Many automakers have different lineups for different regions, but one brand with arguably the most divergent lineups is Buick. In the US, we know it for upscale SUVs from subcompact to full-size, and they’re all fairly conventional. You won’t find any major electrification in any American Buick. Over in China, though, you can get SUVs, sedans, and even minivans with the brand, and you’ll find all manner of hybridization and even full electric power.
Now, Buick’s Chinese division is about to get another hybrid in a sleek sedan package, and it has us wondering what’s taking so long for American hybrids.
Meet The Electra GS
This latest hybrid is another in the Electra line of cars, and it adopts the GS suffix that has long adorned Buick’s highest-performance models. The brand hasn’t officially introduced the model, but thanks to details being published by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, we get an early (and extremely clear) look at it.
Buick Electra GS from the front three-quarter angleBuick / Ministry of Industry and Information Technology
It’s a clean-looking thing with a nice low nose and a fastback roofline. Close examination of the rear shows a shut line that goes around the rear glass, suggesting it’s a liftback, rather than a true sedan. It also has slim wraparound LED lighting at the front and back, and the diffuser section of the rear bumper reminds us a bit of the Porsche Taycan.
While svelte, the Electra GS also looks a bit anonymous, as it follows the Chinese car design trend of going basically grille-less, but also not doing much with the front and rear fascias. The documents do show optional contrasting silver panels for the front and rear that add at least a bit of visual interest.
The photos also show cameras on the fenders, and a lidar sensor on the roof. These won’t be standard, though. Other images show roof and fender designs without driver assist components.
Because of all the specifications included in the government documents, we also know how big the Electra GS is. It’s 196 inches long, and it has a wheelbase of 112.8 inches. It’s almost identical in size to the Toyota Crown, though its a little more than an inch shorter than Toyota’s tall sedan.
Is The Electra GS Fast?
Despite the name, the Electra GS won’t be much of a sports sedan. The documents show that it will be a plug-in hybrid, and at least one version of the car will feature a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder making 154 horsepower. It should also make 170 pound-feet of torque assuming it’s the same engine that’s used in the Electra E7 SUV. The electric motor is gutsier, making 221 horsepower, and, assuming the E7 connection, 243 pound-feet of torque.
On the E7, Buick lists combined power and torque, but it simply adds the peak numbers together, which doesn’t necessarily give an accurate picture of just how much propulsive power is provided. We would assume combined power is somewhere near the electric motor’s output. It’s adequate, but far from exhilarating.
CarScoops reports that a base model will also be available with the lower-output powertrain from the E7. It uses a naturally-aspirated 1.5-liter four-cylinder making 97 hp and 96 pound-feet of torque. In the E7, that engine is still paired with the same 221-hp electric motor.
Detail shots of the Buick Electra GS front and rearBuick / Ministry of Industry and Information Technology
Being a plug-in hybrid, the Electra GS will be able to charge up from the grid and operate fully electrically. Assuming that the powertrains are taken directly from the E7, it should get the same 32.6-kWh battery pack as the SUV. On China’s test loop, that provides 146 miles of range. That would absolutely be lower on the US test cycle, but that’s still a sizable battery and would likely provide plenty of range. The GS will probably go even further on a charge thanks to being more aerodynamic.
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters:
Just like every other Chinese Buick, with the sole exception of the Envision, it’s all but guaranteed the Electra GS won’t come to America. Tariffs on Chinese vehicles, plus the cost of safety and emissions certification, on top of being a less-than-popular body style in our market make it a non-starter. Although it’s possible it could show up in other markets, maybe even as close as Mexico, since Buick is looking to bring more of its Chinese models to other markets.
The fact that Buick has added another hybrid to its already extensive roster does raise the question of what’s taking so long for GM to bring hybrids back to the US. Emissions certification and production locations would be the main hindrances, just as it would be for a complete vehicle.
GM does have hybrid plans for the US, though, as it’s pouring money into a Michigan facility to build hybrid powertrains in the next few years, likely for its full-size SUVs that could include Buick’s own Enclave.
Source: China Ministry of Industry and Information Taechnology, Buick, CarScoops
