The Buick Thread: Your Enclave for all things Buick

[High-Test]

What's the black car in the autoblog post? I really like it. Brad, have you ever considered trying for a spot on the GM board of directors?

 

[Tornado]

What's the black car in the autoblog post? I really like it.

Park Avenue.

 

[YSSMAN]

What's the black car in the autoblog post? I really like it. Brad, have you ever considered trying for a spot on the GM board of directors?

Yes, and I'm afraid that I'd "shake things up" a bit too much. Depending on how the teaching certification thing works out next year, I may/may not try to get an internship working PR for GM or Ford. Depends. I've got to find a way to utilize a Poli Sci/History degree...

 

[High-Test]

I've got to find a way to utilize a Poli Sci/History degree...

I do hear they make for unbeatable wall hangings.

 

[YSSMAN]

I hear much the same. Really you can do just about anything with them, I just have to decide....

 

[YSSMAN]

Lets make this the Buick thread?

Buick has dusted off the Invicta name, which hasn't been used by the brand since 1959, for its newest concept that debuted today at the Beijing Motor Show. The mid-size sedan previews the look of what U.S. customers will get with the next redesign of the LaCrosse sedan, and draws much of its design inspiration from Buick's most recent concepts like the Riviera and Velite. The Invicta features traditional Buick design cues like its waterfall grille and portholes, relocated on this car to the hood rather than the front fenders, but the rest of its styling is modern and fresh in a decidedly un-Buick way. The high beltline is a common element in many auto designs today, and is used well on the Invicta to give the concept a big presence for a mid-size car. We particular the shape of the lower air intake up front and the "sweepspear" character line along the side of the car. The sweepspear looks a bit like the sheetmetal kink on the Dodge Avenger, but so much better. The interior, meanwhile, appears surprisingly production ready with a wraparound dash and self-contained location for all controls above the sweeping center console.

Power for the concept comes from a turbocharged, direct-inject four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 220 pound-feet of torque, which is hooked up to a six-speed automatic transmission. Since it's a concept, however, the Invicta's powertrain is pretty immaterial. We're interested in its styling since it's likely what we'll see on the next-gen LaCrosse, which is scheduled to switch over to the Epsilon II platform that's shared with the Chevy Malibu when it debuts as a 2010 model. According to spy shots, things are coming along quite nicely.

Spy shots?

...

So, Buick pulls one off again? I like it, a lot. Actually, I like it a lot better than the Opel version (the Insignia). It looks like the Chinese know what they're doing, and the new American influences help BIG TIME.

====

EDIT: Having a better look at the interior, I'm noticing that based on what parts are there, its about 80% production-ready.

 

[TopHat]

I'd say that's 100% production ready, just by looking at the doors. All you have to do for the exterior is tone down the rim size, give it regular exhaust tips, and add door handles.

 

[Jim Prower]

Wow...It DOES look sharp.

 

[Joey D]

Wow! That looks really good! And that interior is simply amazing. Now lets hope GM doesn't water it all down with cheap materials.

 

[Robin]

OMG someone copied the Opel Insignia's design + interior and sharpened it up slightly! GM recycling FTW!

Robin

 

[nd 4 holden spd]

That interior is a nice twist with a new design style. I don't think the glass roof suits this car, but otherwise it looks like quite a car. So this is FWD Epsilon II based?

 

[Jay]

Looks Zeta based to me, shortended version like the Holden Coupe 60 concept (but not coupe).

 

[YSSMAN]

So this is FWD Epsilon II based?

I believe so, but I'm not 100% certain. They go back-and-fourth on what is what in the Buick line...

 

[nd 4 holden spd]

Well the car it's "meant" to become is going to be FWD isn't it? I agree it looks Zeta, but it may look bigger in photos than it really is.

 

[YSSMAN]

Its a bit too "thick" vertically to be Zeta, I think... So its likely an Epsilon-II car. Note the similar bits from the Insignia...

Oh, and I just noticed a push-button starter. Sooooo Lexus of them!

 

[nd 4 holden spd]

Its a bit too "thick" vertically to be Zeta, I think... So its likely an Epsilon-II car. Note the similar bits from the Insignia...

Oh, and I just noticed a push-button starter. Sooooo Lexus of them!

It is Epsilon II, it was mentioned in the live reveal story at Autoblog.

 

[YSSMAN]

Hey, its the production Invicta!

Not bad looking at all. I just wish I knew how big it was... Or what exactly its replacing.

 

[V1P3R]

Hey, its the production Cobalt!

yay... lol

 

[nd 4 holden spd]

According to what GM told employees today, this car is RWD!!!!!!!

 

[Jim Prower]

*sigh* More 32-bit smoke.

 

[nd 4 holden spd]

*sigh* More 32-bit smoke.

Who cares, we know what it looks like, we can be patient enough I think to wait for high quality pics. So with this being RWD, this is going to be Buick's first decent performing car in ages. That's nice to hear. Is the Buick V6 still alive? What layout is it these days and how much power would it likely make in this car?

 

[YSSMAN]

The 3800 Vortec? Its still around (kinda), but its on its death throws. Most of the V6 options at GM are being knocked out by the "High Feature" 3.6L DOHC V6 (what you call alloytec down there).

 

[nd 4 holden spd]

That Alloytec is quite possibly my favourite engine in the whole world right now. You can get a supercharger kit from CAPA on that engine that makes 440kw for just $9k. It says "T-Trim intercooled, Crank Driven" in the add, I don't know what T-Trim means, but imagine a twin turbo setup........on the direct injection version!
It's an extremely capable engine often over-shadowed by it's V8 stable mates at GM.

 

[YSSMAN]

Jalopnik is suggesting that they're calling it the Regal in China. Sadly, there is no GNX in sight...

 

[nd 4 holden spd]

I have a question, just what would a modern GNX look like, and is this another China only model here?

 

[buickgnx88]

Well if it were based on the previous Regal, like this:

And if it were somehow based on the GTO/Monaro it would look like this:

Of course Popular Hot Rodding has a good idea of what the new GNX would look like.

 

[YSSMAN]

I have a question, just what would a modern GNX look like, and is this another China only model here?

I'm under the impression that this model will be China-only (I mean, its a Vectra with a Buick grille, thats it), but I could be wrong. There is a lot of confusion over what the Invicta will be replacing here in the US, so we may end up with this Regal badged as a LaCrosse here... Or we may not.

 

[nd 4 holden spd]

It'd be nice for GM to bring back the high powered turbo 6. Maybe they could use Alpha, give Buick the first version of the turbo 6 for old time's sake and brand invigoration then spread the engine/platform combo through the brands.

 

[Joey D]

I'm under the impression that this model will be China-only (I mean, its a Vectra with a Buick grille, thats it), but I could be wrong.

Looks more like the new Insignia with a Buick grill.

 

[YSSMAN]

That is what it is, essentially... Knowing that the LaCrosse will be a re-dressed Insignia here in the US, it only confuses me. Then the Lucerne/Invicta picture becomes much more clear...

I think its pretty clear who they're going after, and truth be told, the MKS is not a bad benchmark whatsoever.

BTW: I think thats officially the nicest-looking interior, ever, in a modern GM car.