SHANGHAI – Buick has set a new standard for luxury MPV mobility in China with the official launch this evening of the CENTURY. The brand’s all-new flagship MPV is available with a choice of four or six seats. The three variants are priced from RMB 529,900 to RMB 689,900.
The CENTURY was developed on an all-new large MPV architecture. As a high-tech luxury MPV tailored to meet the needs of a new generation of business elites and affluent Chinese consumers, it incorporates Buick’s all-new design language along with cutting-edge technologies and an unparalleled level of refinement.
“Buick is the pioneer and ongoing leader in the luxury MPV segment in China,” said Cesar Toledo, general director of Buick Sales and Marketing at SAIC-GM. “Our successful GL8 family has continued to raise the bar over the years.”
He added, “Representing a ‘century’ of development from Buick, the CENTURY provides unmatched spaciousness and integrates expressive design with intelligent technology as well as luxurious comfort. It will exceed the expectations of customers and take the brand to new heights.”
The CENTURY joins the GL8 Avenir family, GL8 ES and GL8 Legacy in China’s MPV segment, offering a variety of options to meet buyers’ diverse needs.
Exterior Design: Making Every Journey an Occasion
The CENTURY adopts the all-new Buick PURE design philosophy, combining modern Asian aesthetics with advanced digital technology.
Its length of 5,230 millimeters, width of 1,980 millimeters, height of 1,867 millimeters and extra-long wheelbase of 3,130 millimeters give the CENTURY a premium presence and roomy interior. Standing out from traditional MPVs, the CENTURY is also distinguished by its sleek proportions and pure and sculptural surfaces. Its profile delivers a sense of fluid movement and energy in motion.
The aggressive front of the CENTURY shows the evolution of Buick’s iconic sculpted flying-wing design. It includes a body-mounted redesigned Buick badge, a new forward-leaning “shark nose” front end and a large trapezoidal grille with sophisticated detailing inspired by cornices in traditional Chinese architectural design.
High-mounted “check mark” headlamps connected to horizontal chrome detailing telegraph the width of the vehicle. With 90 LEDs in the headlamps and 730 individual LEDs in the taillamps, the CENTURY offers dynamic high-tech lighting and supports exterior lighting choreography. Sensing lid door handles, welcoming door shadow lighting and tailgate projection lights add prestige to any journey.
The MPV will be available with 19-inch brushed aluminum wheels matched with a two-tone exterior for a bespoke and tailored feel.
Interior Design: An Ultra-luxurious Experience Defined by Pioneering Technology
The interior of the CENTURY is underpinned by customer-centric innovations.
The four-seat model creates a sanctuary on wheels via groundbreaking technologies and the use of premium materials, state-of-the-art craftsmanship and indulgent details.
- The in-vehicle partition wall with an integrated 32-inch sliding screen is an industry first. A simple press of the touch panel lifts and lowers the smart screen, turning the rear cabin into a premium quiet “personal space” with an amazing sense of privacy. It also supports the intelligent mirroring function with the screen while innovatively integrating amenities such as an 8-inch digital clock, Bose sound system, 13-liter concierge refrigerator, scent diffuser and additional storage.
- 160-degree cloud-feel second-row seats have the greatest functionality in the CENTURY’s segment. Covered in fine perforated Nappa (semi-aniline) leather, the empire seats offer 18-way adjustable positioning, five-zone independent heating and 18-point zoned massage. The tailored neck support and flip-type footrests have advanced graphene heating technology.
- The Bose Executive Edition sound system is Bose’s first luxury sound system that focuses on the rear-row listening experience. It comes with a pair of digital amplifiers and 21 speakers, 16 of which are in the rear seat area. They include premium UltraNearfield speakers integrated in the headrests that offer an immersive audio experience comparable to that of a concert hall.
- A pioneering starry roof incorporates 366 LEDs and 162 flashing lights on the suede lining for dynamic shooting star animation. The patterns have multiple lighting modes that include welcoming, romance and meditation. They can be adjusted through voice command or the rear 8-inch intelligent control screen for a desired romance of travel.
- The Advanced Biocare cabin air purifying system integrates the AQS air quality control system and PM2.5 prevention filter to provide an anti-PM0.1 level of air purification for a healthy and comfortable cabin.
Featuring a 2+2+2 cabin layout, the six-seat variant offers the same business class experience for all passengers, with a blend of design sophistication, greater versatility, and premium appointments.
The second-row captain seats have a two-way track. The adjustable independent seating in the second and third rows allows easy access to the back of the cabin and supports up to seven seating configurations for diverse user scenarios such as sleeping, relaxing and space maximization. The premium seats incorporate heating, ventilation and 10-point massage functions along with adjustable leg support and footrests. A foldable table, wireless charging and USB charging ports can meet a variety of business and recreational needs.
The CENTURY also comes with a variety of authentic materials matched with stunning craftsmanship, including premium pile carpet, 128-color ambience lighting, decorative stitching, and distinct soft backlighting on the instrument panel and door trim to add to the exquisite cabin feel.
Advanced Technology: Providing Seamless Connectivity and Safety
The CENTURY features industry-leading technology driven by two Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 flagship chips that support 5G technology, enabling smooth operation and fast data transmission within the vehicle and with the outside world.
Technology innovations include:
- An all-new virtual cockpit system that runs on the segment-only EYEMAX 30-inch Freeform display. It can reflect a billion colors with up to 6K resolution for a high-quality viewing experience.
- A 32-inch sliding screen in the partition wall with an integrated camera system to provide a view of the front cabin and the road situation. The cabin talk system supports instant voice chatting between the front and rear cabin occupants.
- An available 8-inch armrest touchscreen on the four-seat variants’ second row of seats that is empowered by an independent 8155 chip to control a variety of vehicle functions ranging from the sliding screen and starry roof to ambience lighting, air conditioning and the window curtain.
- An available high-resolution color head-up display with four viewing options that projects navigation, speed and other key vehicle information to offer enhanced driving safety.
The CENTURY is designed to meet the latest C-NCAP 5-star safety standard. It is equipped with the latest-generation of eCruise Pro intelligent driver assist technology. Leveraging global-leading sensing hardware, the system features over 20 intelligent driver assist technologies, including indicated lane changing, automatic parking assist and supervised remote parking for a more convenient and relaxed driving experience. Through pre-installed hardware, the CENTURY will be able to be upgraded over the air with even more advanced mobility solutions such as V2X in the future.
The CENTURY is powered by the eighth-generation Ecotec 2.0T turbocharged engine, paired with a nine-speed HYDRA-MATIC intelligent transmission and 48V mild-hybrid system. The advanced propulsion system ensures dynamic performance and fuel efficiency.
Buick has found success offering premium SUVs and cars with sculptural designs, refined performance, modern interiors and thoughtful personal technologies. Buick’s award-winning customer service and sales experience, along with the Avenir trim, the highest expression of Buick luxury, are attracting new buyers to experience Buick’s unique approach to attainable luxury in North America and China. Buick has sold over 10 million vehicles in China since its introduction by SAIC-GM in 1998. More information about Buick vehicles in China, its largest market, is available at www.Buick.com.cn.
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