The Buick Avista is a concept 2-door, 2+2-seater hardtop coupe built by Buick, first unveiled at the 2016 North American International Auto Show on January 10, 2016.[4]
The exterior, finished in superior blue,[3] boasts a low-slung flowing pillarless coupe design with a sloping fastback roofline. The front fascia is said to have been inspired by the 1954 Buick Wildcat II concept car.[5] On the inside, the seats are upholstered in mist gray leather, complete with carbon fiber aluminium accents to give the driver's compartment a more sporty appearance. The dashboard features a wide touchscreen previewing a "future version" of Buick's IntelliLink infotainment system. The doors and interior components were 3D-printed.[6]
The Avista concept car is related to the Cadillac ATS-V Coupe[7] and sixth generation Chevrolet Camaro by sharing the same rear-wheel-drive Alpha platform. Its chassis utilizes Magnetic Ride Control to provide more precise handling. Power comes from a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine producing 400 hp, backed by an 8-speed automatic transmission.[8] Its engine comes equipped with cylinder deactivation to improve fuel efficiency.
The concept car was met with critical acclaim, winning the 2016 EyesOn Design award (also won by the Buick Avenir in the previous year),[9] as well as being named "Best Future Concept" by The Detroit News.[10] The fastback coupe concept was applauded for its perfectly proportioned rear-drive stance.[11]
The Avista nameplate, meaning sight in Italian, was previously filed for trademark registration by General Motors on September 22, 2015.[12]
Production consideration
Although the car was merely intended as a design study,[13] GM considered putting the Avista or a similar car into production as a halo vehicle for Buick, according to a Buick representative.[5] A production version was expected to retain the platform and engine from the concept.[3] Its prospects were boosted by the great fanfare generated by its introduction at the Detroit Auto Show.[14] However, Buick ultimately decided not to make the Avista. Despite the interest, Buick restated it was a design study and would not be produced. They also decided not to make a sedan version of the Avista to replace the Buick Regal.[15]
See also
- Buick Avenir
External links
References
- Anthony Herta. Buick Avista Concept: How It Came to Be GM Authority, January 29, 2016, retrieved February 13, 2016^
- Behind the Design of the 2016 Buick Avista Concept Car Motor Trend^
- Buick Avista Concept GM Authority, retrieved January 14, 2016^
- Greg Migliore. Avista concept shows Buick's performance potential [w/video] Autoblog, January 10, 2016, retrieved January 14, 2016^
- Chris Perkins. Buick Debuts the Avista, a Gorgeous Concept Coupe Road & Track, January 10, 2016, retrieved January 14, 2016^
- Sean Szymkowski. Buick Avista Concept Gets Technical With 3D Printed Interior Pieces: Feature Spotlight GM Authority, January 12, 2016, retrieved January 14, 2016^
- Joel Feder. Buick Surprises With Avista Concept In Detroit: Live Photos Motor Authority, January 10, 2016, retrieved January 14, 2016^
- Ciprian Florea. 2016 Buick Avista Top Speed, January 11, 2016, retrieved January 14, 2016^
- Szymkowski, Sean. Buick Avista Concept Bestowed EyesOn Design Award GM Authority, January 14, 2016, retrieved January 30, 2016^
- Sean Szymkowski. Buick Avista Awarded 'Best Future Concept' By The Detroit News GM Authority, January 25, 2016, retrieved January 30, 2016^
- Buick Avista concept www.deeptread.com, Deep Tread, retrieved 2016-09-19^
- Chris Ecclestone. General Motors Files Trademark Application For 'Avista' GM Authority, October 1, 2015, retrieved January 14, 2016^
- Viknesh Vijayenthiran. Buick Won't Build Avenir... But Doesn't Rule Out Avista Motor Authority, January 19, 2016, retrieved January 20, 2016^
- Sean Szymkowski. Avista Concept Buzz Makes Buick Reconsider Its Production GM Authority, January 18, 2016, retrieved January 20, 2016^
- Bogdan Zoltan. Buick Says Avista Will NOT Get Built Carscoops, March 19, 2016, retrieved July 23, 2017^