Automotive

Buick flashes some sexy skin with the Avista concept

Buick flashes some sexy skin with the Avista concept
The Buick Avista on show at NAIAS 2016
The Buick Avista on show at NAIAS 2016
View 34 Images
The Avista debuted on the evening before the start of NAIAS 2016
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The Avista debuted on the evening before the start of NAIAS 2016
Buick shows its sporty side with the Avista 2+2
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Buick shows its sporty side with the Avista 2+2
The Avista takes the stage
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The Avista takes the stage
The Avista concept lets out some of Buick's pent-up aggression
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The Avista concept lets out some of Buick's pent-up aggression
The Buick Avista on stage in Detroit
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The Buick Avista on stage in Detroit
Buick premieres the Avista concept
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Buick premieres the Avista concept
Avista sketch
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Avista sketch
The Avista has sporty dimensions and a 400-hp V6 engine
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The Avista has sporty dimensions and a 400-hp V6 engine
The Avista's lines and creases point inward toward a central axis
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The Avista's lines and creases point inward toward a central axis
Buick Avista
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Buick Avista
The Buick Avista takes the stage in Detroit
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The Buick Avista takes the stage in Detroit
The Buick Avista takes the stage in Detroit
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The Buick Avista takes the stage in Detroit
Ready for takeoff
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Ready for takeoff
Avista sketch
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Avista sketch
Buick's new winged tri-shield insignia rests atop 3D mesh
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Buick's new winged tri-shield insignia rests atop 3D mesh
The Buick emblem straddles a strong central crease
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The Buick emblem straddles a strong central crease
Buick Avista
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Buick Avista
The Avista is painted in deep blue
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The Avista is painted in deep blue
The Avista drops the B pillars for a smoother side design
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The Avista drops the B pillars for a smoother side design
Avista taillight
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Avista taillight
The center console extends straight back to the rear seats
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The center console extends straight back to the rear seats
The Avista is a 2+2
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The Avista is a 2+2
Buick adds carbon fiber and aluminum trim for a sporty cockpit
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Buick adds carbon fiber and aluminum trim for a sporty cockpit
The infotainment system includes an expanded digital instrument panel
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The infotainment system includes an expanded digital instrument panel
Inside the Avista concept
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Inside the Avista concept
The Avista rides on 22-in wheels
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The Avista rides on 22-in wheels
The Buick Avista on show at NAIAS 2016
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The Buick Avista on show at NAIAS 2016
The Buick Avista on show at NAIAS 2016
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The Buick Avista on show at NAIAS 2016
The Buick Avista on show at NAIAS 2016
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The Buick Avista on show at NAIAS 2016
The Buick Avista on show at NAIAS 2016
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The Buick Avista on show at NAIAS 2016
The Buick Avista on show at NAIAS 2016
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The Buick Avista on show at NAIAS 2016
The Buick Avista on show at NAIAS 2016
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The Buick Avista on show at NAIAS 2016
The Buick Avista on show at NAIAS 2016
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The Buick Avista on show at NAIAS 2016
The Buick Avista on show at NAIAS 2016
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The Buick Avista on show at NAIAS 2016
View gallery - 34 images

In a list of auto brands that embody adjectives like "sleek" and "sporty," Buick traditionally sits comfortably toward the bottom. It's something Buick itself is well aware of, and has been gradually addressing through new product and advertising. It has been quietly filling its lineup with cars designed to get folks reaching for those adjectives, instead of laughing them off. The all-new Avista concept is its best effort yet, showing how a Buick can move right past "sporty" to become downright "sexy" and "seductive."

The Avista is the next evolution of styling that began on last year's Avenir concept and will be moving through to the production line (in much more muted form) on the 2017 LaCrosse. Like the Avenir, the Avista has an athletic, swept-back body set firmly on a muscular rear haunches. The wheelbase measures in at 110.7 in (2,811 mm) and the front and rear tracks at 63 in (1,601 mm) and 62.9-in (1,598 mm), respectively, helping create a two-door that looks like it is absolutely itching to launch forward into full sprint.

Buick executive director of global design Bryan Nesbitt sums it up simply, "It was designed to capture the spirit of the perfect drive."

That perfect drive must be a fast one, because the concept's skin shows the effects of forward momentum in the multitude of light lines shooting back up over the hood and along the sides. The marks all appear to originate from a single point directly in front of the Buick emblem straddling the front grille crease, lending a very taut, symmetrical feel to the entire front of the car.

The Avista is painted in deep blue
The Avista is painted in deep blue

The headlamps are also pointed in toward the Avista's central axis, giving the wide face a menacing stare. More specifically, it's the eyebrows of the headlamps, which Buick calls soft curtain "halos," that give it the angry look. Buick explains that these treatments are used to convey a sense of 3D sculpting and serve as a preview of evolutions in its production lighting. To us, they just say that the Avista is ready to overtake everything in its path and make no apologies while doing so.

The Avista relies on a 400-hp twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 to make good on the subtle threats issued by its mean glare. The engine sends power to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The car has GM's Magnetic Ride Control, active fuel management (cylinder deactivation) and stop/start technologies.

The Avista is a 2+2
The Avista is a 2+2

Inside, Buick covers the 2+2 layout with sweeping, uninterrupted lines that mimic the exterior. The concept wears a futuristic iteration of Buick's IntelliLink infotainment system, with touchscreen controls stretching across a wide instrument panel and down the center console. There's also 3D-printed trim, next-generation QuietTuning noise reduction and air-quality control.

Get to know the Avista in our gallery and tell us whether or not the name "Buick" rings a little more attractive after seeing it.

Source: Buick

View gallery - 34 images
11 comments
11 comments
Daishi
I've always thought of Buick as a brand old people drive to church in but this is a marketed improvement to the extent that it might be terribly out of place on a Buick lot and better suited to a different car brand entirely.
navmed
That's a nice looking car, with some nice power, knowing GM and Buick, it's almost certainly not going to get produced.
yawood
The original design was done by an Australian at Port Melbourne (part of their Global Design Team). It is certainly a good looker.
Gonnahappen
I like it! Why can't GM make a sexy looking electric/hybrid vehicle to compete with luxury brands like Tesla, etc. The Volt - ugh, the Prius - barf. This would turn heads and I'd consider buying it. If Buick is going to help replace Pontiac you need to appeal to younger buyers, I know they're trying hard and this is a step in the right direction but don't tease potential buyers ..
Primecordial
I wonder if they would design it with the same @#$% electrical problems as my current Buick Regal
Sergius
It is a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's a super copy of the Tesla ...
El_Zato
Nice try Buick, this is awesome, but please GM, please bring Pontiac back.
Island Architect
The Skylark was sexy as hell in it's day. This brings that back and I was teasing the Color Sylist from Melbourne about having great colors but look here... it swings from purple to navy.
Had fun talking with Bill Porter on the phone from the people mover and congratulating the Buick Designers for two great cars in a row. Bill was the Buick Studio head for some 19 years and established designs that spoke to the Chinese and their sense of refinement.
And the Chinese inadvertantly helped GM Survive the Disaster of the former President.
This is so great to see and Bill, was thrilled.
SurajPawar
That’s exactly what this concept is all about – flowing design and the purity of the driving experience, very awesome car.
POOL PUMPREAPAIR guy longwood
Bet it will be a hot export, great job GM.
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