Buick confirms US-market Envision CUV to be built in China
Fri, Dec 4 2015
When it arrives in US dealers next summer, the Envision will feature a 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder EcoTec four-cylinder. Good for an estimated 252 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, the four-pot turbo is paired to a well-received six-speed Hydra-Matic 6T70 transmission. That's the same automatic gearbox that's offered in the turbocharged Regal and Regal GS and the current six-cylinder LaCrosse.
The entire affair is underpinned by torque-steer-fighting HiPer strut front suspension, a crossover first for Buick, with a four-link setup in back. According to Buick, the Envision will also get the same Active Twin Clutch all-wheel-drive system being offered on the Cadillac XT5 and the new LaCrosse.
Like the Chinese-market Envision, Buick is offering the USDM model with active grille shutters, LED running lights, LED taillights, heated front/rear seats, a heated steering wheel, 19-inch wheels, and a Bose stereo as standard. Buick also lists highlights like Active Noise Cancellation and an eight-inch IntelliLink infotainment system, although it's not clear whether these are standard features.
There's no word on which auto show the Envision will debut at. Considering the timing, next month's Detroit Auto Show is a strong contender, although if Buick wanted to really drum up headlines ahead of its on-sale date next summer, it'd formally introduce its newest CUV in April, at the New York Auto Show. Either way, expect to see more of this handsome, Chinese-built CUV soon.
Related Video:
Buick Envision North American Market Fact Sheet
2015-12-04
The Buick Envision was designed, engineered and tested in Michigan as a world-class luxury crossover to challenge the world's best competition. It was awarded Motor Trend SUV of the Year in China and has 127,085 sales so far this year. When it goes on sale in 2016, it will play an important role in a crossover lineup that currently represents 60 percent of Buick sales in North America. It targets customers shopping between the Encore, the best-selling Buick in eight years, and the Enclave, which has continued to grow its customer base since its 2007 introduction.
Envision highlights include:
252-horsepower (186 kW) 2.0L turbo engine with stop/start technology, matched with Buick's first crossover vehicle application of HiPer Strut front suspension and Buick's first Active Twin Clutch all-wheel-drive system
Efficiency-enhancing features including upper grille shutters that open and close to enhance aerodynamics on the highway and a body structure incorporating mass-reducing high-strength and ultra-high-strength steels – and a lightweight aluminum hood
LED daytime running lamps and rear LED accent lights
Sliding, 60/40-split rear seat, offering the flexibility of more legroom for second-row passengers
Kneeling cushions in the second-row seat enable a flatter load floor when the seat is folded
Standard Safety Alert Seat and Lane Keep Assist, as well as available Automatic Park Assist, and Surround Vision 360-degree camera system
IntelliLink with 8-inch color touch screen
Available OnStar with 4G LTE and built-in Wi-Fi hotspot
Programmable power liftgate with hands-free operation
Active noise cancelation
Standard 19-inch aluminum wheels
Passive entry and push-button start with standard remote start
Standard eight-way power-adjustable front seats and four-way-adjustable lumbar – including available adjustable thigh support on some models that enhances comfort for taller passengers
Standard heated front seats, heated rear seat and heated steering wheel
Available cooled front seats
Standard tri-zone climate control with rear-seat controls and console-mounted rear vents
Standard Bose premium sound system
Available panoramic moonroof
2015-12-04
The Buick Envision was designed, engineered and tested in Michigan as a world-class luxury crossover to challenge the world's best competition. It was awarded Motor Trend SUV of the Year in China and has 127,085 sales so far this year. When it goes on sale in 2016, it will play an important role in a crossover lineup that currently represents 60 percent of Buick sales in North America. It targets customers shopping between the Encore, the best-selling Buick in eight years, and the Enclave, which has continued to grow its customer base since its 2007 introduction.
Envision highlights include:
252-horsepower (186 kW) 2.0L turbo engine with stop/start technology, matched with Buick's first crossover vehicle application of HiPer Strut front suspension and Buick's first Active Twin Clutch all-wheel-drive system
Efficiency-enhancing features including upper grille shutters that open and close to enhance aerodynamics on the highway and a body structure incorporating mass-reducing high-strength and ultra-high-strength steels – and a lightweight aluminum hood
LED daytime running lamps and rear LED accent lights
Sliding, 60/40-split rear seat, offering the flexibility of more legroom for second-row passengers
Kneeling cushions in the second-row seat enable a flatter load floor when the seat is folded
Standard Safety Alert Seat and Lane Keep Assist, as well as available Automatic Park Assist, and Surround Vision 360-degree camera system
IntelliLink with 8-inch color touch screen
Available OnStar with 4G LTE and built-in Wi-Fi hotspot
Programmable power liftgate with hands-free operation
Active noise cancelation
Standard 19-inch aluminum wheels
Passive entry and push-button start with standard remote start
Standard eight-way power-adjustable front seats and four-way-adjustable lumbar – including available adjustable thigh support on some models that enhances comfort for taller passengers
Standard heated front seats, heated rear seat and heated steering wheel
Available cooled front seats
Standard tri-zone climate control with rear-seat controls and console-mounted rear vents
Standard Bose premium sound system
Available panoramic moonroof
By Brandon Turkus
See also: Black Friday could power record November sales, Buick unveils new Verano hatchback in Guangzhou, 2017 Buick LaCrosse an evolution of sharp Avenir concept.