Buick Avista Showcases Performance Potential

Buick has long been a part of the General Motors stable and historically produces various near-luxury vehicles. But over the years, that particular GM division has had a performance car or two that lit up the blacktop. The most notable Buick to smoke its wheels was the Corvette-beating Grand National of the mid-to-late 1980s. Sadly, once the GN officially exited the Buick lineup, it seemed that pure performance wasn’t a prime focus. No longer, it appears, if the Avista concept car, revealed at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show, is any indication of things to come.

Engine Performance

The Avista is nothing if not performance-oriented. Its twin-turbo V-6 engine kicks out a hefty 400 horsepower through its rear wheels. Buick engineers realized that the only proper drive system for an original performance car is one that puts the pedal to the metal from the back, and that’s a good thing. The Avista’s 3.0-liter V-6 should deliver large dollops of smooth torque as well, and it will all flow nicely through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy should come in surprisingly well, too, with the engine receiving cylinder deactivation and stop-start technologies to keep consumption low. Still, when the mood strikes, an Avista driver should be able to throw a thunderbolt at any car with the temerity to challenge it.

Exterior Appearance

From the ecstasy of the automotive press upon seeing the Buick Avista, it’s no shock that the car is, in a word, gorgeous. A 2+2 coupe, the Avista is both long and mean, and it squats aggressively on 20-inch performance tires. The front fascia sports a grille and headlights that practically give it a snarling appearance. The car’s body panels, however, curve gracefully from the front fenders all the way back to the rear fenders, which are a different story altogether. Those body panels flare massively, the better to accommodate its wide rear tires. Avista’s decklid also sports a subtle spoiler below the rear window and the entire back end benefits from its dual chrome-tipped exhaust outlets.

Interior Appearance

Buick engineers obviously worked overtime to deliver one of the most pleasing interiors in an auto show concept car, one that the division soon hopes to produce. An array of touch screens dominate the Avista’s four-place cabin, and they occupy pride of place within the instrument panel and center console. Large doors also allow for easy access to this Buick’s sumptuous leather-swaddled rear seats. The interior is also accented by high-quality aluminum and carbon fiber trim throughout.

Buick’s dedication to delivering the kind of performance today’s car buyer demands is praiseworthy. The Avista concept car also seems ready to go as is, though some tweaking will probably occur. Though Buick has given no timetable for production, division executives have declared their eagerness to begin producing it as soon as possible. General Motors also appears to want a sporty performance coupe in the Buick lineup as well. So contact your nearest Buick dealer immediately for all the details on the sporty, gorgeous Avista.