The Buick GL8 Flagship, another project by parent company General Motors, was recently released at the 2021 Guangzhou International Motor Show in China. It has a lot borrowed from the pre-existing GL8 model, largely in regard to the exterior, though the interior goes in an entirely different direction. This concept model showcases a lot of luxury interior features, largely for the driver's benefit, though a few features exist for the passengers to have an enjoyable experience. However, due to the poor minivan market in the United States, Buick has no plans to release this GL8 Flagship concept there.

Read on to discover all the groundbreaking, entertaining, luxury features this Buick GL8 Flagship concept has to offer.

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Preview of Models To Come

Buick GL8 Flagship, driver's side view
via Motor Authority

Buick is known for making muscle cars, and they have quite the portfolio in their many years of production, with some vehicles becoming more successful than others. The GL8 may give potential customers a taste of what Buick has in store for vehicles in the near future.

When the Buick GL8 Flagship was unveiled at the 2021 Guangzhou International Motor Show in China, it looked drastically different from anything that preceded it. This model was created thanks to the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) in Shanghai. Buick plans to make a line of full-size MPVs, and the GL8 is merely the preview, and potentially the first of its kind.

This is also the next evolution of what Buick currently offers in regard to Chinese-market premium MPVs. Although Buick is an American company, they have found great success in China promoting and selling luxury vehicles and experiences. Buick aims to make more vehicles like the GL8: sustainable, exclusive and fully connected, all in the name of improving customer experiences.

Also, of note is that this vehicle will be the first one that Buick develops on the Ultium EV platform. Of course, the GL8 is part of a larger plan- one that involves Buick bringing 20 EVs to North America by 2023, and those plans involve electric powertrains, SUVs, electrification, and autonomous-driving technology. The GL8 is also the first vehicle Buick will make to offer both the Super Cruise autonomous driving system and the most advanced version of V2X intelligent mobility technology, which is a lot of firsts for the automaker to showcase in one vehicle.

Organic Body Design

Buick GL8 Flagship inside on display
via Carscoops

Detailed design is apparent with the GL8, hence its futuristic look. MPV proportions are modified and evolved via organic design lines, and there will be and a lower front end and a less raked windshield as a result. Next-generation Matrix LED headlights will also be incorporated, complete with an illuminated grille and cascading taillights.

The interior is designed to accommodate multiple passengers, each with a decent amount of room available. The seating style and arrangement is modeled after a lounge, with a couch-like bench seat and a tea table. Seats can be moved via an elaborate floor rail system, and the front seat even has the option to swivel around and face the rear. Buick hopes this new model will lack tailpipes, as the company wants to be more eco-friendly and electric by 2035.

However, given the current Buick GL8 relies on a standard gasoline engine, it is possible that this new concept will also do so, depending on when a production model arrives. That said, Buick's aim with this model is to expand into more higher-end, luxurious minivans compared to the ones they have available today. The existing model may have inspired the GL8 Flagship's exterior, but its interior entirely departs from what came before. However, it is worth mentioning that the multi-tone paint and sharp design elements on the exterior have made their debut here and were not part of the existing model's design.

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No Export For You

Buick GL8 Flagship, driver's side view only
via Motor Authority

As fancy as this concept prototype may seem, there are no plans for it to arrive in the United States. When Buick unveiled the GL8 concept, they made it apparent that the Chinese market was the target demographic. This vehicle is also designed to be a successor to the Buick GL8 minivan currently available on the Chinese market. And seeing how that model isn't sold in the United States, it makes sense that the successor model wouldn't be sold there either.

Further, the United States, according to Buick, doesn't have a very strong minivan market, hence their desire to keep this new GL8 prototype for the Chinese market. Buick's lineup in China is very minivan-focused, whereas their lineup in the United States is all about those crossover SUVs.

Driver-Friendly

Buick GL8 Flagship, driver's side and back view
via OneCarSpot

A lot of the fanciest features with the GL8 exist for the driver's benefit. Infotainment features are voice-controlled, and there is an intelligent cockpit system that features an arcing side screen. The steering wheel will also have an integrated touchscreen for ease of control. Active noise cancellation technology is also employed, so the passengers aren't distracted by outside noise.

However, the driver gets new V2X technology for the release of real-time information regarding road conditions and other vehicles, as well as weather. While the GL8 flagship is currently a concept car, it was designed as if it were already in production and on the roads, just to simulate how it would accurately perform and show off benefits for both driver and passengers.

Sources: gmauthority.com, motorauthority.com, carscoops.com, autoevolution.com,