The Buick LaCrosse Eco-Hybrid was developed by Shanghai GM, a partnership between GM and Shanghai Auto, and will be joined by a second hybrid model in the new future, according to officials from the Chinese-American joint-venture. The new Eco-Hybrid drivetrain is said to consume just 8.3L of petrol per 100km (28mpg) and designers are said to be working on even more efficient models, reports Automotive News. There’s no word on when either of these models will be available in showrooms but officials are boasting that more than 11 new engine designs will be launched between 2009 and 2012.
It’s good to see carmakers in developing markets like China focusing on improving the fuel efficiency of their cars. It would be easy for them to develop unrefined, low-cost powertrains, which guzzle fuel, but instead they are showing that hybrid and even fuel-cell technology will play a major role in these new markets.