Manufacturer Shanghai GM Class Minivan | Production 2000–present Platform GM U platform | |
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Layout Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive / all-wheel drive | ||
The Buick GL8 is a minivan produced and sold in China under the Buick brand name by Shanghai GM (SGM), the joint-venture of SAIC Motor with the US-American company General Motors. The car is manufactured by Shanghai GM Norsom Motors, which is a manufacturing three-side joint venture of Shanghai GM holding 50% and overseeing management, SAIC Motor and GM China both holding 25% of its capital.
Contents
- First generation 20002016
- Hybrid Prototype
- Second generation 20102016
- Third generation 2017
- Chevrolet Venture
- References
Introduced in 2000, the first generation GL8 is similar to the Pontiac Montana. Unlike other GM minivans, a roof rack was never offered. It was redesigned for 2005; however, it has a more aerodynamic look than its American and Canadian counterparts, the Buick Terraza, the Chevrolet Uplander, the Pontiac Montana, and the Saturn Relay.
A revamped edition was released in late 2010/early 2011, featuring 2.4 L and V6 3.0 L engines. It is based on an old minivan platform from the U.S., but it would likely require costly upgrade to meet current U.S. safety and requirements. Sales amounted to 52,127 units in 2010, and it was relatively stable over past few years. The previous generation is still available as GL8 First Land.
First generation (2000–2016)
The GL8 first entered production in China in 1999.
The regular wheelbase GL8 is known as the GL8 2.5 while the extended wheelbase variant is called the GL8 First Land. There are four trim levels available, called the LT, CT1, CT2, and GT (which is only available on the Firstland). In October 2001, the first bunch of Buick GL10s (10 passenger versions of the 1st-generation GL8) were exported to the Philippines where it was rebadged as the Chevrolet Venture. The GL8 underwent a facelift in 2005, receiving a redesigned front end and new clear taillights. While the first generation has been superseded by the new one, as introduced in late 2010, it is still on sale and in production as the "Business Edition" GL8, now only with a 2.4-litre Ecotec four-cylinder engine.
Engines:
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 the year 2001.
Second generation (2010–2016)
Introduced in late 2010 for the 2011 model year, the GL8 II has an all-new appearance inspired by the Buick Business concept car shown in 2009, with a drastic dip in the beltline. The wheelbase is the same as for the GL8 First Land, 3,099 mm (122 in). 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.
Engines include a 2.4-litre DVVT Ecotec four-cylinder and a 3.0-liter V6, with an available six-speed automatic gearbox for the V6. To differentiate the new GL8 from its predecessor which remains on sale as a "Business Edition", the new one is sold as the "Luxury Business Edition".
Third generation (2017–)
The third generation Buick GL8 is set to debut in China around late 2016. It will receive a complete exterior overhaul and feature new design elements, such as the newly introduced winged Buick grille treatment, as well as a redesigned roofline. The entire existing engine lineup will be eliminated, to be replaced by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four producing 253 horsepower. The car will be based on an updated version of the same platform, abandoning the current torsion beam rear suspension in favor of a new independent setup. It is also expected to grow in size and cost as it moves upmarket, with prices starting around 250,000 yuan.
Chevrolet Venture
The next generation Chevrolet Venture will go on sale in the Philippines in late 2017. It will be built in China, with some customized additions exclusive to Chevrolet. The new Venture will go up against the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Alphard, as the top selling luxury MPV in the Philippine market.