Buick 's " business class on the road " has long been leading the Chinese MPV market , and the latest outstanding version being introduced at the Shanghai International Car Show 2005 is a must - drive that will ascend to new heights : the GL8 Firstland – King of the Land !
As the Chinese- made top - range official and business class MPV, the GL8 Firstland has elite , tasteful, luxurious and comfortable attributes, which are advantages that build upon the "all-out five -star " market position in terms of appearance, spaciousness , equipment, safety and power . All of these will satisfy the requirements of individuals who seek to present an image of strength , including customers ranging from governmental organizations to mid- and high-ranking group enterprise executives. As a result, the elitism of their position will be perfectly represented.
Mr. Ding Lei, the General Manager of SGM, says that the introduction of the GL8 Firstland leads the entire Buick GL8 line with a flagship identity, while expanding and deepening the "business class on the road" brand position with its "all-out five-star" performance, thereby providing even more integrity to the line. It also brings expanded consumer choice to the business travel vehicle market.
The introduction of the GL8 Firstland also symbolizes a localized product development capability formed through a partnership between SGM and Pan-Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) that will reach new heights.
According to reports , the Buick GL8 Firstland is under the management of SGM and is the latest development from GM 's manufacturing on the GL8 platform in collaboration with the PATAC. The important areas of the vehicle's development include the body, chassis, exterior, interior and power assembly— all of which have all been improved and redeveloped especially for the Chinese market and its consumers. The maturity, luxury, safety, comfort , excellent drivability, and other features of the GL8 have been retained and developed, but also provided are essential factors such as fashionable and innovative technology, thus bringing the entire GL8 series to a higher realm .
The Buick GL8 Firstland will enter the market this August and further the achievements of the "business class on the road " along with the existing GL8 series products.
Tasteful, refined, exemplary and distinguished character
A vigorous , innovative and modern style
The "five-star " appearance of the Buick GL8 Firstland combines an exquisite personality with a tasteful yet refined character , and perfectly integrates a vigorous and innovative modern style.
The front of this strong and dynamic vehicle expresses vigor, and carries a grandiose air underpinned with steadiness and regal bearing .
A 3D design is adopted for assured , focused, and bright dual-color headlamps to convey a modern flair ; luxury - style turn lights have been added to the heated power folding exterior rearview mirrors to further add an elite and elegant touch, while making the driving journey itself safer and more relaxed.
The GL8 Firstland is 5213 mm long, 1847 mm wide, and streamlined.
The entire vehicle is 10 cm longer than the current GL8 model , and with the 3079 - mm - long wheelbase , the vehicle looks sleeker while revealing a grand and sublime dignity.
A curved design both artistic and tasteful is adopted for the exquisite chrome- plated door handles , while the side impact bars yet uncomplicated chrome- plated, match with the brand - new 16 - inch high - class aluminum wheel rims to reveal a more modern , classy feel tinged with prestige and boldness .
The rear design of the GL8 Firstland presents a modern simplified style fashioned with grandeur and elegance in mind . The aerodynamics is strong and powerful yet still elegant and refined .
The tasteful, elongated taillamps reveal diamond - cut surfaces that strengthen and brighten to improve the overall sense of luxury; the integrated streamlined rear deflector is styled with harmony and beauty and also increases safety at high speeds.
An inviting atmosphere radiating elegance and class
Interior Configuration affording luxury and space
In order to emphasize the unique image presented by the five-star "business class on the road, " the design of the GL8 Firstland 's luxurious interior integrates a " U " shape shield concept , associated with horizontal lines. The delicate cream-colored interior creates a luxurious and warm atmosphere, suggesting refinement and elegance as well as poise and dignity .
The design of the Firstland 's interior space is sculpted in complete synchronicity with one's personal environment . With "five-star luxury " catering to every need at every moment, the VIP is afforded an unbeatable driving experience.
Top - class imported luxurious leather seats are generous and padded to provide seating comfort.
The middle-row seats can be rotated 360 ° , while the middle-row and rear-row seats can all be easily folded, rolled, turned over and removed to allow for numerous and varied spacial combinations.
The power driver seat is 8-way adjustable , and the front passenger seat is 6-way adjustable , with both front seats offering lumbar support.
The newly designed steering wheel has radio controls ; the central control panel in which the sound control/DVD and air-conditioning sections are located is focused on providing a high - quality experience. All of the buttons and large - screen LCD are designed aesthetically and the ir information is indicated properly .
The intelligent double - layer electrical sunroof allows customers to fully enjoy fresh air and radiant sunshine.
A triple - screen DVD, six - disc CD cinema set, latest - generation TFT liquid crystal screen, and eight speakers configuration all combine to provide a real istic cinematic environment ; audio remote controller combined with separately controlled radio systems in the front and rear seats allow passengers in the rear also to customize their own sound preferences ; and dual-zone automatic air-conditioning system can set and memorize the temperatures respectively for the front and rear zones .
The suspension system of the GL8 Firstland is especially tailored to Chinese road conditions to be safer and more comfortable as well as quieter. The total vibration damping and noise reduction solution is adapted to lower noises , thus further improving the noise reduction function of the vehicle interior to make it the quietest and most comfortable "five-star " vehicle in its class.
Five stars , outstanding and safe
Providing comprehensive protection for distinguished passengers
The GL8 Firstland carries forward the design principle of " safety first with comprehensive protection of distinguished passengers" in every detail.
It comes with custom- designed Delphi 7.4 ABS, which features a powerful error - analysis function and upgradeable software; an EBD ( Electr onic Braking Distribution ) System for ensuring no tail drifting when brake is applied, thereby providing more accurate distribution of hydraulic press for each wheel and assured optimal braking control; and a sub-frame comprising advanced hydraulic power-integration technology for enhancing the specially adjusted underbody system in accordance with Chinese road conditions while strengthening the stiffness of the chassis to afford more stable and safer control .
The most recently developed 225/60R16 98S wide tires are exceptional for use on wet roads, feature outstanding anti-skid capabilities, and reduce high - speed vibration.
In terms of passive safety, the all steel integrate body together with the four - door side impact bars provide a firm and safe cabin. If the vehicle is subject to a certain collision , the three - point active safety belts will be activated instantaneously, it is tensioned promptly and restrains the passenger's body firmly ; and two stage airbags will deploy at a given speed, intensity and angle according to the collision impact to prevent against injury to the heads and upper bodies of the driver and front passengers. Careful protection and care is present at all times in all locations .
Under the protection of its powerful active and passive safety systems, the GL8 Firstland exhibits outstanding and remarkable safety performance , with its front impact tests hav ing met the five-star safety standard of the NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Association).
Recalibrating the V6 Engine
Acceleration power on demand
To tackle the problem of everyday congestion on Chinese roads, which requires frequent instances of starting up and rapid acceleration , the GL8 Firstland has been refined a new with the V6 3.0 engine of the original GL8 to afford quicker power response , and also satisfies Euro III Green Environmental Emission Standard.
Being fully compliant with high levels of technology, the GL8 Firstland embodies the " five-star " advantage in its class of vehicles in the areas of strong output, smooth running, high fuel economy, durability, and reliability .
Such an engine is particularly characterized by full torque performance at low speed, and has already reached 85% of the torque peak value at 1900 rpm; the compression ratio of 9.5:1 plus an SFI fuel injection and BOSCH fuel system capably handle the most common N o . 93 fuel products available in Chinese cities.
In addition, the 4T65-E electronically controlled four - speed automatic transmission
facilitates smooth and quiet gear shift, while the newly adjusted independent suspension system provides stable performance and more powerful anti-sideslip and anti-sway capability, which makes you drive as desired.
Matched with the engine, the driveline of the Firstland adopts the international advanced - level movement joint design developed by the German company GKN , offering such features as small, light, and high drive efficiency as well as longevity.
The fuel system uses an extremely safe six - layer common blow - molded fuel tank , and a fuel capacity of 95 L guarantees highly sustainable movement capability.
The Buick GL8 Firstland inherits the luxurious and elegant comportment of the Buick family. Its mature design, together with its precise and suitably detailed performance make it worthy of respect and pride both within and without .
The advent of the GL8 Firstland is another milestone in the continuous improvement of localized development capabilities tailored for SGM 's markets . The vehicle embodies what SGM seeks , and the company strives to constantly improve its design research & development , and other aspects of its core competitiveness by fully integrating global resources, utilizing local land and know-how , and relying on local Chinese engineering and technical talent.
