What Is It?
Buick Velite Concept
What's Special About It?
Looking a little like the Bengal concept of several years ago, the Velite is Buick's latest vision for a flagship convertible. Built on an all-new rear-wheel-drive platform dubbed Zeta, the Velite uses simple lines and classic proportions to create an upscale-looking four-place convertible. It wears two of Buick's traditional design cues — a waterfall grille and side portholes — but updates them in a manner befitting a 21st century concept. The staggered 20- and 21-inch wheels add a little muscle to its stance but the overall look is still one of Buick elegance.
The interior was designed to feel like a low lit lounge with its indirect lighting and contrasting shades of bronze, tan and Iceberg Blue. The simplicity of its design is one of its most inviting features, but an up-close inspection reveals warm fabrics and materials that would make the Velite a supremely comfortable convertible for four. Under the hood, there's an experimental version of GM's 3.6-liter VVT V6 that uses twin turbochargers to generate an impressive 400 horsepower. Hooked to a six-speed, paddle-shifted automatic transmission, the powerful V6 gives the Velite premium performance to match its upscale looks.
What's Edmunds' Take?
The Velite is yet another example of Buick's ability to create dynamic-looking cars that don't look destined for the rental yards from Day One. Now if Buick could manage to actually build one of its distinctive concepts we would really be impressed. The fact that the Velite uses a real platform and a real engine is promising, but we won't be holding our breath waiting to see if a production version will ever show up. — Ed Hellwig
Buick Velite Concept
What's Special About It?
Looking a little like the Bengal concept of several years ago, the Velite is Buick's latest vision for a flagship convertible. Built on an all-new rear-wheel-drive platform dubbed Zeta, the Velite uses simple lines and classic proportions to create an upscale-looking four-place convertible. It wears two of Buick's traditional design cues — a waterfall grille and side portholes — but updates them in a manner befitting a 21st century concept. The staggered 20- and 21-inch wheels add a little muscle to its stance but the overall look is still one of Buick elegance.
The interior was designed to feel like a low lit lounge with its indirect lighting and contrasting shades of bronze, tan and Iceberg Blue. The simplicity of its design is one of its most inviting features, but an up-close inspection reveals warm fabrics and materials that would make the Velite a supremely comfortable convertible for four. Under the hood, there's an experimental version of GM's 3.6-liter VVT V6 that uses twin turbochargers to generate an impressive 400 horsepower. Hooked to a six-speed, paddle-shifted automatic transmission, the powerful V6 gives the Velite premium performance to match its upscale looks.
What's Edmunds' Take?
The Velite is yet another example of Buick's ability to create dynamic-looking cars that don't look destined for the rental yards from Day One. Now if Buick could manage to actually build one of its distinctive concepts we would really be impressed. The fact that the Velite uses a real platform and a real engine is promising, but we won't be holding our breath waiting to see if a production version will ever show up. — Ed Hellwig
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