Why Was the Buick LaCrosse Hybrid Version Discontinued?
1 Answers
Reasons for the discontinuation of the Buick LaCrosse Hybrid version: 1. High price unable to compete with Japanese manufacturers: The 2020 LaCrosse model has already removed the hybrid variant. The high price of the 2016 LaCrosse Hybrid was mainly due to its hybrid technology being licensed from Toyota. The LaCrosse's THS structure is similar to that of the Camry, with the core component being a planetary gear transmission called ECVT, paired with a 2.5L Atkinson cycle internal combustion engine and an electric motor, using the gasoline engine as the primary drive but with a relatively high proportion of electric motor involvement, classifying it as a strong hybrid technology, with only minor differences in details. 2. Fuel economy not outstanding enough: As a hybrid, fuel consumption is naturally a key focus. The official combined fuel consumption for this LaCrosse Hybrid version is 4.7L/100km, but in actual performance, it likely does not achieve such a low level. The real fuel consumption is probably at least above 6L/100km, with some test drive data online even showing above 7L/100km. Since the 1.8L naturally aspirated engine in the LaCrosse is not an Atkinson cycle, its fuel economy is slightly inferior compared to other hybrid models. 3. Weak high-speed power: The LaCrosse Hybrid's battery pack has a small capacity, causing the engine to engage relatively early. The overall power output of the LaCrosse Hybrid is somewhat lacking, with a 1.8L engine producing 124 horsepower and 175 Nm of torque, and the main electric motor having a maximum power of 81 horsepower and 275 Nm of torque. In the initial acceleration phase, due to the full torque output of the electric motor, the power is adequate, but during mid-range acceleration, a noticeable decline in power can be felt.
