BOLD RIDE
If you haven’t taken a look at the happenings over at Buick, you might want to have a peak. This week, Buick introduced two new eye-catching models at the Detroit Auto Show: the very-much-still-a-concept Avenir, and the on-sale-soon Cascada convertible. Internet, what do you think?
First, to the flagship. From the French word for ‘future’, the Buick Avenir concept paints a compelling picture of what’s to come at the top of the brand – a form GM design boss Ed Welburn calls “presence without pretense.” From a design perspective, it all looks very good. The sweeping hood, hunky proportions, and boat tail rear end play tribute to the classic Buick Riviera, and what lies under that bonnet certainly doesn’t hurt its case either.
The Avenir packs one of General Motors’ next-gen V6 engines, complete with cylinder-deactivation and direct-injection, which drives power to a nine-speed paddle-shift gearbox and twin clutch all-wheel-drive system. It rides atop GM’s Omega platform, which we expect to see underneath the new Cadillac CT6 in a few months time.
Buick’s second offering, the Cascada convertible, comes courtesy of GM’s European operations across the pond. You might know it better as the Opel Cascada, based on the popular Astra. It isn’t the first Opel import for the Buick brand, the Opel Mokka/Buick Encore and Opel Insignia/Buick Regal have been around for a while now, but it’s by no means a minger.
The handsome Cascada drop-top draws power from a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, generating 200 horsepower and 206 lb-ft of torque (221 lb-ft with overboost). While it won’t scare off an E-Class Cabrio or a BMW 4-Series, that’s not really its purpose.
The front-drive Cascada aims to take four adults to the beach and around town in comfort with the top down. And of course swipe Volkswagen Eos and Mini Convertible sales in the process.
Like it? Buick says the Cascada will go on sale in early 2016.
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