Its brand heritage is clearly evident in the waterfall grille as well as the fender portholes. The hood tilts forward similar to historical GT cars, while the clamshell rear decklid, which opens up in reverse in order to consume the soft top when lowered, is reminiscent of some boattail designs Buick offered up in the 1930s. Its 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels combine with short overhangs for a more aggressive stance than any previous Buick.
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| Not only fashionable, the vertical headlights of the Velite incorporate ultra-bright X-Beam technology. (Photo: General Motors of Canada) |
The vertical headlamps are not only design statements all on their own, but by incorporating X-Beam technology allow the use of a smaller lens while upping their luminous intensity by 44 percent over traditional reflector headlamps. The taillamps include X-beam technology as well, that have been designed with respect to Buick's first concept vehicle and first convertible, the legendary 1938 Y-Job.
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| By using extremely high-quality materials with warm indirect lighting, the interior of the Velite has a "jazz lounge" ambience. (Photo: General Motors of Canada) |
"The Velite has a presence that conveys confident power," stated Sang Yup Lee, exterior designer. "It's a fresh, contemporary design that not only hints at Buick's design direction, but speaks the language of modern design trends around the globe - a statement of strength through elegance, not extravagance."
The same low key, relaxed contemporary approach taken to the Velite's exterior design is duplicated inside. Buick combines what look to be extremely high-quality materials with warm indirect lighting to create a "jazz lounge" ambience, or so the brand's press materials state. Like Buick's of yesteryear, loveseat-like rear quarters make riding shotgun second-class, but being a new interpretation of a classic design the intimate atmosphere also includes heating, ventilation and air-conditioning controls for rear-seat passengers to heat up or cool off depending on the mood.