Most luxury car manufacturers have established a signature light design element in their headlamps: for instance, Audi is famous for its classy LED eye brows, Cadillac has pioneered the sharp and prominent vertical LED light strips, and BMW has its legendary angel eyes. Not to be left out of the cool LED lighting club, Buick has a unique headlamp design element of its own that it calls the “Wing”.
In some way, shape, or form, the Wing has been present on existing models such as the Verano, Enclave, and Encore — but the 2014 LaCrosse and Regal have really brought the design element into the spotlight. On the refreshed LaCrosse, for instance, the Wing serves as the LED-based daytime running light, stretching horizontally (across the top) and then vertically (down the side) across the headlamp cluster, all while wrapping the main HID jewel lamp.
According to exterior director of Buick design Phil Zak, the Wing accentuates the LaCrosse’s wide and planted stance, and will be consistently used across the Buick lineup going forward.
We find the Wing elegant, classy, and distinctive. What’s you take on it? Talk to us in the comments below.
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Comments
I just noticed that today out on the freeway passing a new Enclave and thought how sharp it looked and thought I wonder how quiet those cars are?
The wing is not something that I have previously noticed. It’s ok now that you bring it up and I have deliberately focused on it. The traditional brash Buick grill overpowers the surrounding front facial aspects rather than compliment the vehicle design.
The hood and grill say “Buick” but the rest of the exterior, while pleasant, seems generic and fails in conveying the Buick image. When you walk around the car the sides and rear look as decent as many Japanese, Korean or European offerings but if you don’t know you have to ask: “What is it?”
Whatever.
until the next VLM decides otherwise, next week
I like the shape, but dislike the “me too” bedazzled LED look that’s the trend right now. Make the DRLs uniquely shaped LED light pipes (like Cadillac) or stick with traditional light assemblies.
In some applications the bedazzled look comes off as tacky (GMC truck), while the Buicks look pretty good with the treatment.
Alex, can you get a picture of a Buick front end with the “wings” illuminated and post it here? I know that many (including myself) that hardly even seen a new Buick would like to see what it looks like.
Thanks!
Raymond, we won’t be able to until we get some up close and personal time with the 2014 LaCrosse… expecting that to happens in the next few months. But I do anticipate seeing it in the dark 🙂