Buick GL8

Buick GL8
Overview
Manufacturer	Shanghai GM
Production	1999–present
Model years	2000–present
Body and chassis
Class	Minivan
Layout	Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive/all-wheel drive
Platform	GM U platform

The Buick GL8 is a minivan that is made by Shanghai GM, a joint-venture between Chinese automaker SAIC Motor and American automaker General Motors. The Buick GL8 is only sold in China.

Introduced in 1999, the first generation Buick GL8 is similar to the GM-made minivans that are sold in North America (Chevrolet Uplander, Chevrolet Venture, Buick Terraza, Oldsmobile Silhouette, Pontiac Trans Sport, Pontiac Trans Sport Montana, Pontiac Montana, Pontiac Montana SV6, and Saturn RELAY), and is built on GM's U-body platform, which is also used by the GM-made minivans that are sold in North America, as well as the Buick Rendezvous and the Pontiac Aztek, which are both midsize crossover SUV that is sold in North America by General Motors, also uses GM's U-body platform.

A revamped edition was released in late 2010/early 2011, featuring 2.4 L and V6 3.0 L engines.^[1] It is based on an old minivan platform from the U.S., but it would likely require costly upgrades to meet current U.S. safety and requirements. Sales amounted to 52,127 units in 2010, and it was relatively stable over past few years. The previous generation is still available as GL8 First Land.^[2]

First generation (2000–2010)

First generation
Buick GL8 (facelift)
Overview
Production	1999–2010 (GL8) 2011–2017 (GL8 First Land)
Model years	2000–2010 (GL8) 2011–2017 (GL8 First Land)
Body and chassis
Body style	5-door minivan
Platform	GMT200 platform (2000–2005) GMT201 platform (2005–2017)
Related	Chevrolet Venture Oldsmobile Silhouette Pontiac Montana Pontiac Trans Sport Opel Sintra Vauxhall Sintra
Powertrain
Engine	2.4 L LE5 I4 2.5 L LB8 V6 3.0 L LW9 V6
Transmission	4-speed automatic 6-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,845 mm (112 in) (2.5) 3,099 mm (122 in) (First Land)
Length	4,757 mm (187.3 in) (2.5) 5,113 mm (201.3 in) (First Land)
Width	1,847 mm (72.7 in)
Height	1,712 mm (67.4 in) (2.5) 1,730 mm (68.1 in) (First Land)
Curb weight	1,692 kg (3,730 lb) (2.5) 1,788 kg (3,942 lb) (First Land)

The GL8 first entered production in China in 1999.^[1]

The regular wheelbase GL8 is known as the GL8 2.5 while the extended wheelbase variant is called the GL8 First Land. There are five trim levels available, called the LT, CT1, CT2, CT3 and GT (which is only available on the Firstland). Pricing ranged between 218,000 to 318,000 yuan^[3] (31,920 to 46,570 USD). In October 2001, the first bunch of Buick GL10s (10 passenger versions of the 1st-generation GL8) were exported to the Philippines where it was rebadged as the Chevrolet Venture. The GL8 underwent a facelift in 2005 for the 2006 model year, receiving a redesigned front end and new clear taillights. While the first generation has been superseded by the new one, as introduced in late 2010, it is still on sale and in production as the "Business Edition" GL8, now only with a 2.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine.

Engines:

• GL8 Business Edition: LE5 2.4 L I4
• GL8 2.5: LB8 2.5 L V6
• GL8 Firstland: LW9 3.0 L V6

Second generation (2011–2016)

Second generation
Buick GL8 II
Overview
Production	2010–present
Model years	2011–present
Body and chassis
Body style	5-door minivan
Platform	SGM258 platform
Powertrain
Engine	2.5 L LCV I4 2.4 L LE5 I4 3.0 L LFW V6
Transmission	6-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	3,088 mm (121.6 in)

Introduced in 2010 for the 2011 model year, the GL8 II has an all-new appearance inspired by the Buick Business concept car that was shown in 2009, with a drastic dip in the beltline. The wheelbase is the same as for the GL8 First Land, 3,099 mm (122 in). Developed by the Pan-Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC), another joint venture of SAIC Motors with General Motors, the vehicle is based on a vehicle architecture of over a decade old.^[4]

Engines include a 2.4-liter DVVT Ecotec four-cylinder and a 3.0-liter V6, with an available six-speed automatic gearbox for the V6.^[1] To differentiate the new GL8 from its predecessor which remains on sale as a "Business Edition", the new one is sold as the "Luxury Business Edition".

After the 3rd Generation GL8 on sale,To differentiate the new GL8 (3rd generation GL8) from its predecessor which remains on sale as a "Business Edition", the new one is sold as the "Luxury Business Edition". And It have a new engine called LCV,a 2.5-liter DVVT Ecotec. But the old 3.0-liter V6 was canceled.

Third generation (2017–present)

Third generation
Buick GL8 III
Overview
Production	2016–present
Model years	2017–present
Body and chassis
Body style	5-door minivan
Platform	SGM258 platform
Powertrain
Engine	2.0 L Turbo LTG I4
Transmission	6-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	3,088 mm (121.6 in)

Buick GL8 III rear

Buick GL8 Avenir

The third generation Buick GL8 ES debuted in China in late 2016. It received a complete exterior overhaul using the newly introduced winged Buick grille treatment, as well as a redesigned roofline. The entire engine lineup was replaced by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four producing 253 horsepower. The last generation was sold as 25S with a 2.5-liter I4 in the new base model. The new version is based on an updated version of the same platform, abandoning the current torsion beam rear suspension in favor of a new independent setup. The entry-level price was lowered to RMB 229,000 for the old GL8 25S, while a luxury version, the most expensive GL8 Avenir, at RMB 449,000. ^[5][6]

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Buick GL8.

• Official site - In Chinese