Officially Official: Buick GL8 is an executive express for China
11-29-10 | 10:36 PM
#1
Officially Official: Buick GL8 is an executive express for China
Officially Official: Buick GL8 is an executive express for China
Buick has released an all-new version of its popular GL8 in China. Developed by Shanghai GM, the executive people-mover wears a freshly redesigned exterior with sculpted body lines and a new front fascia. Inside, GM has thrown the luxury book at the van with tricks like blue ambient lighting, a 10-speaker sound system and two-tone leather seats. An attractive seven-inch touch dominates the dash, though it looks like Buick has managed to hold on to the excessive amount of buttons on the center stack that have become the brand's trademark as of late. Rear passengers, meanwhile, get the benefit of a 10.2-inch HD display for movies and the like.
Under the hood, GM has fitted a 3.0-liter V6 as the GX8 flagship mill, though a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is also available for the fuel-conscious buyers of the People's Republic. A six-speed automatic gearbox takes care of cog-swapping duties.
Gallery:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/buick-gl8-van/#3558669
All-New Buick GL8 Luxury MPV Now Available
330,000 GL8s Sold Across China Since Model's Debut
2010-11-29
Shanghai – The all-new Buick GL8 from Shanghai GM is now available. The luxury MPV builds on the heritage of the original GL8, China's first family of executive wagons. Since the model's debut in 1999, more than 330,000 have been sold across China.
The new model, which will reach the market in January 2011, features seven innovations and 27 technological breakthroughs along with improvements in design, space and safety, technology, power, features and quality. The result is an unprecedented luxury MPV experience that is unmistakably Buick.
"The new GL8 was developed by Shanghai GM in cooperation with the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) in Shanghai with the specific needs of our customers in mind," said Terry Johnsson, Shanghai GM Vice President of Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. "It offers everything that consumers have come to expect from Buick, including a dynamic, smooth, quiet and comfortable ride. Like its predecessor, the new GL8 is the right product at the right time."
The new GL8 has a graceful exterior design highlighted by Buick's distinctive double sweep spear running from front to back. Decorative metal bands add a sense of smooth, modern elegance. Its classic waterfall grille and chrome portholes further underscore the new GL8's Buick heritage.
With a length of 5,256 mm, a width of 1,878 mm, a height of 1,800 mm and a wheelbase of 3,088 mm, the new GL8 provides a spacious ride for all occupants. The dignified interior merges Eastern and Western aesthetics. It features ice-blue atmosphere lighting and a 360-degree wraparound design inspired by luxury yachts.
Among the other amenities available are two-tone ergonomic genuine leather seats; a two-piece panorama sunroof; an electric anti-pinch sliding door and one-touch electric lift rear door; a 10-speaker, 5.1-channel Bose sound system; a 7-inch touch screen up front and 10.2-inch WVGA HD display in back; and the OnStar in-vehicle safety, security and communication service.
An enhanced suspension with independent front-and-back sub-frames ensures a smooth, steady ride. Buick's signature QuietTuning reduces, blocks and absorbs interior noise, for a distraction-free environment that is comparable to that of a luxury sedan.
The new GL8 comes with a choice of a 3.0-liter V-6 SIDI intelligent direct injection engine or a 2.4-liter Ecotec engine with segment-leading fuel efficiency. GM's advanced 6-speed automatic transmission comes standard, providing unrivaled power in the luxury MPV segment.
In the area of safety, the new GL8 has a super-solid body frame. The Bosch 8.1 ESP system delivers premium handling. It is complemented by large-size tires and disc brakes, with six air bags available on selected models. For maximum visibility, the new GL8 incorporates multi-dimensional blue ray Bi-Xenon HID headlights and crystal-like chrome LED taillights.
The new GL8 luxury MPV has a retail price of between RMB 288,000 and RMB 388,000. Shanghai GM is also introducing an upgraded 2011 model of the current Buick GL8 in December 2010, targeting the upper-medium MPV segment. It includes a new 2.4-liter Ecotec engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission. This "dual-vehicle strategy" will enable Shanghai GM to more fully address the MPV market, from the upper-medium to luxury segments.
330,000 GL8s Sold Across China Since Model's Debut
2010-11-29
Shanghai – The all-new Buick GL8 from Shanghai GM is now available. The luxury MPV builds on the heritage of the original GL8, China's first family of executive wagons. Since the model's debut in 1999, more than 330,000 have been sold across China.
The new model, which will reach the market in January 2011, features seven innovations and 27 technological breakthroughs along with improvements in design, space and safety, technology, power, features and quality. The result is an unprecedented luxury MPV experience that is unmistakably Buick.
"The new GL8 was developed by Shanghai GM in cooperation with the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) in Shanghai with the specific needs of our customers in mind," said Terry Johnsson, Shanghai GM Vice President of Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. "It offers everything that consumers have come to expect from Buick, including a dynamic, smooth, quiet and comfortable ride. Like its predecessor, the new GL8 is the right product at the right time."
The new GL8 has a graceful exterior design highlighted by Buick's distinctive double sweep spear running from front to back. Decorative metal bands add a sense of smooth, modern elegance. Its classic waterfall grille and chrome portholes further underscore the new GL8's Buick heritage.
With a length of 5,256 mm, a width of 1,878 mm, a height of 1,800 mm and a wheelbase of 3,088 mm, the new GL8 provides a spacious ride for all occupants. The dignified interior merges Eastern and Western aesthetics. It features ice-blue atmosphere lighting and a 360-degree wraparound design inspired by luxury yachts.
Among the other amenities available are two-tone ergonomic genuine leather seats; a two-piece panorama sunroof; an electric anti-pinch sliding door and one-touch electric lift rear door; a 10-speaker, 5.1-channel Bose sound system; a 7-inch touch screen up front and 10.2-inch WVGA HD display in back; and the OnStar in-vehicle safety, security and communication service.
An enhanced suspension with independent front-and-back sub-frames ensures a smooth, steady ride. Buick's signature QuietTuning reduces, blocks and absorbs interior noise, for a distraction-free environment that is comparable to that of a luxury sedan.
The new GL8 comes with a choice of a 3.0-liter V-6 SIDI intelligent direct injection engine or a 2.4-liter Ecotec engine with segment-leading fuel efficiency. GM's advanced 6-speed automatic transmission comes standard, providing unrivaled power in the luxury MPV segment.
In the area of safety, the new GL8 has a super-solid body frame. The Bosch 8.1 ESP system delivers premium handling. It is complemented by large-size tires and disc brakes, with six air bags available on selected models. For maximum visibility, the new GL8 incorporates multi-dimensional blue ray Bi-Xenon HID headlights and crystal-like chrome LED taillights.
The new GL8 luxury MPV has a retail price of between RMB 288,000 and RMB 388,000. Shanghai GM is also introducing an upgraded 2011 model of the current Buick GL8 in December 2010, targeting the upper-medium MPV segment. It includes a new 2.4-liter Ecotec engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission. This "dual-vehicle strategy" will enable Shanghai GM to more fully address the MPV market, from the upper-medium to luxury segments.
11-30-10 | 06:39 AM
#4
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,864
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
That's really not bad, especially for a GM minivan.
Anyone boggled at why GM finally builds a nice minivan and that's when they give up on the American market? We got years of garbage vans from GM, and now they have a real fighter and it's for China. Unbelievable.
In reality though, if they brought this over to the states, it would be better off being a re-grilled Chevy.
It's hard not comparing the belt line to the new Odyssey but this is clearly superior. Much more tasteful.
Anyone boggled at why GM finally builds a nice minivan and that's when they give up on the American market? We got years of garbage vans from GM, and now they have a real fighter and it's for China. Unbelievable.
In reality though, if they brought this over to the states, it would be better off being a re-grilled Chevy.
It's hard not comparing the belt line to the new Odyssey but this is clearly superior. Much more tasteful.
11-30-10 | 08:09 AM
#6
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,285
Likes: 0
From: A better place
Not a big fan of the grille, but otherwise looks pretty decent. The profile vaguely reminds me of the 2nd-gen Sienna.
Overall an elegant design inside and out.
Total egg in the face for Honda. I agree this is how the "lighting bolt" character line should have been done by Honda.
Also kudos to GM for making the door tracks hidden.
Overall an elegant design inside and out.
Total egg in the face for Honda. I agree this is how the "lighting bolt" character line should have been done by Honda.
Also kudos to GM for making the door tracks hidden.
11-30-10 | 09:51 PM
#7
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,459
Likes: 1
From: Makati, Philippines
This looks like a neat General Motors van........and obviously a farcry from that POS Chevrolet Venture that my cousin said had broke down more than thrice already.
This is really a departure.......and IMHO would do well in the home market (which was a market that GM abandoned when they stopped offering quality vans there).
Yup, indeed this is what the American Honda Odyssey (new model) should have been
This is really a departure.......and IMHO would do well in the home market (which was a market that GM abandoned when they stopped offering quality vans there).
Yup, indeed this is what the American Honda Odyssey (new model) should have been
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