[USA] Buick Regal (Foto Ufficiali)

[J-Gian]

The eAssist system's electric induction motor-generator is mounted to the engine in place of the alternator to provide both motor assist and electric-generating functions through a unique engine belt-drive system. The induction motor-generator is a high-performance, compact induction motor that is liquid-cooled for increased performance and efficiency.

Quindi il piccolo elettrico si trova al posto dell'alternatore e collegato al motore originale con una cinghia Durante il cut-off recupera energia, in accelerazione contribuisce ad aumentare l'efficienza.

Non mi è chiaro che tipo di automatico utilizzi, sembra di tipo tradizionale, ma non ho capito se conservi il convertitore+blocco o se vi sia una frizione al suo posto...

Comunque ha una pompa elettrica per inserire la 1a a motore spento e partire prima, ZF per le brevi soste utilizza allo stesso scopo un cilindro accumulatore a molla, che si "ricarica" in qualche secondo a motore acceso... Soluzione decisamente più interessante.

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E`arrivata anche la versione ad Etanolo, parlano della prima auto turbo ad etanolo sul mercato… vabbè io volevo sapere i consumi rispetto alla benzina (specialmente quelle a basse ottanni comuni in NA), l'unica cosa che non è scritta saranno uguali con solo il vantaggio dell'altro carburante?!

US: Buick offers turbo flex-fuel engine

General Motors’ 2011 Buick Regal Turbo will offer the first direct-injected turbocharged engine with flex-fuel capability in a production car. The turbocharged Ecotec 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder engine can operate on any blend of gasoline or E85 ethanol. It produces 258 lb ft of torque from 2,000 to 5,500rpm.

More than half of all GM’s model line-up will offer flex-fuel options by the end of 2012. Over the past 15 years, the OEM has built more than 5 million flex-fuel models.

Engineers had to upgrade earlier versions of the 2.0-litre Ecotec turbo to allow for flex-fuel operation. Ethanol requires a richer air-fuel mixture than gasoline, so flex-fuel engines need higher flow-rate injectors. A sensor in the fuel system measures the ethanol-gasoline blend in real-time, allowing the engine management system to automatically adjust the mixture to provide improved performance and reduced emissions and fuel consumption. Stainless steel fuel lines provide extra corrosion resistance.

Turbochargers use the energy in the hot exhaust gas flow to drive a compressor that forces more air into the combustion chamber for on-demand power delivery. The twin-scroll turbocharger on the Ecotec engine provides two inlet paths to the turbine to maximize the kinetic and thermal energy delivered to the turbine.

“Lag and reduced vehicle launch response is one of the age-old concerns with previous turbo engines,” said Ecotec chief engineer Mike Anderson. “Drivers would step on the gas to accelerate and then have to wait for boost and power to be generated,” he said. “The twin-scroll turbocharger helps the engine generate power and torque when the driver needs it for passing manoeuvres or merging onto a highway even at low engine speeds.”

The 2.0-liter Ecotec turbo also has a new precision sand cast aluminium cylinder block that provides better durability while transmitting less noise and vibration than lost foam casting used previously.

Automotive World - US: Buick offers turbo flex-fuel engine

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Press Release :

2012 BUICK REGAL GS PRODUCTION MODEL TAKES SPORTS SEDAN PERFORMANCE TO A NEW LEVEL FOR BUICK

• High-performance midsize sport sedan with 0-60 mph performance of under seven seconds

• Features exclusive, GS-only high-output version of the Ecotec 2.0L turbo engine with 255 hp and 295 lb.-ft. of torque

• Buick's Interactive Drive Control System allows drivers to change the suspension settings and steering sensitivity

• Exclusive, racing-inspired exterior and interior appointments

• Goes on sale in the second half of 2011

A quanto pare c' qualcosa da aggiornare (non potevano pensarci prima di dare i dati ufficiali eh? )

2012 Buick Regal GS hits track with 270 hp, 15 more than planned

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First, when the Regal GS was first announced, we were only promised 255 horses, so 270 is a very welcome figure.

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Autoblog.com 2012 Buick Regal GS hits track with 270 hp, 15 more than planned