Buick loves the Beijing Motor Show, and why shouldn’t it? In collaboration with their local partner SAIC, the brand seems to be saving up so much money for April in Asia and is coming up with stunning designs. Here are two more interpretations of the brand’s latest sheet metal philosophy, written by the SAIC-GM Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center and based on GM’s Ulitum platform, the Electra L sedan and Electra LT wagon concepts.
The Electra-L could be considered a production version of the 2022 Wildcat EV concept (not the 1985 Wildcat), which introduced Buick’s new design language. All the major shapes and curves are there, as are the turbine-style wheels, but the hatchback roof has been stretched to create enough headroom for a quartet. The edges of the front fascia have been redrawn to appear less aggressive and provide a canvas for illuminated ornaments. The four-door is 198.3 inches long and has a 118.1-inch wheelbase, meaning the difference in both dimensions between the Buick and the new BMW i5 is less than an inch. Power comes from a single motor on the rear axle that produces 342 hp. A battery of unknown capacity is said to be capable of a range of 435 miles as part of China’s CLTC test loop. The light-sensitive glass roof hovers over a linear instrument panel with a floating main display and a retractable 7-inch screen for the passenger, four pressure-sensitive “zero-gravity” seats wrapped in environmentally friendly fabric, and rear seats with a small induction hob for enjoying tea customized tea service.
SAIC and Buick had less to say about the Electra-LT. It looks like the all-road version of the Electra-L and features fender flares that frame the “Titanium Metal Armor” wheel design, air suspension that can raise the body by 1.6 inches, and a roof box that enhances its lightweight adventure characteristics expresses. Equipped with the same basic interior layout as the sedan, the wagon could add a third row of seats; The description states: “The eConnect intelligent cabin system supports interaction with 7 screens.” However, we’re not sure if something was left out of the powertrain description, as the Electra-LT is said to be powered by a 342 horsepower engine The rear axle is driven and also has an “independent four-wheel drive”.
Two years ago, Buick announced it would launch five all-new electric vehicles in China by 2025. The sedan is rumored to hit the Chinese market next year, with a production version possibly ready by Auto Shanghai 2025. It will join three electric Buicks already on the market there, the Electra E4 and Electra E5 crossovers and the Velite 6 station wagon. The Electra-LT’s future is a little murkier – it could be a new generation of the Velite, or, because The Electra L sedan concept is 15 inches longer than the current Velite 6 wagon, a production version of the three-row Electra LT may offer a larger option for buyers who don’t want a crossover.
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