Video: Buick Riviera Concept In The Flesh

Buick (ironically) resurrected the Riviera nameplate at the Shanghai Auto Show with an impressive “gullwing-door” coupe, developed by GM & Shanghai’s joint Pan Asian Technical Center in China. In this video we included includes static and driving clips along with shots from the presentation and a few words from GM’s Vice President of Global Design, Ed Welburn.

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Official: Buick unveils Riviera Coupe Concept at Shanghai

No thanks to a leak that occurred a few days ago, GM’s Shanghai worldwide surprise premier wasn’t well, that much of a surprise as we've already had the chance to get a taste of the Riviera 2+2 Coupe Concept. No doubt, the "gullwing–door" concept that was developed by GM – Shanghai’s joint Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) in China, is an impressive and elegant coupe. However, there’s also no doubt that if you take out Buick’s grille, the Riviera could easily be mistaken for a Lexus prototype. Before you check out all the details for yourself below, let us just add that PATAC designed the Buick Riviera to accommodate a new hybrid system, which will be introduced in China next year prior to the 2008 Beijing Olympics Games. –High-res image gallery & Press Release after the jump

World premiere at Auto Shanghai 2007: Buick Riviera - Stunning Coupe Concept Unveiled in Shanghai

-China-Designed Gullwing Coupe For China's Global Auto Show

-Preview To Buick's New International Design Language

-Buick Returns Riviera Nameplate After Eight Years

-"It's Not East, Not West ... It's Buick"

SHANGHAI - The Buick Riviera, a stunning concept car designed to showcase Buick's new global design direction, made its global debut today at Auto Shanghai 2007. The gullwing Riviera concept coupe was developed with global design input by the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) in China, a design and engineering joint venture between General Motors and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC).

The Riviera was introduced today by Rick Wagoner, GM Chairman and CEO, and Hu Maoyuan, SAIC Chairman. The Riviera has been engineered to accommodate a new hybrid system that will go into production at Shanghai GM, GM's flagship joint venture with SAIC, in 2008.

The fuel-efficient car, which will feature several technological and manufacturing advances, represents the latest achievement of GM and its partners in the promotion and development of alternative propulsion technologies in China.

According to Ed Welburn, vice president, GM Global Design, "Developing and launching the Riviera in China underscores the diversity, strength and depth of the GM global design network. It also reflects PATAC's growing role within the GM Design family and China's significance as the world's largest Buick market."

The Riviera also marks the return of a renowned Buick nameplate after an eight-year hiatus, having sold more than 1.1 million units in the United States between 1963 and 1999.

The Buick Riviera, with its tightly stretched carbon fiber body panels, combination of positive and negative curves, strong front and rear identities and gullwing doors, captures the essence of Buick classics, Welburn said, while presenting a thoroughly 21st century design.

"The Riviera concept certainly lived up to the nameplate's reputation," Welburn said.

"We developed the Riviera to communicate the global design vocabulary of the Buick brand and set the stage for General Motors' design, engineering and manufacturing centers to work together on the next generation of Buick mid-size luxury cars."

According to James Shyr, PATAC Design Director, the Riviera's enticing curves and 'earth and water' interior tones are drawn from diverse inspirations including classic Buicks, ancient Chinese artifacts and modern electronic icons. The car, inside and out, communicates universal beauty - a look that transcends cultural or national boundaries.

"Designing this car made us realize how small the world could be. It's not East. It's not West. It's not the United States or China. It's Buick," Shyr said.

Exterior Design - A Sense Of Existence, Not Anonymity

To establish their design direction, PATAC designers looked in part to Buick icons such as the original Y-Job Concept of 1938, the 1960s Le Sabre, Electra 225 and the Riviera coupes of the 1960s and '70s.

The Riviera design is structured around the Buick tri-shield logo, sitting proudly on a trihedral waterfall grille which is formed by three meeting planes. This takes the traditional Buick treatment to a new level of sophisticated boldness.

The Buick logo leads into a reflective strip through the hood, a mark of respect to the distinctive mid-hood crease prevalent in classic Buicks. Elongated LED headlamps flow up the hood sides to three-section, top-mounted chrome portholes as a single piece of jewelry.

The logo, hood strip, headlamps, side mirrors and rocker covers all have 'icy green' backlighting available at night, matched by backlit logo and exhausts at the rear.

Designers have cleverly incorporated several other design signatures from the original Riviera generation. They include the "double sweep spear" line along the bodyside and the flared tail design.

"This car was inspired by great Buicks - their grace, their gesture. This car was designed to achieve a sense of existence. It's not an anonymous car when it drives past you but it's not completely in your face either. We wanted to create something which would make you want to run your hand across it rather than just look at it," Shyr said.

In this theme, the 'Shell Blue' exterior color was chosen to elicit the right level of attention. The color is a metallic silver with light blue accents, perfectly highlighting the coupe's exterior curves.

The gullwing doors, selected for their exotic appeal, achieve an expansive entrance to the two-plus-two seating configuration. Measuring 1938 millimeters at their widest point, they add to the coupe's sleek sideline. At night, fully opened doors gently shine the "Buick" name on the ground.

The use of carbon fiber in all body panels allowed the designers greater flexibility through reduced mass and added strength. This made the gullwing engineering demands easier to realize and sharp, tight radius curves possible across the body surface.

The Riviera sits on 21-inch 10-spoke forged aluminum wheels, combining polished and satin finishes, with low-profile tires. Taking their cue from Formula One cars, the side mirrors are sweeping yet unobtrusive.

PATAC designed the Buick Riviera to accommodate the new hybrid system, which will be introduced in China in 2008 prior to the Beijing Olympics. The new hybrid system fits naturally with the Riviera's 'earth and water' design theme.

Interior Design - All About Relaxation

In a word - sanctuary. The use of rich blue and subtle creams, representing earth and water themes, are conveyed through high-quality leather bucket seats, plush carpet and a luxurious padded steering wheel. Completing the organic feel, the roof comprises two shaded glass windows offering increased headroom and a celestial connection for occupants.

"We had to have the driver feel relaxed and tranquil inside the car. We used earth and water tones and avoided hard, aggressive edges," Shyr said.

The interior has no discernable start and finish point for the front and sides, creating a comfortable lounge feel. It is immediately futuristic yet somehow familiar.

The three-dimensional speedometer, inspired by past classics but utterly modern in design, compliments the touchpad styled central console loosely modeled on a computer mouse. An LCD display screen crowns the central console.

Interior designers were encouraged to consider people's personal belongings to enhance their feeling of familiarity and comfort in the vehicle. Continuing the theme of calm simplicity, electronic shifter pads replace the traditional transmission shifter. Controls are kept to a minimum to avoid driver distraction.

Ambient light strips are applied from across the console and inserted on the door liner, stretching to the front seats. Deliberately imitating precious Chinese jade stone, the lights are tinted a subtle icy green, which also offers tribute to a favored color of Buicks in days gone by.

Interior trim treatments befitting the Buick prestige abound - miniature aluminum tri-shields in the front seat headrests, a wooden floor mat in the rear and a rear central armrest which can move sideways left and right to accommodate passengers of different sizes.

Royal blue Alcantara, a soft plush covering, was chosen for the door, console and roof while sandy white leather covers the lower door, lower console and seats.

Ancient Influences In Modern Design

The design team set out to create a modern global design - not something which could be superficially described as a Chinese car. At the same time, they sought to draw from their heritage outside the automotive industry from classic shapes, concepts and artifacts. They wanted to include a subtle Chinese essence and influence if one looked deeply enough.

A strong influence was the yuanbao, a small curvaceous gold or silver ingot used in ancient China as currency and popular today as a symbol of ancient Chinese prosperity.

"This design was about the East and the West co-existing in harmony. We always wanted to make a global car, to take a sense of the Buick DNA and create something for the world," Shyr said.

"It is so wonderful that our designers can take some of the rich culture behind them and make it international. East, West, Buick, China - there's no missing piece in the puzzle in here. Riviera has captured the essence of Buick - grace, gesture, form and emotion."

Buick Riviera: Key Dimensions

Body

Body style-Coupe

Number and style of doors-Two gullwing

Seating capacity-2 + 2

Bodyshell-Carbon fiber panels

Exterior dimensions (mm)

Wheelbase-2870

Length-4710

Width-1940 (excluding mirrors)

Height-1415 (doors closed)

Front overhang-918

Rear overhang-924

Front track-1645

Rear track-1635

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Buick Riviera Concept: New Images of the Chinese designed prototype emerge

A new array of pics featuring Buick’s Shanghai Show Riviera Concept have founded their way in the net, thus giving us a clearer view of the car. Penned at PATAC (Pan Asia Technical Center) in Shanghai, the “Gullwing-door” prototype allegedly previews Buick’s future global design language. Take away a few Lexus inspired elements, and we find it quite interesting and especially refreshing in comparison with the US-penned Buick's. -Continued: Click “Read More…” below for more images

Pics via: Autoblog.com

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Buick Riviera Concept to be unveiled at the Auto Shanghai Show 2007

So, do you need any more proof that the Chinese are getting all the goodies? First, it was the Holden Statesman / Caprice based 2008 Park Avenue, now just a few days later we get to see the first picture of Buick’s upcoming “gullwing-door” Riviera concept that’s making its worldwide debut at the… 2007 Auto Shanghai Show that opens up its doors to the public on April 22. We’re still in the black when it comes to details but according to an earlier press release, the Buick concept car was developed at PATAC (Pan Asia Technical Center) in Shanghai and its purpose in life is to preview the future global Buick design language. Pic via: CNR

Technorati: Buick+Riviera+Concept, China, Auto+Shanghai, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, 2007

GM to unveil next iteration of the Chevrolet Volt and a new Buick concept at the 2007 Shanghai Show

Logical isn’t it – I mean China has the world's second largest car market in the world, just behind the US and ahead of Japan. Leaving aside the next iteration of the well-received, battery-powered Volta, I have to admit that it sounds kinda weird when GM says that the new Buick concept which was developed at PATAC in Shanghai is “a precursor of future global Buick design language”. Chinese designers drawing the future for Buick? On the other hand, how bad could it be judging from Buick’s current products? We’ll just have to wait till the 22nd of April when the Auto Shanghai 2007 begins to find out. -Click “Read More…” below to see the official press release

PRESS RELEASE: GM to Unveil Two Global Concepts at Auto Shanghai 2007

Shanghai, China – For the first time ever, General Motors Corp. and its Chinese joint ventures will unveil two new global concepts in China at Auto Shanghai 2007.

The two concepts – the next iteration of the flexible Chevrolet Volt architecture, GM's extended-range electric passenger vehicle, and a stunning new Buick hinting at possible future directions for the brand worldwide – will showcase GM’s latest achievements in automotive research and design in the world’s fastest-growing vehicle market.

They will be appearing on the 4,500-square-meter stand of GM China and its Shanghai GM and SAIC-GM-Wuling joint ventures. The GM family in China will be displaying a total of 40 production and concept vehicles at Auto Shanghai 2007, which begins on April 22 and runs through April 28.

“This is a year of milestones for General Motors in China, with our Shanghai GM and Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) joint ventures celebrating their 10th anniversary and SAIC-GM-Wuling celebrating its fifth anniversary,” said GM China Group President and Managing Director Kevin E. Wale. “Our exhibit at Auto Shanghai 2007 will demonstrate our commitment to working with our partners and joint ventures in order to expand our offering of products featuring the latest technology.”

A highlight will be the Chevrolet Volt, which received tremendous acclaim upon its introduction at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit this January. “That GM would choose Shanghai as the location to introduce the next iteration of the Volt is a reflection of how GM is contributing to the industry’s long-term sustainable development by sharing its latest achievements and technologies with its friends and partners in China,” Wale said.

The Buick concept car was developed to communicate the global design vocabulary of one of GM’s most distinguished brands. A precursor of future global Buick design language, it was developed at PATAC in Shanghai, underscoring the automotive engineering and design center’s growing capability and role within GM’s engineering and design network.

Making their Asia debut at Auto Shanghai 2007 will be two models from GM’s Opel brand from Germany: the Astra GTC with Panorama windshield and the Astra TwinTop. Shanghai GM will be showcasing additional products from Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and Saab, while SAIC-GM-Wuling will display several products from its mini-vehicle lineup.

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New York Preview: 2008 Buick LaCrosse plus all new "sporty" LaCrosse Super V8 & Lucerne Super V8

The “General” went ahead and refreshed the Buick LaCrosse, which now features a redesigned fascia and upgraded standard equipment. Buick is also reintroducing a badge from the 50’s dubbed “Super” which is designated for its most premium and powerful models. The badge debuts on the 2008 model year LaCrosse and Lucerne sedans which are powered by a 300Hp 5.3 small-block V8 and 292Hp 4.6L Northstar V8, respectively. Both models get exclusive exterior and interior design appointments and as what Buick describes, “specifically tuned steering, braking and suspension systems”. Just got the goosebumps… -Continued: Click “Read More…” below to see the official press release & a high-res image gallery of all versions

BUICK LACROSSE SEDAN GETS NEW FACE OF BUICK AND MORE STANDARD EQUIPMENT

NEW YORK – Buick will freshen its 2008 LaCrosse line with the new face of Buick – a front-end design inspired by the Velite convertible concept – and an elevated list of standard equipment across all LaCrosse models.

Like the recently introduced Buick Enclave luxury crossover and Super models, the 2008 LaCrosse features a more distinctive front end. The new design brings the 2008 LaCrosse sedan in line with a common Buick family appearance. The fascia, hood and chrome waterfall grille are new. The 2008 model will also offer four new exterior colors, including Scarlett Red, Gold Mist Metallic, Dark Mocha Metallic and Dark Slate Metallic.

Inside, the ’08 LaCrosse continues to offer a well-equipped, comfortable and quiet interior. More comfort and convenience features are now standard for CX, CXL and CXS models for 2008. The LaCrosse CX, for example, is a richer entry-level car, adding a leather-wrapped steering wheel, theft deterrent system, illuminated vanity mirrors, driver information center personalization and more. All trim levels now have a chrome exterior appearance package, factory remote start feature, XM Satellite Radio, telescoping steering wheel column, redundant steering wheel controls and dual-zone climate control as added standard equipment.

“LaCrosse really started the evolution to the new Buick you see today,” said Buick General Manager Steve Shannon. “It introduced a new direction for Buick cars, with great design, performance and fuel economy with a premium and quiet interior. Indeed, LaCrosse set the foundation for the new Buick.”

The LaCrosse line now offers three powertrains. The CX and CXL trims are powered by the 3.8L V-6, now in Series III form. With more than 25 million sold, it is one of the most proven and reliable engines in the industry. Rated at 200 horsepower (149 kW), the 3.8L features electronic throttle control to improve engine response and optimize fuel efficiency, along with upgrades for quiet operation.

The performance-oriented LaCrosse CXS has a standard 3.6L V-6 with variable valve timing that delivers 240 horsepower (179 kW). The premium, all-aluminum engine features dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. Its fully variable intake and exhaust valve timing achieves outstanding flexibility, delivering 90 percent of the engine's peak torque where it is most useful, between 1,500 rpm and 6,000 rpm. The 3.6L VVT delivers a market-leading balance of good specific output, high torque over a broad rpm band, fuel economy and first-rate noise vibration and harshness control.

The recently announced 2008 LaCrosse Super introduces a V-8 engine and portholes to the LaCrosse lineup. With the fuel efficiency of a V-6, the new 300-horsepower (224 kW)* 5.3L small-block V-8 with Active Fuel Management (AFM) technology can propel LaCrosse Super from 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds. GM’s AFM engine technology seamlessly switches between four- and eight-cylinder power to save fuel.

The LaCrosse line is built at GM’s Oshawa 2 Assembly, ranked North/South America ’s top manufacturing facility the past two years, according to J.D. Power and Associates.

The 2008 LaCrosse will arrive in dealer showrooms this summer. Pricing has not been announced.

Buick Primes The New York Auto Show With Early Introduction Of New 'Super' Models

NEW YORK –Buick has rekindled a name from its storied 20th-century past to mark the beginning of a new level of refinement: Super. The badge is designated exclusively for Buick’s most premium, powerful models and returns to Buick vehicles after 50 years. It will debut on the 2008 model year LaCrosse and Lucerne sedans.

“We’re bringing back the Super badge to represent our most premium models,” said Steve Shannon, Buick general manager. “Our Supers are not just about increased horsepower; they represent an elevation in design, premium content and ride characteristics that are exclusive to the Super badge.”

The Supers are engineered for Buick by the GM Performance Division to inspire performance on demand. The LaCrosse Super is powered by a 300-horsepower (224 kW)* 5.3L small-block V-8 with GM’s Active Fuel Management technology. The LaCrosse Super’s chassis has been sport-tuned to deliver responsive handling characteristics, and the vehicle maintains Buick’s renowned quietness inside.

The Lucerne Super adds a more powerful version of the legendary 4.6L Northstar V-8. It is rated at 292 horsepower (218 kW)*, an increase of more than 6 percent over existing models. The Super has an enhanced chassis with a specially tuned version of Lucerne ’s Magnetic Ride Control system, for a refined, premium ride that simultaneously enables crisp, responsive handling.

Buick Super: elevated design, power and performance

Design elements on the LaCrosse Super and Lucerne Super denote the new face of Buick. Design cues echo those seen on the popular Velite convertible concept vehicle – and recently introduced on the Buick Enclave luxury crossover SUV – including a new waterfall grille and portholes. The LaCrosse Super is the first and only LaCrosse model offered with Buick’s iconic portholes; there are four per side to highlight the V-8 engine.

In addition to distinctive design, the LaCrosse Super and Lucerne Super deliver leading-edge performance and refinement. The 5.3L and 4.6L V-8 engines are renowned for balancing performance and fuel economy. They are complemented by specially tuned suspension systems.

Like all Buick models, LaCrosse and Lucerne Supers are built with an exclusive engineering process called QuietTuning to reduce, block and absorb noise from entering the interior. Laminated side window glass, sound-deadening material in the body structure, hydraulic mounts in the engine compartment and more reduce interior noise. Even exhaust nodes have been tuned for overall sound quality. These features contribute to a quiet, refined driving experience.

While the LaCrosse and Lucerne represent the first production models of the reborn Buick Super series, they will not be the last. Future models will share elements that reinforce the Super ethic, including:

• Exclusive exterior and interior design appointments
• Powertrain enhancements
• Enhanced driving dynamics, with specifically tuned steering, braking and suspension systems for responsive and confident handling
• Leading levels of interior quietness through Buick’s exclusive QuietTuning engineering effort.

LaCrosse Super

The LaCrosse Super is distinguished from its sibling models with a new exterior appearance that is highlighted by a new waterfall grille, new hood and a new front fascia that incorporates a lower grille opening with chrome trim and chrome fog lamp bezels.

New portholes, rocker moldings, rear fascia with integrated park assist sensors, 3.5-inch-diameter dual chrome exhaust tips, rear decklid spoiler and a Super badge also make the LaCrosse Super instantly identifiable from any angle. LaCrosse Super is offered in four exterior colors: Black Onyx, Platinum Metallic, Dark Mocha Metallic and Red Jewel tint coat.

Inside, the LaCrosse Super exudes comfort and style, including front seats with increased seatback bolstering. All of the seats feature new, woven-embossed leather inserts. A unique wood grain appearance accents the instrument panel, center console, doors and gear shift knob. There are also exclusive instrument cluster graphics – including Super identification – new front sill plates, a silver finish on the instrument panel center stack and Super-specific floor mats.

The LaCrosse Super introduces a V-8 engine that has the fuel efficiency of a V-6. Rated at 300 horsepower (224 kW)* and 323-lb.ft (438 Nm)* of torque, Buick’s new V-8 can propel the LaCrosse Super from 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The 5.3L small-block V-8 uses GM’s Active Fuel Management (AFM), an engine technology that seamlessly switches between four- and eight-cylinder power to save fuel.

To support the performance capabilities enabled by the V-8 engine, the LaCrosse Super features a specially tuned suspension system for steering precision, improved ride control and feel, and increased braking performance. Bilstein monotube struts, larger front and rear rotors, high-precision steering gear, StabiliTrak, and recalibrated chassis controls help the LaCrosse Super deliver confident handling and road manners, while also maintaining overall ride comfort.

The Super version comes standard with the largest wheels and tires available on the LaCrosse – 18-inch by 7-inch aluminum wheels wrapped by P235/50R18 all-season tires. Chrome-finish wheels are available.

Lucerne Super adds more luxury appointments

Distinctly designed, the Lucerne Super stands out with a new bright chrome waterfall grille, front and rear fascias, integrated dual exhaust tips, rocker panels, and Super badge on the decklid. Exclusive aluminum wheels and premium all-season tires complete the look, complementing the vehicle’s sport-touring attitude. The Lucerne Super is available in four exterior colors: Dark Mocha Metallic, Gold Metallic, Sharkskin and White Diamond. The interior comes in Ebony or Cocoa/Shale.

Lucerne Super’s refined ride dynamics and increased power make it the sportiest Lucerne available . A more powerful version of the 4.6L Northstar V-8 engine provides the Lucerne Super with an ample power reserve. It is rated at 292 horsepower (218 kW)*, which is 17 horsepower (13 kW) more than the Lucerne CXS.

Lucerne Super’s new premium steering gear, StabiliTrak stability control system, brake assist and specifically calibrated Magnetic Ride Control system help deliver a crisp response and enhanced driver control. It rides on standard 18-inch by 7-inch aluminum wheels wrapped by P245/50R18 all-season radials. The exclusive wheel design is finished in bright silver premium paint. Chrome-plated wheels are available.

The Lucerne Super’s interior wraps occupants in luxury including a leather-wrapped upper instrument panel with French-seam stitching, unique finish on the instrument panel center stack, leather seats with perforated suede fabric inserts for the outboard seating positions, and suede door trim inserts. A heated, real wood steering wheel and shift knob finished in Walnut Burl, power tilt and telescoping steering column, front chrome sill plates and Buick embroidered floor mats round out the Lucerne Super’s special content.

Lucerne Super comes with three standard equipment packages, including Driver Confidence, Luxury and Comfort & Convenience. OnStar’s Directions & Connections with Turn-by-Turn voice-guided navigation, XM Satellite Radio and Harman Kardon audio system are also standard.

All Buick models come standard with the industry’s best coverage, including a four-year/50,000-mile vehicle warranty, and a five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The Buick LaCrosse Super arrives in dealerships this summer as a 2008 model. The Lucerne Super is scheduled to go on sale in spring 2008. Pricing for both vehicles has not been released.

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