Buick launched this luxury electric van in China for $70,000

Yes, that’s a Buick, and it’s 100% electric. GM’s “affordable luxury” brand launched a new high-end seven-seater electric van in China priced around $70,000.

Buick launches the GL8 Encasa, an all-electric luxury van

The GL8 Encasa EV is Buick’s new range-topping flagship van. General Motors’ joint venture in China, SAIC-GM, launched the new high-end electric van in China this week, starting at 489,900 yuan (about $70,000).

While $70,000 for a Buick may seem expensive compared to vehicles like the Enclave, which sells in the US for around $48,000, the GL6 Encasa is massive, with three rows of seating and enough room for seven passengers.

At 5,260 mm (207″) long, 2,023 mm (80″) wide, and 1,820 mm (72″) tall, with a wheelbase of 3,160 mm (124″), Buick’s electric van is even bigger than the Volkswagen ID. Buzz long wheelbase (LWB) and Kia PV5 electric vans.

Inside, you wouldn’t know you were sitting in a Buick with seven screens, reclining captain chairs with legrests, heating and cooling, a built-in refrigerator, and advanced new tech and safety features.

The setup includes dual 16.3″ infotainment and passenger screens, a 10.25″ driver display cluster, and a 50″ augmented reality head-up display.

For the rear passengers, there’s a 21″ entertainment screen that folds down from the ceiling, plus two 5.5″ control screens.

Other premium features include a 16-speaker Bose sound system, air suspension, and a suite of advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) features powered by Momenta R6.

The electric van is equipped with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive (AWD) powertrain, delivering a combined 646 hp (482 kW) and 405 lb-ft (550 Nm) of torque, enabling the big-body electric van to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in 5.1 seconds.

Regarding range, the Buick GL8 Encasa EV draws power from a 96 kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery, providing up to 373 miles (601 km) of driving range under CLTC conditions.

It also features ultra-fast charging thanks to a 900-volt electric architecture, enabling it to recharge from 10% to 80% in just 11 minutes using a 640 kW DC fast charger.

The new “Pure Electric Luxury Edition” joins the GL8 Encasa plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version launched in December, starting at 439,900 yuan ($64,000).

Buick’s new GL8 Encasa EV starts at 489,900 yuan, or just over $70,000 in China. Would you buy one in the US for about $70K? We’ll keep dreaming. Buick has yet to introduce a single all-electric vehicle in the US.

Source: CarNewsChina, General Motors