Buick Reveals Avista Concept at 2016 Detroit Auto Show

While the Avista isn’t slated for production, shoppers can expect to see many of its signature styling cues on future Buicks. The sinewy character lines suggest the aerodynamic flow that’s needed for today’s fuel efficient Buicks. The powerful grille is offset by wing-shaped head- and taillights. The Avista has a sculptural beauty that seems as much like art as it does automotive design. There’s an athleticism to the flow, suggesting motion and grace. A close inspection reveals the lack of B pillars, opening up the profile. The new winged tri-shield insignia is just one example of the little touches that create Buick’s contemporary design language. Color-toned accents add spice to the 20-inch aluminum wheels. Chrome accents spice up the front fender vents. The door handles offer touch pads for fast entry. The Motor Authority suggests that the look achieves the elegance of classic Buicks from the 1950s and 1960s.

This sports coupe earns its racing stripes with a twin-turbocharged 3-liter V-6. The engine delivers 400 horsepower for solid action. Rear-wheel drive adds to its racy demeanor. Magnetic ride control, a GM exclusive, reads the road in milliseconds to compensate for road changes in real time. This improves handling for the driver as well as ride quality for the passengers. With two more gears than the average car, the eight-speed automatic is a logical choice for this swift coupe. Car and Driver likes the downright mean exhaust note that issues from its dual exhaust pipes.

The modern attitude of the Avista includes fuel efficiency. New electronic precision shift technology reduces fuel use by matching the engine’s outlay with smoother shifts. The Avista’s engine is designed to stop at a redlight and start again as the driver lifts a foot from the brake. This offers greater efficiency during city driving.

The cabin has a flowing airy design. Subtle details work together to create a cohesive, elegant whole. Light colors, nontraditional materials, carbon fiber accents, and rich leather combine to produce both the expected and unexpected hallmarks of a luxury cabin. The center console’s dark coloring is accented by the white armrest and the predominately white dashboard surface. The seat’s wave-quilt pattern adds visual interest. The overhead console tucks in storage without taking away front-seat headroom. Carefully integrated touchscreens invite driver interaction via the center console and instrument panel. These technologies are designed to blend in with the classic surface details.

As Motor Authority asserts, the Avista is not your father’s Buick. Car and Driver suggests that this is one concept car that the magazine reviewers could actually envision as a production model. The Avista Concept certainly demonstrates that Buick is setting trends, not just following them.