Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupes, Sedans/Saloons, Misc. Auto Shows
Beijing '08: Buick Invicta concept to be 4-door coupe
During a pre-Beijing Motor Show conference call today, Buick provided some more hints about the new Invicta concept that it will reveal this weekend in China. We've had a couple of teases about what to expect and won't actually be seeing any detailed images until Saturday, but what we do know now is that the Invicta (from the Latin for 'Invincible') is a four-door coupe following the current trend started by Mercedes with the sleek and sexy CLS. According to Buick designer Dave Lyons, getting a coupe to look great is easy, but the four-door layout is something that holds more market appeal. The Invicta picks up where last year's Riviera concept left off and extends that design language. It continues with what he called the "Sweep Spear" curve over the rear fender. On the inside, the cooperating design teams in Michigan and Shanghai worked to create an environment that is both functional and a reported work of art, and the driving environment is meant to impart a feeling of calm and quietness to help reduce blood pressure. Also, in spite of the low roof-line, the designers tried not to compromise rear room like in other four-door coupes. Unfortunately, at this point all we can say is, "We'll be the judge of that!" Based on the description given by GM today, the Invicta looks very promising and we will likely see hints of the next generation Lucerne in this car. But until we actually see it, it's all just hyperbole.
[Source: Buick]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Chase 3:16PM (4/14/2008)
Dear GM,
Thanks for rocking out.
P.S.: More rocking out, please.
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Randy 9:36AM (4/15/2008)
Dear GM,
Infiniti called, they want their ads back!
LBuzzer 3:34PM (4/14/2008)
Just like calling the Suzuki SX4 a crossover, calling it a four-door coupe doesn't make it so.
They're just swoopy sedans.
Way to get on the marketing bandwagon, GM.
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ArchAngel 3:34PM (4/14/2008)
... again... "coupe" is a shape now? IE if a Caravan had a roof line that sloped back, it would be a coupe? Plus, being a french canadian, "coupé" means "cut" so yeah... please give the style another name.
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benzaholic 3:34PM (4/14/2008)
Does this mean they'll create the "four door coupe" look just by raising the beltline and killing visibility from the inside? That would really be a shame.
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hashiryu 3:40PM (4/14/2008)
Dear God I wanna kick that person in the mouth who came up with that oxymoronic catch phrase "4-door coupe"
.......and all the auto journalist who keep proliferating it as well.
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Duster 3:47PM (4/14/2008)
Agreed!!!!!!!!!!!
This is our new SAV/SUV/ 5-door wagon sedan COUPE!!!!!!!!!.
nycbloke 3:46PM (4/14/2008)
Buick usually has stunning concepts, but the execution of production vehicles (save the Enclave) leave a lot to be desired. Let's hope future Buicks have more in common with the concepts then just their "waterfall" grills...
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Victor 5:46PM (4/14/2008)
As weird as it sounds, thank God for the chinese designers; who probably saved the Michigan team from butchering the vehicle. This car is the result of what was reported in a magazine article as the design that crushingly blew the ego of the Michigan designers. At the time, GM higher ups chose to hold a "Design competition" between the different worldwide studios to develop; and basically flat out told the Michigan studio that nothing is held sacred and that they've gotta be competitive.
Victor 5:48PM (4/14/2008)
And as a follow up, i believe the Invicta's interior is designed by the Shanghai team and a tweaked version of the SHanghai team's design submission.
Stealth E34 4:31PM (4/14/2008)
Get over the fact that they are calling swoopy 4-door sedans 'coupes'.
Look instead at what this car represents for GM: a sexy, curvaceous large 4-door sedan that will make people think, "Woah, that's a Buick?!"
So what if its not technically a coupe; if it sells, it works. Period. So shut up about the coupe thing already and recognize the direction the market is moving in.
Kudos to GM for aping one of Mercedes-Benz's most beautiful cars. (As a reminder: BMW, Aston Martin and Porsche are all building 4-door 'coupes' of their own...) GM isn't stupid.
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why not the LS2LS7? 4:35PM (4/14/2008)
Folks, Coupe (Coupé) was a shape long before it was a door configuration. Go watch "Double Indemnity" (excellent film noir from 1944) where they the cops identify a car as a "2-door coupé", thus clearly indicating the shape and the door configuration were separate back then.
As to the actual car, I'd rather see Buick get their lineup squared away proper in the US before screwing around with 4-door cars with reduced utility.
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Purifoy 4:42PM (4/14/2008)
Based on what I've seen so far, I like it.
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John Starnes 4:42PM (4/14/2008)
The LaCrosse, Velite and Riviera concepts were stunning and won accolades yet never saw the show room, so I am not too excited at this point about Buick being serious.
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jg 5:21PM (4/14/2008)
'... again... "coupe" is a shape now? '
Yes, in fact it always has been.
'IE if a Caravan had a roof line that sloped back, it would be a coupe? '
Yup. An Ugly one tough.
Plus, being a french canadian, "coupé" means "cut" ...'
Yes, as in the interior volume is cut relative to the sedan.
'
The word coupe does not mean 2.
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Tourian 6:06PM (4/14/2008)
Coupe is a shape yes. People used to say 2-door sedan also because it describes a more boxy vehicle compared to a 2+2 style coupe, even though they have the same number of doors, though a 2+2 coupe seats four and a 2 door sedan probably seats 5.
And yes, there are exceptions.
500 6:15PM (4/14/2008)
Ok not crazy about the "four-door coupe" terminology, but I love the "sweep spear" curve over the fenders. Reminds me of Buicks from the 60's and 70's. Make it RWD with available V8, and it'll sell.
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tommy e 7:36PM (4/14/2008)
You guys sure it hints at the next Lucerne? Previously I believe it was thought to be a hint at the next Lacrosse.
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Esprit bird 9:52PM (4/14/2008)
Rock on Buick.
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AMcA 12:11AM (4/15/2008)
That really doesn't look all that radically low. Next to that teaser, the M-B CLS looks like a concept car.
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