A heavily camouflaged Buick SUV has been photographed testing in Chengdu, China, while the 2026 Chengdu International Auto Show is under way.
The prototype was spotted on Aug 24 with almost its entire body covered. The clearest clue to its identity is on the wheels: the centre caps appeared to carry Buick’s current horizontally arranged tri-shield emblem, introduced as part of the brand’s new identity in 2022.
Other visible details included a large panoramic glass roof, what appeared to be roof rails, slim horizontal rear lamps and a substantial structure over the rear window.
The latter could be camouflage intended to conceal the shape of the production spoiler and tailgate.
Exactly what Buick is testing remains unclear.
The closest current comparison is the Electra E7, Buick’s five-seat plug-in hybrid SUV launched in China in April. Buick describes the E7 as the first SUV from its premium Electra new-energy sub-brand. Its plug-in hybrid powertrain delivers up to 235km of CLTC electric range.
However, the Chengdu prototype does not cleanly match the production E7 in published imagery, particularly around the roof and rear-quarter treatment.
That raises the possibility of an engineering vehicle, another derivative or an unrevealed Buick model. The camouflage prevents a firmer identification.
The timing makes the sighting more noteworthy. The 29th Chengdu International Auto Show runs from Aug 21 to 30 at the China Western International Expo City.
Buick is displaying its Electra range there, including the E7, Electra L7 and Electra Encasa.
