The first Buick EV celebrates premiere in China

Car manufacturer Buick had been saying for quite a while that it viewed the Chinese market as its top priority, so it shouldn’t come across as surprising that the company chose to release its first-ever all-electric vehicle there. Enter the Velite 6, an estate/wagon an impressive 4.650 millimeters (15 ¼ ft.) long.

The car uses the chassis and independent rear axle suspension of the Chevrolet Lacetti. It comes front-driven by an electric motor producing up to 115 hp (86 kW) along with 255 Nm (188 lbft) of torque. A 35 kWh traction battery NEDC-rated for 301 km (187 miles) of range lies hidden under the floor. This roughly translates into up to 200 km (124 miles) of typical driving. You need 6 hours to get it back to full charge at a high-power charging station.

According to the manufacturer, the car sprints 0-50 km/h (0-31 mph) in 4.4 seconds and maxes out at 150 km/h (112 mph).

Despite the modest stats, the estate/wagon has a few stronger selling points, including an original design, a spacious trunk that goes from 455 to 1,098 liters (16 – 38.8 cubic feet) with the seats folded, climate control, a panoramic glass roof, a multimedia system with a 10-inch display, and an assortment of electronic driver aids.

The new Buick Velite 6 costs the equivalent of U.S. $30,000 - $33,000 in China before any state subsidies are applied.

Photos: carscoops.com