Buick Velite Expansion

[WadeTyhon]

Looks like Buick has a new Velite 6 in the works for China that will have a BEV and PHEV variant. Very similar to the i3/i3 Rex and Clarity EV/PHEV.

Hopefully like the Volt/Velite 5 the Velite 6 will be launching in both markets!

"Buick has two new vehicles in the pipeline for China, and it’s provided a sole teaser image for the two. On Tuesday, the brand announced the Velite 6 plug-in hybrid and Velite 6 EV will join the portfolio alongside the Velite 5 and LaCrosse Hybrid."
...
"(on the PHEV) Buick said the electric driving range should be around 62 miles, while the gasoline engine provides up to 435 miles of range."

Read more: http://gmauthority.com/blog/2018/04/buick-teases-velite-6-plug-in-hybrid-ev-for-china/#ixzz5BXwWiTOE

 

[WadeTyhon]

Something that may or may not be related. At a recent dealer event where the C8 Corvette was teased, "Chevrolet teased an all-electric performance vehicle at the meeting" described by attendees of the event as a crossover or CUV. The vehicle was shown but video and audio was not allowed at the event.

Since the new Corvette is expected to launch at the end of 2019 as a 2020 model, a similar time frame for this "electric performance vehicle" in the US seems reasonable.

Because this was a Chevrolet dealer event, it is likely not the XT4 PHEV or Buick Encore EV.

Perhaps the vehicle teased at this event was the upcoming Buick Velite 6. Just like the Chevy Volt was launched as the Buick Velite 5 in China, perhaps the Velite 6 will be launched in the US as a Chevy.

The Velite 6 is expected to be a large hatchback or wagon. GM has a history of categorizing these vehicles as "crossovers" for marketing purposes.

Maybe this was the first glimpse at a future Volt "Crossover" that has been rumored? Since it is going to launch with PHEV and EV drivetrains, this is possible. Or maybe the Velite 6 *is* the Volt redesign. But it's just as likely to be an entirely new model.

"According to Nate Chandler of Van Bortel Chevrolet in New York state, Chevrolet teased an all-electric performance vehicle at the meeting, and it may be a crossover. Chandler took to the Corvette Forum to describe what he saw and learned from the meeting. Audio and photos were not permitted.

Chandler specifically named Alan Batey, GM President of North America, as the source, and Batey reportedly made it crystal clear that the vehicle will be a performance model. He did not, however, confirm the body style. From Chandler’s perspective, the vehicle looked like a CUV."

http://www.hybridcars.com/chevy-hinted-electric-performance-vehicle-dealers/
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2018/04...ectric-performance-vehicle-at-dealer-meeting/

 

[Pushmi-Pullyu]

Looks like Buick has a new Velite 6 in the works for China that will have a BEV and PHEV variant. Very similar to the i3/i3 Rex and Clarity EV/PHEV.

Is this the "Voltec Buick" which has been rumored (or touted by GM) for awhile now?

Or will that be a different model?
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[WadeTyhon]

Is this the "Voltec Buick" which has been rumored (or touted by GM) for awhile now?

Or will that be a different model?
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Hmm well up to this point the only Voltec (PHEV) Buick has been the Velite 5. But it's literally a Volt with a badge swap.

You might be thinking of the upcoming Buick EV based on the Bolt platform. It will likely have the same interior and range specs as the Bolt but the larger exterior footprint of the Encore.

That vehicle should at the very least be announced this year. I personally think it will launch in Q4 2018 or Q1 2019.

The Velite 6 is the first time I've personally heard of a new PHEV coming to Buick. In order to get around Chinese tarrifs and taxes, it is going to be built in China. So it might share more tech with the CT6 Plug-in than the Volt. Too early to say for sure though!

 

[WadeTyhon]

https://www.noticiasautomotivas.com...rossover-hibrido-velite-6-e-conceito-enspire/

Finally out there in the open! Visit the site for more images. Based on rough google translation:


"The Buick Velite 6 Plug-In Hybrid can operate in three modes: hybrid (1.5 and electric motor), normal (only with 1.5 motor) and electric (no emission of pollutants)."

"In the electric version, SAIC-GM did not disclose the details of the performance and range of lithium batteries"

"the technology is different from that used by Bolt, having been developed locally."

"Full of pronounced creases, the turbo-crossover body has attractive lines and could well be offered in the US and, if Opel were still part of GM, also in Europe. The interior was not revealed. But, the model will have remote upgrade via OnStar (I assume this means over the air updates) and online communication through the WeChat platform."

I'm sure Inside EVs will have an article or two up soon as well.