Buick is big in China. Buyers there see the brand as aspirational, something akin to Lexus. While the brand sells just four vehicles — each one of them a crossover — here in the U.S, Buick’s Chinese lineup has 12 models. There’s everything ranging from compact sedans to luxurious vans. The brand also has an EV sub-brand called Electra. While it’s just two models now, the brand might be expanding soon as Buick debuted two new Electra concepts, Electra-L and Electra-LT.
The pair of concepts — one sleek sedan and a low slung wagon — were shown at the Beijing Auto Show and both use GM’s Ultium platform. The Electra-L concept has a rear mounted motor with 342 horsepower and 435 miles of range on China’s testing cycle. The front fascia’s design clearly takes inspiration from the Wildcat concept with thin headlights and black trim pieces. Turbine-looking wheels pushed to the corners emphasize its length, even though its 198.3-inch length make it roughly the same size as an Audi A6 or Mercedes E-Class.
Inside there’s a full panoramic glass roof, great looking, a floating center console, a massive display for the driver and another seven-inch hidden display for the passenger that pops out of the dash. There’s also seats that are described as “adaptive zero-gravity” seats that automatically adjust to the passengers pressure points and adjust accordingly. Rear passengers get treated to a tea table with a built-in hot plate; seriously, the table has a built-in induction cooking surface on it.
The Electra-LT is the stunner of the two concepts. The sleek looking, low roof wagon gets all wheel drive but there’s no word on power output or range. The front fascia is similar to the Electra-L’s just with more black accents. It wears big, black titanium wheels, bright yellow paint and a thin taillight bar that runs the width of the rear tailgate. And just in case a driver finds themselves wanting to venture over a bit of rough terrain, the Electra-LT has an air suspension that can raise 1.5-inches for extra clearance.
Buyers here in the U.S. likely won’t ever see either of these added to Buick’s current lineup. Buick has a tendency to let us down when it comes to concepts; remember the Alpha-platformed Avista concept? And while Buick has said that its EVs are coming, it’s been pretty quiet about it. Until the brand does more here for it’s U.S. lineup, we’ll just have to watch from the other side of the fence as Buick gives China all the good stuff.