Buick said the LaCrosse Hybrid's eAssist system will mate a 182-horsepower 2.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder gasoline direct-injection engine with an electric motor/generator that can deliver an additional burst of up to 15 hp during acceleration. The LaCrosse Hybrid employs a revised six-speed automatic transmission.

Buick said the eAssist hybrid powertrain will be standard on all 2012 LaCrosse four-cylinder models.

Buick said although eAssist is the standard powertrain on the 2012 LaCrosse, a new, more powerful version of the direct-injected 3.6-liter V6 engine is available at no additional cost on select trim levels. The 3.6-liter model is rated at 303 hp. An all-wheel-drive version, which is yet to be rated, also will be available.