Buick Electra L7: Electric version with a range of over 700 km
Less than a year after Buick introduced its sleek Electra L7 sedan in China with a range-extender powertrain, the first photos and details of the fully electric version have emerged.
Buick is transforming into a manufacturer exclusively of new energy vehicles in China. While the range-extender version uses a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a 40.2 kWh LFP battery, the new battery electric version is expected to attract a significant portion of the market that is interested only in electric vehicles.
Specifications and technologies
The car uses an 800-volt electrical architecture that supports 6C charging speed. Details about the LFP battery pack from SAIC are not yet known, but theoretically, a battery supporting 6C charging can charge at a power six times its capacity. If this is a 100 kWh battery, it means it could charge at a power of 600 kW.
The car’s wheels are driven by an electric motor producing 378 hp. For comparison, the 1.5-liter engine of the EREV version produces 154 hp, and its less powerful electric motor adds 238 hp. The car’s range is expected to exceed 435 miles (700 km), although this is based on the optimistic Chinese CLTC cycle.
Design and interior
Visually, the electric model is almost indistinguishable from the EREV version. This means it features the same striking headlights and LED daytime running lights, as well as the same basic bumper and front grille. Other key elements include a roof-mounted lidar, flush door handles, and several intricate wheel designs.
As for the rear, it includes a darkened bumper with silver trim and relatively simple LED taillights. Overall, the car’s design is not particularly outstanding, but at least it looks like a Buick.
The interior of the Electra L7 includes a large 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 15.6-inch central infotainment display, metal speaker grilles, and wireless phone chargers. Prices for the EREV model start at 173,900 yuan ($25,600) and go up to 219,900 yuan ($32,300), but Buick has not yet confirmed prices for the electric vehicle.
Interestingly, Buick also sells this sleek sedan in China with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, indicating the platform’s flexibility. The arrival of the fully electric version with a range of over 700 km and 6C fast charging technology could significantly strengthen the brand’s position in the Chinese market, where demand for long-range electric vehicles continues to grow. Given that the range-extender version already has a competitive price, the electric modification is likely to be positioned as a more premium alternative for those willing to invest in a pure electric experience.