The 2021 Buick Envision introduces a brand-new second generation for the compact four-door crossover. Among the new 2021 Envision’s long list of changes and upgrades is a switch to the new Vehicle Intelligence Platform, or VIP, alternately known as the Global B Digital Vehicle Platform.
As GM Authority covered last week, General Motors recently filed to trademark the term “Vehicle Intelligence Platform” and “Vehicle Intelligent Platform (VIP).” The terms are the public-facing names for what is known internally at GM as the Global B Digital Vehicle Platform.
For those readers who may be unaware, the Global B Digital Vehicle Platform essentially acts as a vehicle’s digital nervous system, connecting digital features in a network of software and hardware. First debuting on the 2020 Cadillac CT5, Global B has since been incorporated in the Cadillac CT4, Chevrolet Corvette C8, all-new 2021 Cadillac Escalade, among others. Now, the platform is in use with the 2021 Buick Envision.
Global B provides numerous advantages compared to the preceding Global A electronic architecture, including over-the-air updates, enhanced cybersecurity, and the incorporation of advanced technology features like GM’s Super Cruise system, a semi-autonomous driver assist that enables the human pilot to remove their hands from the steering wheel during extended highway driving.
Global B specs include a processing rate up 4.5 terabytes per hour, a five-fold increase compared to Global A.
The 2021 Buick Envision is the first Buick model to feature the Global B electronic architecture. It’s also the first model built in the E2 platform to feature the new digital architecture.
In addition to the upgraded digital nervous system, the 2021 Buick Envision also features a complete revision to exterior styling, taking inspiration from the 2018 Buick Enspire concept vehicle. The interior features Buick’s first available 10-inch diagonal infotainment screen, as well as a host of standard active safety tech. Motivation is sourced from the turbocharged 2.0L I4 LSY gasoline engine, which connects to a nine-speed automatic transmission and produces 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.
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Comments
Get your facts straight the 2021 Buick Envision is rated at 228 horsepower and 258 lb feet of torque according to the Buick website .
Look at that – no mention this vehicle is built in China. They are already eating our lunch and GM reacts by taking even more jobs away from North America. This doesn’t concern GM, apparently, but it concerns me and should concern all. No thanks GM nice knowing ya.
Hey Bruce, breaking news! All manufactures are building in China the largest auto market on the Globe
But, its the American consumer at fault. Was back in 50’s American consumers turned up their noses at GE appliances in favor of the cheaper Sony from Japan, now Walmarts and Targets are stocked full of China made goods. Plus our Government has allowed China’s allure of a vast buying middle class to lure American companies wanting to grow outside the US to cow tow to China’s strict policy of Cars sold in China must be built there And giving up Intellectual rights too! All the Volvo buyers are buying a Chinese owned product.
Compare that to our lax US policy of bending over grabbing our ankles to give up everything just so foreign manufactures could build plants here. Every Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Volvo, Mercedes, BMW, Audi sold in the US sends Billions of US dollars to overseas company coffers. To compete yes GM has to build cars in the largest consumer market in the world, at least those Chinese yen spent end up on the bottomline of an American company.
how can you put the blame on the american consumer? you expect them to pay more for less? businesses don’t do that but you expect the average working person to do that?
Pointing out some of the common mistakes for other readers:
“China’s strict policy of Cars sold in China must be built there”
Fact – Tons of high-end Mercedes, BMW, Porsche, F150 Raptor and Rolls-Royce are sold in China daily and none of them are built in China. Think about why American consumer don’t have the freedom to buy a Toyota Camry built in Japan? Because almost all the Asian brand models sold in the US are built in the US, including Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, Hyundai, Kia. Do you think this should concern the Japanese and Koreans for their interest? Are they forced to do so under some authoritarian threat in here? Or are they just simply playing the rules of capitalism.
“Chinese yen”
Fact – Yen(円) is Japanese, Yuan(å…ƒ) is Chinese. Educate a little on this topic first, thank you.
Well all the think tanks, Goldman Sachs, globalists and sold out congressman wanted more products to be built in China. Orange man bad wanted to change it and the establishment was immediately threatened. They mocked him, but it was never about him personally anyway, don’t be decieved. It was the fact that he went up against the corrupt globalist establishment and they feared it.
Look what they did. They fixed an election right in front of your eyes. 80 million for Biden? Yeah right. Dementia aside, the guy is a dope. All while Orange man bad got 8 million more votes from 2016. That’s never happened in political history. EVER. The media tells you he got beat. He didn’t get beat. You got beat. Beat down with a stick. Heel boy! Rememebr that in ’22 and ’24.
That doesn’t make it right, nor does it help our economy. But hey knock yourself out and keep piling on as you obviously don’t care.. I’m drawing the line with $50,000 purchases but I’ll still go to the dollar store.
Well I for one will not buy this Chinese product. You can keep your Buick invasion.
We gave China an inch and they took a yard…besides who cares where the cars are “assembled” your Chevy born in an american factory is still using 85% Chinese parts. Also there have been some pretty Crappy cars “Made in America” remember the 2.4 liter engine in the Equinox with the oil issues and just breaking down for no reason? Guess where it was made…in the good ol’ USA…we are no longer the country we used to be 40, 50, or 60 years ago yes cars where 100% american made but those days are long gone. I also give car maker credit for going where the money is. You like the old Buick’s so much I am 42 years old in my generation a Buick was fancy Chevy the interior reaked of cheap plastic, they needed maintenance all the time, you where lucky to reach 100,000 miles…so yeah let’s go back to the old way of GM let’s build it in America then pay to ship it to it’s biggest market…while your at it Bruce why don’t keep feeding this Americans have to make more attitude…I say things should be cheaper instead! As far as American jobs go these new factories in China and Mexico do help a little with immigration in my opion.
Chinese apologist- no, Chinese parts do not make up 85% of domestic vehicles. Stop making stuff up.
It was an estimate Bruce…jeez you know there classes for anger management! The fact that this China business had been going on for so long and nobody cares until it’s to late. We as a country should have tried to keep the original big three here Ford is american but builds in Mexico and china, we know GM does it, Chrysler owned by a foreign company…there is no more made in the USA we burned that bridge down years ago. As for me I will buy American cars the money still comes back here…this probably coming from a person who would consider driving a Korean or Japanese car 😉
They’re mostly still made stateside.
Pat – I need anger management classes because I correctly stated Chinese parts do make up 85% of domestic vehicles as per your claim? Anger management really just for pointing this out? Seems to me you might want to seek some help.
Well I love my Buick Envision. I have had it for about a month now. GM chose to keep Buick over Pontiac because it’s the number 1 brand in China. They sell way more Buick in China than in the US. I chose the Envision because of the interior and when me and my wife test drove it was feel in love. It has a lot of tech so I’m still learning all the features but I can say I’m extremely satisfied at this point.
For all the Envision haters, so far my families 2017 Envision premium has proven to be a better made vehicle then any of the USA or Canadian build GM products we’ve owned in 20 years. Great build quality and not one issue over three years.
Sure I wish it was American made, but today that means little with union employees who abuse that to do a crappy work with no fear of losing their job. The people in China building the Envision know they have a great job and work hard to keep it. So yes, blame lazy entitled Americans who don’t want to work hard for this vehicle and possibly more in the future being built in China.
I like the new look of the Buick Envision…no they grow a set and make GS version with more boost or a V6 turbo! Yes the reason why GM builds Buick’s in China is because China is because they sell more there. It’s nice to see somebody that loves a GM vehicle…I have had nothing but GM vehicles expect for a Dodge Avenger and a Mazda 6… neither of those cars was as good. GM for life 🙂 no matter where it’s built!
Couldn’t have said it better myself ME…I work for UPS inside on the conveyor belt and everyone there hates work and is lazy. Unions where a good thing years ago because way back when people did not act in tilted to their pay and benefits…they built quality vehicles that would last. You know something did you ever see an old 1960’s car add that proudly says built with pride…that doesn’t exist anymore. Shacking my head.
Good for you Pat. Good for you.
When the Envision was introduced in the Atlanta, area, I had to go check out the quality of assembly, paint and interior workmanship. I expected that the first of the Envisions would have some “new car design problems,” but was really surprised about the quality of workmanship. I have not driven one, but they look very good. My neighbor (an Ex-GM engineer) from the Atlanta area has one and loves it. He either worked in the old B-O-P Doraville Plant (demolished) or Hapeville Assembly Plant, which had been closed.
Having being brought in a Buick dealership for the first 22 years of my life, I was very partial to the Buick nameplate. I remember both the good days and bad days. 1953 was the first V8 engine for Buick which was the 322 cu.in. which has the nickname as the “Nail-Head!’ because the valves were small. Overall, this engine was a very reliable design and noted for high torque at a lower RPM. Buicks were quick off the line and had excellent passing power, especially for the Century, Roadmaster and Skylark (53 & 54 only) and Limited (1958 – only). Note: the Super (same engine as the Special) was on the GM ‘C-body’ -(Cadillac/Roadmaster/Limited). In 1959, these names were changed to Le Sabre, Invicta, Electra and Electra 225. The same basic engine design was increased up to 401 cu in in 1959. 1962 brought in the Wildcat, which subsequently replaced the Invicta in 1963. Also, 1963 brought the first Riviera to take on Ford’s Thunderbird. 1963 also was introduction for Buick’s new 425 cu. in engine with 1964 the first year for twin 4 barrel carb. 1964 was also the model year when Buick and Cadillac (with the exception of the Fleetwood) both received the new TH-400 3-speed automatic transmission, which ended twin turbine (A.K.A. known as “Dynaflow” transmission). In my opinion, from the standpoint of both performance and reliability, this was probably the best automatic transmission ever produced by any manufacturer. Ironically, the Chrysler Torque-Flite tranny was very good, as well. As far as collector Buicks go, the ’53/’54 Skylarks the ’58 Limited Cnv, 1963-65 Riviera, 1970 GS-455 Stage 1, and the 1987 GNX Regal. The ’58 Limited represented what rest of the world thought about American cars: (1) Very large (227.1 inches) overall length, (2) Gas Hogs, (3) Chrome everywhere, and (4) the epitome of garish style. The same could be said for the ’58 Lincoln Continental @ length of 230 inches.
I did not mention the GM aluminum 215 ci V8 engines for Buick Special/Skylark, Oldsmobile F-85 and Pontiac Tempest w/V8 Buick version, since we really would like to forget these engines. They were great on paper, but a problem in the real world. GM-Buick warranty support for the problems with the aluminum V-8 issues probably saved a lot customers from jumping ship!
My father told me Buick was always a nice car and here is some history…this is not the first foreign built Buick remember the Buick Opel it was really a German car with a Buick name. Personally I don’t care where it’s made as long as it is built well and it’s GM. A great name to bring back now would be Electra with GM pushing electric and all. 😉 😉
do any of the cadillac xt4’s have the Global B Digital Vehicle Platform since they are also built on the E2?