The GM dealers in Shanghai have put the brand new GL8 from Buick on offer. The company is expecting the luxury MPV model to ride on the success of the original GL8, which was the first set of executive wagons to be sold in China. The car made its debut in the markets in the year 1999 and has sold 330,000 units since then. The brand new model is all set to hit the showrooms in January next year. The car has undergone some major innovations and 27 technological advancements which is quite something in itself! The car will possess major evolutions in the field of spacing, technology, interior design, safety, and power; upgraded features and most importantly will be of a very high quality. Terry Johnson, Vice President of Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing, of Shanghai GM have stated that the company is producing the car with aides form the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) in Shanghai. The car according to him has been reformed keeping the needs of the customers in mind. The car is just going to give what people mostly expect from Buick, a great luxurious, smooth and comfortable journey.
Mr. Johnsson further stated that the GL8 is being produced at the right time and its also the right car to be marketed now. The GL8 is influenced by the Buick Business hybrid concept car which had been put on display at the Shanghai Auto Show, last year. Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC), a subsidiary of Shanghai GM, was given the responsibility to develop this concept car. The car with dimensions of 5,256 mm (206 inches) in length, 1,878 mm (74 inches) in width and 1,800 mm (70 inches) in height is capable of comfortably housing 6 people for a ride.
The interiors of the car have been based on a combination of Eastern and Western conventions of styling. The car has been equipped with ice-blue atmosphere lighting along with a 360-degree wraparound design which gathers its inspiration from luxury yachts. The GL8 is on offer in two variant models. They are a 3.0-liter V-6 SIDI intelligent direct injection engine and a 2.4-liter Ecotec engine which offers great fuel efficiency.
The car is equipped with advanced 6-speed automatic transmission as the standard which produces a great deal of power. The GL8 costs anywhere between CNY288,000 and CNY388,000 ($43,19 to $58,192). Come December 2010 and Shanghai GM will unveil an upgraded version 2011 model of the current Buick GL8.
Source: 4wheelsnews
