Sadly, Buick will almost assuredly not build a coupe like this. But its future crossovers—all EVs—will take inspiration from this concept.
GM DESIGNThe Wildcat name graced a series of stunning concept cars from the Fifties, a big coupe from the Sixties, and even an Eighties supercar concept. Now, the name is back for a new EV concept car that previews the brand’s all-electric future. It won’t be built—Buick is a crossover brand now—but it should provide a well of inspiration.
“While it doesn’t align with an SUV portfolio, it probably is the best canvas in our mind to demonstrate the new design language,” said Bob Boniface, Buick’s design director in a live Q&A. The Wildcat will inspire models designed for the U.S. and Buick’s largest market China.
Buick’s future EVs will naturally use GM’s new Ultium electric-car platform, which underpins everything from the Cadillac Lyriq to the GMC Hummer EV. The Wildcat has the traditional cab-rearward proportion of a rear-wheel drive 2+2 coupe, something Buick last explored with the Camaro-based Avista concept of 2016. Obviously since Buick has only used front-wheel drive internal-combustion platforms since the Avista’s debut, it’s never been able to recreate those proportions. But now that it’s going all-electric, it can.
In classic concept car tradition, the Wildcat has some, uh, wild doors. The roof panels raise up along with the doors to aid ingress and egress, a cool detail that will almost assuredly never be seen on a production car. The headlights call to mind current Buick models, though the way the taillights run up the sides of the rear hatch glass reminds of the Volvo P1800E. The blacked-out A-Pillars also give the cockpit a canopy-like feel… although I can’t help but see the Lotus Evora in there, with that simulated wraparound glass.
Wildcat isn’t the only name Buick’s bringing back. Its future EVs will carry the Electra nameplate, which for decades graced Buick’s full-size luxury car. The first U.S.-market Buick EV will arrive in 2024. The brand plans to be full-electric by 2023.
Keyword: The Wildcat EV Concept Shows There's Life Left in Buick