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Buick GL8

The Buick GL8 is a minivan that is produced by SAIC-GM, a joint-venture between Chinese automaker SAIC Motor and American automaker General Motors. It is only sold in China.

{{Anchor|First generation (2000–2016)|1st}}GL8 / GL8 2.5 / GL8 First Land
}} The GL8 first entered production in China in December 1999. There are five trim levels available, called the LT, CT1, CT2, CT3 and GT (which is only available on the First Land). The regular wheelbase GL8 is known as the GL8 2.5, while the extended wheelbase variant of the GL8 is known as the GL8 First Land (). Pricing ranged between 218,000 and 318,000 yuan (US$31,920 to US$46,570). Starting from October 2001, the GL8 was exported to the Philippines, where it was rebadged as the Chevrolet Venture and available in a 10-seater configuration until 2005. Although reviews and sales were generally lukewarm, build quality was subpar and parts availability was also a source of persistent frustration for Venture owners in the Philippines. Its local competitors include the Hyundai Starex and the Kia Carnival which had better build quality. The Chevrolet Venture was sold in the Philippine market up until 2006, although some remaining units were sold in dealerships up until 2007. The Venture is one out of two rebadged Chinese-market Buicks sold in the Philippines, the other being the Buick Regal-based Chevrolet Lumina. Both are sourced from Shanghai GM. Pre-facelift styling File:2003 Shanghai-GM Buick GL8 3.0 V6 GT, front 8.4.18.jpg|Buick GL8 (1999–2005) front. File:Buick_GL8_bird%27s_view.jpg|Buick GL8 (1999–2005) rear. In 2005, the GL8 underwent a facelift for the 2006 model year, receiving a redesigned front end and simplified cladding. The GL8 First Land was also introduced, with a brand-new front end design and clear taillights. The GL8 was then given a second facelift for the 2010 model year with a design similar to the GL8 First Land. Production of the first generation GL8 ended in 2016. Post-facelift styling File:Buick GL8 FirstLand 01 China 2012-04-15.jpg|Buick GL8 First Land (2005–2010) front. File:Buick GL8 FirstLand 02 China 2012-04-15.jpg|Buick GL8 First Land (2005–2010) rear. File:Buick GL8 facelift Sanming 01 2022-08-19.jpg|Buick GL8 2.5 (2005–2010) front. File:Buick GL8 facelift 02 China 2012-04-28.jpg|Buick GL8 2.5 (2005–2010) rear. File:Buick GL8 facelift II China 2016-04-08.jpg|Buick GL8 (2010–2016) front. File:Buick GL8 facelift II 02 China 2012-05-12.jpg|Buick GL8 (2010–2016) rear. File:Buick GL8, rear comparison paws.jpg|Buick GL8 first facelift (left) and second facelift (right) rear comparison. Engines: • GL8 Business Edition: LE5 2.4 L I4 • GL8 2.5: LB8 2.5 L V6 • GL8 First Land: LW9 3.0 L V6 Hybrid Prototype In 2001, the Buick GL8 XEA1 or Phoenix was developed as a collaboration between General Motors and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC). The Buick GL8 XAE1 is a hybrid vehicle that uses a 35 kW fuel cell and compressed hydrogen gas to deliver its power. The General Motors Phoenix was officially unveiled at the Pan Asia Automotive Technology Center in China in 2001. == GL8 / GL8 Legacy ==
{{Anchor|Second generation (2010–2025)|2nd|Legacy}}GL8 / GL8 Legacy
| 6-speed DSS automatic (2010–2019) | 9-speed 9T50 Hydramatic automatic (652T; 2020–2025) }} }} Introduced in 2010 for the 2011 model year, the GL8 II has an all-new appearance inspired by the Buick Business concept car that was shown in 2009, with a drastic dip in the beltline. The wheelbase is the same as for the GL8 First Land, . Developed by the Pan-Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC), another joint venture of SAIC Motors with General Motors, the vehicle is based on a vehicle architecture of over a decade old. Initial engine options include a 2.4-liter DVVT Ecotec four-cylinder and a 3.0-liter DOHC SIDI V6, with a six-speed automatic gearbox available for the V6. File:BUICK GL8 II LAND BUSINESS EDITION China (51).jpg|Buick GL8 II Legacy facelift (2020-22) front. File:BUICK GL8 II LAND BUSINESS EDITION China (52).jpg|Rear view. 2022 facelift The second generation GL8 or GL8 Legacy received another facelift in 2022 launched alongside the flagship Century MPV and the 2022 facelifted third generation GL8 Avenir and ES Lu Zun. The engine was updated to the LXH model, which is an updated version of the previous 2.0-liter LSY engine with a 48V mild hybrid system and is modified to meet China 6b emissions standards. File:2023 Buick GL8 Land Business Edition (third facelift, front).jpg|Buick GL8 II Legacy (2022-25) front view File:2023 Buick GL8 Land Business Edition (third facelift, rear).jpg|Rear view File:Buick GL8 II 2022 facelift in the showroom 02.jpg|Interior The second generation GL8 was finally discontinued after 15 years of production in February 2025 with the closure of the SAIC-GM Norsom assembly plant. == GL8 ES Lu Zun/Lu Shang ==
{{anchor|3rd|Third generation|Lu Zun|Avenir|Lu Shang|ES}} GL8 ES Lu Zun/Lu Shang
| 2-speed (PHEV; 2024–present) | 6-speed DSS automatic (2017–2019) | 9-speed 9T50 Hydramatic automatic (2020–present) }} | 48V mild hybrid | Series-parallel plug-in hybrid }} | 24.4 kWh LFP Zenergy | 34.8 kWh NMC Zenergy }} | (WLTP) | (CLTC) }} }} The third generation GL8 debuted in China in October 2016 and was marketed as the GL8 ES, and GL8 Avenir for the top trim. It was initially sold alongside the first generation model, and soon afterwards was sold alongside the second generation model since 2017. The Buick GL8 ES and Avenir received a complete exterior overhaul using the newly introduced winged Buick grille treatment, as well as a redesigned roofline. The entire engine lineup was replaced by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four producing . The GL8 ES and Avenir is based on an updated version of the same platform, abandoning the previous torsion beam rear suspension in favor of a new independent setup. File:BUICK GL8 ES (153).jpg|Buick GL8 ES (rear) File:BUICK GL8 AVENIR China (44).jpg|Buick GL8 Avenir 2020 facelift Originally revealed as the Buick GL8 Avenir concept during the 2019 Shanghai Auto Show, the production GL8 ES Lu Zun () and GL8 Avenir () facelift was revealed in March 2020. The GL8 Avenir and ES Lu Zun facelift is available with a four (Avenir only), six (Avenir only) and seven-seat configurations. Technology is a significant focus for the post-facelift GL8, including the 12.3-inch integrated display and Buick's eConnect 3.0 connectivity technology and head-up display. It uses an updated turbocharged 2.0-liter engine now paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission, and is badged 653T. In mid-2021, the engine was updated to use a 48-volt mild hybrid system. On October 2024, the mild hybrid version of the GL8 ES Lu Zun facelift was launched, using the LXH 2.0-liter engine and 48-volt hybrid system used in previous models. This version also receives a different grille pattern compared to the PHEV variant. In July 2025, after the launch of the lower priced Lu Shang PHEV, the Lu Zun PHEV had its powertrain upgraded and is referred to as Zhenlong Pro. The battery has been upgraded to a 34.8kWh NMC pack, now providing of CLTC range. Buick says the new battery is capable of 5C peak charging rates, and is capable of charging from 3080% in 15 minutes. Additionally, higher Lu Zun PHEV models started receiving Avenir badging, and received features such as Navigate-On-Pilot (NOP) L2 ADAS system with automatic self-parking and a heads-up display. It was launched on April 11, 2025 initially with the PHEV powertrain only, and features minor changes to the exterior styling while most panels stay similar to the original 2016 model, including unified headlight units rather than a split-headlight design and individual taillights rather than a light bar design. The mild hybrid version of the GL8 Lu Shang was launched on June 26, 2025. Due to the discontinuation of the GL8 Legacy in February 2025, the Lu Shang is the new entry point into the GL8 series below the Lu Zun and Century. At launch, it was available with the same two powertrain options as the GL8 Lu Zun. The GL8 Lu Shang is powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged plug-in hybrid system consisting of a two-speed hybrid transmission and two motors powered by a 24.4kWh LFP battery pack providing a CLTC range rating, for a combined range of . The standard version continues to be powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged 48-volt mild hybrid engine. In late 2025, a lower priced variant with the mild hybrid system and several other features removed was introduced. File:BUICK GL8 LS (5).jpg|2025 Buick GL8 Lu Shang PHEV File:BUICK GL8 LS (6).jpg|Rear view File:BUICK GL8 LS (7).jpg|2025 Buick GL8 mild hybrid File:Buick GL8 LS 004.jpg|Rear view == Century (2022) ==
{{Anchor|Century|4th}} Century (2022)
}} In August 2022, SAIC-GM introduced the Buick Century () or Buick GL8 Century. The Century MPV was previewed by the Buick GL8 Flagship Concept. It is the first Buick to adopt the new Pure Design philosophy, which will be seen in next-gen Buick models. the Century was launched on November 2022. The Century is available in three models: and the top-of-the-line Century Flagship, the mid-range Century Avenir and the base Century. Both the base model and Avenir are available in single-tone paint, while the Flagship is available in two-tone with a special paint treatment. The base model and Avenir come in 7-seat and 6-seat configurations respectively, with the Flagship available with 4-seat configuration. On the exterior, the front consists of shark-nose-like styling, a large trapezoid grille, and dual-direction headlights with a redesigned light signature. The rear features full width taillights. The base model features slightly different styling from the Avenir and Flagship. The Century is the first production model to wear Buick's new corporate emblem. On the interior of the Flagship, there are only four seats, like in other ultra-luxury minivans in the segment. The front and rear are separated by a divider equipped with a 32" screen flanked with Bose speakers on both sides. Storage drawers are equipped below the screen. The heated captain's chairs are upholstered in Nappa-leather and feature 18-way power adjustment, ottomans, and are equipped with Bose speakers in the headrests. The infotainment system and seats are controlled by an 8-inch touchscreen. Other features include a 21-speaker Bose Executive Edition sound system, 5G internet connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Baidu CarLife. The roof features a starry evening sky headliner, comparable to that of Rolls-Royce's Starlight Headliner. The Century has many different colors available for the exterior and interior, depending on the trim level. • Flagship: Available in 3 exterior colors: the two-tone Guanshan Feixue, and the monotone Guanshan Cui and Cloud White, and the interior is available in 2 colors: Fir Green and Yunfengbai. • Avenir: Available in 4 exterior colors: Glaze Green, Dailan, Cloud White, and Xiahong, while the interior comes in 2 two-tone color options: Cabernet Red and Shale Black, and Smoke Blue and Cloud Peak White. • Premium: Available in 3 exterior colors: Cloud White, Inkstone Ash, and Sandalwood, and only one interior color: Lin Shenzong. Much like the previous generation GL8s, the Century is sold exclusively in China. The Century 4-seater and 6-seater Yunshi went on sale in 3 November 2022. On August 19, 2023, Buick launched the 7-seater Base model Century, featuring slightly different styling in the front and rear compared to higher trims. It is offered in standard and Premium. Safety == Electra Encasa (2025) ==
{{Anchor|Encasa|5th}} Electra Encasa (2025)
| 1-speed (PHEV) | Single-speed gear reduction (EV) }} | Buick Electra L7 | Buick Electra E7 }} | 40.3 kWh LFP CATL | 96.0 kWh LFP CATL }} | (PHEV, WLTP) | (PHEV, CLTC) | (EV, CLTC) }} }} The Buick Electra Encasa () was revealed at the 2025 Guangzhou Auto Show. It is the second model of the China-exclusive Electra sub-brand and also the second model to be based on the Xiao Yao platform, developed by PATAC. Early photos of the Encasa showed a "GL8 Encasa" moniker instead of Electra. The Encasa launched in 5 December 2025 with two trims. The Encasa uses the R6 Flywheel ADAS system provided by Momenta. The exterior has a drag coefficient of 0.258Cd. File:BUICK ELECTRA ENCASA (BUICK GL8 ENCASA) China (2).jpg|Rear view File:BUICK ELECTRA ENCASA (BUICK GL8 ENCASA) INTERIOR.jpg|Interior Powertrain The Encasa is available as either a plug-in hybrid or pure electric vehicle, both featuring all-wheel drive. The plug-in hybrid version uses a hybrid-optimized 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four engine which outputs at 5,500rpm and of torque at 1,5004,500rpm, which is routed through a single-speed dedicated hybrid transmission. The front axle is equipped with a motor with of torque, and the rear axle has a induction motor with of torque, for a combined system output of and of torque. It is equipped with a 40.3kWh LFP battery pack supplied by CATL, which provides an electric range of on the CLTC cycle and can recharge from 3080% in 20 minutes. The pure electric version is equipped with a front motor with of torque, and the rear axle has a induction motor with of torque, for a total of and of torque. It is equipped with a 96.0kWh LFP battery pack supplied by CATL, which provides an electric range of on the CLTC cycle and is capable of 6C 640kW peak charging speeds, allowing for a 3080% charge time of 10 minutes. == Sales ==
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