GM Korea introduces Alpheon eAssist; 25% improvement in fuel economy
28 October 2011
|
|
| Alpheon eAssist Click to enlarge. |
GM Korea introduced the Alpheon eAssist, the first hybrid vehicle from the company and the first hybrid vehicle in its segment in Korea. The new Alpheon eAssist, which will go on sale in November, offers improved fuel economy of 25% and reduced CO2 emissions of 22% compared with the standard Alpheon model.
Like the light electrification powertrain of the Buick LaCrosse upon which it is based, the Alpheon eAssist features a 2.4-liter spark ignition direct injection (SIDI) engine (max. 179 hp at 6,700 rpm; 233 N·m torque) supplemented by a small Li-ion battery pack and a 17.6-kW, 63.6 N·m electric motor generator. (General Motors launched the Buick LaCrosse with eAssist in China on 25 August. Earlier post.)
The Alpheon eAssist offer fuel economy of 14.1 km/L (33.2 mpg US, 7.1 L/100km).
An ECO gauge on the instrument panel continuously responds to driving behavior, allowing the driver to drive with maximum efficiency. Tires have been optimized to further maximize fuel efficiency.
The Alpheon received a maximum five stars in KNCAP’s frontal crash test, offset frontal crash test, side crash test and whiplash test. It achieved the maximum overall score of 54 points. In the US the Buick LaCrosse was a Top Safety Pick in 2010 by the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) and received a five-star rating in the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) New Car Assessment Program in April 2011.
GM Korea is Korea’s third-largest automotive company and represents one of GM’s largest manufacturing, design and technology hubs. It operates five manufacturing facilities in Korea as well as an assembly facility in Vietnam. In 2010, GM Korea sold domestically and exported more than 1.84 million vehicles, including CKD products, primarily under the Chevrolet brand.
GM Korea produces one out of every four Chevrolets sold worldwide. It provides market- and brand-specific vehicle kits for assembly at GM facilities in China, Uzbekistan, Mexico, India, Colombia, Russia and other countries. Vehicles and kits from GM Korea are offered in more than 150 markets on six continents.
25% is not to be sneezed at.
I wonder how much extra it costs over the standard model.
Posted by: mahonj | 28 October 2011 at 02:23 AM
Not only not to be sneezed at, but the 15 kW alternator is enough to allow all accessory loads to be powered electrically. This enables large improvements in the future, as the power demands can be minimized and the engine no longer needs to be running to operate them.
11 kW of motor power should be enough to creep in traffic with the combustion engine off. Maybe they'll do it.
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | 28 October 2011 at 06:41 AM
This type of very light electrification vehicle may be an acceptable interim solution, at least until such times as affordable higher performance batteries are mass produced. With time, the ICE will get smaller and e-motors larger up to 100% electrification.
Posted by: HarveyD | 28 October 2011 at 06:50 AM
In the US version eAssist is "free". In other models its about $3k
Posted by: Herm | 29 October 2011 at 09:26 AM