By the looks and underpinnings of this car, Buick’s future seems to be shining.
GM revealed this quite striking new true 7-seat multipurpose vehicle at the Shanghai Auto Show in China and is calling the it the Business Concept. The vehicle was developed at the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC), a joint effort with General Motors and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC).
It uses strong Buick visual cues to create an elegantly sculpted exterior intended to make a statement. The concept includes LED headlamps and a strong purple color.
Deep burgundy suede carpet, wood tones, and blue ambient lighting create a board room atmosphere inside.
Perhaps more importantly, the car is the first example using GM’s next generation BAS+ lithium ion hybrid system. This system achieves a 20% efficiency improvement over current BAS hybrids providing auto off, electric boost, regenerative braking, and brief electric only propulsion.
It is unknown if this car will be produced at all let alone in the US, but its tall stature and use of the global compact delta platform would enable it to be fitted with the Voltec extended-range electric drivetrain. And although GM has not commented, conceivably this could represent GMs third electric car.
However, GM spokesperson Mike Albano tell us “The MPV does not have a Voltec. At this point it is only intended to be a product in China, where demand for a Buick MPV remains strong, but we continue to monitor other markets that could use an MPV of this size.”
Read Article