Buick Riviera Concept previews next LaCrosse
click above for more live shots of the Riviera Concept from Detroit
When the Buick Riviera concept debuted at the Shanghai Motor Show last summer, many didn't give the car a second glance because, while imminently snazzy, no one though it would have much impact on the U.S. market. We all may have been wrong, according to TheCarConnection, which is reporting that the Riviera Concept offers a sneak peek at what the next-gen Buick LaCrosse will look like. We've seen the next LaCrosse in spy shots and can maybe find a few similarities between the two, but otherwise we don't really see the resemblance. Aside from the obvious discrepancy in door count, you can see the grilles are markedly different, with the Riviera's upturned into a smile and the LaCrosse prototype's turned down in a frown. The Riviera also has three air intakes below the front bumper, while the spy shot shows only one on the prototype. Both cars exhibit a certain amount of Buickness in their look, though the Riviera definitely turns it up notch. For that alone we hope the connection between the two is real.[Source: TheCarConnection]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3seriesisking 5:57PM (1/14/2008)
Looks great. Hope to see it soon.
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Daniel 6:23PM (1/14/2008)
It will take cutting edge stuff like this to get the U.S. companies back in the game. Hope GM has the huevos to do it.
3seriesisking 11:16PM (1/14/2008)
Me too.
Eek 6:18PM (1/14/2008)
Maybe the LaCrosse isn't too far into development to add some of the cues from the Riviera concept.
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HotRodzNKustoms 6:25PM (1/14/2008)
If they can stuff that look into their cars and keep it as bold looking as the Enclave I think Buick will once again be competitive.
Cadillac= Art & Science (Sculpted lines)
Buick= Riviera (Organic flowing)
Same kind of relationship the Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice have.
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Tim 7:06PM (1/14/2008)
I hope we see a little more peer pressure from the concept. The wheel proportions are horrible on the camouflaged prototype. The stance is no where near as aggressive the Riviera concept. The Lacrosse will reinforce Buick's reputation for floaty cars. I mean look at the body it looks like it is floating on tis wheels.
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Chris 7:08PM (1/14/2008)
I think you're too quick to judge the prototype. If you look at the center spy pic (that zooms in on the front end), you can see that the top edge of the grille seems covered. I think that's not the real outline - it's covered. Also, there are three openings in the bottom. If you follow the line on the bottom of the air intake, you can see it clearly - at least the one on the passenger side.
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the law 7:11PM (1/14/2008)
Test mule was the Holden Park Ave.Riviera concept was shown in China... last year?
so, I'm sure GM made the adjustments back then for future Buick's,Enclave was the step in between the 2 different design themes.I Hope!
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Driver X 7:17PM (1/14/2008)
This car should be on the fast track to production. Let's see.... GM will show it on the Buick website for two years. They will announce in 2011that it will be available in 2014. It will hit the market in 2016 as a Chevrolet because they killed off Buick. The styling will be out of date at that point and no one will care.
How did they ever put out a new Bel Air in 55, 56, 57, 58, and 59? I thought technology was supposed to help production.
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JDP 7:50PM (1/14/2008)
this car shouldn't preview the next lacrosse. it should preview the next RIVIERA. buick should make a sexy 2 door RWD coupe with a v8 or DI v6 with that kind of styling.
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oby 7:32PM (1/14/2008)
"This car should be on the fast track to production. Let's see.... GM will show it on the Buick website for two years. They will announce in 2011that it will be available in 2014. It will hit the market in 2016 as a Chevrolet because they killed off Buick. The styling will be out of date at that point and no one will care"
Yep, that's about how GM launches a product. No one cares now as GM has a solid reputation for vaporware. And all the hype about the Enclave and the Malibu-bu, dealers are flogging them below invoice to get the junk of their lots. Typical GM, BTW they won't make it to 2016. They will be long gone by then.
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Ted Kennedy Is My Chauffer 10:13PM (1/14/2008)
With no due respect, you're an idiot.
MemphisNET 7:33PM (1/14/2008)
Ah the business-man's hotrod. Build it - more affordable rwd coupes for me :D
Now, if the LaCrosse/Allure even captures half of the look, I'll be impressed. I like the current car, but its a little bit too bland.
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lithdoc 7:37PM (1/14/2008)
I really expected to see the LaCrosse here at NAIAS, but apparently I was wrong. When can we expect to see it?
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Donpella 9:16PM (1/14/2008)
In a perfect world...I can't see why this Riviera and the Velite can't sit next to a Enclave and a Lucuerne (sure it's front wheeldrive but it's sexy than a m*th@f%ck!) in the Buick line-up. The photo of the Velite and the Riviera sitting next to each other is a beautiful dream of how cool Buick really can be.
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/detroit-2008-buick-riviera-concept/574088/
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Ethan 9:45PM (1/14/2008)
What downturned grille?
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-buick-lacrosse-spy-shots/415871/
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Xcountryflyer 1:50AM (1/15/2008)
A new Lacrosse couldn't come too soon.
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