Buick, eager to shed its geriatric image, has at least pulled out a few stops preceding the 2016 North American International Auto Show.
It’s no Grand National, but it is a sporty coupe. Avista is its name, and it packs a 400 horsepower wallop under its hood thanks to the same 3-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 that’s tipped for duty in the 2017 LaCrosse.
The Avista 2+2 coupe rides on the same Alpha platform as the Chevrolet Camaro and Cadillac ATS and CTS. However, it receives a less potent powerplant than what’s available in those other rear-wheel drive cars — not that 400 horsepower should be sneered at.
And while we may disagree with the basket in which Buick is putting its eggs (a premium hatchback or cross-country wagon would be nice, guys), there’s a $20,000 difference between the Camaro SS and Cadillac ATS-V. That would be a prime place to put a luxury coupe that has the power to get out of its own way and the plush ride characteristics lacking in both the Camaro and ATS.
No production model is planned of the Avista, but those boys and girls at GM will surely be keeping their ears to the walls to hear what we all say about it. Whether they listen or not is another thing entirely.
We’ll have more details on the concept tomorrow.
The Aston-Martinization of American car design continues. Not that I am complaining.
flatdarkmars – took the words right out of my er keyboard.
Was just going to make the same comment. Between Bangle Flames and Astonization, car designers seem to finally have settled on a language that looks good on today’s high beltline cars.
It doesn’t look anything like an Aston Martin, if you ask me. Aston Martins don’t have a profile that tucks in toward the rear edge of the door and bulges out around the rear wheels. They also would have a B-pillar design that is canted back, not forward. And there are a lot more creases here.
Those don’t seem like important distinctions, but to me, they make a big difference.
I got a lot of Nissan Z from the rear view, unfortunately.
The DB9 is so perfect looking that even Aston Martin themselves can’t figure out how to improve upon it.
This car gives me an Aston vibe, but not in a cheap knock off way like some other cars do. I like it a lot. The Alpha chassis is light, so 400hp should make this a high 12sec car. If they build it and there’s more back seat room than a Camaro, I’d be interested (assuming it’s under $50K).
Wow, it’s stunning. I’d take one of these over a Camaro or ATS in a heartbeat.
Indeed, this is far and away a more attractive automobile than its platform siblings..
Yes, it’s really attractive, which guarantees that GM will not produce it as presented.
If they produce it, they should name it:
A) Wildcat
B) Electra
C) Riviera
It’s probably not going to be a Riviera.
I love the Riviera series, as many of you all know, and would love to see it continue, but the Riviera was always more of a relaxed cruiser, and the final three generations were even FWD. This doesn’t look like that kind of car.
Then again, Chrysler just resurrected the Pacifica name for its new minivan, which is decidedly—and to my relief—*not* like a Pacifica.
I’d say Riviera is the best name for it (but I’m biased, I have a 64 Riv).
Grand National would fit on something with more of a muscle car vibe. This is a styling statement, with not-monstrous power.
Alas, they’ll never green light it anyhow. Low volume.
I don’t think they’d use Riviera either. Electra or Reatta would seem more suiting.
They did really spell out CONCEPT in chrome letters on the decklid, right?
Did they not have time to change that to the name they decided on before showing the car?
I know it’s dumb, but they can’t name it Electra unless they make it a plug in hybrid or full electric. Normal folks have no idea that Buick named a car Electra at any point in history.
The side vents certainly evoke mid-60s Wildcat. I would accept this.
Why isn’t it called Wildcat? I know Buick marketing is a joke…but they should reference their past once in while.
In which Buick rips off the Hyundai Genesis Coupe.
The rear 3/4 and rear view images are poor. Why can’t GM finish a car design that looks as good as the front.
All business up front, all Crossfire in the back
I am The Buickman having delivered more new Buicks than anyone ever. that said, I am embarrassed and ashamed that this company would import a Chinese made vehicle. GM tore down the factories making the highest quality, best selling, full size car in America and left Flint in a disaster, walking away from a 100 year history. then, after we bailed them out of BK, they bring a Commie car to our shores… THIS IS AMERICA you greedy rats! join me in “Stop the Invasion, Boycott Envision!”
Nah, let’s just boycott GM in general.
Bingo
This just in, Buickman secretly Major Frank Burns!
The Avista’s face looks like the Camaro which could have been if GM decided to leave the retro off the drawing board this time around. I wonder if it’ll be an Opel, too, if produced, as I wouldn’t mind seeing this on the streets of Eindhoven when I move there down the road.
>> I wouldn’t mind seeing this on the streets of Eindhoven when I move there down the road.
Home of TU/e. Awesome school.
It’ll also be the home of Dispatches Europe, an English-language online publication aimed at expats and techpats, and the latest pub for whom I write. My editors at DE currently call Louisville, Ky. home, but will move to Eindhoven as soon as they sell their home. :)
That’s a really decent platform for resurrecting the Riviera name.
Do you think it’ll be big enough? The ATS is kinda small.
Riviera was front wheel drive. Unless this thing is too (which being on the same platform as the Camaro is unlikely) it’s simply the wrong name. Wildcat on the other hand, as some have already suggested, would be almost perfect.
The Riviera was RWD for almost as many years as it was FWD.
When I think Riv, I think 1963-65, 1966-70, and the final generation that was 1995-99.
You know which Riviera I really liked? And someone who’s into Riviera purity will flame me – the 90-93.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PTDfeAREY4
I love the shape. Holds two-tone well. Also had cool CRT.
“luxury” ain’t what it used to be. A Riviera doesn’t have to be a “full size” coupe.
Technically wasn’t the 90-93 full size? Given the length of the thing.
Need to lose the hips, those are absolutely horrible, they ruin everything. Otherwise I guess this is GM trying to bring back the firebird.
I wouldn’t actually make an association of the Camaro SS and the ATS V-sport, neither are great places to spend time but the SS actually has a decent engine for the amount of money being paid, the ATS is a joke for the amount of money it costs.
Sexy hips. That’s really part of the attraction.
Chinese folks will love it… but give me LS or give me death.
So rather than giving us a Grand National, they’re settling for a Bland National. Well, I suppose that’s probably right for today’s Buick.
I don’t care if this is assembled from the bones of captured defectors in a North Korean factory, bolted together by 8 year-old children, and personally baptized by Lil’ Kim himself…badge it WILDCAT and retail it pronto.
I think that comes in a special edition.
Hellcat…Wildcat….this could have potential!
Sure you can call it the Aston-Martinization of American design however I see a lot of Bentley Continental GT coupe in the rear flank.
First thing that struck me too. Expect owners to trawl eBay for winged “B” emblems just like they did with the Chrysler 300.
Glad they didn’t call it a Grand National, also GM is making excellent use of its mid-sized RWD platform unlike Ford and the Mustang.
I assume you want a Mustang sedan or a Lincoln Mustang?
Something, with this Buick GM will have four platforms on Alpha cutting down the time it takes to amortize the cost of developing the car allowing them to produce niche products like the Z/28 or a ZL1 or cut down on the lead time in between new product.
Granted there is a certain ris in that product like Cadillac gets diluted but given the amount of platform sharing that goes on these days it’s minimal.
In the Camaro’s case GM doesn’t have to deal with a fickle international market. As we have seen it has allowed an overall better car in terms of performance ( albeit the price of entry has been a bit higher but once you’ve comparably equipped a Mustang the cost swings in favor of the Camaro ).
Also while unsubstantiated its my understanding that Mustang’s chief engineer wasn’t blowing smoke out the blow hole when he said the S550 was lighter than the platform it was replacing until somebody wanted a RWD Lincoln and it gained a lot of weight to cover that as well.
It would be a real shame if there is any truth to that. Not just because of a stillborn RWD Lincoln but also the unnessecary weight gain with the Mustang.
IMO the only thing that is working in Mustang’s favor right now is GM’s dogged insistence on producing 69 Camaro in perpetuity and even then with four platforms going on they can cater to that crowd for along time.
Buick has seen the future and the future is haunches.
Excitement about this new Buick is big in retirement homes all across the country !
Hi, me Buick!
My old mans, they dead. Me need sum yung gais!
It’s Buick, bitch!
June 30, 2020:
Dad: “I’m going to Pep Boys to get new tires for my Buick Wildcat – they’ve got a sale in the paper for “buy 3, get one FREE”.
Son – “Dad…”
Ahhh!
The tri-shield emblazoned within the brake lamp is the modern interpretation of c-pillar emblems. Approve.
stunning. absolutely gorgeous. glad to see its a proper six instead of a turbo 4 or hybrid as well. well done Buick.
Now THAT is a nice-looking car. Might be a bit tight for a six-footer behind the wheel but certainly a car that would garner MY interest.
If GM had a brain cell in it’s collective head they would be rushing this car into production. Too bad they no longer consider Buick an American brand.
Would you buy one? This question is answerable in one word.
I would proudly give up the three “WILDCAT” emblems off my 2008 Buick Lucerne Super for use on one of these!
Enough with the Avenir, Avista and who knows what else.
Everyone calling for this to be called the Wildcat. With Dodge already having the Hellcat, are we gonna get the full Grumman cat lineup? Now waiting on the Bearcat, Tigercat, Cougar, Tiger, and Tomcat. Somebody better call Northrop Grumman Legal to watch their trademarks haha.
Bearcat was a Stutz
Cougar is Mercury
Tiger was a Sunbeam
I would love to see W I L D C A T in place of C O N C E P T
They could even leave the “T” :-)
(I owned a 1965 Wildcat)
I knew there was something I liked about you, Shaker. :oD
Wow, that is just gorgeous! This car would get me out of my Audi A5 and into my first Buick since my ’64 Riviera.
The real question to me is: “Will this be available as (a better looking) Vauxhal/Opel?”