The new generation of Buick GL8 PHEV can get back what was lost?
In the latest sales list in March, Buick GL8 was once again surpassed by Denza D9 DM-i, and the gap between the two cars was as high as 2,226 units, which is still exaggerated in the MPV market.
In the first quarter of 2024, 21,681 units of the Denza D9 DM-i and 16,790 units of the Buick GL8 were sold, which is almost 5,000 units less than the Denza D9 DM-i.
The sales of Buick GL8, the former MPV hegemon, are declining, and it is precisely at a time when consumer demand for fuel MPVs is slowing down. Judging from the monthly list of MPVs in March, new energy MPVs such as "latecomers" such as Ideal MEGA and Xpeng X9 have snatched a part of the market share of traditional fuel MPVs in the past. Therefore, for Buick GL8, it is imperative to "green card".
In addition to continuing to improve the comfort of the cabin, the biggest change this time is to match the GL8 with a new generation of PHEV plug-in hybrid system, in addition to being more fuel-efficient, the biggest benefit is that the car can be on the green plate. This indicates that after the launch of the new car, Buick GL8 has returned to the same runway as its new energy MPV rivals!
Earlier, Buick has already released a small number of exterior images, and not much other information has been disclosed at present. I've briefly compiled some of the core content here:
The new car features a large-mouth grille, similar to the Buick Century style. The addition of the through-type light strip not only enhances the fashion sense of the front face, but also supports a variety of light effects, making the vehicle more eye-catching during driving. Split headlights are located on either side of the grille and complement the air vent design underneath, adding a sporty touch to the front end.
In terms of comfort, the new seats are padded with SurFlex comfort cotton, with a thickness of 30mm in some areas, which is expected to improve the comfort level of the seats. In addition, it also incorporates damping shock absorbers to effectively reduce vibrations during driving. In terms of functional configuration, the new car is expected to be equipped with air bag massage and pneumatic lumbar support. The seats are upholstered in Nappa leather and have 6-way adjustable headrests.
The Buick GL8 plug-in hybrid version is expected to be equipped with a plug-in hybrid system consisting of a 1.5-liter engine and a P1+P3 motor. Combined with the technical characteristics of the General Autonen platform: a full-stack self-developed plug-in hybrid electric drive unit, the peak power of the front drive motor family covers 140 kW to 180 kW, and the peak power of the rear drive motor is 110 kW to 160 kW.
According to the official reveal, the comprehensive range of the new car will exceed 1000km. At the same time, the 0-100 km/h acceleration time of the new car is also significantly improved compared to the current GL8 Luzun, which is expected to reach about 8.5 seconds.
As I said at the beginning, with the addition of the plug-in hybrid GL8, the Buick GL8 can be put back into the "green MPV" competitive track. At present, the supremacy of GL8 has been impacted, and with the addition of the new GL8 plug-in hybrid version, it will undoubtedly greatly boost the terminal sales of Buick GL8. Whether it is a family MPV or a commercial MPV market, you can't underestimate the power of a green card!