Powertrain Innovation Comes Standard on 2013 Regal

DETROIT – The 2013 Buick Regal luxury sport sedan arrives at dealerships this fall with a standard advanced eAssist powertrain and 36 highway mpg. Two powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engines give Regal one of the most technologically advanced engine ranges in the brand’s history.

“With eAssist, Buick is redefining what a ‘conventional powertrain’ means to customers,” said eAssist global chief engineer Stephen Poulos. “It changes the fuel economy – but not the experience – for the 97 percent of new car buyers who aren’t buying hybrids.”

Where a hybrid vehicle requires a complex system of large, heavy batteries and electric motors, Buick eAssist uses a compact lithium-ion battery and a small electric motor/generator in place of an alternator to achieve an EPA-estimated 36 highway mpg for both the Regal and the LaCrosse luxury sedans.

The three main advantages of the eAssist system are its stop/start functionality, which turns the engine off when the vehicle is at rest; regenerative braking that gathers and stores energy that would otherwise be lost during braking, and an electric motor assist that reduces the gas engine’s work during acceleration or on inclines. 

“It takes advantage of the best parts of a hybrid, and eAssist is now standard equipment for Regal,” said Poulos. “These new functions happen seamlessly, a requirement for Buick drivers who demand a refined driving experience. They’ll really only notice a difference at the pump.”

Buyers interested in more acceleration can choose from a no-cost option of a 220-horsepower, 2.0L turbocharged Ecotec engine or the 270-hp Regal GS, both with variable valve timing and direct injection. In addition to one of the most power-dense engines ever certified by the Society of Automotive Engineers, the GS offers high-performance Brembo brakes, HiPer strut suspension technology and unique design cues inside and out.

Both Regal Turbo and Regal GS are offered with automatic or manual transmissions; Regal with eAssist is available exclusively with a six-speed automatic.

The Buick Regal name, which celebrates its 40^th anniversary in 2013, is a powertrain innovation pioneer. In 1975, it was the only mid-size vehicle in the United States to forego a standard V-8 engine for a more efficient V-6, while remaining competitive in performance. Three years later, the Regal employed a turbocharger.

“In 1978, Buick was the only mainstream brand offering a turbocharged engine,” said GM Heritage Center Manager Greg Wallace. “Only small, performance-oriented brands like Porsche and Saab were experimenting with the same technology at the time. It was very progressive of Buick to offer a turbocharged V-6 in a mid-size luxury coupe in the late ‘70s.”

Regal powertrain engineers continued that innovation 19 years later, when the 1997 Buick Regal GS debuted with the brand’s first supercharged V-6, rated at 240 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. It was among the most powerful and efficient vehicles in its segment and still achieved 28 highway mpg.

Today’s Buick Regal combines sport sedan handling with intelligent powertrain technologies. Regal with eAssist offers five more highway mpg than an Acura TSX and six more than a Volvo S60, while the Regal Turbo and Regal GS offer more power than turbocharged four-cylinder engines from Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen.

Courtesy of media.gm.com

GM Helps Evaluate Rear Impact Crash Dummy

DETROIT, MI - General Motors, which has a long history of crash test dummy design, is leading research on the potential for global auto industry use of a new dummy that would help automakers and safety experts better understand how crash victims are hurt in rear impacts.

The dummy, called BioRID, was designed by Chalmers University in Gothenburg, Sweden, for seat restraint assessment. It is distinguished by its sophisticated spinal column with 24 vertebra simulators that allow it to sit naturally and demonstrates humanlike neck movement in rear-end collisions.

To gain acceptance, BioRID needs to deliver repeatable, reproducible test results, which is considered integral to the design and evaluation of vehicle safety. 

GM crash test engineer Barbara Bunn recently developed and conducted tests to evaluate the ability of different BioRIDs to produce consistent measurements when subjected to identical tests. The United States Council for Automotive Research in May recognized Bunn for her execution of the test matrix.

“The test matrix Barb developed will be helpful to the industry for determining BioRID’s future, and demonstrates GM’s commitment to advancing crash test dummy technology and procedures for evaluating vehicle safety,” said Gay Kent, GM general director of Vehicle Safety and Crashworthiness.

To create the test matrix, Bunn, who chairs the Occupant Safety Research Partnership’s Rear Impact Dummy Task Group, collaborated with engineers from Chrysler, Ford and Humanetics Innovative Systems, which manufactures the BioRID. She designed the construction of a crash simulator sled to simultaneously test four BioRIDs. She worked with safety engineers from Porsche, Volkswagen, Daimler, Chrysler and Ford to determine seating postures and other test criteria.

The tests subjected the dummies to a low-speed rear impact simulation in nearly identical seats, and collected measurements of crash forces on areas such as the upper and lower neck. The team compared its measurements to data from similar tests conducted by other automaker labs in Europe and provided its findings to regulators worldwide for consideration.

BioRID is one of many so-called anthropomorphic test devices, or ATDs, the formal name for crash test dummies. GM routinely tests with a wide range of adult male-, female- and child-size ATDs that house sophisticated data collection sensors, capable of generating status reports 10,000 times per second.

GM engineers analyze data from physical crash tests and computer simulations to understand how a vehicle, its safety systems and occupants respond during a crash. These data help engineers look for ways to enhance vehicle safety.

The efforts are evident across the GM’s product lineup. For the 2012 model year 14 Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC vehicles have been named 2012 Top Safety Picks by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which includes rear impact testing among its criteria for Top Safety Pick. Eleven 2012 models have received 5-Star Overall Vehicle Scores in U.S. New Car Assessment Program testing administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“The execution of the BioRID test matrix couldn’t have been done without a strong spirit of collaboration,” Bunn said. “Ultimately, every automaker wants to improve the crash dummies that we use to design safety into our vehicles. That way, all of our customers will benefit in the long run.”

Courtesy of Muncie Free Press

Monday Maintenance Tip: Replacing Your Timing Belt

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Replacing your timing belt regularly is essential

A significant element of the “brain” of a car engine, the timing belt (aka cam belt), controls your vehicle’s valve timing. The timing belt connects the crankshaft to the camshaft, which controls the opening and closing of valves necessary during the internal combustion process. On some engines, it may also turn the water pump. According to Wikipedia, the first car to use a timing belt was in 1945, and the timing belt first went into mass production in 1962 with the German Glas 1004 car. It hit America with the 1966 Pontiac Tempest, and the 1966 Vauxhall introduced the modern-day use of the timing belt with the four-cylinder overhead cam design that is common to most cars today. Auto manufacturers recommend that the timing belt be replaced at regular intervals, so it is wise to consult your owner’s manual and keep accurate records.

Make changing the timing belt part of regular maintenance

All automotive belts are important to an engine’s proper function, and the timing belt is no exception. It’s made of rubber, so it’s relatively inexpensive. However, it can also snap without warning. Depending upon whether you have the “free-wheeling” type of engine (as AutoMedia.com puts it), a snapped timing belt can cause the engine pistons to bend the valves, which requires the head to be removed. That’s an expensive repair procedure, so have your timing belt replaced regularly. As the timing belt is typically covered up and not easily visible, it’s generally a good idea to have a trained professional perform the inspection and replacement. However, mechanic-savvy consumers can perform the procedure at home. See About.com’s detailed instructions for more info on the procedure, and be careful not to over-tighten.

How long will a timing belt last?

This varies by manufacturer. It could be about 10,000 miles for a belt tension check, or as many as 100,000 miles before total replacement. If there’s any doubt, preventative maintenance is better than waiting until it snaps and the valves warp. If you drive hard and live in a warm climate, you will probably have to change the timing belt more often, as excessive heat causes rubber to crack over time. Exposure to oil or antifreeze can also wear down the rubber, so if you have a leak, you’ll want to inspect the belt. Since the cost of a new water pump is relatively low compared with the cost of having a mechanic go in and check the timing belt, many experts recommend replacing the water pump at the same time as the timing belt.

 

Courtesy of CarDealExpert.com

Buick Enclave and Buick LaCrosse Named the Official Vehicles of Bon Appetit Presents Chicago Gourmet

CHICAGO, IL -- (Marketwire) -- 08/20/12 -- The Illinois Restaurant Association is pleased to announce the 2013 Buick Enclave and 2013 Buick LaCrosse as the official vehicles of Bon Appétit presents Chicago Gourmet, a premier culinary experience to be held in Millennium Park September 29-30, 2012. The new models of the luxury 2013 Buick Enclave and 2013 Buick LaCrosse will be available for attendees to preview on the Great Lawn and on the South Promenade of Millennium Park. Guests can meet with Buick representatives and explore the luxury features of the vehicles.

The new 2013 Buick Enclave advances the award-winning design, craftsmanship and technology that ushered in Buick's renaissance and reintroduced the brand to a new generation of customers. The industry's best-selling three-row luxury crossover features fresh styling, new safety technologies, in-vehicle connectivity and a more refined driving experience. The full-size Buick LaCrosse luxury sedan features the fuel-saving eAssist™ system standard. Using a variety of advanced technologies, it delivers an estimated 36 miles per gallon on the highway and 25 miles per gallon in the city, which rivals -- or exceeds -- that of small cars, but in a full-size luxury package that comfortably seats five adults.

We are thrilled to partner with Buick," said Sam Toia, President of the Illinois Restaurant Association. "The Enclave and LaCrosse's style and sophistication are a perfect match for the discerning tastes of Chicago Gourmet attendees."

"Our customers are extremely interested in culinary arts, which is why we're proud to make Buick a major ingredient in this year's Chicago Gourmet," said Craig Bierley, Buick advertising and promotions director. "We hope attendees will take the opportunity to discover the distinctive attributes of both vehicles throughout the weekend."

Courtesy of sys-con

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GMC Pickups 101: What’s the Differential?

DETROIT – Technologies like advanced turbodiesel V-8 engines or hydroformed steel frames have advanced the 2013 GMC Sierra to unprecedented levels of capability for fullsize pickups. In just the decade since the 2003 model debuted, maximum towing capacity for a Sierra HD has risen 43 percent, from 16,100 pounds to an industry-leading 23,100 pounds.

Getting that towing force from the engine to each rear wheel is the task of a set of gears located in the center of the truck’s rear axle known as the differential. The ratio of the sizes of those gears is represented by the diameter of the gear that drives the wheels in relation to the gear from the driveshaft.  So, a 3.08:1 ratio indicates the drive gear has 3.08 times as many teeth as the gear on the driveshaft.

Using different diameter gears within the differential affects both towing ability and fuel efficiency. Since pickup owners have varying needs and preferences, GMC addresses different requirements by offering various rear axle gear ratios.

“A numerically lower axle ratio keeps engine speeds lower for better fuel economy, while higher ratios generally yield higher towing capacities and quicker launches from a stop,” said Greg Martuch, energy and powertrain engineer for the GMC Sierra.

Four different ratios are available across the Sierra 1500 ½-ton pickup lineup: from 3.08:1 to 3.73:1. Available ratios vary by cab type, engine and drive type. Sierra HD, including ¾-ton and 1-ton models, uses rear axle ratios of 3.73:1 and 4.10:1.

Each ratio is decided after months and years of testing factors such as acceleration from a stop; performance on a grade; transmission behavior; fuel economy; towing, and thermal management. Keeping engine speeds down allows a vehicle’s cooling to be more effective.

How much of a difference does the choice of axle make? A 2013 Sierra 2500HD with a 6.0L V-8 and four-wheel drive can tow a maximum of 9,900 pounds with a 3.73:1 ratio or 14,400 pounds with a 4.10:1 ratio. Martuch estimates the fuel economy difference at highway speeds would be around 0.2-0.3 mpg between those two ratios, though reduced engine noise is also a benefit of maintaining lower engine speeds with the more-efficient ratio.

Martuch recommends customers consider their everyday needs. “The higher the combined weight of a truck and trailer, the harder the vehicle needs to work. If a customer is going to tow a small boat just a few times a year, a Sierra 1500 with a lower ratio would capably handle the occasional towing duty while delivering better efficiency the other 95 percent of the time. But for someone towing construction equipment every day, I would definitely recommend an HD pickup with a 4.10 axle and external engine and transmission oil coolers.”

Courtesy of media.gm.com

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