Here's the new Buick Envision out for a cruise

Chinese-made compact crossover spotted ahead of Detroit auto show reveal

The Chinese-made Buick Envision compact crossover heads to dealerships in the U.S. next summer, and prior to its debut at the Detroit auto show it's been spotted testing near the Motor City The crossover will fill the middle spot between the subcompact Encore and the midsize Enclave crossovers, two models that have seen a significant surge in demand in the last 24 months.

The Envision will be the second Chinese-made vehicle to go on sale in the U.S., following the launch of the Volvo S60 Inscription, a long-wheelbase variant of the S60 sedan.

In U.S. guise the Envision will be offered solely with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder paired with a six-speed automatic transmission driving all four wheels, good for 252 hp. The U.S. will skip the 1.5-liter which is the base engine in China, but at some point in the future a two-wheel drive variant could join the U.S. lineup, likely with a different powerplant. When it goes on sale here the Envision will offer plenty of premium amenities including automatic park assist, sliding and heated rear seats as well as a 360 degree panoramic camera.

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The Envision will be positioned between the Encore and the Enclave in Buick's lineup.PHOTO BY AUTOWEEK

The Envision is built on an all-new global platform that will also be featured beneath the next-generation GMC Terrain and Chevrolet Equinox crossovers, which themselves will go on sale in 2017. It's expected to compete with the likes of the Infiniti QX50,  Acura RDX and the Lincoln MKC.

The price? GM executives have indicated to Automotive News that the Envision will likely start in the mid-$30,000 range, to remain competitive with other vehicles in the premium compact crossover segment.

U.S. Buick dealers have been asking for the Envision for the better part of the year, but a firm deal was not in place until General Motors signed a new four-year labor contract with the UAW, with sales of the Envision being part of the agreement.

Read more: http://autoweek.com/article/detroit-auto-show/buick-envision-spotted-detroit-auto-show-debut#ixzz3vQgxKWor