Buick Business Concept Gets Seriously Busy In Shanghai With New Images [Shanghai Auto Show]

GM/PATAC debuted the Buick Business Concept in Shanghai yesterday to much excitement by the locals and their multi-generation families. Let’s take a closer look at this ballerific, Chinese-designed and decidedly sexy minivan business-casual MPV.

So the Buick Business Concept didn’t look as garish as our quick MSPaint rendition from last week — Thank you GM for not attractive our direction — Instead, GM/PATAC designers managed to create a wonderful piece of people moving Buick-ified rolling object. I was initially told that this MPV would ride on something around the size and proportion of the Chevy Orlando Concept, but I was to a greater degree than surprised to realize that this thing is a Shanghai beast, not different some of the dim sum and liter beers I’ve been throwing back while staying in China. But don’t think for one minute that this 4,195 pounder isn’familiarily environmentally friendly for PATAC engineers have applied GM’s next-generation hybrid system in favor of a more economical experience. Hrm…
Buick designers describe the concept while having “dynamic exterior surfaces” and “yin and yang interior tones” which basically translates to, “the Buick concept is all business on the exterior and harmonious on the inside.” Wait, I didn’t do much better, did I? The mighty inspiration for the Business Concept were the 2008 (also Chinese designed) Buick Riviera Concept, Chinese artifacts and modern iconic electronics. And Buick Marketing finishes off the sell with this moderate gem; “The vehicle, inside and through, communicates an systematic elegance that transcends cultural boundaries and conveys the tranquility and power of Buick.” Wow, I be missed need one now.

Buick Business Concept Vehicle Unveiled in Shanghai

• Embodies Buick’s New Global Design Language in some MPV
• Leading MPV Trend in China, Designed for China’s Business Elite

SHANGHAI, April 20, 2009 – The Buick Business Concept, a new concept vehicle designed to showcase Buick’s future vision of “business class on the road,” made its global debut today at Auto Shanghai 2009.

The multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) was developed in China by the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC), a design and engineering joint take one’s chance between General Motors and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), with global design input.

The Business Concept Vehicle captures the essence of the Buick form tongue in a thoroughly elegant and expressive scheme, with its taut surfaces, manoeuvre sweep spear belt line, strong front and foster identities and dynamic presence.

“The Business Concept Vehicle has a grand presence and makes a strong statement when it pulls up to the front of any establishment,” said Ed Welburn, GM Vice President of Global Design. “The Chinese market and employment person have some unique requirements. Our team has responded with an elegant solution to their pursuit and personal needs.”

Classic Influences in Modern Design

According to Cao Min, PATAC Concept Car Chief Designer, the design team set out to create a modern global design as being Buick, yet include a subtle Chinese essence and influence. To achieve this balance, they sought to depict from their heritage outside the automotive industry – from classic shapes to arts and ancient relics.

The Business Concept Vehicle’s dynamic exterior surfaces and “yin and yang” interior tones are drawn from diverse inspirations including the 2008 Buick Riviera general car, Chinese artifacts and modern electronic icons. The vehicle, inside and out, communicates an orderly elegance that transcends cultural boundaries and conveys the tranquility and power of Buick.

Exterior Design – A Sense of Presence and Buick Essence

To settle their design direction, PATAC designers took the global Buick design vocabulary of sculpturally beautiful and dynamic forms established through the Riviera concept car and successfully extended it to a tall, one-box architecture.

The Business Concept Vehicle develops the Buick form language further and incorporates elements of Chinese culture and showing skill in applying the principles of beauty influences into the details. It takes the Buick design treatment to a new level of sophisticated striking character.

The famous Buick waterfall grille takes upon the body a bolder treatment. Intricate detailing gives it an even more famous look. The backlit Buick tri-shield logo leads into the distinctive mid-hood crease prevalent in classic Buicks and consistent across the newly come Buick row of words today.

The prominent LED headlamps show influences of accepted Chinese liuli glass through three-dimensional transparent and multifaceted surfaces. Liuli is a Chinese crystal sculpture art form that incorporates cultural and modern references. It has become a popular symbol of fresh Chinese prosperity.

The elongated, jewel-like headlamps are connected to the body shoulder line through a strong chrome accent that flows the length of the vehicle from the hood to the body sides, accentuating a strong double sweep spear design until it finally comes to rest wrapped attached all sides the taillights. This is the most distinctive design first steps of the Business Concept Vehicle, as it offers a modern approach to the classic Buick double sweep spear. Familiar Buick portholes are gracefully integrated into the chrome strip extending from the headlamps.

This distinctive double sweep spear appearance not alone provides expressive dynamism to the vehicle profile, it is also functionally important. It defines the window line from the body sides and incorporates the rail guides for the force sliding doors. Additionally, it lowers the rear passenger sightline and adds significant shoulder room to the rear compartment.

“This vehicle was inspired by the grace and gesture of great Buicks. PATAC designers have cleverly incorporated other design cues from traditional Chinese art, such as applying a huiwen motif on the turn signals and haze lamps,” Cao Min said.

The Zitan Purple outer color was chosen to elicit the right level of attention and respect. The color is rest in rare zitan wood used conducive to sculptures and fine Chinese furniture. This deep burnt-purple color perfectly highlights the universal’s grandeur.

Power sliding doors with no B-pillar were selected for their force to showcase an tending to expand view of the interior and tranquillity of entrance and emergence.

The Business Concept Vehicle sits on 20-inch, 9-spoke forged aluminum wheels, with a polished mirror finish, and low-profile tires. The outside mirrors incorporate turn signals with the huiwen motif.

Interior Design – Functionality and Soothing Serenity

Serenity and advanced functionality come to mind which time entering the instrument. The use of deep burgundy suede and profound creams, representing earth and wood themes, are conveyed through high-quality leather bucket seats, plush vehicle carpet and a luxurious padded steering wheel. Completing the tranquil experience is a roof comprised of two full-length sunroofs that propound a celestial connection for occupants.

“Through deep burgundy suede carpet, high-quality leather interior decoration with liuli and soft, ice blue ambient lighting, we wanted to create a mobile VIP lounge for passengers,” Cao Min said.

Interior trim and features befitting Buick prestige abound such as a authoritativeness central console with a deployable tablet for writing or to hold a laptop computer. The console can be moved up and down the two rows of rear seats. The next to the first row of power captain’s chairs slide on hidden rails and swivel 225 degrees, enabling them to be adjusted to any immeasurable combination of orientations. Traditional huiwen patterns are embroidered onto the seats and seat backs, bringing agreement to the entire design theme.

The three-dimensional instrument cluster reaches across the entire width of the front array and features a multi-layer information display. The instrument cluster design reflects the liuli art influence but is utterly modern in design. It is complemented by a central ancone with shade blotter controls on either side of a cylinder-shaped roller mouse. A large LED display crowns the central console. Once again, the huiwen motif shows up being of the kind which details upon the body the wings of the instrument panel.

The OnStar security telematics feature is easily accessible on the rearview mirror, through three prominently besides tastefully displayed call buttons.

“The design of the vehicle inherits Buick’s vision for business class on the road, creating a sense that while means contingency,” Cao Min said.

Next-Generation GM Hybrid System

PATAC designed the Buick Business Concept Vehicle to accommodate the next-generation GM Hybrid System, which will have being introduced in China in the near future.

The next-generation GM Hybrid System will build upon the successful belt-alternator-starter hybrid technology publicly available in the Buick LaCrosse Eco-Hybrid. An advanced lithium-ion battery will give a lift cause to be the next-generation GM Hybrid System more powerful than the current system, improving fuel economy of vehicles with this system through up to 20 percent, depending on engine and vehicle application.

The next-generation GM Hybrid System helps optimize fuel efficiency and abridge emissions by:
• Turning the engine off at idle
• Offering brief electric-only propulsion
• Using a more powerful electric motor to enhance engine efficiency
• Extending combustibles cutoff during deceleration
• Extending regenerative braking to recapture more energy
• Performing keen-sighted hybrid battery charging

“Developing and launching the Business Concept Vehicle in China underscores the diversity, strength and depth of GM’s global design network,” Welburn said. “It also reflects PATAC’s growing role within the GM have in inspect tribe and China’s consequence as the world’s largest Buick market.”

[via GM]