These are some words I never thought I’d write: “I want that Buick.” But after revealing the Avista coupe last night at the North American International Auto Show, I can write those words completely sincerely.
NAIAS officially starts today, and Will and Mike are RFD’s boots on the ground in Detroit. I’ll be posting photos and information they send over the next couple of days. Follow us on Twitter for updates if you’re so excited you can’t wait for my posts here.
We’ve been openly critical of Buick in the past. I’ve called the average age of a Buick owner “dead.” Will’s review of the Regal GS can be summarized with a resounding Obama-face “not bad.” Buick revealed the Avista coupe at NAIAS last night, and… Wow. I like it. I really like it. It’s so not what I would expect from Buick.
The stats only make me like it more. This is a rear wheel drive 400hp car, powered by a twin turbo V6 through an 8-speed automatic transmission. If you want to row your own, get the Camaro or Cadillac ATS-V that share many components with the Avista, including magnetic ride control. Sporting pretensions or not, Buicks are about luxury and comfort, and the Avista is a GT car rather than a sports car, as it should be. Yet it also recalls the Grand National with its turbo V6, yet obliterates the 276hp of its ultimate evolution in the GNX. Maybe they should offer a blacked out Avista with a horsepower increase to appeal to enthusiasts.
It’s only a concept car, but the parts sharing make it hypothetically possible to put into production. Please, Buick, please do it. Make the Avista real. It’s just the sort of thing you need to turn your image around. You need this, and so do we.