Buick Is huge in China. Buyers there see the brand as aspirational, something like Lexus. While the brand sells only four vehicles – each of them a crossover – in the U.S., Buick’s Chinese lineup includes 12 models. There’s everything from compact sedans to luxury vans. The brand also has an electric vehicle sub-brand called Electra. While there are currently only two models, the brand may soon see growth as Buick debuts two up-to-date Electra concepts, the Electra-L and Electra-LT.
Both concepts – the sleek sedan and the low-slung wagon – were unveiled at the Beijing Auto Show, and both apply GM’s Ultium platform. The Electra-L concept has a rear-mounted engine producing 342 HP and a range of 700 km according to the China test cycle. The front fascia design clearly draws inspiration from Wild cat concept with gaunt headlights and black decorative elements. Turbine wheels, pushed towards the corners, accentuate its length, even though its 198.3-inch length makes it about the same size as an Audi A6 or Mercedes E-Class.
Inside, there’s a panoramic glass roof, a great-looking floating center console, a huge driver’s display, and another seven-inch hidden passenger display that pops out of the dash. There are also seats referred to as “zero-gravity adaptive” seats, which automatically adjust to passengers’ pressure points and adjust accordingly. Rear passengers can aid themselves to a tea table with a built-in hotplate; seriously, the table has a built-in induction hob.
Electra-LT is a combination of both concepts. The sleek-looking low-roof wagon has all-wheel drive, but there’s no word on power or range. The front is similar to the Electra-L, only with more black accents. It has gigantic black titanium wheels, glowing yellow paint and a gaunt strip of taillights that runs the full width of the tailgate. In case the driver wants to take on coarse terrain, the Electra-LT is equipped with an air suspension that can be raised 1.5 inches for more ground clearance.
Buyers here in the U.S. will likely never see either of these added to Buick’s current lineup. Buick tends to let us down when it comes to concepts; remember the Alpha platform Avista concept? And even though Buick said it its electric vehicles If coming, it was pretty silent about it. Until the brand does more for its American lineup here, we’ll just have to watch from the other side of the fence as Buick gives China everything that’s good.
