The Buick electric minivan accelerates to 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds

The American automaker Buick has unveiled its new GL8 Encasa electric minivan in China, targeting the premium segment. The model seats seven passengers and serves as an alternative to traditional business-class vehicles.

The vehicle was developed as part of the SAIC-GM joint venture. Its dimensions are 5,260 x 2,023 x 1,820 mm with a wheelbase of 3,160 mm, making it larger than a number of competitors. The powertrain includes two all-wheel-drive electric motors with a combined output of 646 horsepower and 550 Nm of torque. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes 5.1 seconds. The 96-kWh battery is rated for a range of up to 601 km on the CLTC cycle. The model uses a 900-volt architecture and supports charging at up to 640 kW, allowing the battery to be charged from 10% to 80% in just 11 minutes. The interior features seven screens, including a 50-inch augmented reality display, as well as a Bose audio system. Driver assistance systems based on Momenta R6 are also included.

The model will cost 489,900 yuan, which is approximately $71,000.