US automaker Buick continues its investment in an electric future and has unveiled its latest electric car concept, which is a crossover bearing the company’s iconic Electra name, which was used on a different range of cars between 1959 and 1990. The new Buick Electra EV, designed by a studio in Shanghai, is inspired by space capsules, with a glass capsule-style cabin, sculpted body panels, and LED lighting with a 3D effect on the front.
Buick Electra EV Concept Car :
While the Buick Electra EV is just a concept, the brand also says it has used a specific design language it calls ‘Potential Energy.’ It will also be applied to most of the production of electric cars that the Americans will bring to the market in this new decade. Adopting their new ‘potential energy’ design language, the Buick Electra EV crossover concept combines the athletic look of a four-seater with gran Turismo aesthetics. The Buick Electra concept is being called a crossover but it could just as easily be described as a tall sedan, featuring a relatively long hood and an airy greenhouse draped in glass on all sides.
The copper-gold and dark-trimmed interior define a highly spacious, open environment. This is firstly thanks to an all-new electric architecture, which extends the cabin on a longer wheelbase, also lacking the traditional A/B pillars to improve visibility, and finally, the glass canopy that extends from near the front of the hood all the way to the rear. The minimal dashboard features a large curved display at its center, a retractable steering wheel, concealed air-conditioning system, and an electronic rearview mirror. The furnishings appear as if affected by zero gravity, with the seats suspended from the floor. There is also an onboard Buick AI system available via the touchscreen on the steering wheel. The AI can provide some friendly company, navigation, entertainment, access to social media, and more.
In terms of appearance, it’s clear that the new Buick Electra EV is aesthetically designed. The electric car can easily attract buyers just by its looks. However, it’s still the concept that GM has revealed, and the car is nowhere close to a production model. Buick’s minimalist approach is clear to see on the Buick Electra EV concept, having been adopted inside and out with a focus on clean, uninterrupted lines and surfaces. The front and rear ends are similar, with an LED graphic low and centered reading ‘Electra’. Owing to the layering effect, it has an impression of stretching onto infinity. The lamps have the Buick check signature cue front and rear, but for the former, the lamps sit further forward and are joined by a narrow opening that is actually a front spoiler to channel airflow around the upper. The illuminated Buick badge is placed in the center. Bodywork is angular, championing a distinct focus on aerodynamics. The overall shape is inspired by space capsules, with the stretched glass dome reaching past the front and rear wheels.
Built on General Motors’ new BEV3 platform, the Buick Electra EV is built from the ground up as an electric vehicle. The skateboard chassis allows for greater styling freedom and more interior space. GM’s new Ultium battery, which the carmaker co-developed with LG Chem, is packaged on the floor. The concept car is powered by a pair of electric motors that generates 583 hp and can propel it from zero to 100 km/hr in 4.3 seconds. The Ultium battery provides an estimated driving range of 660 kilometers.
To be clear, there’s no solid confirmation Buick will put this concept car into production. With its gullwing doors and generally futuristic design, the Buick Electra EV hardly looks like a production vehicle. In any case, the Ultium battery system presented by GM in March should work under the hood. By 2025, GM is expected to invest around ₹ 2000 crores in the development of electric and self-driving cars as they also have Buick Velite in the plan.
The company’s Material Analysis Steps are involved in the manufacturing of this futuristic automobile. They include Identification, Prioritisation, Validation. The Identification stage is approached through an analysis of their own stakeholders through standard communication methods as well as analysis of the wider automotive sector. In Prioritisation, an internal survey of the management team and wider employee base is carried out. The final result is captured in the materiality chart, which distinguishes each aspect based on its relevance to the company as well as stakeholders. In the Validation process, accuracy is analyzed with much value placed on community engagement.