Buick, the venerable American brand that has been struggling to attract younger buyers, is betting big on electric vehicles. The company has unveiled its latest concept car, the Buick Envista, a sleek and spacious crossover that could rival Tesla and other premium EV makers.
The Buick Envista revealed at the Shanghai Auto Show, is a four-door coupe with a futuristic design, a spacious interior, and a powerful electric drivetrain. The electric car is expected to go into production in 2024 and will be sold in China and North America.
The Buick Envista electric SUV is part of GM's ambitious plan to launch 30 new EVs by 2025, as the automaker aims to become a leader in the electric vehicle market. GM has invested $27 billion in electric and autonomous vehicles and has developed a new battery platform called Ultium, which will power the Buick Envista and other upcoming models.
The Buick Envista is designed to appeal to young and affluent customers who are looking for a stylish and eco-friendly vehicle. The car has a sleek silhouette, with a low roofline, a long hood, and a short rear overhang. The front grille features a backlit Buick logo, while the headlights and taillights have a wing-shaped motif. The car also has scissor doors that open upward, adding to its futuristic look.
The interior of the Buick Envista is spacious and luxurious, with four individual seats that can recline and swivel. The dashboard features a large curved screen that displays the infotainment system and the driver's information. The center console has a touchpad that controls various functions, while the steering wheel has haptic feedback buttons. The car also has a panoramic sunroof that can change its transparency and ambient lighting, that can create different moods.
The Buick Envista is powered by two electric motors, one on each axle, that deliver a combined output of 500 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. The car can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than four seconds and has a top speed of 155 mph. The car also has an all-wheel-drive system that can adjust the torque distribution according to the driving conditions.
The Buick Envista has a large battery pack that can provide a range of more than 300 miles on a single charge. The car also supports fast charging, which can replenish 80% of the battery in 30 minutes. The electric vehicle also has wireless charging capability, which can charge the battery without plugging in.
The Buick Envista is not only a performance-oriented vehicle but also a smart and connected one. The car's advanced driver assistance system can provide level 3 autonomous driving, which means it can handle most driving scenarios without human intervention. The car also has a facial recognition system that can unlock the doors and adjust the settings according to the driver's preferences. The car also has a voice assistant that can respond to natural language commands and a cloud-based service that can provide real-time traffic information, navigation, entertainment, and other functions.
The Buick Envista is expected to be priced around $60,000, making it competitive with other premium EVs such as the Tesla Model Y, the Audi Q8 e-tron, and the Mercedes-Benz EQC. The electric car could also help Buick revive its brand image, which declining sales and an aging customer base have tarnished.
Buick hopes that the Buick Envista will attract new customers who are looking for a sleek and spacious EV that combines style, performance, luxury, and technology. The car could also boost GM's reputation as an innovator in the electric vehicle market and help it achieve its goal of becoming carbon-neutral by 2040.
The Buick Envista is one of the most exciting concept cars of 2023 and could become one of the best-selling EVs of 2024. The car shows that Buick is fearless in reinventing itself and that it can offer something unique and compelling in the crowded EV segment. @via Buick.
