Buick has revamped the GL6 for the 2021 model year and will officially launch it on November 19. Still a China-only affair, the revised minivan will arrive with a new mild-hybrid powertrain, comprising of a turbocharged 1.3-liter engine mated to a six-speed transmission, a 48V electric motor and battery, as well as a battery management module and hybrid control unit.
Key functions include electric power
assist, intelligent charging, energy regeneration and start-stop. The automaker
said that, with the new powertrain, the 2021 GL6 offers a 7.6 percent improved
fuel consumption, at 6.1 l/100 km (38.6 mpg US). Moreover, the mild-hybrid
system has been subjected to over 500,000 hours of testing to ensure its
reliability and durability.
The MPV is also equipped with the eConnect
3.0 system that features a standard 10.25-inch LED instrument cluster display
and central console unit that are fully integrated. The system supports
over-the-air updates and has voice recognition, cloud-based data sharing, Super
ID and smartphone integration, and is highly customizable. Complementing the
upgrades are the air-purifying A/C, Buick Live Sound surround audio, standard
panoramic sunroof, rear privacy windows and new three-spoke steering wheel.
Other novelties include the redesigned
third-row seats, which are said to offer a more natural seating position. The
2+2+2 seating layout, with first- and second-row armrests, provides
segment-leading space, according to Buick. Also, the GL6 has more than 40
storage spaces and a generous cargo area that can be expanded to 1,521 liters
(53.7 cu-ft) when folding down the second and third rows.
Standard safety features include forward
collision warning, lane departure warning, side blind zone alert and automatic
park assist.
