Buick is one of the companies in the General Motors group and when you think of General Motors and any of its brands, the images that come to mind would be of the huge ‘aircraft carrier-sized’ cars typical of American models. That, however, is an outdated perception as the American manufacturers began downsizing from the 1980s and their range today has models that are mostly the size of cars of different segments in the rest of the world.

With concept cars, the American carmakers have also shown many for decades, often very futuristic. When the first jet planes came out, the designers became obsessed with tailfins and jet engines, shaping cars with such features. These days, the concept cars are still futuristic but have more realistic designs rather than being like they came from the Star Wars era way in the future.

The latest concept car from Buick is the Wildcat EV concept which shows the design direction the brand will take as it transitions to an all-electric future. The new design language will be used for future production models and transform the products to reflect the new era.

“The Wildcat EV concept represents the real design future for the brand,” said Sharon Gauci, Executive Director, Global Buick and GMC Design. “Buick has always been forward looking and this expression is a glimpse of where we’re going, and the optimism we have for the limitless possibilities of an electric future.”

New frontal expression
The Wildcat EV concept also introduces a new, expressive face for Buick, distinguished by a bold, forward-leaning front-end appearance that features a low-mounted, trapezoidal grille. Sharp, high-mounted and horizontal check mark-shaped lighting flanks the vehicle, while the outer edges of the grille house primary lighting. The lighting elements are configured to create a unique welcome choreography when the driver approaches.

The bodystyle is that of a 2+2 coupe with a powerful, expressive presence and a laid-back proportion complemented by a low, wide stance. The windscreen wraps around and flows into the side glass, which tapers dramatically with the fast roofline to accentuate the aggressive profile.

Exterior design highlights
The sides have distinctive semi-swing doors and the unique aluminium trim appears to flow seamlessly into the interior seat structures. Micro-LED lighting technology and thin-beam projector lenses are used in the front lighting units, while blade-style taillights are embedded in the roof’s sail panels to echo the front lighting signature.

“The more you look at the Wildcat EV concept, the more the details reveal themselves,” said Bob Boniface, Director, Global Buick Design. “Its timeless proportions acknowledge the brand’s rich design legacy, while our latest technology moves you forward.”

Modernity and warmth
Inside, the Wildcat EV concept’s cabin has an inviting inner glow with new technologies integrated throughout. “It’s a space intended to strike an emotional chord,” said Therese Pinazzo, Buick Exterior and Interior Design Manager. “It is defined by simple, graceful forms that convey balance, harmony and a feeling of warmth.”

The 2+2 configuration, delineated by a prominent console that extends from the base of the instrument panel to the rear seating area, uses unique graphic and colour contrasts to create the perception of visually floating elements intended to accentuate the cabin’s lightweight feel and spaciousness.

Colour plays an important role in the warmth and comfort the interior conveys. Legato Green flows through the cabin and is accented with brushed or polished aluminium trim. Lively orange elements, including the seatbelts, also add visual distinction.

Additional interior design elements include cockpit-style seats with cantilevered headrests that appear to be floating, and a lightweight, flat-bottom steering wheel. When it comes to technology integration and infotainment interaction, a sweeping touchscreen is the access point on the instrument panel, along with a complementing screen on the console.

The Wildcat EV concept is built to be a platform for futuristic features such as artificial intelligence, biometrics and aromatherapy. The vehicle is designed to detect an elevation in driver heart rate and automatically adjust vehicle settings to calm them down. For example, when Zen Mode is activated, it will dim the cabin lights, disperse calming aromatherapy scents and activate massaging seats.

Everything about the concept is intended to convey what’s possible — in design, technology and the transformative experience of EV mobility. “We are on the cusp of true change, and this concept is a tangible vision of it,” said Gauci. “It inaugurates the next chapter in Buick’s design heritage, as we make the crucial transition to our all-electric future.”

A concept legacy
The Wildcat name is not new to Buick: for nearly 70 years, the name has been used for various concept models that push the boundaries of design and technology. The very first Wildcat concept car was introduced in 1953 and it previewed next-generation Buick design. The Wildcat II and Wildcat III concepts followed in 1954 and 1955, respectively, and in 1985, the Wildcat concept that debuted was a futuristically styled, mid-engine and AWD supercar developed to showcase new engine technologies.

You can’t drive a Formula 1 car on public roads as its designed for racetracks and even though drivers have survived horrendous crashes at high speeds, there are other aspects that do not meet safety regulations as well as general vehicle construction requirements in most countries.

However, Mercedes-AMG now offers a something close to a F1 car that can be used on the road. It’s the long-awaited Mercedes-AMG ONE which we have been waiting 5 years for. Now, on the 55^th anniversary of the high-performance arm of Mercedes-Benz, the hypercar is ready to go into production and the first of 275 customers will get their car before Christmas. The price – from £2.2 million (about RM12.15 million), which is still considerably ‘cheaper’ than Lewis Hamilton’s racing car.

“With the Mercedes-AMG ONE, we have more than pushed the envelope. The immense technical challenges of making a modern Formula 1 powertrain suitable for everyday road use have undoubtedly pushed us to our limits. Over the duration of the development period, many may have thought that the project would be impossible to implement. Nevertheless, the teams in Affalterbach (home of Mercedes-AMG) and the UK never gave up and believed in themselves. I have the highest respect for all those involved and am proud of this team achievement,” said Philipp Schiemer, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

“To put such a hypercar on wheels is certainly unique. This applies to us as Mercedes-AMG not only from a technical point of view, but also in terms of the close exchange with our loyal customers. Together with us, they have gone through ups but also downs in the course of development. They were an integral part of Project One from the very beginning and can now look forward to the highly exclusive and unique Mercedes-AMG ONE, which has now also been able to clear the next hurdle and passed all ECE certification tests,” he said.

F1 technology for the road
The E PERFORMANCE hybrid drive of the Mercedes-AMG ONE comes directly from Formula 1 and has been developed in close cooperation with Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains in England. It is a highly integrated and intelligently networked unit comprising one hybrid, turbocharged combustion engine with 4 electric motors.

The 1.6-litre V6 hybrid petrol engine with electrically assisted single-turbocharging has similar technology to the current power unit in the F1 racing cars. The engine, mounted in mid-engine position in front of the rear axle, revs up to 11,000 rpm. To achieve high engine speeds, the mechanical valve springs have been replaced by pneumatic valve springs. However, for longer durability and the use of commercial fuel, it has been set to stay below the F1 rev limit.

Mercedes-AMG’s fastest production car
The hybrid powertrain can produce 1,049 bhp but the maximum torque generated cannot be provided as the drivetrain is too complex, according to Mercedes-AMG. With a top speed of 352 km/h, this will be the brand’s fastest production car and it will be able to go from 0 to 100 km/h in a claimed 2.9 seconds. Depending on the amount of energy in the battery pack, up to 18 kms of driving on just electricity is said to be possible.

The high-performance lithium-ion battery pack and energy storage system is a special Mercedes-AMG development. Its technology has already proven itself in the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team’s racing cars. Two of the electric motors allow the braking energy to be optimally used for recuperation – up to 80% under everyday driving conditions. This energy is stored in the battery and is available for a longer electric range or for more drive performance.

The driver can select from 6 drive programs – from pure electric to racetrack mode. The modes not only alter the powertrain programming but also the active aerodynamics and chassis systems. There is also an Individual mode that allows the driver to personalize the settings.

The Mercedes-AMG ONE has a lightweight and high‑strength carbonfibre monocoque, the technology of which originates from Formula 1. The chassis is an aluminium construction at the front and rear, each with 5 links and 2 adjustable suspension struts. There is adaptive damping adjustment which can be adapted via the drive programs.

Exclusively designed wheels
A new development is the 10-spoke forged aluminium wheel with centre lock, exclusive to the Mercedes-AMG ONE. This has a radial carbonfibre partial cover with an aerodynamically sophisticated shape. It improves the aerodynamic efficiency of the hypercar by enhancing the flow around the wheel.

Also special are the optional 9-spoke magnesium forged wheels designed exclusively for the Mercedes-AMG ONE. In addition to the centre-lock technology, they feature a patented bionic design to maximize lightweight construction and rigidity. The aerodynamically designed carbonfibre partial cover is a good example of the combination of low weight, optimized brake cooling and aerodynamic efficiency. At the same time, 9 air vanes per wheel ensure active ventilation of the wheel arch and thus improved heat dissipation from the brakes.

The active, hydraulically controlled aerodynamics increase downforce on the front and rear axles and also improve aerodynamic efficiency. Depending on the driver’s preference and the selected drive program, 3 different aerodynamic setups are available.

Function in every detail
The interior design concept follows function on the racetrack and every detail has a function. ‘No styling’ is the design consequence resulting from the requirements for this driving machine. The design is a synthesis of sculptural form language and uncompromising racing design. In the bold minimalism of the monocoque interior, the reduced components are emphasized and showcased in terms of design and function.

The ergonomically contoured interior has room for two occupants on racing seats. The centre tunnel is also a functional part of the carbonfibre support structure. It blends fully into the seat sculpture and follows the principle of minimalism with its gently rising contour.

The slim wing profile of the instrument panel appears light as if floating. As a functional structural component, it also stiffens the monocoque of the hypercar. The two high-resolution, free-standing 10-inch displays with individual Mercedes-AMG ONE graphics are finished with high-quality real-metal parts and adapted to the instrument panel.

In the radically designed race steering wheel, operating and functional elements are combined with original racing car components to ensure safe operation in extreme driving situations. The ‘shift light’ is displayed at the top of the steering wheel rim, as is usual in racing cars. The steering wheel, which is flattened at the top and bottom and has an integrated airbag. It includes motorsport trim elements whereby the two integrated AMG steering wheel buttons can be used to activate various functions without having to take the hands off the wheel.

The Mercedes-AMG developers have also thought about suitability for everyday use and further ease of operation. The user interface is integrated as an autonomous concept. The most important information is displayed on the road in the line of vision above the steering wheel, so that the driver is not distracted. To ensure optimal rearward visibility despite the vertical wing on the rear, the interior mirror is replaced by a screen. It shows real-time footage from a MirrorCam integrated into the rear.

While the quality of all materials will be of the same superior standard as other Mercedes-AMG models, customers also have extensive options for very personal individualization if the already exclusive nature of the hypercar is still inadequate.

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The Takata airbag recall began over 10 years ago and many manufacturers had to recall millions of vehicles all over the world to replace the defective airbag inflator module that could break up during inflation. When it broke up, metal parts would shoot at the driver or front passenger at high speed, causing severe injuries as well as death.

All carmakers fulfilled their responsibility for the safety of their customers and made every effort to get vehicle owners to bring their vehicles to service centres for a free replacement. Some, like Honda Malaysia, put in an exemplary effort to locate and inform every owner who had an affected vehicle, even to the extent of asking personnel at service centres to visit homes nearby where there were Honda vehicles. The company still provides support on the Takata airbag recall issue, if required.

However, there are rare cases where owners have been without the vital support service to make the replacement because there is no longer a distributor in the country. This is the case with Chevrolet as Naza Quest stopped selling its products at the end of 2018.

Many Chevrolet models sold in Malaysia were fitted with Takata airbags and those airbags are potentially dangerous and have to be replaced as soon as possible. As a responsible manufacturer, Chevrolet will make it possible for Malaysian owners to obtain the replacements. The company has no aftersales facilities here and has arranged with Honda Malaysia to use its authorized service centres to carry out the work on affected Chevrolet vehicles.

The choice of Honda Malaysia could be that General Motors, Chevrolet’s parent company, has a close relationship with Honda. The two companies have already signed agreements to work together to develop, build and sell affordable electric vehicles during the second half of this decade. So it may be that there was a request from GM and Honda’s headquarters asked Honda Malaysia to assist.

What models are affected?
The affected models are the Cruze (2010 – 2015), Orlando (2013 – 2015) and Sonic (2013 – 2015). The company has also listed the SAAB 9-3 (2007) and Chevrolet TRAX (2017) on its recall list for Malaysia, perhaps having detected these models sold here.

Get the VIN first, then make appointment
Before visiting a designated Honda service centre, the owner must first obtain the Vehicle Identification Number or VIN which is somewhere on the vehicle. Once the number is noted, it has to be provided to the service centre for verification and if the vehicle is on the recall list, then an appointment can be made to make the replacement. It should be noted that the service centres will not entertain walk-ins, so you will need to call or e-mail there first.

Full information, including the list of designated Honda service centres and how to locate the VIN on the vehicle, can be found at this website concerning the Chevrolet recall. A call-team has also been set up to contact customers who may have difficulty connecting to the internet. To reach this team call 011 3129 9963 or 011 3129 9965 during working hours (9 am to 6 pm) daily, except Saturdays, Sundays and national public holidays. The number is only for the Takata airbag recall and not for any other matters related to Chevrolet vehicles or services.

Ferrari’s sportscars are exclusive and some are more exclusive than others, being produced in limited numbers. The Daytona SP3 unveiled in November last year is one of the more exclusive models, with only 599 units to be built for sale.

The Daytona SP3 has a design that is inspired by 1960s racing cars like the ones that finished 1-2-3 at the 1967 Daytona 24 Hours. The cars were powered by a mid-mounted naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 that could develop up to 829 bhp.

Each SP3 costs US$2.25 million (about RM9.85 million) so they will be only for the ultra rich, pf which many are already Ferrari customers. However, you can still have a SP3 in your home for very much less money. In fact, your outlay will be just US$399.99 (about RM1.750) and you won’t need an AP either.

The SP3 is from Lego Technic, which has released a 3,778-piece kit that assembles into a 1/8 scale model of the supercar. This makes it 59 cm long, 25 cm wide and 14 cm tall and this rather large size has allowed for exceptional detail.

The attention-grabber will be the mid-mounted V12 engine (which has a displacement of 6.5 litres in the real car) with pistons that move, and is coupled to the 8-speed sequential transmission. Other features in the cockpit include a detailed steering wheel with shifter paddles, removable roof, opening butterfly doors and detailed shock absorbers. Under the bonnet is a unique serial number which unlocks special online content.

While the Daytona SP3 is part of Ferrari’s Iconia series, LEGO Technic’s model is from the brand’s Ultimate Car Concept series. It is the fourth addition to this series of supercar builds. Made for display, it comes with a decorated display plate as well. There’s also a coffee-table booklet with insights into the collaboration between the LEGO designers and Ferrari.

The Daytona SP3 will be available for ordering from LEGO’s global website and stores worldwide from June 1, 2022.

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