The details are still beginning to trickle out regarding what went on behind the scenes surrounding the Buick Avista. So far, we’ve known Buick had no intent to create a production version of the vehicle, but quickly began trying to build a business case after the concept shocked crowds during the auto show circuit.
Rumors began over a four-door coupe variant of Buick Avista, which Buick chief, Duncan Aldred, has admitted was considered. He told Automotive News he has utmost love for the concept, but other projects have taken priority.
“We looked at [a four-door]. We’ve even visualized it,” Aldred confirmed. “It would look wonderful as a four-door as well.” However, the market still wouldn’t make a four-door Avista a massive opportunity in China he went on to say.
Interestingly, Aldred didn’t feel it would a total flop, but still played up the fact other unnamed priorities had to come first within the brand.
“Emotionally, you’d love to build it. I would buy one with my own money and put it in the garage,” Aldred said. “The trouble is, I’m never looking at only one project. I’m always looking at several. I’ve got to weigh the pros and cons of each. There are some strong contenders in that consideration.”
The Buick Avista reportedly was just shy of meeting consideration to enter production. However, we hope Aldred’s vision of a new halo vehicle post Cascada convertible could include something like the Avista.
Comments
Cool, maybe Lincoln will step up to the plate and make something passionate like the Avista. Then I can buy that.
Not enough car guys making cars.
Avista would be a sales winner and huge for the brand. Avista is not a great name but it is much better than Cascada. No one wants to drive something called a Cascada. There is a ton of room in the market for a nice American convertible. Cascada is certainly a better attempt than, say a Chrysler Sebring or a Pontiac G6. But it does not look like something that will take market share from something like an A5 or Infinity Q60 convertible (understood that Cascada is less expensive). I applaud Buick’s strides over the past few years – something like the Avista would really leap them over the other American brands. I still would love to see the Buick Blackhawk, what a beauty.
This should’ve been the car featured in the Super Bowl commercial, and throughout March Madness.
Instead we got the Cascada (zzzz), and a bunch of Tier 2/offer-taggged ads in the national championship game.
Without Encore, the brand is a mess.
Quit showing this beautiful coupe because it really shows the lack of innovation on Buick’s part. Look at Telsa. They could build this coupe and electrify it and make it a four door. This could be Buick’s answer to compete beyond the brand.
Agreed, a beauty like Avista makes Cascada and LaCrosse look like decade old junk.
Avista would transform the market, put Lexus on the defense. GM is making a near fatal mistake by not building cars like Avista and Aveair.
In Europe, Avista would put Audi on the defense if priced appropriately and make Opel more than a proly brand.
Buick needs to get their heads out of the sand. In this case image in the US trumps volume in China.
Too too bad … I’d for one would buy at two door Avista Coupe today if the car was available. I’m not impressed with the Cascada. It looks like an ugly mutant.
I agree with Ed . Having the Cascada as their ” halo ” car is an utter disapointment in Buick’s vision ‘ It’s a niche car that will end up having a short life in their portfolio . Buick is turning out to be a Chinese automaker .
Buick doesn’t bring anything to the North American market worthwhile….I totally agree.
I want to like the Buick division, but it is just as lame as it has been for the past 2 decades.
BUICK ………. YOU HAVE A WINNER HERE !!! THE AVISTA FOUR DOOR COUPE IS REALLY NEEDED FOR TALL BUYERS . YOU DON’T HAVE A GM LINE THAT IS COMFORTABLE. EVEN CADDY FALLS SHORT . PLEASE GET THIS CAR INTO PRODUCTION ASAP.
THE LINE ARE BEAUTIFUL AND THE COUPE WILL DRAW MANY BUYERS.
Buick’s Avista is like Cinderella; but unfortunately it will take a true fairy godmother in the form of GM CEO, Mary Barra, to get the Avista into production because imagine the Avista with a 640 horsepower LT4 supercharged 6.2L V8 under the hood.
I’m in total shock and deep disappointment with this decision. The GM brass really doesn’t want to be the best of world class. And, I’m really tired of everything being designed for the Chinese market. What about the rest of the world AND AMERICA? I’m only buying Buicks now only because of OnStar.
This is a “must build it” car. 2 door only, please ! It is beautiful and I want one !
Too beautiful to waste! I genuinely believe Buick will find a way to get the Avista on the market, if they don’t, they’ll continue to be lambasted for being the boring, geriatric crowd-pleasing brand that they are!!! There’s far too much interest built up in the Avista for Buick to simply relegate it to a design study!
I just read MT’s review of their so-called halo model, and they pull no punches in exposing the Cascada for exactly what it is! Cheap interior, poor handling, slow, and having no chance of garnering buyers from the more expensive but better-in-every-way Audi A3!
Since Buick isn’t going to use it, I’d really like to see this car as the next Chevrolet Impala (perhaps Chevelle). Available as a coupe and sedan, available with rwd and awd, and available with all Camaro engine options. It’s style and class lends itself to the Impala legacy and heritage (of old). Cadillac could use some of this styling as well IMO. It’s easily the best looking car GM has offered up since the 50’s/60’s Chevrolet’s to me. It has that sleek, sophisticated, clean and classy look of the Bel Air’s, Chevelle’s and Impala’s that classic Chevrolet’s had. Even the second gen split bumper model Camaro.
Here is some reality.
The Cascada is just buying time till the other models arrive. It is old and they know it but that is why it will not live on much longer.
The new Avista sedan even approved would take a few years to bring to market. The show car was just that a show car with no production based design. It was a styling exercise.
Even on the Alpha it would be 4 years min starting today.
I hope they do build it but changes and time will be in the way.
Buick will launch a huge 225 inch long RWD flagship sedan by 2019 and call it Electra 225….it will be 55 inches tall and 225 inches long….I’m looking forward to it…it going to be gorgeous…..Will see at the 2018 NY auto show.
well that will be a real buick BECAUSE A BUICK IS BEAUTY TOO
AVISTA SHOULD BE CALLED RIVERA IT BETTER ITS A BUICK
They need to build this car! 2 Door Convertible, 2 Door Coupe and maybe even a 4 Door Coupe.
Decisions like this is why Gm missing sales targets. Like today. And Ford F150 was up 28%. Did i read somewhere China was getting this car? I would buy this in a heartbeat…
Every time i see this car and know that it may not or won’t make it to production. I cry a little. I drive an A5 and if this came out looking like the concept and of good quality, i surely would have replaced the A5 with it. Its ok to still make vehicles that mean something emotionally.