2018 model,” says Buick in the most vague way possible, meaning that one of their more popular cars now comes in a hybrid.
The term “light electrification” is a pretty good way to go, because although this is a hybrid, it’s not a full blown one like a Prius.
Electric Approach
What Buick, a brand both beloved in America’s heartland and China, is doing with their electrified LaCrosse here is combining an electric motor with the crossover’s 2.5 liter four-cylinder engine to deliver “quiet, refined, and spirited efficient performance backed by the value and customer experience expected of Buick.” Okay, all good so far. Nothing wrong with adding some batteries and an electric motor or two (look at what happened when Ferrari did it), but how does this all play out in the LaCrosse" Buick’s new eAssist system (yes, that’s how they spell it) pairs the four-cylinder engine with a compact lithium-ion battery pack to offer benefits usually found on fully electric vehicles. So the LaCrosse dials in such goodies as torque-assisted launch, energy-saving regenerative braking (which can also enhance braking performance), and an exceptionally smooth stop/start system. Buick loves this new eAssist system so much it will be the standard powertrain for the 2018 LaCr...