Quietly gaining green credentials
For 2012, Buick’s mid-sized Regal sedan has gone green. Not all the way, but some of it.
If you opt for the new eassist model, no one but you will know you’re realizing a (claimed) 21 per cent gain in fuel economy over the base 2.4L model, as there is no badging to be found on the
The mild hybrid system is largely transparent but the power’s about the same
Regal to indicate as such. The Regal eassist bows at $34,335, with this “Leather Group” tester starting at $36,220.
Taking equipment levels into consideration, the eassist commands about an $1,800 over the standard Regal. Official fuel consumption is rated at 8.3 L/100 km city and 5.4 L/100 km highway. My week of wintry in-town driving netted a respectable 9.8 L/100 km. It runs on regular gas.
So what does this extra cash buy you besides a clearer conscience and a bit more time between fill-ups?
GM’S eassist is a cleverly simple mild hybrid system that consists of a beltdriven electric induction motor/generator that hangs off the side of the standard 2.4L direct-injection Ecotec four, and a compact 115-volt lithium-ion battery pack nestled behind the rear seats.
Replacing the alternator, this liquidcooled15-kw motor contributes up to15 hp and 79 lb.-ft. of torque during acceleration and uphill grade driving, and generates juice to charge the battery under deceleration and braking.
Furthering the eassist’s economy is the auto engine start/stop function and aggressive fuel cut-off on deceleration. Add in low rolling resistance tires on light 17-inch alloys, revised tranny ratios, an eco setting for the A/C and some under-body aerodynamic tweaks and you have a cocktail for fuel savings.
Unlike a full hybrid, the Regal eassist won’t go down the road on electric power alone, but in the plus ledger the system is far less complex, lighter, cheaper, doesn’t require a large battery pack and is largely transparent in operation.
Indeed, my wife, who has been known to vilify the uneven driving experiences of certain hybrids I’ve brought home (Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, Toyota Prius, Honda Insight), drove the Regal without knowing it was a mild hybrid. Even the auto-stop function is as smooth as a Herman Cain come-on.
Contributing to the Regal eassist’s normalcy is a crisp-shifting sixspeed automatic transmission, thus avoiding the droning of some CVT (continuously variable transmission) equipped hybrids.
Despite the electric assist, power rating for this hybrid version is the same as the base model at 182 hp and 172 lb.-ft. So the Regal eassist is no rocket, but you can feel a hint of instant electric torque on take off which gives the sedan a more refined feel. The extra torque also helps at highway speeds where the transmission is now less inclined to kick down.
In all other aspects, this Oshawabuilt front-drive sedan wears its European heritage on its sleeve. It sports an extremely rigid structure with a firm but compliant ride, nicely linear steering and an alert chassis. The seats are good for the long haul, and on the highway it is hushed and stable. The Regal is a bit more rakish than the usual suspects in this class, so back seat headroom isn’t as generous as some. The trunk takes a small hit here thanks to the battery pack, the pass-through is smaller and only one section of the rear seatback folds forward. Marketed as an entry-level luxury car, the Regal feels the part with an elegantly styled dash formed from soft-touch plastics, piano-black trim and nicely finished accents. The brushed metal door-pulls are a classy touch. Equipped with $995 navigation, this specimen had a 7inch touch-screen display for audio, navigation, hybrid power flow, trip computer, etc. The HVAC and audio controls below are large and logical. A small Eco gauge lets you know when the electric motor is charging or assisting. The base Regal eassist with cloth seats comes reasonably well equipped with Bluetooth, rear park assist, dual-zone climate control, proximity key with push button start, 7-speaker audio with SIRIUS and USB. Opt for the $1,885 Leather Group and you get heated eight-way leather seats with power lumbar.
This tester had an additional $5,615 in options, including bi-xenon lights, power sunroof, rear seat thorax airbags, remote start and the above-mentioned navigation,
If you like the Regal’s slick Eurostyling and taut moves, the eassist makes it an altogether better car when compared to the base model.
Sure, it can’t match the fuel economy of the full hybrid crowd, but neither is it saddled with all the complex technology.
Sometimes KISS (keep it simple stupid) works. Peter Bleakney reviews vehicles for Toronto Star Wheels. pebleakney@sympatico.ca