General Motors has shared another tantalizing design sketch on social media, this time of a two-door, coupé-esque Buick SUV.
In much the same way a recent design sketch posted to GM’s Instagram account suggested how an EV version of the GMC Sierra pick-up truck may look, the latest rendering, penned by ‘hakandemirdesign’, reveals elongated bodylines, concave flanks, an enormous hood, and, of course, two doors. Tapering head and tail lamps and a raked windshield accentuate the sleek curves, and beneath some subtly flared wheel arches lie an enormous set of deep-dish alloys – note the tri-shield in the middle – running low-profile tires.
Buick concept sketch
Though shared with nothing more than a “Beautiful proportions paired with beautiful surfacing” caption from General Motors, the sketch has inevitably led to rumours of an electrified Buick SUV arriving in the near future. Aided, admittedly, by comparisons with Buick’s all-electric Enspire concept from 2018, and the Electra concept that debuted late last year.
The Enspire boasted a similarly sleek and ‘sculptural’ exterior design when it made its debut at Auto China in April 2018, and, tellingly, even featured the same dark-red metallic paint. The Enspire was said to be “an exploration of Buick’s bold design ideas and innovative technologies for future mobility.”
Buick Enspire
But while the Enspire’s electric drivetrain – “eMotion electric propulsion technology” that produced 410kW (around 550 hp) and a 0-to-60 mph sprint time of four seconds – was very much in addition to the design showcase, the Electra concept that arrived 2.5 years later at the 2020 Beijing Motor Show pointed more firmly towards Buick’s new generation of zero-emission vehicles. At the base after all was General Motors’ new Battery Electric Vehicle 3 (BEV3) platform – the first Buick to feature it – and Ultium battery packs, the latter of which will form the base of GM’s electrified range moving forward.
Whether production versions of the Enspire/Electra or indeed hakandemirdesign’s sketch come to fruition any time soon of course remains to be seen. Buick’s most recent, naturally-aspirated additions to its line-up – the Envision and the flagship Enclave – prioritized “premium design” over electrified powertrains
