General Motors surprised Buick customers in China and the rest of the world an all-electric concept premiere in Shanghai during the 2020 Beijing Motor Show. Reviving the Electra name, the crossover is said to offer a sneak peek at the brand’s vision for “innovative thinking and imagination of future intelligent mobility,” said Sam Basile, Executive Vice President of SAIC-GM. It is named after the Buick flagship model that originally represented one of the three shields in the brand’s logo.
The Electra adopts a new “potential energy” design language emphasizing clean and bold styling with integrated technology. The concept comes with a new-generation Ultium electric propulsion system and the advanced battery pack, along with a variety of connected and intelligent driving technologies. It “represents the brand’s ambition to bring together beautiful styling and intelligent connectivity in the new era of zero emissions,” said Molly Peck, Executive Director of Buick Sales and Marketing at SAIC-GM.
The Ultium battery name is now being applied to drive units destined for GM’s next-generation EVs. The designation applies to a family of five interchangeable drive units and three motors, the modular strategy intended to provide significant advantages over previous GM EV tech in performance, scale, speed-to-market, and manufacturing efficiencies. Ultium Drive motors are expected to offer industry-leading torque and power density across a wide spectrum of different vehicle types.
“Making motors, transmissions, driveline components, and systems are among GM’s best-known competencies,” said Ken Morris, GM Vice President, Autonomous and Electric Vehicle Programs. “And our manufacturing expertise is proving not only transferable but advantageous as we make the transition to EVs.”
Engineers applied 25 years of EV experience to Ultium Drive with lighter and more efficient designs that feature novel integrations. By integrating the power electronics into the drive-unit assemblies, the mass of the power electronics has been reduced by nearly 50% from GM’s previous EV generation, saving cost and packaging space while increasing capability by 25%.
The Electra’s new-generation high-performance modular electric propulsion system and battery are projected to give a range of more than 660 km (373 mi) on a charge. Wireless battery management reduces wires within the Ultium battery pack by 90%, helps balance chemistry within the individual battery cell groups, and conducts real-time battery pack checks to safeguard health. High-performance motors front and rear produce 435 kW for 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration in just 4.3 s. Other technical highlights are GM’s next-generation intelligent driving technology with smart mobility solutions and V2X technologies.
The Electra is the latest concept vehicle developed by GM’s Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) automotive engineering and design joint venture in Shanghai. It previews Buick’s next-generation design language for electric vehicles.
The minimalist styling is said to inspired by a space capsule, with a spacious glass interior pod in an aerodynamic wing-form bodyshell. Its glass canopy extends for most of the vehicle’s length. The potential energy design language is characterized by sculptural surfaces and a gradient light silver exterior tone in front that darkens to the rear. Front and rear butterfly wing doors support facial recognition, a hidden floating skateboard is integrated with the stoplight under the rear bumper to expand personal mobility options, and 23-in aero-enhanced wheels are fitted.
As with many new cars and concepts, lighting gets a big focus. The Electra has “breathing” front and rear Matrix LED lamps with a three-dimensional effect. They are complemented by an illuminated Buick badge and grille in front and rear screen nameplate.
Electra designers took advantage of the all-new electric vehicle architecture, optimized battery layout, and lack of a traditional pillar to extend the cabin over a long wheelbase for a spacious and open four-seat interior. A “sculptural spaceship-like cradle” is used to describe the interior without a traditional instrument panel but a large curved display, with a retractable steering wheel, as a central feature. A light-weighted armature structure helps to create a visual effect of zero gravity “suspended seats.”
An “outer space” atmosphere theme inside includes copper-gold trim surrounding the cabin. Functionality and convenience features are intended to be made available when the user needs them and include a concealed air-conditioning system, ambient lighting, and electronic rearview mirrors.
Intuitive and immersive are used to describe the concept’s user experience, which employs Buick’s next-generation eConnect connectivity system and a large, high-definition, freeform curved screen technology. A large augmented reality-enhanced head-up display with “live-view” navigation supplements the multi-screen interactive user interface. With the next generation of Buick’s intelligent AI Voice Assistant, Electra users can manage functions—such as controlling air-conditioning, accessing home devices, and adjusting the driving mode—with smooth and precise human-machine voice interaction.
Over-the-air updates enable an always improving connected experience for on-demand driving information, advanced driver assistance, and infotainment control.
