Buick has recently launched its second Ultium-based electric vehicle in China, the Electra E4. It’s a coupe-style SUV that offers a sleek design, a spacious cabin, and a high-tech cockpit. The E4 is also the first Buick model to feature the new PURE Design philosophy, which aims to create a harmonious blend of elegance and dynamism.

The Electra E4 has a long wheelbase of 116.2 inches and a low roofline that gives it a sporty and aerodynamic profile. The front fascia features a large grille with chrome accents and LED headlights that extend to the sides. The rear end has a double spoiler and a full-width LED taillight that connects to the air vents. It also has a panoramic glass roof that provides a bright and airy interior.

The interior of the Electra E4 is dominated by a 30-inch integrated curved screen that serves as the driver’s dashboard and infotainment center. The screen has an EyeMax 6K display that delivers crisp and clear images. The screen also supports voice commands and gesture control, making it easy to access various functions and settings. The CUV also has ambient lighting with 121 available colors, creating different moods and atmospheres.

The Electra E4 is powered by GM’s Ultium battery technology and Ultium Drive system, which provide efficient and reliable performance. The standard model of the Electra E4 has a single motor that drives the front wheels and delivers 241 horsepower. It has an estimated range of 530 km (329 miles) on a single charge. The top-of-the-line model of the Electra E4 has a dual-motor system that drives all four wheels and delivers 283 horsepower and 343 lb-ft of torque. The Electra E4 can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.2 seconds.

The Electra E4 is not only stylish and innovative but also safe and comfortable. It has a comprehensive safety package that includes advanced driver assistance systems, such as adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, blind spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking. The Electra E4 also has a spacious cabin with plenty of storage space, including a frunk (front trunk). The seats are made of premium leather and have heating and ventilation functions.

This is Buick’s latest offering in the premium electric coupe SUV segment, which is growing rapidly in China. The Electra E4 combines style, innovation, space, performance, and safety to meet the diverse needs of EV buyers in the mainstream market. The new model is expected to go on sale in China later this year, with prices starting from around $30,500.

Electrified Mag’s Take:  GM’s “tophat” strategy is beginning to reveal itself.  With their scalable Ultium chassis, they can tailor their new EV platform to accommodate everything from a Bolt replacement to a gigantic Hummer EVs and save oodles of money by standardizing components. Then, they can add a bespoke “tophat” body, and voila! Distinct entries can be pumped out to fill every automotive segment.

Think of the Electra E4 as Buick’s Chevy Equinox.  An upscale, yet entry-level car, the Buick CUV has its own unique personality. No more look like cars, at least from the outside. GM claims that it will field more than 20 EVs in the next two years and this China market-only E4, along with its E5 stablemate has beat the stateside reveal of the Chevy Equinox, Blazer, Cadillac Celestiq, Escalade IQ, and the EV full-size trucks.

Buick has been a hot seller for years in China and was the sole reason that the division survived GM’s bankruptcy during the Great Recession. Stateside, the Buick nameplate is a non-starter for most folks and even though the E4 is very attractive and is based on modern tech, the Tri-Shield brand is extraordinarily unhip.

An easy cure is ditching the Buick nameplate altogether in the US and replacing it with Electra. The Electra name is unique in that it’s new and fresh (to anyone under 40)  but retains historic Buick DNA. For young EV buyers, it would be waaaay easier to tell your friends you bought a new Electra than a Buick.