Buick Unveils Ultium-Based Electra E5 EV for China
Earlier this year, General Motors filed several trademark applications with model names ranging from Electra E1 to E9, suggesting that Buick would revive the iconic model name for future EVs. The automaker recently debuted the Electra E5 in China, its first vehicle to ride on GM’s Ultium platform and a potential preview of the models we could see here in the future.
The Electra E5 is due in the first half of 2023 and will hit the Chinese market as a “five-seat midsize electric SUV.” Measuring 193 inches long, 75 inches wide, and 65 inches tall, the E5 will be smaller than an Enclave but larger than the Envision or Encore. It’s the first Buick EV to get the brand’s new logo, and the automaker says it incorporated its “flying wing” design into the front end and lighting fixtures.
Buick didn’t detail powertrain information, but InsideEVs reported on specs leaked by MIIT that show a single motor setup with 241 horsepower. The top speed is said to be 112 mph, and Buick will eventually offer an all-wheel drive variant.
There’s no word on when or if the Electra E5 will make its way here, but we know Buick’s planning on delivering an Ultium-based EV in the U.S. in 2024. It’ll be preceded in the GM lineup by the Chevrolet Equinox EV in 2023, and Cadillac already has two EVs in the Lyriq and Celestiq.
[Image: Buick]
Become a TTAC insider. Get the latest news, features, TTAC takes, and everything else that gets to the truth about cars first by subscribing to our newsletter.
Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.
More by Chris Teague
Comments
Join the conversation
With a bit more effort, they could have made it look even more bland.
I am not interested in a breadvan on stilts, wether BEV or ICE.
However, bad old GM is still around. INSTEAD of having ONE BLOODY BEV HUGE DIVISION, with a NEW NAME that does not remind one of GM and its CRAPPY CARS (Mary BArra';s own words!), and ELECTRA would be the PERFECT name for that division, we have the same GOD DAMNED INFIGHTING Begtween the various divisions, and each wants to have a bunch of its own BEVS, that are essentially CLONES of the other division's BEVs. STUPID, STUPID< Stupid poiicy.
Paint the damn thing black, steal a Porsche medallion and drive around with your nose up in the air. No one will know the difference.
I don't think the styling is that bad but it is very generic. Buick should at least add some ventiports to the front sides so at least you will know its a Buick.