A SAIC-GM joint venture in China has unveiled the Electra E5, Buick’s first Ultium-based electric production model. It is also the first model to adopt the revised tri-shield logo that was presented in June. At the same time, it’s ushering in a new front-end styling for automakers that we’ll be seeing more of in the coming years. It’s a five-seat mid-size crossover with the short overhangs and long wheelbase you’d expect from a dedicated EV.
If the styling looks a bit familiar, that’s because the production-ready Electra E5 was previewed by the Electra-X concept back in June. It made its initial appearance in the People’s Republic about a month ago when a fully revealed image appeared on China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) website as part of the vehicle homologation process. Last week’s spy shots of a camouflaged prototype strongly suggest the EV will be coming to North America as well.
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From several details released by Buick, it is known that the Electra E5 is 4,892 millimeters (192.6 inches) long, 1,905 mm (75 inches) wide and 1,655 mm (65.1 inches) high. The wheelbase measures 2,954 mm (116.2 in), making it a perfect match for the Chevrolet Equinox EV. However, the new EV is 57 mm (2.2 in) longer overall than the mechanically related Chevy.
While Buick hasn’t announced any specifications regarding the powertrain, information released by MIIT in November revealed a single-motor setup rated at 241 hp (180 kW). The Chinese-spec Electra E5 has a registered curb weight of 2,570 kilograms (5,666 pounds) and a top speed of 112 mph (180 km/h). Logic tells us a more powerful dual-motor variant with all-wheel drive is coming at a later date.
Full specifications and interior images will likely be published in the near future as Buick says the Electra E5 will be introduced in China soon. To date, the GM-SAIC joint venture has sold more than 10 million cars in China since introducing the Buick marque in 1998.
