Buick prices 2012 LaCrosse with eAssist

Today, General Motors has finally added pricing to the list of information it has shared about the next LaCrosse, with the base price starting at $29,960 plus $860 destination. The total $30,820 base price will come with the eAssist-equipped 2.4-liter engine, but a 3.6-liter 303 horsepower, 264 lb-ft of torque V6 is also available on some trim levels at no extra charge.
Buick also promises an all-wheel drive variant with the V6, but specs have yet to be announced, along with pricing.
Other new features arriving for 2012 include a dual-zone climate control system, 17-inch alloy wheel, a full-color driver information display center and both USB and Bluetooth connectivity. The 2012 LaCrosse will also have a late-year change that sees the addition of IntelliLink as standard, which will utilize Bluetooth and USB technology along with an eight-inch touch/display screen. IntelliLink is Buick’s latest telematics system and it will cover several functions ranging from phone pairing to music management.
This jump in fuel economy is made possible by adding a 115-volt lithium-ion battery, paired to a 15-kilowatt electric motor that is capable of producing 15 horsepower and 79 lb-ft of torque. The system is also capable of regenerative braking, which combined results in a 25 percent increase in fuel economy to 25 city, 37 highway.
In addition to this mild hybrid technology, Buick also equipped the 2012 LaCrosse with Start-Stop engine technology, which seamlessly powers down the engine at idle to conserve fuel, despite current EPA regulations failing to reflect savings in fuel economy ratings. Rounding out the changes that make these fuel economy figures possible is a six-speed automatic transmission, underbody aerodynamic tweaking and low-rolling resistance tires.
Like many other hybrids on the road, Buick will also equip the LaCrosse with an ECO gauge that allows drivers to see real-time usage and adjust driving accordingly for optimal economy.
The trade off for such a welcome gain in fuel economy comes in the form of a somewhat smaller trunk space, as well as the addition of approximately 65 lbs.

Hyundai Sets Prices for Blue Link Telematics

Hundai  has set annual subscription prices for its Blue Link telematics service, which starts showing up in its cars this summer.

Blue Link is a technology embedded in the car. It offers safety services such as automatic crash notification and navigation, remote unlocking and concierge services.

Hyundai is dividing the Blue Link service into three packages--Assurance,​ Essentials and Guidance. Blue Link debuts with the 2012 Sonata this month, followed by the Veloster coupe this fall. Hyundai predicts that the majority of its lineup will be Blue Link-equipped by 2013.

After a few months of free introductory service, owners must purchase a subscription for the service. Hyundai's launch pricing schedule is:

-- The Blue Link Assurance package is $79 for one year, $139 for two years and $198 for three years.

--The Essentials package, which includes the Assurance services, is $179 for one year, $315 for two years and $448 for three years.

-- The Guidance package, which includes the Assurance and Essentials services, is $279 for one year, $491 for two years and $699 for three years.

Assurance package services include automatic crash notification, an SOS help button that transmits the vehicle's location, a button for roadside assistance, and a monthly vehicle-system report.

The Essentials package adds convenience features such as quick tips, which points out primary features of the car; a location-sharing feature for social networks, and a voice text-messaging feature that sends hands-free texts. It also includes self-diagnostic features such as recall advisories and maintenance alerts, as well as safeguard features such as a valet alert, which text-messages an owner if a valet driver takes the car past a prescribed area. There also is a curfew alert and a speeding alert to notify you via text if a driver disregards preset limits.

The Guidance package adds turn-by-turn navigation, point-of-interest recognition systems, daily route information and traffic, gas station locations and gasoline prices. There also is an Eco-Coach feature that tracks your driving performance habits and recommends improvements.