Shanghai GM announced it will add another variant of the Buick Envision to its lineup in April. The new model, dubbed Envision 20T, will be powered by a new, turbocharged 1.5L Spark Ignition Direct Injection (SIDI) engine that’s good for 166hp and 184lb-ft of torque.
GM says the 1.5L SIDI is the most powerful of the all-new Ecotec small engine family. It also sports mid-mounted direct-injection, an integrated exhaust manifold and QuietTuning technology.
The 1.5L turbo will be mated to the wheels through a specially developed seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. GM says it spent time honing the tranny’ for the”specialized needs of Chinese consumers,” which involved smoothing out the shifts to maximize quietness and comfort in the cabin.
Like its stablemate, the 2.0L turbo-powered Envision 28T, buyers can opt for front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive if they choose. We’re not sure what 28T stands for, because it’s clearly not the engine displacement.
Since its launch in October, the Envision has had monthly sales of over 10,000 units, which makes it a leader in the mainstream SUV segment, according to GM.
However, don’t hold too much jealousy towards the Chinese market for long, as the Envision is expected to hit our shores in late 2015, and in doing so, will hopefully provide Buick buyers with the Goldilocks of crossovers — not too big, not too small — while entering the heart of the crossover market, going toe-to-toe with the popular Lexus RX.
Buick crossovers have been vital to the brand this year in the US market. For example, the little Encore was the only Buick to post a year-over-year sales gain, recording a 9 percent increase to 4,921 units; it remains the best-selling vehicle in the emerging subcompact crossover segment.
Comments
I can’t help but to think that the new Cruze could use this power train combo.
As for the Envision, I think this engine is fine for it in China, but for NA the 2.0T and 1.6T make better sense.
My thoughts exactly, it will be a travesty if GM doesnt offer this on the new cruze.
How do you say “That’s not a Buick” in Chinese? Buick should share this excellent sales pitch line worldwide and extend it to other segments stateside:
“That’s not a Corvette”, “That’s not a Silverado”
People buy stuff that they don’t recognize. Or something.
I thought it was a foregone conclusion that the new Cruze would get GM’s new small displacement 4 cylinder global engines.
Don’t be surprised if the diesel is an option.
Buick would do themselves a favor by selling this in America . They have a place for it . Going toe 2 toe with the RX , isnt that the SRX’s goal ? Lexus is the fastest growing luxury company right now , and Cadillac needs to get the XT5 out there in the market to do battle with the RX . They need to get sales going in the home market before you start thinking of selling globally . And GM if your watching …….. build the Buick in the Northern Hemisphere . China builds ENOUGH of our products already !