- This all-electric crossover almost certainly sits on GM’s Ultium platform
- Camo’d test mule shares design elements with the Electra-X concept car
- Said concept car was designed by Buick’s branch in China
The conversion of the product line at General Motors from internal-combustion to electrification continues apace, with GM’s various brands rolling out EVs at a rapid rate. Middle child Buick has been relatively silent on this front, however — until now.
Caught in a full suit of camouflaged clothes just outside of a facility in Michigan, this testing mule is likely to be one of the Tri-Shield brand’s first forays into the electric-vehicle marketplace. Given market preferences and the shape of Buick’s current lineup, it should be of no surprise this new EV is a crossover-type vehicle, hence the ‘X’ suffix on its potential name. And why it took Buick this long to revive the “Electra” name – ideal for recalling its heritage whilst also pointing to its electric future – is well beyond my comprehension.
Buick Electra X spy shot Photo by Spiedbilde
Buick Electra X spy shot Photo by Spiedbilde
Buick Electra X spy shot Photo by Spiedbilde
Buick Electra X spy shot Photo by Spiedbilde
Buick Electra X spy shot Photo by Spiedbilde
Buick Electra X spy shot Photo by Spiedbilde
Buick Electra X spy shot Photo by Spiedbilde
Buick Electra X spy shot Photo by Spiedbilde
Buick Electra X spy shot Photo by Spiedbilde
Buick Electra X spy shot Photo by Spiedbilde
Buick Electra X spy shot Photo by Spiedbilde
Buick Electra X spy shot Photo by Spiedbilde
This tester appears to incorporate much from the Electra-X concept car shown back in June of this year, with a significant number of details – taillights, door handles, et al – seemingly lifted straight from the concept vehicle. Ignore the oddball round lenses front and rear, since they are likely just temporary pieces fitted for disguise purposes. Whilst the thick camo does a good job of hiding specific details, our boots on the ground say this mule seems to share a lot with the concept car, including a shark-ish nose and forward-canted grille.
Note that while this EV may wind up being sold in both North America and China, it was developed by GM’s PATAC engineering and design team in Shanghai, smack-dab in the middle of a market where the Buick brand enjoys significant success and is seen as a status symbol.
General Motors has spent umpteen gazillion years of development and sunk several square acres of cash into its Ultium EV architecture, meaning you can bet your bottom electron it’s going to build as many vehicles with this modular base as possible. Expect entry-level trims to offer a single electric motor with rear-wheel-drive, while snazzier variants should get a dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain.
Range? Price? Official channels are predictably mum on those details, but anything less than 400 kilometres will be a non-starter by the time this car comes to market in a couple of years. For reference, the recently announced – and likely related – Chevy Blazer offers a GM-estimated range of up to 400 km in 1LT FWD guise, up to 470 km in a 2LT, and up to 515 km on RS RWD trim. Expect similar for the Electra-X, along with a now-mandatory Avenir trim atop the range.
Matthew Guy
Whether wheeling an off-road rig over rough terrain, hauling trailers with a pickup truck, or tucking into a sportscar, Matthew is never far from something with four wheels and an engine. He’s a member of AJAC and lives in rural Nova Scotia. Find him on Facebook and Instagram @DudeDrivesCars
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Keyword: This is the Buick Electra-X caught testing in Michigan