The Buick Electra E4 won’t be at your Buick dealer anytime soon, but the 2024 production model has likely been leaked by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. The Electra E4 is the second Ultium-based EV that Buick is planning to release for the Chinese market in the near future.
Production Version of the Electra-X
SAIC-GM debuted the Buick Electra E5 less than a month ago, and now the Buick Electra E4 has been unofficially revealed. Based on the leak and a similar prototype spotted in Michigan, the E4 appears to be a production version of the Electra-X. It looks highly similar with almost the same design for the lights, plus a large grille in a trapezoid shape and Buick’s new tri-shield logo.
Looking at the E4 from the side, it has the same athletic stance as the Electra-X concept, but it has smaller wheels and the Electra-X’s side cameras are replaced with traditional side mirrors on the E4. Compared to the Electra E5, the E4 is slightly shorter in length but wider and not as tall. The E4’s wheelbase measures 116.3 inches, which is the same as the Electra E5 and the Chevy Equinox EV.
Buick Eyes Largest EV Market
GM Authority reports that the Buick Electra E4 will offer a single-motor powertrain that makes 241 horsepower. The motor will likely be mounted on the front axle. The LFP Ultium battery pack will be standard on the base model. A more powerful GS variant should also be available with an extra electric motor to give it AWD capability. The E4 and E5 are two of five EVs on the Ultium platform that Buick intends to launch in China by 2025.
China is the world’s largest EV market, so it makes sense why Buick is targeting it for its new EVs. The Electra E4 should hit the Chinese market in the second half of 2023. In 2022, Buick filed nine new trademark applications for E-based naming from E1 to E9 for its Electra model line.
Coming Soon To Your Buick Dealer?
Buyers hoping to get a chance to buy one of the new Buick EVs can probably look forward to the Electra E5 eventually hitting North American Buick dealers. However, GM chairman Mark Reuss made the statement in November 2022, that the E4 would be exclusive to the Chinese market. Unless GM changes its mind at some point, we can only eye the Electra E4 from afar.
Based on the trademark filings from 2022, it looks like Buick intends to make the Electra a sub-brand, which is similar to what Hyundai has done with its Ioniq brand. Right now, it’s not certain how many of these Electra E models will make it to the US market, but Buick does have the lofty goal of being fully electric by 2030.
Those who want to someday own a Buick EV will have much to look forward to in the near future.
This post may contain affiliate links. Meaning a commission is given should you decide to make a purchase through these links, at no cost to you. All products shown are researched and tested to give an accurate review for you.