On the outside, the E7 goes for a sleek shape that feels clean and fairly restrained. Generic, perhaps — or maybe simply minimalist is the better word here. Up front, there’s a shark nose design with split lighting units, C-shaped daytime running lights positioned high, and L-shaped headlights mounted lower down. A central intake is visible too, along with what appears to be an active shutter grille. From there, the body gets softer in its surfacing, with plastic cladding, pronounced wheel arches, streamlined door handles, metallic accents, “galaxy wing” taillights, and a prominent rear spoiler.

Its footprint places it in an interesting spot within Buick’s own lineup. With a length of 190.9 inches and stretched wheelbase of 11,3 inches, the Electra 7 is 8.2-inch longer than the Envision, however, shorter with 16.7 inches than the Enclave sibling.

On the inside, the cabin is loaded with the newest high-tech accessories: flat-bottom steering wheel and a free-standing digital instrument cluster are directed to the driver, and a mammoth 15.6-inch center infotainment system was installed on the dashboard. Other leading features are Oeko-Tex upholstery and a dual wireless smartphone charger.

Then the second row shifts the whole cabin brief. There is a refrigerator back there, plus a ceiling-mounted 15.6-inch entertainment system. The rear area can be turned into a massive lounge by folding down the front seats, providing passengers with relaxation. There are also dual-glass roofs, reclining second-row backrests, second-row climate controls, rear tray tables, a 20-speaker Dolby Atmos audio system, and heated and ventilated seats.

As for the powertrain under the hood, the details are still scarce; however, sources state that the new Electra E7 will feature a plug-in hybrid system with a combined CLTC range of more than 994 miles, with the electric-only travel exceeding 130 miles. The system will consist of a 1.5-liter engine and an electric motor, producing a total of 221 horsepower. However, there might be several configurations with added power. The whole system will also be paired with an LFP battery pack.

Buick has also confirmed an adaptive damping suspension that adjusts 200 times per second, as well as the Xiao Yao Zhi Xing autonomous driving system for highways and city streets.

Buick Electra E7 – Photo Gallery

One daring project presented at the event in China is GM`s Buick Velite, a futuristic concept created in collaboration with SAIC and PATAC (Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center), and which will spawn upcoming hybrid and electric cars.

As the joint venture declared, the Buck Velite Concept was created as “an innovative crossover body that combines a sporty design with practical space.” The car`s main important highlights are the matrix LED headlights, flowing lines, wing-shaped grille and a few more.

Inside, the cabin is also believed to be high-tech, with recycled materials, panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, adding the latest gadgetries with innovative technology and so on.

Other features also include the 360-degree intelligent traffic induction system with sensors surrounding the chassis which allows different functions, like night vision, low-speed automatic driving, high-speed cruise control, lane and safety distance keeping.

As far as the drivetrain concerns, rumors state that the concept, as well as the future car, would use a plug-in hybrid electric configuration, with the company`s modular intelligent electric drive system, hooked to a lithium-ion battery pack.

We should be able to find out more about the future production model in China next year, meanwhile, enjoy the batch of photos we have with the China-only Buick Velite Concept!

And the trend today in China is driving long-wheelbase models with exceptional features inside as well as under the hood. The multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) segment is also getting a lot of attention from companies such as General Motors, which has recently announced the introduction of its latest 2017 Buick GL8.

The model is set to arrive on the Asian market somewhere in 2017, the all-new GL8 from Buick coming with a much wider body styling and plenty of space for passengers and their luggage.

I have always loved Buick for its evolutionary design, updating its latest models with exquisite styling features, and the 2017 LP8 is no exception. Besides the good looks, this particular model is also stretched, offering a wheelbase of 3,080 mm.

In terms of styling, the most standout features refer to shorter front and rear overhangs, while the space inside would be enough for seven people and tones of technology tweaks used at their own discretion.

As rumors state, the 2017 Buick GL8 would arrive in China in two trims, the entry ES and the top of the line Avenir, already previewed in the first impressions and details. In the engine department, both will get the 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with 253 horsepower, adding independent rear suspension.

Full details will emerge prior to the car`s expected debut at the 2016 Guangzhou Auto Show, starting in mid-November.

The 2016 Buick Envision is built in China, with the carmaker to also introduce a US-based model lineup. On this market, the cheapest version will be available in two versions, the entry-level Envision Premium I costing $42,995 as well as the Envision Premium II, priced at a higher $45,635.

The 2016 Buick Envision Premium I will feature standard tweaks like heated steering wheel and front/seats, along with a wide choice of leather upholstery. In terms of safety features, the entry-level will come with forward-collision alert, lane-keeping assist or blind-spot warning system.

On the other hand, the 2016 Buick Envision Premium II will add HID headlights, head-up display, ventilated front seats, GPS navigation, and a plethora of safety features.

Under the hood, both the Premium I and Premium II will pack a 2.0-liter flat-four cylinder turbocharged engine, with a good output of 252 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, being sent to all four corners via a six-speed automatic transmission.

In case you want to wait for the 2017 Envision model being available this autumn, then you will have two-extra choices joining the lineup, like the 2017 Buick Envision Preferred available at $36,795 and the Envision Essence costing $38,645.

the 2017 Buick Envision trims will add more standard features, like leather seats, panoramic sunroof, blind-spot warning systems, automatic climate-control, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The full details and the EPA fuel-economy figures for the powertrains will be announced this autumnn.

In terms of visuals, the Hybrid version is looking the same as the standard LaCrosse but stands out from the crowd with a good mph.

The technical specifications refer to a 1.8-liter SDI high-tech powertrain working with an electric variable transmission and a 1.5 kWh lithium ion-battery.

In terms of performance, the figures are pretty decent for a hybrid version. We are dealing here with a sprint from 0 to 100 km/h carried out in 8.9 seconds. As aforementioned, in terms of fuel-efficiency, the Buick LaCrosse Hybrid comes with 4.7 liters for every 100 km/h, which is a 35 percent improvement than the LaCrosse with eAssist technology.

Other features of the Buick LaCrosse Hybrid refer to active shutter grille, electronic power steering wheel system, electronic climate control compressor or thermal energy recycling system found inside the exhaust system.

As a starter, the Buick LaCrosse Hybrid will be introduced in China in the next five years in ten eco-friendly models, followed by other hybrids, plug-in hybrids and range-extender electric vehicles. The news was also confirmed by Larry Nitz, GM`s executive director of global propulsion systems.

Each Buick version will come with the blue logo on the body styling to be identified as a new electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle.

Also, Chinese people are also known for their preferences for stretched wheelbase vehicles, be it a BMW, a Ford or a Mercedes-Benz. More than that, the country is on a full throttle with the HEV segment, again, with a lot of carmakers fully profiting the situation.

It is also the case of General Motor, which is trying to tackle the HEV segment with its future Chinese-based Buick LaCrosse, the model being recently released in some technical specifications. Officially, the model will be presented to the Chinese public starting 18th of April, at the 2016 Beijing Auto Show.

Concerning powertrain configurations, in China, the Buick LaCross will come with a 1.5-liter turbo engine, with 168 horsepower and 252 Nm of torque. This would be the US`s derivate of the higher 3.6-liter V6 engine with 305 horsepower and 363 Nm of torque. But why a derivate? Again, because of the 50 percent tax reduction.

The 1.5-liter also comes with a fuel consumption of 6.2L / 100 km, which perfectly complies with the Chinese regulations concerning consumption for small engines.

A higher engine would also be launch as a competitor against the Chinese-based Toyota Prius, this one coming with a 1.8-liter SIDI displacement that is hooked to an electric two-motor drive configuration. The total output would stand at around 150 horsepower. This version will be produced in China.

Duncan Aldred, Vice President of Global Sales, Service and Marketing, praises the Buick Avista Concept in an interview:

“The Avista embodies the dynamic soul of Buick. It is a modern expression of the brand’s heritage of sophisticated performance, communicated with beautiful elegance.”

And indeed, the Avista Concept can be regarded as an evolutionary step towards the company`s future models, comprising a vintage kind of style with a futuristic design.

Apart the insane design, the cabin is also tweaked with the latest technological gizmos, like touchscreens with lots of touch-sensitive controls.

Under the hood, the Buick Avista Concept uses a 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbocharged engine, with fuel-saving Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation) and Stop/Start technology, capable of developing around 400 horsepower.

We are not sure if the North American based carmaker will ever turn it into a production series, but I am one hundred percent sure that it will definitely lead the way to future Buick models. Enjoy the Buick Avista Concept and don’t forget that your opinions does count!

The news was confirmed by Buick GMC US Vice President Duncan Aldred, which also stated that the model would also arrive on the Chinese market.

Aldred also told Automotive News that the Envision crossover will be the “class-leading vehicle in the heart of the US auto industry”, the CEO also praising the model as being the direct rival of the new Audi Q5.

In the US, the Buick Envision will come with a 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-four engine, with 252 horsepower, hooked to a six-speed automatic, which sends the power to all four corners.

In China, the new Envision will pack a 1.5-liter engine, with 166 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque, sending the power to the front wheels.

The details list is rather scarce at the moment, the CEO revealing just a bunch of features that the Buick Envision will be coming with, such as automatic park assist, heated rear seats or a 360 degree panoramic camera.

In terms of pricing, the Buick Envision is rumored to come from around $30,000-$35,000, making it close to its direct competitor from the local market, the Acura RDX.

We are dealing here with a facelift version of the current LaCrosse, which gained new design cues, like the new grille with the tri-colored shield insignia, elongated HID headlights with LED daytime running lights, front fender vents, LED taillights, rear trunk mounted spoiler as well as the new 18-inch alloy wheels.

The model will share the same architecture with the Opel Insignia in Europe.

Inside, the cabin is as luxurious as always, General Motors fitting the new model with the finest materials, a flowing dashboard design with wood trims, along with the latest features in terms of technology and safety systems.

The goodies refer to the heated steering wheel, wireless smartphone charger, power-adjustable steering column, heads-up display, power rear sunshade, Bose premium audio system as well as the IntelliLink system with an eight-inch screen.

Under the hood, the 2017 Buick LaCrosse will pack a powerful 3.6-liter V6 mill, with 305 horsepower and 363 Nm of torque, hooked to the new eight-speed automatic tranmission, which sends the power to all wheels.

No prices were announced, but we should be able to find out more next summer, when the model will reach US dealerships.

Buick`s 2017 LaCrosse will debut in L.A. this November, but a teaser image with the model has already popped-up on the web. It is showing us how it will look once it will be unveiled.

As we can depict from the teaser image, the 2017 Buick LaCrosse will come with a new grille with smaller headlights and a few more with that.

Duncan Aldred, Buick`s vice president, has stated in a press release that the 2017 Buick LaCrosse will be the company`s second model after Avenir Concept, to shatter all expectations once it will be officially unveiled.

“Its expressive design represents a break from convention and highlights the progressiveness in all new Buick models,” Aldred concludes.

Little it is known about the 2017 Buick LaCrosse, except for the fact that it will stand on the company`s new and much stronger architecture, which will provide the model with improved aerodynamics and handling, along with a new five-link rear suspension system. More info will be released at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show, this November.