Buick’s Gorgeous New Electra L7 Deserves to Be Sold in America
Buick has officially launched the production version of the all-new Electra L7 sedan in China. The new Buick sedan is about the size of a Tesla Model S and is based on a new platform called “Xiao Yao.” It is available in FWD, RWD, or AWD configurations. Power comes from a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine producing 154 horsepower, although the engine itself never directly drives the wheels. Instead, it works as a generator for the 40 kWh battery pack. Just like the good old Chevrolet Volt.
The electric motor produces around 240 horsepower, with a claimed total range of 870 miles and an EV-only range of almost 190 miles. Those are extremely impressive numbers for such a large sedan and exactly the kind of specs many American buyers have been asking for. Especially people who are curious about EVs but still worried about charging infrastructure or long road trips. An EREV setup like this really seems like the perfect transition technology between traditional gasoline cars and full EVs. Or the worst idea ever…
Now GM has decided to launch a pure electric version of the same sedan. As you can see from the images above, both versions look nearly identical. I honestly can’t spot any obvious differences. Interiors are also expected to be basically the same. The new EV model uses an 800-volt architecture and comes standard with CATL batteries. It uses a single 282 kW motor.
I think the new sedan looks great. It has a very modern design with a distinctive Buick face, and the proportions work surprisingly well for such a large car. It also manages to look upscale without trying too hard, something many newer EV sedans fail to achieve. However, that sleek fastback rear end really should hide a proper hatchback instead of one of those frustratingly tiny trunk openings automakers keep insisting on.
The interior also looks quite good, although I still prefer Buick’s current widescreen dashboard setup over the giant Tesla-style center display that almost everyone seems to be copying these days. At least Buick kept a cleaner and more elegant dashboard than many Chinese EV brands that overload the cabin with screens and ambient lighting effects.
I don’t know about you, but I think something like this could actually find a market in North America as well, either as a pure EV or especially as an EREV. Buick is reportedly working on a new sedan for the North American market that will share its platform with the next-generation Cadillac CT5. That likely means no full EV version, at least initially. But some sort of extended-range hybrid setup could make a lot of sense.
With current gas prices and changing buyer tastes, a giant rear-wheel-drive Buick sedan powered by a thirsty V8 might actually be the worst possible idea right now. Ironically, a quiet, efficient EREV luxury sedan could end up feeling far more premium and far more modern than another traditional gasoline flagship ever could.
And by the way, the Buick EREV version of the new Electra L7 starts at $25,500 in China. Or about $4000 less than a base model Honda Civic Hybrid sedan.
Something to think about…