Buick GL8
| Buick GL8 | |
|---|---|
 2023 Buick GL8 Century | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | SAIC-GM |
| Production | 1999–present |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Minivan |
| Layout | Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive/all-wheel drive |
| Platform | GM U platform |
The Buick GL8 is a luxury Minivan made by Buick since 1999.
First Generation (1999-2016)
[change | change source]| First generation | |
|---|---|
 Buick GL8 (second facelift) | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Chevrolet Venture (Philippines; 2001–2006) |
| Production | 1999–2016 (GL8) 2005–2010 (GL8 First Land) |
| Assembly | Shanghai, China (SAIC-GM; 1999-2004) Shenyang, Liaoning, China (SAIC-GM Norsom Motors; 2004-2016) |
| Designer | James C. Shyr (2005; GL8 First Land) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 5-door minivan |
| Platform | GMT200 platform (2000–2010) GMT201 platform (2005–2016) |
| Related | Chevrolet Venture Oldsmobile Silhouette Pontiac Montana Pontiac Trans Sport Opel/Vauxhall Sintra |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic 6-speed automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,845 mm (112 in) (2.5) 3,099 mm (122 in) (First Land) |
| Length | 4,757 mm (187.3 in) (2.5) 5,113 mm (201.3 in) (First Land) |
| Width | 1,847 mm (72.7 in) |
| Height | 1,712 mm (67.4 in) (2.5) 1,730 mm (68.1 in) (First Land) |
| Curb weight | 1,692 kg (3,730 lb) (2.5) 1,788 kg (3,942 lb) (First Land) |
The Buick GL8 started being produced in 1999.[1] It is available in versions called LT, CT1, CT2, CT3 and the GT (available in first land only). The regular version is known as the GL8 2.5 and the long wheelbase version is called GL8 First Land.
The first generation GL8 has 2.4 liter 2.5 and 3.0 liter V6 petrol engines and 4 and 6-speed automatic transmissions. It was improved in 2005[2] and 2010. It was made until 2016.
Second Generation (2010-present)
[change | change source]| Second generation | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Buick GL8 II facelift (Land Business Edition) | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 2010–present |
| Assembly | Shenyang, Liaoning, China (SAIC-GM Norsom Motors) |
| Designer | James C. Shyr |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 5-door minivan |
| Platform | SGM258 platform |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | 6-speed DSS automatic (2011–2019) 9-speed 9T50 Hydramatic automatic (China; 652T 2020–present) |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 3,088 mm (121.6 in) |
| Length | 5,256 mm (206.9 in) |
| Width | 1,878 mm (73.9 in) |
| Height | 1,800 mm (70.9 in) |
The Second generation was introduced in 2010 as a 2011 model. The design is inspired by the concept Buick Business. It was developed by Pan-Asia Technical Automotive Center.[3] It has 2.0 liter turbo engines and a 2.4 liter (used until 2015) a 2.5 liter engine (used in 2017 only) and a 3.0 liter V6 petrol engine (used until 2017) and a 6-speed automatic transmission (used until 2019). Currently it is a 9-speed automatic transmission.
After the launch of the third generation it was called Business Edition. The reason is to differentiate them. The second gen is still made and received improvements in 2020[4] and 2022.
Third Generation (2016-present)
[change | change source]| Third generation | |
|---|---|
_GL8_ES,_front_8.6.18.jpg) Buick GL8 III | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 2016–present |
| Assembly | China: Jinqiao, Shanghai (SAIC-GM) |
| Designer | Nicolas Huet |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 5-door minivan |
| Platform | SGM358 platform |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | 6-speed DSS automatic (2017–2019) 9-speed 9T50 Hydramatic automatic (2020–present) |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 3,088 mm (121.6 in) |
| Length | 5,203–5,256 mm (204.8–206.9 in) |
| Width | 1,878 mm (73.9 in) |
| Height | 1,776 mm (69.9 in)–1,811 mm (71.3 in) |
The third generation was launched in 2016. It is nicknamed GL8 ES and is sold alongside the previous generation. It has a 2.0 liter turbo petrol engine with a 6-speed automatic transmission (used until 2019) and a 9-speed automatic transmission. It was improved in 2020[5] and 2022. Like the previous gen, it is still made.
The car has Hybrid and Plug-in hybrid versions launched in 2024 as an improved version. The versions have a 1.5 liter petrol engine combined with an electric motor.[6]
Fourth Generation (2022-present
[change | change source]| Buick GL8 Century | |
|---|---|
_China.jpg) Buick GL8 Century Avenir | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Buick Century[7] |
| Production | 2022–present |
| Assembly | China: Jinqiao, Shanghai (SAIC-GM) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 5-door minivan |
| Platform | GM VSS-F (SGM458) |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | 9-speed 9T50 Hydramatic automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 3,130 mm (123.2 in) |
| Length | 5,230 mm (205.9 in) |
| Width | 1,980 mm (78.0 in) |
| Height | 1,867 mm (73.5 in) |
The fourth generation debuted in 2022 as the GL8 Century or the Century.[8] The minivan has three versions: Base, the normal version, Avenir the mid-range version, and Flagship, a more luxuorious version. The seven-seater version was then launched in August 2023.[9] This gen is a mild-hybrid having a 2.0 liter petrol engine combined with an electric motor with a 9-speed automatic transmission.
Markets
[change | change source]The Buick GL8 is currently sold exclusively in the Chinese market but from 2001 to 2006 it was exported to Philipines under the Chevrolet brand as the Chevrolet Venture.[10]
References
[change | change source]- ↑ "Shanghai GM joint venture overview on Chinaautoweb.com".
- ↑ "变身--试驾上海通用别克GL8陆尊".
- ↑ "China's Hottest Wheels for Executives: A Buick Minivan". Archived from the original on 2014-11-11. Retrieved 2014-11-11.
- ↑ "2020 Buick GL8 Land Business Edition specs".
- ↑ "Buick GL8 Avenir Fully Revealed In China As Four-Seat Luxury Minivan".
- ↑ Chao, Qin. "4月24日首发 别克GL8陆尊PHEV官图" [Official photos of Buick GL8 Lu Zun PHEV released on April 24]. Autohome (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 2024-04-23. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
- ↑ "世纪CENTURY - 别克汽车官网". buick.com.cn. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
- ↑ "世纪CENTURY - 别克汽车官网". Buick. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
- ↑ "Base 2024 Buick GL8 Century Launches In China". GM Authority. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
- ↑ "Obscure Rebadges From Around The World: Part 6". 21 November 2018.