The minivan is now available as a full-fledged rechargeable hybrid. At the same time, this GL8 did not supplant the pre-reform model, but complemented the range.
The Buick GL8 van has been present in the Chinese line of the American brand since 1999. Today this is a separate family: cars of the second, third and fourth generations are simultaneously sold in the Celestial Empire, they are produced locally – a joint venture between GM and SAIC is responsible for production. However, the “fourth” MPV was eventually decided to be considered a separate model with the revived Century name.
Buick Century, that is, the fourth generation GL8 1/4 
Buick Century, that is, the fourth generation GL8 2/4 
Buick GL8 ES, that is, the third generation minivan 3/4 
Buick GL8 ES, that is, the third generation minivan 4/4
Be that as it may, the once super-popular family is now in the red, because there are more competitors. Thus, according to statistics from BestSellingCarsBlog, from January to March 2024, 16,790 Buick minivans were sold in China, which is 28% less than in the same period last year. For comparison, the Denza D9 model sold 22,615 copies (-6%) in the first quarter. And against this background, Buick announced the expansion of the GL8 range – a rechargeable hybrid PHEV with its own name Lu Zun is entering the market.
Buick GL8 Lu Zun PHEV 1/5 
Buick GL8 Lu Zun PHEV 2/5 
Buick GL8 Lu Zun PHEV 3/5 
Buick GL8 Lu Zun PHEV 4/5 
Buick GL8 Lu Zun PHEV 5/5
This van has been announced as a new member of the family. In fact, before us is a deeply restyled Buick GL8 of the previous third generation with the factory index ES. Moreover, the exterior and interior of the hybrid were designed in the style of the fourth generation model, that is, the Buick Century.
Buick GL8 Lu Zun PHEV
The GL8 Lu Zun PHEV minivan received a similar grille, bumpers, hood, headlights and taillights. By the way, all photos show the most luxurious modification of Avenir. When compared with the pre-reform GL8 ES, the length and wheelbase have not changed: 5219 and 3088 mm, respectively (Buick Century is larger – 5230 and 3130 mm, respectively). The new version “stands” on 18-inch wheels.
Buick GL8 Lu Zun PHEV 1/4 < img src="/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/be8b2bac49bd288c8c786e1272a7d32e.jpg" /> Buick GL8 Lu Zun PHEV 2/4 
Buick GL8 Lu Zun PHEV 3/4 
Buick GL8 Lu Zun PHEV 4/4
Inside the hybrid, a new front panel, steering wheel, door cards and seats were installed. Instead of the usual box selector, there is a steering column lever. In addition, the Buick GL8 Lu Zun PHEV has a single curved 30-inch display with 6K resolution – like the Century (the GL8 ES has two separate screens in one housing, each 12.3 inches diagonal). The PHEV version comes with six or seven seats.
Buick GL8 Lu Zun PHEV 1/4 
Buick GL8 Lu Zun PHEV 2/4 
Buick GL8 Lu Zun PHEV 3/4 
Buick GL 8 Lu Zun PHEV 4/4
The list of equipment also includes a head-up display, heating, ventilation and massager seats, second-row seats with retractable footrests, folding tables, a “stand” with a box (it has heating and cooling functions), all-round cameras, adaptive cruise control, auto braking and lane keeping systems. For an additional fee, you can order a separate screen for rear passengers – it is attached to the ceiling.
Buick GL8 Lu Zun PHEV 1/8 
Buick GL8 Lu Zun PHEV 2/8 
Buick GL8 Lu Zun PHEV 3/8 
Buick GL8 Lu Zun PHEV 4/8 
Buick GL8 Lu Zun PHEV 5/8 
Buick GL8 Lu Zun PHEV 6/8 
Buick GL8 Lu Zun PHEV 7/8 
Buick GL8 Lu Zun PHEV 8/8
Front-wheel drive Buick GL8 Lu Zun PHEV is equipped with a gasoline turbo engine 1.5 (180 hp), 218-horsepower electric motor and battery with a capacity of 24.4 kWh. The total output of the system is 397 hp. and 580 Nm. On electric power alone, the minivan can travel 138 km on the CLTC cycle.
Buick GL8 Lu Zun PHEV
The price of a rechargeable hybrid varies from 359,900 to 419,900 yuan, which is equivalent to approximately 4.6 million – 5.3 million rubles at the current exchange rate. The “third” Buick GL8 ES with a 237-horsepower 2.0 turbo engine (it is supplemented by default with a 48-volt starter generator) costs from 317,900 yuan (about 4 million rubles). Well, the Buick Century, that is, the fourth generation GL8, with the same technology as the GL8 ES, will cost at least 469,900 yuan (5.97 million rubles).
Later Buick plans also release a purely electric minivan GL8, but there are no details about this modification yet.
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