In front of a crowd of automotive journalists from around the world, Buick, the brand known best for building big comfortable luxury cars that the people of China can’t get enough of, rolled out a beautiful new piece of automotive sculpture, the Avista Coupe. Looking resplendent in Dark Sapphire Jewel exterior paint, the impossibly low and wide Avista appears to be both sleek and powerful.
Built on a rear-wheel drive platform, the Avista concept has a 110-inch wheelbase which makes it the same size as the 2016 Camaro we drove recently and loved. It was shod with 20-inch Pirelli P-Zero tires which both look great and hint at the performance Buick expects this car to deliver. Under the hood is a 400 hp twin turbo V6 engine that’s mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Inside the Avista concept features flowing lines, harmoniously integrated details and a dash of technology, including 3D-printed door and seat trim and a future vision of Buick’s IntelliLink, with touchscreen controls on a widescreen instrument panel display. The center console also incorporates touchscreen controls and extends to the rear seating area. Open side storage compartments built into the front of the console are enabled by the new Electronic Precision Shift, similar to the 2017 LaCrosse.
Buick hasn’t committed to building the Avista yet, and some things, like the interior are clearly meant for pure effect. It is appears, however, that this car would be based on the excellent Alpha architecture and could go into production quickly if demand is high enough.
We only have two complaints. One, They haven’t confirmed its production. Two, they should have revived the Riviera nameplate for this coupe.