Being one of the stars at the 2016 NAIS, the Buick Avista Concept was praised by many and GM received requests to offer a production version.
However, the General begged to differ and stated that this was purely a study and nothing more.
Pure concept or not, MotorTrend reports that designers have created a four-door coupe version of the design study, whose stretched wheelbase and added rear doors might be enough to get the car green lighted.
Compared with a conventional coupe, a four-door (aka stylish saloon) can stabilize sales volumes over a longer time period and this should play a key role in the final decision. “I think we’ve earned the right to have a halo car in the Buick Range“, said Buick and GMC VP, Duncan Aldred, which might or might not be an indication of the brand’s will to make the Avista happen.
While the show car rides on a mash up of the Alpha and Omega platforms, a four-door coupe would use the Alpha architecture, which underpins cars like the new Chevrolet Camaro, Cadillac ATS and CTS, giving it a lot of flexibility in terms of size and engine choice.
If it materializes, it is expected to retain its 400hp, 3.0-liter V6, from the concept, mated to an 8-speed auto, while outside the US the powertrain choice might include a 275hp 2.0-liter four-pot and the 464hp 3.6-liter V6 from the ATS-V.
China currently accounts for around 80 percent of Buick’s sales and it will be a critical factor in the decision to build the Avista. However, GM might gain additional volume by offering it in Europe as an Opel (Vauxhall in the UK) and Australia as a Holden.
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