Buick Avenir Concept: First Look
Looks like: Buick acquired some French style along with its new concept’s French name.
Defining characteristics: The all-wheel-drive, four-passenger full-size sedan has a bold face, broad shoulders and chiseled lines.
Ridiculous features: It’s gorgeous … and it’s a Buick.
Chance of being mass-produced: It’s doubtful that it will see the showroom in a version even remotely close to the concept: “It demonstrates the growing international reach of Buick and offers an exciting vision of where it can go,” the automaker said in a statement.
Related: More 2015 Detroit Auto Show News
Buick is bringing some European flair to this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit; on the heels of announcing its new Opel-based convertible, the Cascada, GM’s upscale brand also took the wraps off the Avenir concept, which is French for future.
The concept is a lot more sporty and dynamic looking than any of the brand’s production vehicles with its giant face, upswept LED headlights, 21-inch wheels and sculpted body; the large grille is accented by the red, silver and blue tri-shield insignia, which Buick says is a modern interpretation of a the 1954 Wildcat II concept’s grille.
Standout exterior styling is matched by a cabin filled with eye-popping futuristic tech features, including the next generation of Buick’s IntelliLink multimedia system that uses a giant 12-inch-diagonal touch-screen and driver-recognition features that automatically sync the driver’s multimedia preferences. The system was designed to sync with smartphones and automatically inputs the driver’s calendar, music preferences and recently visited locations from the cellphone’s GPS; it also features a home integration function that would allow you to access home security cameras, turn on lights and close the garage door.
The Avenir has seating for four, and rear-seat passengers are treated to USB ports to connect their devices to two large video screens embedded in the seatbacks. Buick says it took its interior design inspiration from sea waves, and there’s a wave pattern throughout the cabin, including the leather seats and silk and bamboo carpet.
Although this looks like pure concept car on the outside, it has a realistic powertrain. The Avenir uses the next generation of General Motors’ direct-injected V-6 engine with the Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation system as well as stop-start functionality. It’s paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and a twin-clutch all-wheel-drive system.
Manufacturer images
