Earlier this year, we got to know the new Buick Velite 7 EV in a rather informal way, through a leak courtesy of the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. Now, General Motors has just officially unveiled Buick’s first electric crossover that it will launch later this year, expanding its offer of electrified vehicles in the Chinese market.
Based on a variant of the BEV2 platform that the Chevrolet Bolt EV debuted in 2016, the brand-new Buick Velite 7 EV includes a state-of-the-art battery pack that will allow it to offer an electric range of up to 500 kilometers – equivalent to about 311 miles – with a full charge, calculated under the conditions of the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). In China, this makes it the most efficient electric crossover in its class.
“Buick is strengthening its EV lineup with an all-new entry for today’s consumers, giving them the functionality of an SUV and the confidence to go farther with an impressive 500 kilometers of range,” said Executive Director of Buick Sales and Marketing at SAIC-GM, Molly Peck, in a press release. “We topped it off with a suite of leading technologies to meet the needs of progressive and eco-minded Chinese drivers,” she added.
Although only a single image of its exterior was released, it confirms that the Buick Velite 7 EV is the vehicle that GM accidentally revealed in late 2017. The subcompact crossover is 167.8 inches long and 69.6 inches wide with a 63.7-inch roof height and a wheelbase of 105.3 inches. Aesthetically, the Velite 7 EV boasts a relatively simple design with a distinctive front fascia, and might share a few body panels with the upcoming Chevrolet Bolt EUV.
The company has announced that the new high-performance lithium-ion modular battery that mounts the new Buick Velite 7 has a higher energy density, thanks to improved cell chemistry. Additionally, the battery pack has an advanced structural design and BMS thermal management system that meets GM’s global standards. Full details of Velite 7 will be released closer to launch.
Notably, Buick has been a pioneer in introducing electrified vehicles in China. In 2017, the Tri-Shield brand introduced the Velite nameplate as a new sub-brand for electrified vehicles destined for the Chinese market. The range started with the Velite 5 sedan based on the defunct Chevrolet Volt, followed by the Velite 6 and 6 Plus wagon, and now the new Velite 7 crossover. As such, this vehicle is not expected to be marketed in North America.
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Comments
I wonder if this vehicle / design will replace the Buick Encore in the US? It looks much better than the anonymous gray blob that GM accidentally revealed in 2017.
Buicks without sedans
❌🙅♂️🙅♂️🙅♂️🙅♂️
Buicks with sedans and cuvs
✅😎😎😎😎
You still have sedan shoppers here GM. I love your LaCrosse. Buick seems like a brand that needs sedans like Lincoln, lexus, and Cadillac. Wouldn’t you just agree even though it isn’t as fancy as those brands. like honda, isn’t that not a fancy brand?
Buicks are gone without a sedan. And wouldn’t that decrease the profit and, upset sedan shoppers.
Keep buick sedans!
GM couldn’t care less about the USA,
China is where GM head is.
Mary has her head way up China’s rear.
according to john bolton, trump is on his knees when it comes to china.
That front end reminds me of a Corolla.
BOLT EUV! They didn’t even bother switching out the hood hence the non Buick front fascia that doesn’t even try to work in the eyebrow running lights them.
I’m not a Ford fan but they have a much finer EUV! This is pathetic!
Yea I think you’ve nailed that. Its the big Bolt thats coming and sure looks like it. But GM didn’t hide the Buick Velite 5 being a Volt either, but neither as a Buick is in the US so looks really don’t matter at this point? Hopefully if Buick gets an EV, it look like a Buick and not a rebadge.
It looks like a grate CUV, I just wish that Buick would sell it in the USA.
NEDC what would the range be if the EPA tested it?
Here is the bottom line on GM does not care for USA . I have had 3 Volts love the cars, and I have a Bolt love the car. The 2018 Volt will be done in end of January 2021 GM no longer makes Volt, they do not have a nation wide charging network you have to go to china to get a Buick with Volt in it, They give China a Buick EV with 311 miles and us not a thing. So come January I will still have my Bolt and a Tesla 3 , 322 mile vehicle that has super chargers all over the USA because GM is brainless have no clue,do not know how to sell EV are not pushing them. all talk and no common sense! Thats the bottom line on GM.
The Buick Velite 7 will have less than 300mi maybe less than 275mi, they tested it differently (and less realistically) than the EPA.
You are right on the rest, in my opinion GM should sell a Buick with the Voltic powertrain in the US and recoup sum of the money they spent developing it, however I would not be surprised if the Bolt EUV has the same range as the Buick Velite 7.