Judging from the relevant information that has been disclosed so far, if priced appropriately, the Buick Electra E5 will have very strong product competitiveness.
As the Buick brand began to use a new family design language, its product matrix also started updating and upgrading work.
The new generation Buick LaCrosse
As a high-end mid-size car specially built by SAIC-GM Buick for the Chinese market, LaCrosse, one of Buick's twin stars, is about to undergo a replacement. After all, it has been five years since the current LaCrosse was launched. Facing China's mid-level sedan market, whose market structure has long been different, LaCrosse also needs to keep up with market changes to enhance its competitiveness.
Judging from the application drawing, the new generation Buick LaCrosse is built using the Buick brand's latest PURE Design pure design concept. The front face shape of the new car is exactly the same as the new generation Buick GL8. The "G"-shaped headlights and trapezoidal grille design make the front face of the new generation LaCrosse look very visually impactful. At the rear of the car, the new generation LaCrosse adopts the popular through-type taillights and ducktail design, supplemented by chrome trim strips, making the rear of the car look more three-dimensional and more advanced.
In terms of details, the new generation LaCrosse will be equipped with panoramic sunroof, rear privacy glass and other configurations. In addition, the new car will also launch the higher-end Avenir model simultaneously. Compared with the regular version, the Avenir's front face details and grille shape will be different.
In terms of interiors, although the interior of the new generation LaCrosse has not yet been exposed, it is speculated from the new generation GL8 that has been launched and the high-spirited interior design layout that the new generation LaCrosse is expected to adopt a similar design. The new car will be equipped with a floating integrated dual-screen display, Qualcomm 8155 chip and Buick eConnect intelligent interconnected vehicle system.
In terms of size, judging from the declaration information, the body measurements of the new generation LaCrosse are: 4996/1866/1472 (1475) mm, 2905mm. Compared with the current LaCrosse (5026/1866/1459mm, wheelbase 2905mm), the body length of the new generation LaCrosse has been shortened, the vehicle width and wheelbase remain unchanged, and the vehicle height has increased. Judging from the changes in body size, the new generation LaCrosse should still be built on the platform of the previous generation model.
In terms of power, the new generation LaCrosse will be equipped with a 2.0T engine model LXH, with a maximum power output of 169kW. The power calibration is lower than the 174kW of the current model, but emissions and fuel consumption are expected to improve. In addition, it is currently unknown whether the new generation LaCrosse will continue to launch 1.5T powered models.
Faced with the increasingly fierce competition and the shrinking mid-level car market, the traditional mid-level car giants also need to work harder.
Buick Electra E5
On December 19, Buick officially announced the official image of the Buick Electra E5, its first medium-to-large "large five-seater intelligent pure electric SUV" based on the universal Ultium electric vehicle platform. The new car will be produced at SAIC-GM's Wuhan Autoneng plant and will be delivered in the first half of 2023. It is expected to be launched in the first quarter of 2023.
In terms of appearance, the Buick Electra E5 is also built using the Buick brand’s latest PURE Design pure design concept. The cornices and wingspan on the front face make the new car both fashionable and technological.
In the interior part, Buick Electra E5 adopts Buick’s latest VCS smart cockpit design. The interior layout of the new car is also highly similar to that of the new generation GL8. It adopts a suspended one-piece dual large screen configuration and adopts a through-type front seat design, which has a feeling of returning to the classic American luxury style.
In terms of active safety, Buick Electra E5 will be equipped with the Buick brand’s new generation Super Cruise super assisted driving system. This system currently has L2 level intelligent driving assistance capabilities, but through OTA upgrades in the future, the respective functions of intelligent driving assistance can be improved.
In terms of size, according to the declaration information, the Buick Electra E5 has a body length, width and height of 4892/1905/1681 (1684) mm, and a wheelbase of 2954mm. It is a medium to large five-seater SUV.
As for the power part, Buick Electra E5 will initially launch a model with a single-machine layout, with a maximum power output of 180kW. After the single-motor version, the Buick Electra E5 is expected to be launched with a four-wheel drive dual-motor version.
Judging from the relevant information that has been disclosed so far, if priced appropriately, Buick Electra E5 will have very strong product competitiveness. Although General Motors' pure electric vehicle products arrived a little later, the century-old brand's strong technological accumulation and historical heritage are still unmatched by new car-making forces.
