These are the first photos of China’s production Buick Electra E4 ahead of its official unveiling later this year. The images that come courtesy of China’s Ministry of Technology show a smooth crossover-coupe that looks remarkably like the Electra-X concept that was shown off by the automaker in the summer of 2022. Although the Electra E4 has been toned down and made more practical for production, it maintains many of the design cues and ideas shown off by the Electra-X. The overall body shape of both vehicles is nearly identical, and the design of the front fascia is practically carried over.
Although there are some difference, like
the rearview mirrors instead of cameras, and the smaller wheels (the Electra E4
will be offered with 19- and 20-inch rims instead of the concept’s massive
21-inch wheels), it’s clear that the Electra-X was a very-close-to-production
concept, as Buick promised.
No photos of the interior were shared by
the Chinese ministry, but it is likely that larger differences will be found
there. The concept promised four individual seats trimmed in a 3D knit fabric
made of recycled plastic bottles, and a 30-inch “Freeform display” with 6K
resolution that could reflect 1 billion colors and had a pixel density that
compares to the human eye. Out of deference for the practicalities of
production, Buick may choose to scale some of those specs back a little.
Measuring in at 4,818 mm long, 1,912 mm wide, and 1,580 mm tall, it comes in at
100 mm (4-inches) shorter in length and about 75 mm lower than the
Volvo XC60. The Buick Electra E4 will be based on GM’s Ultium platform and
powered by an electric motor that is rated at 241 hp, though a
dual-motor AWD drive version is expected and it is likely to make more power.
Electricity for the motors will be stored by lithium iron phosphate batteries,
but their size and the vehicle’s projected range is not laid out here.
Buick customers in China can start looking
forward to getting all of the details related to the Electra E4 when it is
officially unveiled in the second half of 2023.