- The Electra L7 extended-range sedan measures 5 meters long, boasts a battery range of up to 302 km, and delivers 338 horsepower.
- Buick is betting on a segment of NEVs that has been popular in China for several years but where competition is becoming exceptionally fierce.
Buick, a brand of General Motors, debuted the Electra L7 extended-range sedan in China, marking its wager on a new energy vehicle (NEV) segment that has gained popularity over the years but now faces intensifying competition.
Buick introduced the Electra L7 at an event held yesterday evening. The mid-to-large-size sedan, built on the Xiao Yao Super Architecture, is now accepting reservations, though pricing details remain undisclosed.
Pre-sales for the Electra L7 will commence on September 28, with its official market launch scheduled for the fourth quarter.
When previewing the Electra L7 in July, Buick indicated the sedan would be priced around the RMB 300,000 ($41,790) level.
The Electra L7 is the latest model under Buick's Electra sub-brand, which was upgraded from a product line to a standalone brand in April.
The vehicle measures 5,032 mm in length, 1,952 mm in width, and 1,500 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,000 mm.
It features Buick's "Zhen Long" extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) system, which the brand claims redefines extended-range technology by delivering robust power even at low battery levels.
The Electra L7 utilizes a 1.5-liter engine as its range extender, delivering a maximum power output of 115 kW and peak torque of 230 Nm.
Its electric motor produces a maximum power of 252 kW (338 horsepower), enabling acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds.
The vehicle utilizes GM's 40.2-kWh Ultium battery pack, delivering a battery range of up to 302 kilometers. With a full tank of fuel and fully charged battery, its combined range exceeds 1,400 kilometers.
The Electra L7 also features an advanced driver assistance system developed by Momenta, a Chinese autonomous driving startup backed by SAIC Motor (SHA: 600104), supporting Momenta's R6 end-to-end large language AI model.
Powered by the system, the Electra L7 offers full-scenario driver assistance capabilities including Urban NOA (Navigation on Autopilot) and parking assistance.
The sedan also incorporates the Qualcomm SA8775P cockpit chip, making it one of the first models in China to utilize the chip.
Buick is the latest automaker to adopt the extended-range powertrain in the Chinese market, following announcements from international brands including Toyota, Volkswagen, and Mazda regarding their EREV launches in China.
EREVs have gained significant popularity in China over recent years, offering a battery electric vehicle (BEV) driving experience without range anxiety.
However, market growth has slowed considerably this year despite more automakers entering the segment.
From January to August, China's EREV retail sales totaled 732,000 units, marking a 7.33 percent year-on-year increase, according to data compiled by CnEVPost from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA).
By comparison, BEV retail sales during the same period totaled 4,612,000 units, surging 32.20 percent year-on-year.
($1 = RMB 7.1176)
