Buick takes another look at the small premium market with Avant Concept (w/VIDEO)
Buick Avant Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
Need further proof that the premium car market is looking to downsize? General Motors' latest entry on its recently launched Lab website is the Buick Avant, which the automaker developed to study the future of scaled down models for its upper-level brands.
Innovative ideas abound with the Buick Avant Concept, including doors that can both swing and slide open, a driver's seat that moves laterally to customize interior packaging, a luggage shelf that brings packages to you and a so-called micro pergola roof that can be either opaque or transparent depending on the driver's wishes.
All told, Buick came up with six exterior themes and four interior concepts that it hopes to get feedback on. Check out the image gallery below and click past the break to watch the video. Then, click here to let GM know what you think of its ideas for the small premium market. Thanks for the tip, Ryan!
Gallery: Buick Avant Concept
[Source: GM Lab]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Rich 7:31PM (9/22/2009)
I should really start patenting my dreams. Complex hinges to make doors slide open without having ugly van rails.
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mortonb11 7:37PM (9/22/2009)
Awsome designs....especially the 2+2 coupe. just make sure you do it GM ...dont think ...just do....and I will buy!
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216 7:39PM (9/22/2009)
Way to Make Buick "YOUNG" again
good job GM, at least its interesting
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Motor_Yakuza 7:42PM (9/22/2009)
The 6th drawing looks very promising.
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Pokey 7:44PM (9/22/2009)
This project has already been canceled, wait, okay, it's back on again. Hold on a second. Nope, they just canceled it again. Okay, nevermind, it's back on again.
I keed I keed!
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Commander Cool 7:44PM (9/22/2009)
Wow, the 2+2 makes me think 'Buick Batmobile'
That said, I like those designs.
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Alex Hobbs 12:33PM (9/23/2009)
I thought batmobile too but I really liked it.
Commander Cool 10:48AM (9/24/2009)
the 3rd pic even makes me think of the Mach 5 as well.
Buick needs a new Riviera as a halo car IMO.
xtasi 7:46PM (9/22/2009)
that would be a good use of the expensive solstice/sky platform... plus it's "premium", Buick can charge a little more to pay for continual improvements.
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AMcA 8:09PM (9/23/2009)
I hope they find something to do with the Solstice platform.
I wanted to buy it in the great GM fire sale. But they don't seem to have put it up for sale.
Wanted 7:48PM (9/22/2009)
Another car that will take forever to release, if ever; and, when it does, half the originally imagined features will be omitted and the design will be dumbed down as well. When that Business Van comes out, we'll be able to judge just how serious Buick is about stepping into the future before its competitors.
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RockStoneSteel 8:18PM (9/22/2009)
Looks pretty decent. Unfortunately, GM executives will most certainly dumb it down at the last minute as a 4 door sedan with drum brakes and torsion beam suspension. (i.e. The Beat/Spark debacle.)
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Jack the R 7:52PM (9/22/2009)
Put that sweet Bat-Riv on the Camaro platform now, GM!
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Harrison 8:04PM (9/22/2009)
Wow! that is gorgeous! I love Buick!
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Brian 8:01PM (9/22/2009)
Dear God, look out everyone: GM is making a "small premium" vehicle again. This after the Cimarron, the Catera, the Century, the Regal, the downsized '80s Cadillacs, all epic failures.
Buick: The New Ass of Coach Class.
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Torrent 8:07PM (9/22/2009)
You really didn't just....
What the hell do any of those cars have to do with the GM of today? Absolutely nothing, so go to hell Brian.
Brian 8:10PM (9/22/2009)
The "GM of today" has the same suit monkeys and Detroit lifers they've always had in charge. What exactly is "new" about Fritz Henderson, Bob Lutz, and Mark LaNeve? Nothing. Same old GM culture, same old GM laziness, same old GM isolation from reality, same old GM mistakes. New GM: Same as the Old GM.
ebleyes 8:12PM (9/22/2009)
Brian tell me the truth were you fired by GM, Ford or Chrysler?do you work for a competitor? I can't imagine someone trolling for this long ( years I guess) without any reason.
Brian 8:12PM (9/22/2009)
Even the person who is now in charge of Buick is that chick who had the "brilliant" idea of buying Hummer. How'd that work out for ya, GM?
inline6 8:21PM (9/22/2009)
The Century and Regal sold by the hundreds of thousands right up to the end. And they weren't "small". FAIL
The Cimarron was over 25 years ago...before Hyundai was even in this market. Lots has changed since then, but perhaps your vision has been obscured all this time, what with your head lodged so firmly inside your colon. One question: Does it make polyp-spotting easier? FAIL
The Catera was simply a rebadged 4 year-old Opel that gave way to the successful and critically acclaimed CTS. It was a stopgap measure and it wasn't small, either. FAIL
But since we're on the topic of small Buicks, the last one - called the Skyhawk - sold 150,000 units in '84 and '85, each. Not what I'd call unsuccessful, especially considering its humble J-car origins and the presence of 4 other nearly-identical competitors within GM's own family.
You, Brian, are the New Ass of Coach Class.