After General Motors revealed electric vehicles for the Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac brands, then the question arises, when will Buick follow? Sure there’s a Buick Velite 7 on the Chinese market, but it’s nothing more than a rebadged Bolt EUV. And recently, Buick finally revealed a new EV concept to be proud of. And from the name alone, we know this is not a boring compliance car or family car. Here it is, the Wildcat EV!.
The Buick Wildcat was a full-size car sold from 1963 to 1970 under a name derived from a series of concept cars in the 1950s. This model was sold in coupe, convertible and four-door body styles, with a name that later reappeared in the 1985 concept. With the new Wildcat EV Concept, Buick embraced a bold new identity.
Sharon Gauci, executive director, global design at Buick-GMC explained, “The Wildcat EV concept represents a true design future for the brand. “Buick is always looking ahead and this expression is a glimpse of where we are going, and the optimism we have for the endless possibilities of an electric future.”
Buick also says the concept conveys the company’s upcoming design language, including a new tri-shield logo that will appear on production models starting next year.
See also: Buick announces to going fully electric by 2030
With the lack of powertrain details, it’s feared the Wildcat EV is nothing more than a design exercise than something with production intent. The Wildcat is likely to join GM’s line of astonishing never-before-production concepts, including the Opel GT Concept, Cadillac Escalla and Elmiraj as well as the Buick Avista.
While Buick may not build a production 2+2 Coupe like the Wildcat, the company is dedicated to EVs and will sell the Electra EV (possibly a crossover) in 2024. The Electra will have to borrow elements from the Wildcat EV, including the expressive face and trapezoidal grille. Buick provides a unique light feature where these lights can play a unique welcome choreography as the driver approaches.
See also: Buick teases image of Electra-X electric concept with GM Ultium platform
Other unique exterior details include roof-mounted blade-style taillights, external payload gauges and Jet Age-inspired 18-spoke turbine wheels. When the door is open, the roof panel lifts up for easy entry and exit of the vehicle. The cabin looks like a work of art, with a protruding center console that extends to the rear seats.
There are several screens available, including an infotainment display, a bottom control panel on the center console, and a digital gauge cluster. Buick says the Wildcat features futuristic features such as artificial intelligence, biometrics and aromatherapy. The car will be able to detect the driver’s heartbeat and use cabin settings such as a massage chair to dampen it.
While the Wildcat EV is unlikely to hit production yet, it does suggest that the Buick brand has interesting ideas coming up in the near future.
