Send to a friendCicero April 19th, 2008 12:23 PM Link
Never thought I would say this, but I would buy this Buick, with the DI turbo 4
Invincibly Buick: Invicta Concept Shows Its Face
Written By: Seyth Miersma
Buick is making good on a promise it made at the New York Auto Show, unveiling details and renderings today for the Invicta concept car ahead of its unveiling in Beijing.
Invicta, Latin for “Invincible,” is said to draw its inspiration from the recent Buick Riviera and Velite concepts, as well as the rich Riviera history of design. The concept’s power meanwhile is courtesy a turbocharged direct-injection four making 250 horsepower and 220 pound-feet of torque, and hooked up to a six-speed automatic.
Look for something along the lines of Invicta to show up as the next generation LaCrosse sometime around 2010. Until then, have a browse in our Invicta concept gallery below or check out the Buick press release below the fold.
BEIJING – The sleek Buick Invicta show car revealed here in conjunction with Auto China 2008 is Buick’s strongest statement yet of its deliberately international plans. The four-door midsize sedan with a coupe-like roofline presents bold direction for Buick’s new generation of vehicles in the world’s two biggest automotive markets – the United States and China.
Invicta has evolved from Buick concepts such as the 2004 Velite convertible and 2007 Riviera coupe, both of which received accolades for their thoroughly modern adaptation of classic Buick themes. Invicta was designed collaboratively by GM centers of expertise in Warren, Mich. and Shanghai, China. The name, which is Latin for “invincible,” returns to Buick after a 45-year hiatus in the United States.
“Buick’s global appeal created an opportunity for GM Design Centers to elevate our collaboration to new levels. Using our virtual reality centers in Warren and Shanghai, designers fused the best ideas from both cultures during the development of the Invicta,” said Edward T. Welburn, vice president, General Motors Global Design. “The result will set a new design standard for Buick, and it couldn’t have been achieved by one studio working in isolation. The Invicta represents another significant design milestone in Buick’s history.”
Invicta is powered by Buick’s first direct injection turbocharged engine, a four-cylinder powerplant that produces 250 horsepower (186 kW) and 220 lb-ft (298 Nm) of torque. The engine is matched with a six-speed automatic transmission for maximum fuel efficiency.
Modern, sleek exterior
Invicta’s designers drew inspiration from the Riviera concept. Invicta features modern and sleek proportions with exterior lines that flow uninterrupted around the vehicle. For example, Invicta’s cat-eye headlamps transition into the Buick heritage-inspired sweepspear design cue, which flows seamlessly along the body sides and merges into the taillamps. Similarly, one can trace the top of the headlamp casing to the roofline and the rear of the vehicle without interruptions.
As with Riviera, Invicta features short overhangs with wheels pushed out to the corners for a well-planted stance. The overall appearance is sleek, thanks in part to a sweeping, low roofline and a front windshield that has an aggressive rake.
Up front, the Buick tri-shield is prominently displayed inside the Velite-inspired chrome vertical waterfall grille. Polished aluminum surrounding the headlamps, portholes, around the D-pillar and along the lower side of the vehicle on the lower doors accentuates the overall exterior design. Reminiscent of a number of historic Buick models, Invicta’s portholes – three per side – are located on the hood rather than on the front quarter panels.
Invicta’s wheelbase and high belt line give the vehicle more substantial proportions while visually reinforcing its premium appearance. Invicta’s 20-inch polished aluminum wheels feature a milled Buick tri-shield in the center cap.
To signal its premium attributes while enhancing the vehicle’s sleek proportions, Invicta’s exterior is draped in a sumptuous AluStone color. Its warm beige tone contains wafer-thin flakes of aluminum that reflect light to emit a liquid gold appearance.
Flowing, crafted interior
The focus and attention to seamless transitions carry over inside Invicta. The doors merge to become one with the instrument panel, which morphs into the center console.
The wrap-around design of the interior and fluid design provide a spacious cabin for all passengers, especially those seated in the back of the vehicle. At nearly 100 cubic feet of interior space, Invicta delivers large-car comfort in a mid-size sedan. The sense of roominess is further accentuated by a full glass roof, which allows all passengers to enjoy the sights, day or night.
Invicta also showcases a high level of interior craftsmanship while creating an environment that is soothing, quiet, comfortable and inviting for all passengers.
The blending of premium materials – such as wood trim and polished aluminum accents, soft aniline leather, supple suede-like material and soothing Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting technology – encase passengers in Buick luxury.
Beyond its sumptuous appearance, Buick created a show car for the senses. Authentic French seam stitching on the soft-touch instrument panel pad, door panels and steering wheel invites touch. Buttons, switches and door pulls are crafted to deliver a tactile quality experience. Soft and soothing Ice Blue ambient LED lighting on the instrument panel, around the central vehicle function controls, along the console and center storage, and in the front footwells provoke visual sophistication. Two discriminating “spotlights” also accent the center point of the front and rear seats.
Buick introduced the Invicta in North America as a production vehicle in 1959. The Invicta show car is the first time the nameplate has appeared on a Buick in China.
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26 Comments
chartguy April 19th, 2008 1:13 PM Link
Looking at the picture, you can see the rear seat headrests. It is a four-door sedan, but those headrests seem awfully close to the roof. Is the back seat reserved for short people?
Also, this is yet another glass-roofed car. I just don’t understand why the designers feel the urge to add weight and remove strength by doing that.
Cicero April 19th, 2008 2:24 PM Link
I doubt that the greenhouse will make it to production, probably be made bigger
Mena April 19th, 2008 2:28 PM Link
Like Cicero said, that glass roof and a ton of other stuff won’t make it to production. The basic shape will probably make it though. Doubt it will ship initially with the turbo 4 either, if at all.
bepsf April 19th, 2008 2:58 PM Link
Remember the XF?
The roof of this car will be higher…
Doug-GMnext April 19th, 2008 3:26 PM Link
If you’re interested in seeing a behind-the-scenes video on the making of the Invicta with the car’s designers, check out http://gmnext.com/Details/Videos.aspx?id=862fa320-6a18-4465-8547-3defdae1f29b. It gives you a look at the Global Collaboration Center, a 3-D room which helped the designers shape the look of the car.”
Redshark April 19th, 2008 3:41 PM Link
very good looking. it also looks heavy but i’m certain it is not, given today’s realities…
mo April 19th, 2008 5:05 PM Link
nice looker. i am shocked to see a buick that attractive. it looks sporty, and that alone is a huge success when we talk about buick.
Cicero April 19th, 2008 6:21 PM Link
I would like to see the turbo engine make it to the production version, be like a new GNX
Mena April 19th, 2008 7:52 PM Link
very good looking. it also looks heavy but i’m certain it is not, given today’s realities…
I’m willing to bet it will STILL be a heavy car. What I’m wondering is why the torque is so low. My car is a DI 4 cyl turbo and gets 260 hp/260 lb-ft of torque. This car should be able to get the same numbers.
mo April 19th, 2008 9:03 PM Link
that is a great question mena….. but i am now confused since you brought this up.
Jonathan Fung April 19th, 2008 9:15 PM Link
It looks nice, but I still can’t shake it from my head that Buicks are old-people cars.
Cicero April 19th, 2008 10:55 PM Link
I agree Mena, since Epsilon 2 is supposed to have optional awd having more hp and torque should have been a no brainer for the concept
Mena April 19th, 2008 11:47 PM Link
What makes it even more confusing is that my car is a Pontiac so GM already has an engine to put in this car. Why design another engine?
Cicero April 20th, 2008 12:21 AM Link
I think it is a detuned version of the one in the Sky Red Line/Solstice GXP, HHR SS, future Cobalt SS etc
Mena April 20th, 2008 12:32 AM Link
Interesting that they would have to detune it unless those figures are for 87 octane. The LNF engine (Sky Redline, Solstice GXP, HHR SS, Cobalt SS) can run on 87 octane but power is reduced.
Jonathon April 20th, 2008 2:49 PM Link
Buick is back people! I chuckled at first when people said this was going to be a Lexus fighter, but this is more beautiful than any Lexus on the road. I’ve seen a few photochopped versions of the concept adapted to how it will look in production form and I have to say… It is spectacular.
Cicero April 20th, 2008 5:41 PM Link
Mena, I read it was a detuned version on some other sites, but it is possible it could be running on a lower octane, thought for the concept I wish they had bumped the hp and torque to 300
Sam Wah April 21st, 2008 10:04 AM Link
When did Buick hire Chris Bangle?
Fritz April 21st, 2008 11:38 AM Link
SWEET! Of course the car as delivered will be really UGLY as often is the case from concept to reality.
I expect plastic hubcaps and a body that has about 2% of what we see. It’ll somehow morph in a sleeper (as in boring).
Am tired of being teased by sweet concept cars from the big three only to find out that they never reach production or they are so different that all of the SWEET is removed and replaced with ho-hum.
All concept cars prove to me is that the big three have some GREAT ideas but things fall apart after that. Maybe the final review committees take over or the bean counters take over or maybe the marketing guys think they can wow us with this car and sell us a plain vanilla Buick Century (not a bad car, our grandma has one, but BORING!).
C Tizzle April 21st, 2008 12:22 PM Link
Ok face it…these concepts that have been leaking out on GM products have mostly all been very nice, and this one is no exception. Has the side profile of an Infiniti M series though. If this one makes over here “relatively” unmolested, Buick may have a winner on their hands….GOOD STUFF GM…bout damm time!!!!
Ducati Minor April 21st, 2008 1:02 PM Link
I would argue against that. The side profile is quite vanilla, reminding me of a Lexus GS or an Infiniti M. It appears very bulky, and the weight would be too much for a turbo four. A solid, direct-injected V-6 like Cadillac’s would be practical. The front end is handsomely Buick. But I’d take more from China’s Park Avenue than this. I like it, but am not impressed by it.
Cicero April 21st, 2008 2:39 PM Link
Ducati, since more people are buying 4 cylinders, a car with a high powered 4 cylinder with great gas milage would sell well, especially to the younger crowd that Buick wants to draw in and people who miss the GNX
Winding Road » Archive » Walk on Water: Buick Invicta Concept Live from China April 21st, 2008 5:27 PM Link
[…] concept was placed beside the Riviera concept, which bowed at last year’s Shanghai Auto Show. The cover of the Invicta was unexpectly unveiled by Beijing’s refreshing evening breeze, which, for a moment, nearly made our correspondent and […]
Mena April 21st, 2008 7:25 PM Link
Ducati,
The turbo 4 can make the power and with my weight guesstimate (at least 3400 lbs), the turbo will spool pretty fast. I have to agree with Cicero, aim it at a younger crowd. A quick test drive will convince just about everyone but the displacement crowd.
Cicero April 21st, 2008 8:07 PM Link
Mena, I am usually part of the displacment crowd, but if I saw a Buick like that with a turbo 4 engine, I would be willing to convert. I hope they keep the Invicta name, and maybe do a coupe version. A Super version with a high output version of the turbo 4 would do well to brin in the people to the show room floor as well.
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