Buick shares more details of the Electra L7, an electric sedan with a 870 miles secret weapon

Buick, under the SAIC-GM partnership in China, is offering a compelling answer to the biggest question on every EV owner's mind: "How far can it go?" The Electra L7 sedan isn't just another battery-powered vehicle - it's an Extended-Range Electric Vehicle designed to tackle range anxiety head-on by combining a big battery with a gasoline-powered generator, creating a car that promises the best of both worlds.

The Electra L7 is the latest model from Buick's new Electra sub-brand. What makes this particular sedan stand out in a crowded field of EVs is its powertrain. The car primarily runs on electricity, delivering power from two motors - a 122 kW (164 hp) unit at the front and a more powerful 252 kW (338 hp) motor at the rear. This dual-motor setup gives the Electra L7 all-wheel drive and some serious performance off the line.

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When running purely on its 40.2 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, the Electra L7 can apparently travel a respectable 188 miles. For most daily commutes, that's more than enough. But for longer trips, a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine kicks in, not to power the wheels, but to act as a generator that recharges the battery, and boosts the total range to an impressive 870 miles.

Despite being a large, comfortable sedan, the Electra L7 can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in a swift 5.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 124 mph. When it's time to plug in, the car's 900V high-voltage platform and advanced 6C LFP battery technology allow for ultra-fast charging. Buick claims that it takes only 10 minutes at a compatible charger to refill the battery, making road trip pit stops remarkably brief.

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Built on Buick's new, flexible Xiaoyao architecture, the Electra L7 is a substantial vehicle. It measures 198.1 inches long, 76.9 inches wide, and 59.1 inches tall, with a generous 118 inches wheelbase that promises ample interior space. Depending on the trim level, its curb weight is between 4,641 lb and 4,718 lb.

The exterior design is modern and sleek, featuring a fastback roofline, hidden door handles, and a continuous through-type taillight. Other stylish details include chrome trim around the windows, rear privacy glass, a subtle ducktail spoiler, and 19-inch wheels.

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For its advanced driving assistance features, the Electra L7 comes with a roof-mounted LiDAR unit and four ultrasonic radars embedded in the front bumper. These sensors feed data to the onboard Momenta Level 2 system.

Inside the cabin, Buick claims the Electra L7 is the first mass-produced car in the world to feature the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8775P smart cockpit chip, which should provide a fast and smooth user experience for the infotainment system. With an expected price in the RMB 300,000 range (about $41,800), the Electra L7 will compete directly with other premium EREVs in China.

Via