A few weeks ago, General Motors unveiled the brand-new Buick Electra Orbit Concept globally, “a new design exploration that fuses Buick heritage with futuristic EV technology”.
The automaker unveiled the Buick Electra Orbit Concept in early August in Shanghai, where the concept prototype was conceived and developed by GM China’s Advanced Design Center to inspire the next evolution of Buick’s global design language.
According to the brand, the Electra Orbit Concept previews the future by combining the romance of the 1950s with cutting-edge technology and pure electric architecture.
GM division Buick is one of the US automakers that has responded positively to the rapid electrification of the Chinese market. The concept car features a 2+2 seating layout and a futuristic cockpit design.
From the fifties to the future
“Electra Orbit is a bold exploration of what Buick can be when we blend heritage inspiration with visionary innovation,” said Vice President of Design for GM China and GM International and Chief of Design at SAIC-GM, Stuart Norris.
“By reinterpreting space-age motifs and pushing electric-architecture freedoms, we wanted to create a concept that feels both familiar in its Buick DNA and thrillingly new,” he added.
In particular, the new Buick Electra Orbit Concept is the brand’s first all-electric flagship under the recent Electra sub-brand, as Buick seeks to usher in a forward-thinking new era grounded in its design heritage.
As such, the Electra Orbit’s massive body, some six meters long and over two meters wide, is inspired by spacecraft, jets, and iconic Buick concept cars from the 1950s.
Aerodynamism
Aesthetically, the Buick Electra Orbit Concept stands out with a low front end, a vast body, and an aerodynamically elongated rear end to create “a distinctive, futuristic, and refined appearance”.
“Its stance is defined by 24-inch wheels framed by sculptural fenders, which give it an exquisite side profile with an unparalleled sense of luxury. Furthermore, the dual trunk with center pivot is combined with the imposing, space-like rear end,” says the press release.
The brand-new Buick Electra Orbit Concept has just been unveiled globally, serving as a preview of the next evolution of Buick’s design language that will inspire its future products.
“The Electra Orbit’s cosmic theme is complemented by a neutral metallic color called ‘Space’ and an immersive, orbit-inspired cabin that contrasts earthy textures and cosmic inspirations that reflect the nuances of the universe, the vastness, and mystery of outer space,” boasts the press release.
Sub-brand Electra
At the end of April, Buick announced its sub-brand Electra. Previously, the Electra name had been used in the names of several Buick EV models. At the same time, it also announced the Xiao Yao architecture
Last month, Buick previewed the Electra L7 in China, an extended-range sedan that will be based on the Xiao Yao architecture. The Electra L7 will be equipped with Momenta’s innovative driving system and will use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8755 cockpit chip.
The Electra L7 measures 5,032 mm in length, 1,952 mm in width, and 1,500 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,000 mm. The car is an EREV (extended range electric vehicle) and is powered by a 1.5-liter engine produced by SAIC-GM, with a maximum power output of 115 kW. Its electric motor has a maximum power output of 252 kW.
The Electra L7 will be produced at SAIC-GM’s factory in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. It uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries supplied by Zenergy Battery.
Buick is the latest automaker to adopt extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) technology in the Chinese market, following international automakers such as Toyota, Volkswagen, and Mazda, which have already announced plans to launch EREVs in China.
