General Motors is launching sales of its second plug-in model, a hybrid version of the Buick Velite 6 sedan, later this month, expanding the automaker’s local electrified-vehicle lineup to meet government mandates.
The Velite 6 plug-in hybrid will offer up to 780 kilometers of driving range, including 60 km powered solely by batteries, GM’s China unit said.
The vehicle’s electric propulsion system comprises high-performance dual motors complemented by a lithium battery pack supplied by LG Chem and a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder gasoline engine.
The car’s intelligent electronic continuously variable transmission helps cut fuel consumption to as low as 1.4 liters per 100 km, GM says.
The vehicle is the second plug-in hybrid assembled at SAIC-GM, GM’s passenger-vehicle joint venture, following the plug-in version of the Cadillac CT6 sedan.
SAIC-GM builds and markets sedans, crossovers and light trucks for the Buick, Chevrolet and Cadillac brands.
In addition to the CT6 plug-in hybrid, electrified vehicle models in SAIC-GM’s lineup include the Velite 5 extended-range electric sedan, the Velite 6 full-electric sedan and the Chevrolet Menlo full-electric crossover.
GM also plans to roll out the Velite 7 all-electric crossover via SAIC-GM later this year.