Buick Mild Hybrid Business Concept Vehicle Unveiled in Shanghai
21 April 2009
| The Buick Business Concept Vehicle. Click to enlarge. |
The Buick Business Concept, a new mild hybrid concept vehicle designed to showcase Buick’s future vision of “business class on the road,” made its global debut at Auto Shanghai 2009.
The multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) was developed in China by the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC), a design and engineering joint venture between General Motors and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), with global design input.
PATAC designed the Buick Business Concept Vehicle to accommodate the next-generation GM Hybrid System, which will be introduced in China in the near future.
The next-generation GM Hybrid System, announced at the Geneva Motor Show in 2008 (earlier post), will build upon the belt-alternator-starter hybrid technology currently available in the Buick LaCrosse Eco-Hybrid in China.
The second-generation version of the GM Hybrid System equipped with a lithium-ion battery system from Hitachi Vehicle Energy Ltd (HVE), a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Hitachi Ltd.,will be nearly three times more powerful than the system it replaces. Overall fuel economy improvements for cars and trucks using the system are expected to be up to 20%, depending on engine and vehicle application.
The next-generation GM Hybrid System helps optimize fuel efficiency and reduce emissions by:
- Turning the engine off at idle
- Offering brief electric-only propulsion
- Using a more powerful electric motor to enhance engine efficiency
- Extending fuel cutoff during deceleration
- Extending regenerative braking to recapture more energy
- Performing intelligent hybrid battery charging
The next-generation GM Hybrid system is paired with a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with Spark-Ignition, Direct Injection (SIDI) and a 6-speed automatic transmission with hybrid auxiliary pump.
According to Cao Min, PATAC Concept Car Chief Designer, the design team set out to create a modern global design for Buick, yet include a subtle Chinese essence and influence. To achieve this balance, they sought to draw from their heritage outside the automotive industry—from classic shapes to arts and ancient relics.
Developing and launching the Business Concept Vehicle in China underscores the diversity, strength and depth of GM’s global design network. It also reflects PATAC’s growing role within the GM design family and China’s significance as the world’s largest Buick market.
—Ed Welburn, GM Vice President of Global Design
A mild hybrid “business class on the road” mpg?
Obama-wan, save us from "Let's put on our rally caps and dig in..!"
Posted by: kelly | 21 April 2009 at 08:25 AM
I have no idea what that means or how it applies to the article.
Posted by: SJC | 21 April 2009 at 08:38 AM
It means: What good is a mild hybrid(it's miles/gal)?
What is a "business class on the road"? (It's from the article - you can't figure it out either, like GM.)
"..rally caps.." is another ongoing GM TV marketing ad that wastes bailout money (or do you buy vehicles that drive "Like a Rock")? Later they steal from the Hyundai advantage.
"Obama-wan, save us" means, "President, stop throwing away bailout money."
Posted by: kelly | 21 April 2009 at 03:35 PM
..."build upon the belt-alternator-starter" and
"Offering brief electric-only propulsion"
Existing belt ISG systems are basically stop-start only, like Chevy Maliby hybrid (it's likely the same system).
ISGs with belts are usually limited to 4 kW power, not enough to offer any useful (even brief) electric-only propulsion.
Posted by: MG | 22 April 2009 at 02:52 AM