For many years, stretched sedans have been the default luxurious automotive in China. Nevertheless, posh minivans have been gaining traction, prompting even Volvo to launch the EM90, and Lexus the LM. Whereas these fancy household haulers have solely been round for a short time, Buick has been promoting the GL8 for 1 / 4 of a century. For 2025, there’s a brand new model, and it appears utterly totally different from the Buicks offered in the USA.

The GL8 Encasa has emerged by way of the Ministry of Trade and Data Know-how (MIIT) in China, the place the folks mover has been homologated forward of its market launch. Developed by the native SAIC-GM three way partnership, the tall and boxy household automotive is actually a manufacturing model of a unusually named idea. We’re speaking concerning the Natural Cell Non-public Villa (OMPV), launched final yr to mark the two-millionth GL8 made in China. Sure, Buick has offered two million minivans.

Photograph by: MIIT

Accompanying the revealing pictures are technical specs confirming a plug-in hybrid setup. The brand new GL8 Encasa combines a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine with an electrical motor. The gasoline four-cylinder delivers 177 horsepower, whereas the e-motor produces 268 hp. Buick’s newest minivan makes use of a lithium-iron phosphate battery.

At 207 inches (5260 millimeters) lengthy with a large wheelbase spanning 124.4 inches (3160 millimeters), it’s the most important iteration of the minivan so far. As you’ll be able to think about, the beneficiant footprint and electrified powertrain end in a hefty curb weight. The MIIT doc reveals that the GL8 Encasa suggestions the scales at 5,533 kilos (2,510 kilograms) in its lightest kind.

It’s extremely unlikely that Buick will promote the brand new seven-seat luxurious minivan within the U.S. Nonetheless, it’s fascinating to see the huge transformation of a model tailor-made to a particular market. Greater than 10 million automobiles have been offered in China because the model was launched by SAIC-GM in 1998.

The GL8 Encasa is one in every of a number of fashions made and offered there, together with the getting older Regal. The mid-size sedan continues to be alive in China, years after being dropped in the USA. It’s additionally been a minute since Opel final offered its European counterpart, the Insignia.

Buick may formally introduce the GL8 Encasa this week at Auto Shanghai 2025 and start gross sales later within the yr.

Photograph by: MIIT

Photograph by: MIIT