The Buick Terraza is thankfully a distant memory, but Americans might get a tinge of jealousy after gazing their eyes upon the upcoming GL8 Century. Set to be introduced in China next month, the GL8 Century is billed as a flagship van that will usher in a “new era of luxurious MPV transportation.” It’s hard to argue with that characterization as this appears to be one of the fanciest vans ever created. The cabin looks like a home away from home as it features an impressive entertainment system with a sizable screen that is flanked by Bose speakers.
Elsewhere, we can see ambient lighting,
metallic accents, and perforated leather seats that are separated by a
“foldable smart screen,” which presumably controls the entertainment system.
The seats also appear to be powered and come equipped with cup holders that are
integrated into their sofa-like armrests.
The upscale styling continues outside as
the GL8 Century takes cues from last year’s GL8 Flagship concept. As a result,
it boasts a modernized version of Buick’s design language that draws
“inspiration from oriental esthetics and digital technology.” While there isn’t
much to see, the van features Cadillac-esque lighting units and a massive
grille. They’re joined by a two-tone paint job, “BUICK” lettering, and a small
recess or intake beneath the hood.
We’ll learn more next month, but the model
has a 3,130 mm wheelbase and that’s 42 mm longer than
the GL8 ES. The GL8 Century is also 102 mm wider and these increased
dimensions give the van a “spacious interior” that will appeal to a “new
generation of social and business elites.”