Electric in Every Way: Buick Wildcat EV Concept

The American automobile manufacturer Buick, part of General Motors Corporation, has introduced the Wildcat EV concept electric car. Technical specifications have not yet been disclosed.

Buick claims that the Wildcat EV not only surpasses its time but is also designed as a platform for futuristic features such as artificial intelligence, biometrics, and aromatherapy. The show car combines efficiency and technological innovations in a breathtaking package. It is a kind of forward-thinking that makes it electric in every respect.

It is expected that Buick's first electric vehicle will go on sale in North America in 2024, and the company plans to fully electrify its model lineup by the end of the decade—five years ahead of General Motors' deadline to abandon internal combustion engines.

Interesting Fact

For nearly 70 years, the name Wildcat has been reserved for innovative, progressive Buick concept cars that push the boundaries of design and technology. The first Wildcat concept, introduced in 1953, showcased Buick's next-generation design. The Wildcat II and Wildcat III concepts appeared in 1954 and 1955, respectively, with their designs overseen by legendary chief designer Harley Earl. In 1985, another Wildcat concept debuted. It was a futuristic mid-engine, all-wheel-drive supercar designed to showcase new engine technologies.

The Wildcat was designed to convey an entirely new design language that will influence Buick's production models in the foreseeable future. The new Buick logo with three shields, prominently placed on the front and rear of the body, symbolizes a design transformation, and new production models will feature it starting in 2023.

“The Wildcat EV concept is a true representation of the brand’s design future,” said Sharon Gauci, Executive Director of Global Buick and GMC Design. “Buick has always looked ahead, and this expression shows where we are going and our optimism about the limitless possibilities of an electric future.”

The Wildcat EV concept car also introduces a new expressive "face" of Buick, distinguished by a bold, forward-leaning front end with a low-set trapezoidal grille. Sharp checkmark-shaped rear lights are positioned high on the sides of the vehicle, while the main light sources are located at the outer edges of the grille. The lighting elements are designed to create a unique welcome choreography as the driver approaches.

“From every angle, the car looks like it’s ready to leap,” said Bob Boniface, Director of Global Buick Design. “This is the result of close attention to proportions and sculptural beauty derived from the intersection of forms rather than lines.”

Additional exterior design features include:

• Distinctive half-swing doors for easy entry and exit.
• Unique aluminum trim that seamlessly flows into the internal seat structure.
• Micro-LED lighting technology and thin-beam projection lenses for front illumination.
• External "state of charge" indicator visible on the hatchback’s outer glass.
• 18-spoke “turbine” wheels inspired by the Jet Age.

Inside, the Wildcat EV concept's cabin features an interior glow that attracts and soothes, while at the same time integrating new technologies designed to make the ride more enjoyable.

The 2+2 configuration, outlined by a prominent console extending from the base of the dashboard to the rear seat, uses unique graphic and color contrasts to create the sensation of visually floating elements, intended to emphasize the feeling of lightness and spaciousness in the interior.

Color plays a crucial role in creating the warmth and comfort conveyed by the interior. The Legato Green color permeates the cabin and is accentuated by matte or polished aluminum trim. Bright orange elements, including the seatbelts, also visually highlight the car.

Additional interior design features include a lightweight, flat-bottom steering wheel and cockpit-style seats with cantilevered headrests that appear to float.

When it comes to technology integration and interaction with the infotainment system, a wide touchscreen serves as the access point on the dashboard, complemented by an additional screen on the console.

The Buick Wildcat EV show car is designed to serve as a platform for futuristic features such as artificial intelligence, biometrics, and aromatherapy. The car is intended to detect an increase in the driver's heart rate and automatically adjust vehicle settings to help calm them down. For example, when the Zen mode is activated, the car will dim the interior lighting, diffuse calming aromatherapy scents, and activate seat massage functions.

“We are on the cusp of true change, and this concept car is a tangible vision of that,” said Sharon Gauci. “It opens the next chapter in Buick's design legacy as we make a decisive transition to our fully electric future.”

“Electric in Every Way” | Buick Wildcat EV Concept