After officially revealing the upcoming Wuling sedan EV in China in mid-August, SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW) has just announced that the all-new model will also offer a plug-in hybrid powertrain variant.
Upcoming Wuling Sedan EV variant
General Motors’ second joint venture has unveiled the upcoming PHEV counterpart of the Chinese brand’s first sedan, initially revealed as an all-electric model. SGMW revealed some general data and the first official exterior design images of the vehicle, baptized with the Chinese name ‘星光’ – which more or less means ‘Starlight’ in English.
As such, the new PHEV is the second announced variant of the upcoming Wuling sedan that will further expand the strong new energy vehicle (NEV) portfolio of the automaker’s best-selling brand in China. The mid-size sedan is Wuling’s first three-box car and opens a new chapter in the history of the brand initially specialized in commercial minibuses.
Aesthetically, the upcoming plug-in hybrid Wuling sedan maintains exactly the same four-door body style introduced by the zero-emission variant, which debuts a completely new design language with modern lines and elegant shapes heavily focused on aerodynamics. It highlights the low front, clean sides and a fastback-type rear with prominent horizontal LED lighting that give it a distinctive look.
Upcoming Wuling Sedan PHEV variant
Upcoming Wuling Sedan EV variant
However, both versions of the upcoming Wuling sedan differ noticeably at the front with specific designs that allow them to be easily distinguished. Unlike the clean grilleless format and separate wing-shaped headlights of the EV, the PHEV adopts a three-dimensional upper grille with openings carved into the body itself, a simpler hood, a new bumper design and a massive horizontal line of LED daytime running lights.
The other big difference is that the upcoming Wuling 星光 PHEV is equipped with a powertrain composed of a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine and an electric motor, which develop a combined 78 kW or 106 horsepower. The system is powered by an iron-phosphate battery with a capacity yet to be revealed. The vehicle is expected to be officially launched in the near future as one of the most affordable NEVs in the Chinese market.
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Comments
C-pillar screams “Malibu”.
Probably a nice car if you don’t look at it….
China gets more interesting and common sense offerings than North America. We need more hybrids not EV – especially in the truck and SUV space.
A Chevy Malibu with a mash-up of Buick and Cadillac face and a Kia EV6 ass.
The Gen 1 & 2 Chevy Volts were the best PHEVs ever made. I don’t think any of todays PHEVs come even close to these Volts. Hope GM brings the Voltec technology back, this time using Ultium technology. GM says Volt batteries were about 10X more expensive to make than Ultium cells.
YOU ARE ABSOLUTLY CORRECT ABOUT THE 2ND GENERATION VOLT –
65 MILES ON BATTERY AND 435 MILES ON NINE GALLONS OF GASOLINE….
BEST CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED AND STILL DO !!
Simply STUPEFYING how GM believes PHEV’s are of little to no interest to North American (U.S.) customers. Simply STUPEFYING!
I’d guess a big factor is the absence of Bob Lutz in the GM Product Planning office. Lutz was highly instrumental in the development of the Volt, and a Car Guy who obviously “told it like it is” at GM and in his several book publications. In spite of his age (and maybe even because of it), he would likely have the “chutzpah” to stand up to Mary B and introduce some sanity into GM’s future product offerings with a more balanced “portfolio” of cars and SUV’s.
GM’s failure to market the Volt correctly was why it failed. I owned a 2012 Volt for almost three years and it was like a Swiss knife, very versatile. People were constantly asking me to explain how it worked, charging and range with or without gas. The second generation was a good improvement, I really liked the hatchback versatility. Much like the Buick Regal, it didn’t look like a hatch. Bob Lutz could probably give some insight as to why the Volt failed. GM seems dedicated to the EV and so far their offerings seem very competitive in styling and features. I’m keeping my fingers crossed!
It would definitely make more sense to have a PHEV model available here! BUT Noooooo…
Looks like a kia
PHEV vehicles make no sense to me as a consumer.
Why would I ever put myself in a situation in which I might have two fix two entirely different Propulsion Systems?
With a few tweaks and a little “Buickization”, this MUST be given to Buick as a PHEV Regal for the US market. Now!!
which front end – the more traditional grill or the new shark nose?
tmw: I’m at the point I really don’t care. haha. Just give Buick a darn sedan/car or two.