More images of GM’s upcoming Buick Envision SUV have leaked out, unveiling more of the compact crossover than we’ve seen before.
Set to be unveiled on August 28th, the Envision will be powered by GM’s 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder Ecotec LTG engine, but tuned to two different configurations: one with 200 horsepower and another with 260 horsepower. The 2.0-liter turbo will feature Stop-Start technology. There are also reports that a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine with around 170 horsepower is forthcoming, and a hybrid model is in the cards as well.
Riding on GM’s D2XX platform, the Envision will measure 183.7 inches in overall length, making it approximately 4.1 inches shorter than a Chevrolet Equinox. Built in China by Shanghai-GM, the Envision is expected to cost between 160,000 yuan and 220,000 yuan (approximately $26,000 and $35,500). A launch in North America and in Europe (as the Opel Antara) is expected.
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Comments
4 inches would not hurt a thing here. There is twice that in wasted space in the present model. I expect that GM made better use of interior planning in this model and the interior usable space will be pretty much the same if not better.
To me it looks like the dash is not as deep and does not waste as much space as my Terrain. The dash to windshield in the present model has a lot of wasted space.
4 inches shorter than the Equinox sounds like just the right size externally. Scott, I share your hope that they package the interior space better.
As for the powertrains, they sound just right. And, I’m most intrigued by this upcoming 1.5T. It sure sounds like something that needs to be available in the Encore and Trax, as well as the Cruze.
As an owner of a Terrain I love it but the interior is not packaged well. I believe with the new platform GM will be more able to package things as they want and not how they had too. The last platform saw a great transition but the hard points limited it in some areas.
Many make a big deal about the sliding back seat but the truth is if you own one you seldom move it and even all the way forward it has plenty of room.
I also get a gut feeling the Buick and Nox will share one wheel base and the Terrain and SRX will share a longer one. Just call it a hunch.
Yeah, I certainly didn’t mean to dump on the Equinox and Terrain. They found many a garage. Very interesting hunch about the two-wheelbase setup. I think it sounds like a good idea, since it would help avoid the four vehicles being pretty much badge engineering, with just trim level and perhaps engine differences. Two distinctly different sizes split two ways seems much better.
I like the just right size of this. Going thru the spy shots I had to laugh at the one at the gas station. Grille emblem covered but yet portholes glaring at us on the hood. Now what might this be? Love it. 🙂
Key here will be turning radius. I had a Hertz guy point to the Captiva, as an example, and say, “see that one? turns like a whale.” The reason why we traded in our SRX for a German vehicle. GM needs to figure out that once you get outside of the midwest, we have narrower roads, with equally small parking spaces. >37-38 ft turning radius is a no go (and Equinox/SRX/Terrain — c’mon, 40+ ft? You are not a Suburban).
Having some experience with the Equinox and Terrain I find the total concept disturbing. Both vehicles project a large look and feel and then inside… there is absolutely no room for anything.. people, kids, cargo. Wasted effort for GM. Need a REAL mid size SUV built on the Colorado framework. They call these SUVs but they are crossovers and the only cross over idea is that they are big and bulky and need engines that don’t get very good mileage. I think they have sold cause GM has not had anything else out there.
Yeah, the V6 gets terrible fuel economy. The 4-banger isn’t bad, but not super. Like Scott said, not well packaged for the size of the vehicle. Hopefully the next-gen will have more interior space and storage relative to its size.
One has to remember that the present model was never conceived as the way we have it today. It was a train wreck of a model in the first form with the old GM design.
Bob Lutz came in and was not able to address this model till the 2nd gen came along. He wanted to give to different looks but yet a SUV feel to these. The problem is the hard points for the rear suspension are where they are and could not be moved unless you really spent a lot of money to change them. Well when this work went on GM was looking to get the bail out and had to make due with what they had. Trust me if this were a clean sheet of paper new start things would have been much different but the money was not there.
This time it is a new start and many things will be addressed in the area of packaging and weight.
You can not always look at these thing on the surface and you need to dig deeper to know just what was going on and why thing happen as they do.
I think a lot of the cars being released overseas has a lot to do with working out the bugs. The markets overseas are more forgiving than the American market is toward GM.
If you note many of the new cars once released here generally have few design issues and if there is a problem it is a assembly plant or supplier issue.
Also you can’t discount China as it is now the worlds largest auto market. They buy more there than anywhere. That earns some respect from MFG anymore.
First thing’s first; this is a beautiful CUV. I am confused as to why they’d put a 1.5t, detuned 2.0t, and a high output 2.0t in the Envision rather than a 1.5t (180HP/190-205LB-FT) and a 1.8t I4 (250HP/265-280LB-FT) paired to a 9-Speed Automatic. Active Grille Shutters and Stop/Start should also come standard to be able to meet the efficiency requirements for 2016. VVT, SIDI, and IVVL should also be able to help out with low-end power and all-around efficiency. If GM wants to take it another step forward, Variable Torque Management (VTM) would be great for low-end torque and high-end efficiency. Also, why is Buick not using its red, white, and blue tri-shield badge here in The U.S?