Buick Avenir Concept Makes Surprise Debut Before Detroit

Buick stole the spotlight ahead of the 2015 Detroit Auto Show by revealing a stunning concept car.

Called the Avenir, it’s a design exercise showing what a future Buick flagship might look like. Using styling elements from sedans, crossovers and shooting brakes, the Avenir doesn’t look like anything else on the road and that’s a very good thing.

The Avenir wears a new interpretation of the Buick grille. The full LED headlights feature three-stage turn signals mimicked by the taillights. But the most noticeable styling features have to be the large, swooping rear fenders that hide 295 mm wide tires.

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Using a 2+2 seating configuration the Avenir features a 12-inch touchscreen interface with Buick’s latest Intellilink software. The gauge cluster is fully digital and like most new GM products, Onstar 4GLTE Wi-Fi is available. Best of all, despite the interior looking cutting edge, most of bits seem production ready. Even the center console features touch buttons for items like traction control, park assist and the hazard lights.

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Further proving this may be closer to a production car than most concepts, the Avenir is powered by what is being referred to as a next-generation direct-injected V6 engine. It will be paired to an equally new nine-speed automatic transmission that can send power to all four wheels through a twin-clutch all-wheel drive system.

At 204.5 inches long, the Avenir is huge. It features a usable trunk that is cleverly designed into the back seat area that not only gives rear passengers a more airy cabin, but also gives the Avenir the look of a hatchback or shooting brake despite the fact that it is actually a sedan. To keep the car stable while cornering, the Avenir uses driver-adjustable damping settings.

Hopefully Buick will build something that very closely resembles the Avenir as it’s flagship. It could lend the brand an identity that it could definitely use.

GALLERY: 2015 Buick Avenir Concept

GALLERY: 2015 Buick Avenir Concept Live Photos