Anybody familiar with Buick will instantly recognize the Riviera nameplate. Historically, Rivieras have been categorized as “personal luxury” vehicles — a genus of long coupes that included vehicles such as the beloved Cadillac El Dorado. The original 1963 Riviera was a 208-inch, rear-wheel-driven V8-powered head turner, while the 1973 model was even larger, at an incredible 223.4 inches long. Then came the front-wheel-drive V6 models of the 1980s, a trend that continued until 1999, when Buick retired the name.
Fast forward to 2007, when Buick showed off an Epsilon II-based concept Riviera at the Shanghai Motor Show in China. The rakish concept was designed by the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC), and featured futuristic gullwing doors and 21-inch wheels. Now, a recent United States Patent Office Filing shows that GM has once again trademarked the Riviera name.
So, why did GM decide to register the Riviera name now? Well, it could be nothing. Or in the case of the Chevy SS sedan, it could mean we’ve got a Buick coupe coming our way. With Opel’s desire to launch a coupe, it’s possible that the two may be a package deal. But do you think it will fit into the brand’s current direction? Buick reads the comment section, so feel free to let them know.
Comments
Sounds like a good idea to me, I’d love to see a new Riviera, along with some more of Buick’s past models, like the Century, and Roadmaster, Park Avenue, and LeSabre. 🙂 All good cars from Buick.
The Opel Astra GTC will be the next Buick Riviera! Just another rebadge.
Its not rebadging really it’s just they’ll get more sales if they bring opels here in the form of bucks than bring it over here as opels!
Rebadging is taking a car sold in one place and then for the sake of only sales selling it at the same place but with a different badge slapped on the front. (Chevrolet Trailblazer, Buick Rainier, GMC Envoy, Isuzu Ascender, Oldsmobile Bravada, Saab 9-7X)
Only one problem with that; it isn’t rebadging. If it was, it would only AND ONLY be a badge job.
There is a platform in common between the vehicles you’ve listed above, but various exterior part cannot be used interchangeabily and thus aren’t rebadges.
Consider the Lambda platform. Shared with 3 different brands (was 4 for a time), but aren’t rebadges as there few parts in common with one another apart from power/drive trains.
Its not rebadging really it’s just they’ll get more sales if they bring opels here in the form of Buicks than bringing it over here as Opels!
I messed up before 🙂
Would be great to have the riv back good luck buick
It’s not going to be the Astra GTC. Wonder where Guast gets his information.
Think ATS / RIVIERA / CAMARO
@ Silent Electrician
From official Opel websites, and especially those in German are very interesting, where you can get a lot of information and other stuffs about them. The Buick Regal is clearly a rebadged version of the Opel Insignia, while the Buick LaCrosse only shares the same platform with it, but the differences are given between these two models.
let’s hope it’s rear wheel drive!!!
Let’s bring back a flagship Riviera for Buick! Sporty, understated and luxurious. It can’t be a two-door Regal however. Also, it can’t be too small – remember the disastrous ’86 Riv?
Also, what is up with the rear-wheel drive fascination? It’s not practical for driving under snow or rainy conditions.
Mostly becasue some people like too hoon about with RWD. You know, sliding the rear out in intersections and on-ramps.
RWD, as good as it is, is massively overhyped. If it’s not being used in a sports car, then there is nothing RWD can do that FWD can’t.
There’s a certain fun factor with RWD I think we can all identify. RWD can also handle more power, has a better balance, and the steering becomes more precise with the front wheels free to obey the commands of the steering wheel and nothing else. However RWD is not the best choice for bad weather, and most of the time they aren’t as fuel efficient as FWD.
@guast where in Opel sites/materials does it say that the Astra GTC will make its way to the USA as a Buick, or as a Riviera?
How about a Buick “anything” that is designed primarily for the US market?
I’ve always been a Riviera fan. Even that last one. I loved everything about it. Even the crappy interior. Seeing it again would be great. Front drive or rear drive is irrelevant to me. I don’t drive a car in any way or in any environment that makes either necessary. But, if the statistics prove that more could be sold one way or the other, by all means, build it that way.
I guess I’m a little late coming into this, but I’m all for a RWD 2 door Coupe from Buick. I’ve been very upset at Buick for the past 8 years while they kept teasing people with the Velite, the past 30 years there has been a performance Buick in our drive way. Any one that knows me knows that the Buick is the last thing that gets sold. Buick already knows “I’m all in” when it comes to buying a Buick Sport Coupe. The Asian Riviera design is a excellent choice. Some re-badged car that was designed for people other than Americans is not a good choice, That’s why I had to pass on the new Regal/Turbo/GS. The other very big draw back is the jerkiness of the Regal with no low end torque it’s hardly a Buick designed for smooth power (If you want power you have to stand on it – at 4K and higher on the tach). I’ll take the Asian design 2 door Riviera with the torque of 3.8 SC V6 or better. I have the check right here Buick. Keep Buying “American” people, we can get this country back on it’s feet.