This Is The Buick Avista Concept
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Feast your eyes the Buick Avista Concept. Having just made its somewhat-expected debut at a special event this evening just ahead of the 2016 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the concept pushes Buick’s design language and “rekindles its historic performance roots”.
The brand may have said a reborn GNX is not in its future, but this is a GNX by a whole other name. As some of our staff has stated, it’s a GNX, except, it wasn’t designed with merely a hammer.
Buick, instead, calls the Avista a “contemporary grand tourer” with a 400 hp 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine. Yes, it runs and drives. We heard it. Buick says the twin-turbo V6 is backed by an eight-speed automatic transmission and Magnetic Ride Control. Active Fuel Management and Stop/Start technology keep things frugal, however.
Those ponies find their way to the rear wheels, too, in proper sports car fashion.
Buick is happy to draw resemblances to the Avenir concept with the Avista, and is quick to point out “uninterrupted body lines” that suggest motion. Also, note the absence of B-pillars, a lovely way to enhance the flowing profile, especially with the doors open.
Buick also highlights the front and rear lighting elements, which feature “soft curtain” elements to create halos around the edges. Buick says the design foreshadows the evolution of the brand’s lighting features.
The interior incorporates minimalist design, with very performance-oriented cues. But, the lines inside feature intense technical and surface details. In fact, the door and seat trim were actually created with 3D-printing technology.
The most conceptual part of this vehicle sits in the center console controls, which are all controlled via touch feedback on a widescreen instrumental panel. What Buick calls a “Superior Blue” color accents Mist Gray leather interior, inserts and console trim.
So, here’s your surprise, Buick fans. An exotic sports coupe only the Buick of today could bring forward. This is what momentum looks like. This is the Buick Avista.
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This Buick Avista is a sensuous looking car that General Motors needs to build.. as it is something that will have consumers lusting for like no car with the exception of possibly the C7 Corvette.
If this went to production, what’s the competition?
If this does not see production (in near concept form) I will have lost all faith in Buick. Alpha platform with the new 3.0 TT and magnetic ride control and forget the competition. The first thing I though when I saw it is it’s a perfect competitor for the Lexus RC. Please build this!!
very smart
Y’all are gonna down vote me for this.
First off, I’m not completely liking this new Buick look. I’m already missing the shiny chrome waterfall grille and the ventiports. If anything, the move away from the signature look reminds me more of the 90’s Buicks. I want to continue seeing post-bankruptcy Buicks triumphantly flashing that dollar grin.
If the production version is Alpha-based coupe, I’ll be thrilled, but I’m also a little concerned. I’m concerned that this would compete with the E-Class Coupe and 6-series, where a CTS Coupe (or CT# midsized Cadillac coupe) should be competing. I think that type of overlap would be counterproductive to Cadillac’s image rebuilding. To prevent that from happening, the production Avista would either have to be down market in the interior materials and technology, or performance. The Camaro interior is already pushing entry-level luxury; the production Avista already has little wiggle room. The best they can do to prevent overlap is offer AWD, be automatic only, come with higher profile tires, offer more interior room
I wouldn’t at all be disappointed if the production version is an upcoming E2XX-based coupe. Especially if it’s mid-sized to large. Why? Because roomy, gorgeous FWD personal luxury coupes have become one of the whitest of white spaces in the auto world. What used to be a staple in every Big Three lineup has all but disappeared. A modern Riviera, like the Cascada, would add a high profit margin to a core platform and have little to virtually no direct competition. On top of that, a production Avista can go all out with the interior quality and technology. It’s not like they can’t make it the lawyer’s hot rod. They can make that GNK AWD system come standard with the top trims enabling drift mode like the Ford Focus RS. Cadillac luxury with a Buick drivetrain. That’s still a winning combination.
Let me be clear, I still love this concept. I’ll still be thrilled if they greenlight it. However, my point is:
Luxury + Performance = Cadillac
Luxury + Affordability = Buick
Performance + Affordability = Chevrolet
An Alpha-based Buick somewhat tampers with that formula.
Curtnik…you’re right that is not the popular stance but your points are valid and I can see the rationale.
Very, very well done! By far one of the most striking designs to grace the Buick brand EVER! It is now truly my hope that the Avista concept is far more than a mere design study for Buick! Like the equally impressive Avenir concept, this a vehicle that’ll definitely create brand cache for Buick, and make it more of a desirable brand IF GM ever decided to produce it.
With Buick bridging the gap between the affordability of Chevrolet and the luxury of Cadillac, some of the best of both worlds can and should be prevalent in Buick’s lineup! And the Avista precisely personifies what some of these things should be! Make it happen GM!!!
Design looks great, yet sufficiently unspectacular to be production-ready…. Let’s see if RWD will also make it into a final product..
If they give it a good riding suspension (I want a luxurious ride, not stiff ride meant for the track), better visibility then a camaro, the 400hp v6 returns okay mpg, and the futuristic interior proves functional, then I would really consider buying one. Hopefully it wont be way over priced if it ever makes it to production.
Face it , this is just another publicity stunt that mirrors the brilliant Avenir concept . Buick probably raked in great brand awareness from the Avenir concept and this one will keep the flames going . I forecast the next hottie to emerge will be for an Enclave replacement concept . Again , a design to make the faithful salivate , but considerably dumbed down should any reach production ….probably produced with loving care in China !!
Last year the Avenir, this year the Avista. Perhaps next year, by way of a change and third time lucky, Buick will introduce a stunning car that is actually going into production.
Buick is taking influence from there concepts…..but Cadillac isn’t……that’s why I think Cadillacs are DATED and Buicks are not.
GM does not need another coupe with no rear legroom and no trunk space. I’d love to see them stretch this out a little to make sure those two aspects are covered and give us the CTS coupe, that Cadillac did not. It allows GM to target different need rather than have a 3rd coupe with the same dimensions competing on price and looks.
I’d much rather Cadillac just give us the CTS coupe. Cadillac is supposed to have the 6-series fighter, not Buick.
Breathtakingly beautiful! Bet you a dollar they screw it up. Where’s Lutz when you need him?
This looks like a James Bond getaway car. It looks gorgeous! Now all Buick needs to do is put it into production.
Seeing Buick’s Avista tells you that General Motors is continuing to develop their Alpha platform and it makes you wonder whether we’ll see the B-pillarless design of the Avista in Cadillac’s ATS in a couple of years if the Avista doesn’t get built when the ATS gets it’s mid-life refreshing; the design of the Avista and the Avenir shows the direction Buick is pursuing for it’s future personality.. as we may see elements of the Avista and Avenir in the next generation Buick Regal or Verano.
SPECTACULAR. sadly, it will never be built.