New Electric SUV Concept from Buick WOW’s at Debut

Buick debuted their 2018 Enspire electric SUV to wowed audiences on April 17, 2018, at the Buick Brand Night in Wuzhen, Zhejiang. It is a semi-autonomous vehicle, utilizing the Super Cruise system from Cadillac’s CT6. That is only the beginning of its next-generation high tech.

The all electric SUV uses GM’s all-wheel drive eMotion electric propulsion technology, which gives it two electric motors that drive the front and rear wheels separately. This allows for careful balancing of power distribution while pumping up to 410 kW — 550 horsepower — for 0-60 mph starts in 4 seconds. The system also optimizes output based on operating conditions. Buick asserts that the vehicle’s modular battery will go 370 miles on a single charge. Fancier yet, one has a choice of wireless charging or rapid charging. The rapid charge will fill the battery to 80 percent of capacity in 40 minutes.

The Enspire’s luxury features are just as next-generation as its performance features. Its stunning “surround skyline” interior includes 5G WiFi connectivity, an OLED infotainment display screen and a head-up display with augmented reality technology. The cabin is extra spacious thanks to its “suspended theater-type seating,” and natural wood grain and microfiber suede compliment the armrests and center console. The seats are sleek and laid back like those in a sports car. There is also plenty of room in the back, should one stop for some shopping or need to carry along the kids’ soccer gear.

Soccer mom or not, this is a beautiful piece of road art. Its sleek, sports-car-like exterior design with plus-sized wheels, cutting edge exterior lights, slim LED headlights and aerodynamic sculpting make this SUV seductive. Still, it looks like something one could imagine seeing on the road; it is not too much. In the rear, a thin LED light bar across the vehicle’s width gives it a wider-looking stance as well as added visibility.

GM is not telling whether they plan to mass produce something similar to this Buick concept or simply use it to inspire design; but inspiration, it certainly provides. In fact, the view from the driver’s seat is more space ship cockpit than Earthbound automobile. GM describes the Buick concept as “an exploration of design and new technologies.” They hope it will put GM and Buick in a position to compete in the “application of future electric smart mobility.”

The Buick Enspire crossover electric SUV will be on display again at the 2018 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, open from April 25 to May 4, 2018. The theme of the auto show is “Steering To a New Era,” and the Buick Enspire will make a fitting vision of the future. It will be on display in the U.S. at the 2018 LA Auto Show later this year.