Buick Goes Green With Elegant eAssist
Younger drivers are increasingly drawn to the Buick brand although it has a history of being associated with the older generation. This is a case of car buyers discovering the underrated luxury and high-tech features of Buick that have kept the brand in the picture for a long time. And now, Buick has made a stab at the hybrid market with the eAssist. This is a model that is expected to cause some ripples in the ‘green’ motoring market segment dominated by the likes of Toyota Prius.
What is Unique About Buick eAssist?
The new Buick features an engine system that controls fuel mileage by constantly regulating the gas uptake. This is done by shutting down the engine when the car stops or cutting fuel supply when decelerating or in cruise mode. The engine shutdown feature is a sophisticated process that enables the vehicle to smoothly come to a halt and start up in a seamless manner that has no negative effect on engine propulsion. This makes the eAssist stand out from other hybrid varieties including Toyota Prius and Camry Hybrid.
Performance
Under the hood, the impressive eAssist has a 182 hp, 2.4 liter, 4-cylinder engine. The direct injection engine can generate 172 pounds per feet of torque. The eAssist Buick comes with a Hydra-Matic 6 -speed automatic transmission which works wonders on the road. The high-gear motoring ensures that you get lower fuel consumption due to the fewer engine revs when cruising. This enhances the miles per gallon count. Buick has given its hybrid a 115 V lithium ion battery that is air cooled and is able to boost the engine power by up to 15 hp or 11 kw during acceleration. In addition, the unique car features feeds a regenerative braking power of 15 kw.
Salient Features
The Buick eAssist design was influenced by a concept coupe known as Riviera that was launched back in 2007. Included in the design are some of the time-honored Buick details. These include the waterfall front grille and the standard company trademarks. The dashboard is user friendly with easy to read gauges including an ECO gauge displaying the fuel efficiency. The driver information section also has a pictogram showing the car’s electric flow as well as battery charge. The eAssist also features elegant upholstery with sufficient shoulder and leg room for the driver and passengers. The new Buick has also been fitted with lots of modern amenities that include:
- Touch screen audio system
- Audio streaming from other devices
- Smartphone integration
- Video entertainment
- Navigation system
- Rear view camera and blind spot warning
- Telescopic steering wheel
- 17 inch alloy rims
The Final Verdict
A ride with the Buick eAssist helps to appreciate its approach of a mix of business and pleasure driving. The added advantage of hybrid features significantly leads to good fuel economy. For those looking for good mpg and class in motoring, the eAssist is a clever choice. And pound for pound comparison with other hybrids reveals the true superiority of this ‘green’ machine.
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