SAIC-GM's Buick debuts first flagship sedan model under ELETRA NEV sub-brand

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On September 15, SAIC-GM's Buick took the wraps off the ELETRA L7, the first flagship sedan under its newly created premium new energy vehicle (NEV) sub-brand "ELETRA" (至境).

Built on the "Xiao Yao" integrated vehicle platform, the ELETRA L7 is positioned as a luxury range-extended electric sedan. The model has already begun arriving at Buick dealerships nationwide, accompanied by a "Early Bird" program offering lifetime free maintenance for customers placing orders before September 28.

At the heart of the vehicle is Buick's proprietary "Zhenlong" range-extender system, paired with a 252 kW single-motor drive. The automaker claims the output rivals that of a conventional 3.0T V6 engine. Official figures show a 0–100 km/h acceleration time of 5.9 seconds, with minimal loss of performance even when the battery is depleted.

Range is a central selling point: the ELETRA L7 offers 302 km of battery-powered range under CLTC standards and a combined range of 1,420 km. Fuel consumption is rated at just 0.5 liters per 100 km. Its Ultium 2.0 hybrid-dedicated battery supports 130 kW DC fast charging, replenishing 30% to 80% of capacity in 18 minutes, with a claimed lifespan of up to 640,000 km with minimal degradation.

The ELETRA L7 debuts Buick's "Xiao Yao Zhi Xing" driver assistance suite, built on Momenta's R6 large-scale reinforcement learning model and powered by Qualcomm's SA8775P chipset with 72 TOPS computing capacity. The system enables city-level navigation-on-autopilot and one-touch autonomous parking without requiring the vehicle to stop first.

Inside, the smart cabin features a 50-inch panoramic AR head-up display and a 15.6-inch customizable split-screen infotainment panel. Other highlights include a sentry mode, phone-linked preconditioning, and an AI-powered voice assistant. Audio comes from a 27-speaker "Buick Sound" system with adaptive headrest speakers for all four seats.

Measuring 5,032 mm in length with a 3,000 mm wheelbase, the fastback sedan features frameless doors and 20-inch turbine-style wheels, reinforcing its premium positioning.

The interior follows a "Pure Island" design theme, highlighted by a zero-gravity front passenger seat with dual 120° adjustment, an extendable 103 mm leg rest, and a one-touch nap mode. The chassis combines a front double wishbone and rear five-link suspension, uniquely incorporating a six-ball-joint layout in the segment. An RTD continuously variable damping system further enhances ride stability.

As a cornerstone of Buick's electrification strategy, the ELETRA L7 seeks to address range anxiety with its REEV (range-extended electric vehicle)-dedicated architecture while leveraging localized R&D from the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center. to advance smart driving features. Its launch places Buick in direct competition with leading players in China's mid-/high-end REEV segment, including Li Auto's L series and AITO's M7.