Buick debuts Electra E5 SUV in China and will be the company’s first Ultium-based EV. The automaker is expected to start deliveries to customers by the first half of 2023. The details about the deliveries come exactly after one month after China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology posted the first photos of the vehicle. It was posted as part of the homologation process.
Recently Buick announced that it will launch the all-electric Electra E5. The brand’s first production vehicle was developed on the Ultium platform. It will start deliveries in the Chinese market in the first half of 2023. Developed to cater to Chinese consumers, the Electra E5 is described as a “large five-seat midsize electric SUV” by the automaker.
The vehicle has a length of 4,892 mm (192.6 in), a width of 1,905 mm (75 in), and a height of 1,655 mm (65.1 in), with a wheelbase of 2,954 mm (113.3 in). It’s 4.1 inches shorter and 2.3 inches narrower than a Cadillac Lyriq, albeit 1.2 inches taller; the wheelbase is 8.5 inches shorter. Buick says the Ultium platform allowed designers to balance premium proportions and interior space. While the short front overhang and long hood design underline the Electra E5’s premium appearance, the wheelbase of 2,954 mm (113.3 in) is said to provide “very competitive” interior space, although Buick did not communicate interior dimensions.
Features
Styling highlights include the new face of Buick featuring a reinterpreted flying wing design, the new tri-shield logo, a large trapezoidal grille with a parametric pattern, aviation-inspired headlamps, and redesigned dual flying wing DRLs that offer distinct welcome lighting animation. Buick did not reveal powertrain specs, but MIIT revealed a month ago that the Electra E5 has a single motor with a peak output of 180 kilowatts (241 horsepower).
The sides feature a combination of clean lines and sculptural surfaces on the muscular fenders and lower part of the doors, while the tinted chrome accents provide a sporty touch. At the back, the Buick Electra E5 features slim connected taillights with dynamic wing-shaped LED lighting, a stop light echoing the new brand logo, and a sporty roof spoiler and bumper. General director of Buick Sales and Marketing at SAIC-GM, Cesar Toledo said, “The Electra E5 is the first of an all-new portfolio of Buick EVs in China that will set the benchmark across mainstream EV segments. It fully embodies the brand’s ongoing transformation through its innovative spirit and adoption of the latest industry innovations, including the Ultium platform, all-new Virtual Cockpit System, and enhanced Super Cruise driver assist technology, which customers will appreciate.”