Ahead of the Detroit Auto Show, Buick has pulled the cover off their full-sized and American styled concept car. The Buick Avenir Concept explores the very real possibility of a new flagship sedan from the brand.
With Cadillac readying a new rear-wheel drive flagship sedan, it would make sense for Buick to offer their own creation built upon the upcoming large scale rear-wheel drive architecture. And that is precisely what you’re looking at.
In the Avenir you have a long hood and short fastback deck which brings overtones of the Buick Riviera of classic days past. A new grille design also shows future design direction for the brand most known to please our more mature citizens.
And that point is really something Buick would like to change, to bring a younger generation of buyers to their showrooms. And with Buick’s exploding popularity in China, such a flagship as the Avenir could pay dividends twice.
While large the Avenir seats only four, in an exclusive grand touring style. While a concept, Buick is already listing features like a 12” touchscreen with IntelliLink infotainment and connectivity apps, wireless device charging and a WiFi hotspot.
Under the hood of the Avenir concept is what Buick calls a next-generation direct-injected V6 engine which will deliver its power through a nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive. And yes there will be paddle shifters.
While Buick talks of modern interpretations and winning over a younger generation, the Avenir brings back some old including the the three-color Buick tri-shield insignia and wing-shaped elements. The grill while new, is a throwback to the 1954 Wildcat II concept.
While a bit retro, there are contemporary LED headlamps. And make no mistake, the Avenir is large. At 204 inches long it shares about the same foot print as a BMW 750iL or Lexus LS460 long wheelbase.
With a well styled execution there is no doubt that Buick could pull off a true production launch of the Avenir, at least in China where the brand is revered as much as we admire German brands here in the United States.
Avenir is the French word for future says Buick. For the Avenir to really see a future here however, Buick may have to really get a better grip on who they are, where they are going, and who is really going to buy their cars.
