Buick Riviera Concept Vehicle Wins Red Dot Award

Showcasing the absolute cutting-edge of futuristic automotive design, the new Buick Riviera concept car has been awarded the 2013 Red Dot Award for the “Design Concept” category.

Having made its debut in April of 2013 at the Auto Shanghai expo, the new Riviera is quickly making a name for itself within the world of forward-thinking concept designs.

Developed by the combined efforts of General Motors’ Shanghai division and the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC), the Buick Riviera concept features a sleek, streamlined profile and numerous avant-garde design cues. According to the Red Dot Award jury, the new Riviera stands as a preview to the future of automobile design.

Cao Min, the current Chief Designer and Advanced Design Director for PATAC, has stated that the design team behind the Riviera concept drew inspiration from a number of signature Buick design cues as well as the aesthetics of nature and traditional Chinese art and culture. The result is a beautiful, strikingly futuristic automobile that would look right at home in any science fiction film.

While the concept is meant to showcase Buick’s bold vision for the future of automotive design, this new Riviera isn’t merely an exercise in avant-garde aesthetics. The vehicle was designed with functionality in mind as well, incorporating the latest technology in advanced propulsion, electronic entertainment and passenger safety. This is what allowed the Riviera to stand out from its competition and win the prestigious Red Dot Award, which is awarded based on elements of functionality, durability, ergonomics, and environmental impact.

The new Riviera isn’t the first concept vehicle designed by PATAC. The team also collaborated with General Motors to design the 2007 Buick Riviera concept, which went on to influence stylistic elements in numerous Buick vehicles such as the Encore, LaCrosse, and Regal. In the coming years, consumers can expect General Motors to draw inspiration from this latest Riviera concept in order to remain on the cutting-edge of vehicle aesthetics in an ever-evolving market.

About the Red Dot Award

Given out every year since 1955, the Red Dot Award was conceived by the German organization Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen. Though it began as a German contest in innovation, Red Dot has evolved into a global award ceremony, covering numerous categories such as architecture, electronics, life science, medicine, and fashion. It is considered by many to be one of the top three honors in the worldwide design industry. For 2013, there were 4,394 products from 56 different countries competing in the various Red Dot Award categories.