Buick Avista Concept

The Buick Avista is a concept 2+2 coupe built by Buick, first unveiled at the 2016 North American International Auto Show on January 10, 2016.

Overview
The exterior, finished in superior blue, boasts a low-slung flowing pillarless coupe design with a sloping fastback roof. The front fascia is said to have been inspired by the 1954 Buick Wildcat II concept car. On the inside, the seats are upholstered in mist gray leather, complete with carbon fiber aluminium accents to give the driver's compartment a more sporty appearance. The dashboard features a wide touchscreen previewing a "future version" of Buick's IntelliLink infotainment system. The doors and interior components were 3D-printed.

The Avista concept car is related to the Cadillac ATS-V and sixth generation Chevrolet Camaro by sharing the same rear-wheel-drive Alpha platform. Its chassis utilizes Magnetic Ride Control to provide more precise handling. Power comes from a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine producing 400 hp, backed by an 8-speed automatic transmission. Its engine comes equipped with cylinder deactivation to improve fuel efficiency.

The concept car was met with critical acclaim, winning the 2016 EyesOn Design award (also won by the Buick Avenir in the previous year), as well as being named "Best Future Concept" by The Detroit News. The fastback concept was applauded for its perfectly proportioned rear-drive stance.

Although the car was merely intended as a design study, GM was reportedly thinking about putting the Avista or a similar car into production, according to a Buick representative. If produced, it is likely to retain the platform and engine from the concept. A new report stated that GM is reconsidering the Avista for production as a new halo vehicle for Buick, citing the great fanfare generated by its introduction at the Detroit Auto Show.

The Avista nameplate, meaning sight in Italian, was previously filed for trademark registration by General Motors on September 22, 2015.