The Buick Excelle is a series of premium compact passenger cars built by Shanghai General Motors in China under the Buick name. It presently has four versions. The Daewoo Lacetti, built by Daewoo Motors in South Korea, is the foundation for the original Buick Excelle. In 2004, General Motors renamed all Daewoo vehicles in Europe as Chevrolets, even though they initially offered the automobile globally under the Daewoo name.
History of Buick Excelle
Buick Excelle First Generation (2003 - 2016)
The first-generation Buick Excelle ("Kai Yue" in Chinese) is inspired by the Daewoo Lacetti, manufactured by Daewoo Motors in South Korea and bought by General Motors in 2001. Following the takeover, GM marketed the Lacetti in China as a Buick and in Europe as a Chevrolet. The first model was a rebranded Daewoo Lacetti in sedan, wagon, and Excelle HRV (hatchback) body styles. From 2005 to 2009, they made the HRV and wagon in Shanghai. Meanwhile, they produced the sedan from April 2003 until August 2016. The facelift for the 2008 model year included a redesigned front fascia, a revised rear-end design, and a renovated interior. Although the front fenders remained unchanged, the front light units and bumpers were updated, and Buick Park Avenue largely influenced the facelift. In 2013, the car received a second redesign, including a new grille. A 1.6L engine was available under the LX trim level until 2013 when a 1.5L engine replaced it. The new trim levels available were: 1.5 AT Classical, 1.5 AT Premium, 1.5 MT Classical, and 1.5 MT Premium.
Buick Excelle Second Generation (2010 - 2017)
GM's second-generation Buick Excelle (known as the Ying Lang in China) was unveiled in Shanghai in 2010. The two body types available offered by the manufacturer were the Excelle GT sedan and Excelle XT hatchback. The Excelle XT hatchback debuted at the Guangzhou Auto Show in late 2009 before being released in January 2010. The Excelle GT sedan was unveiled and sold in June of that year. It was possible to purchase the new Excelle GT and XT alongside the first-generation Excelle sedan, although the new models were more expensive. The company used a sport mode for all engines with a six-speed automatic gearbox. The Buick Verano was a North American variant of the Excelle GT car from 2012 to 2017—and they built the car at the GM Lake Orion factory in Michigan.
Buick Excelle Third Generation (2010 - 2017)
Shanghai GM unveiled the third-generation Buick Excelle in 2015. The car is all-new, with a fully redesigned appearance and cabin on the new GM-PATAC K platform. Manufacturing started in March 2015. In the third generation of the Excelle, four-door sedans are offered (Excelle GT). Buick Verano GS replaced the hatchback for the 3rd generation. Hence, they did not introduce the hatchback option for the third generation. The Excelle GX, a five-door wagon, was added to the Buick Excelle portfolio in October 2017. The vehicle debuted in 2018.
Buick Excelle Continuation (2018)
Since its debut in late 2003, the Excelle sedan has racked up roughly 2.7 million vehicles worldwide. The new 2018 Buick Excelle sedan is an entirely new vehicle for 2018 designed from the initial concept. It features a contemporary and dynamic appearance that will attract a younger audience. Since then, GM Authority has verified that the new Buick Excelle Sedan operates on the new GM GEM platform built exclusively for developing economies.
Buick Excelle GT Mild Hybrid Variant (2021)
In the 2021 Excelle GT family car, a sophisticated mild-hybrid powertrain is offered for the first time, thanks to GM's experience in electrification. In combination with a 48V electric motor and 48V battery, the mild-hybrid system includes battery management and control components. With the inclusion of regenerative braking, e-assist, start-stop, and smart charging, the hybrid system provides a quieter and more economical driving experience while also enabling quicker and smoother acceleration. 5.3L/100 kilometers is the resulting fuel consumption. Engine and gearbox parts are guaranteed for eight years/160,000 kilometers on the 2021 Excelle GT.
Price
Buick Excelle First Generation cost 96,900 to 118,900 yuan throughout its production run in 2005. That's 144,904.47 yuan and 22,944.26 in USD today. The new Buick Excelle GT Mild Hybrid for 2021 is currently available in China for 119,900 Yuan (about $19,000 at today's currency rate). The recently released car model, the 2020 Buick Excelle GT, is available for 119,900 Yuan (almost $19,000 at the current exchange rate).
Features
The hybrid Excelle GT 2021 keeps the same exterior and interior styling characteristics as the other model series. The standard features are as follows:
- Led Daytime Running Lights
- Automatic Headlamps
- Regenerative Braking
- Automatic Start/Stop
- Multiple Airbags
- Electronic Stability Control System
- New-Generation Infotainment System
- Rear-Seat Air Vents
- Smart Charging
Specs
Buick's new hybrid system incorporates a 48-volt configuration with incorporated battery management and control components in the small sedan's powertrain, which includes a turbocharged Ecotec 1.3L engine. A six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission powers the Excelle GT Mild Hybrid's 161 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque. These combinations of top-of-the-line specs make it possible to achieve a fuel consumption rate of 44.4 mpg (5.3 L/100 km). On the other hand, among the eighth generation of Ecotec engines, the new 1.5L mill seems to be the only four-cylinder block and only naturally aspirated option for the 2020 Buick Excelle GT. In tandem with a six-speed automatic transmission, it produces 111 hp and 104 lb-ft of torque. It fulfills China's newest 6B emissions standard, like the sedan's turbocharged 1.0L and 1.3L three-cylinder engines.
Release Date
The first generation was available from 2005 to 2009 (wagon and hatchback). Meanwhile, the sedan was available in Shanghai from April 2003 to August 2016. General Motors launched the 2020 Buick Excelle GT line in China last 2020. The company offers three different powertrain choices further to meet the demands of the brand's customers.