Report: GM considering flagship Buick coupe

[AVANTI R5]

Buick is in the midst of a major product renaissance that has put the automaker back on the map thanks to a myriad of fresh designs. Now, a Buick executive is suggesting that Buick may enter the coupe-making arena as well to help make the brand more youthful.

Buick is determined to place itself if not in the same realm as the mid-level Lexus models, slightly above them. In order to achieve this status change Buick has refreshed or plans to refresh five models in the next year – including a new LaCrosse, Regal, Enclave, an unnamed small vehicle based on the Cruze and a new small crossover.

Not satisfied with just five new models, Buick is now also considering a flagship coupe model to act as the halo for the revitalized brand, according to Automotive News.

During an interview at the Chicago Auto Show, John Cafaro, director of design for Buick and Chevrolet, told Automotive News, “My role is really being a zealot for getting Buick more youthful, more spirited and probing ideas [for] coupes, more expressive vehicles. That is really my job.”

Cafaro went on to explain that the brand [Buick] is undergoing a transformation in order to remain relevant in an ever-changing market. “Buick is kind of going through what Cadillac went through when it reinvented itself,” Cafaro said. “Cadillac said: ‘What we are doing is not working. Our customers are dying off. We have to carve a new image.’ That is where Buick is right now.”

Cafaro went on to say that he felt a coupe would make the kind of statement Buick is looking to make. “…a statement means it is going to be the flagship.” Cafaro added, “A coupe is definitely where you say, ‘I’m back.; ”

http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-g...ick-coupe.html

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[Tim-H]

What a waste of design power! All the need to do is put some big wheels on a current design. I took a picture of this gem yesterday.

[Iegav05]

Someone should tell the self-professed zealot, Cafaro, that people do not associate Buick with youthful. Buick went out with double-knit plaid trousers. GM should sell Holdens here as Holdens--including what used to be the G8 complete with the Pontiac fascia if they want a youthful appeal. In the U.S. Holden would be a new idea, whereas Buick is an old, tired idea.

[SCRAPPYDO]

Not sure about a Buick Coupe. With its new design language (read rebadged opels), its possible I guess, but The last Riviera and Reatta did not do so well.

[Tim-H]

Originally Posted by Iegav05

Someone should tell the self-professed zealot, Cafaro, that people do not associate Buick with youthful. Buick went out with double-knit plaid trousers. GM should sell Holdens here as Holdens--including what used to be the G8 complete with the Pontiac fascia if they want a youthful appeal. In the U.S. Holden would be a new idea, whereas Buick is an old, tired idea.

Creating another brand in the US is exactly what they shouldn't do. They still need to axe a few arms as far as I'm concerned.

[White out]

Hopefully it will be based off the G8 or CTS.

When Buick does a coupe, they do it well.
- Yes, the last Riviera was the best vehicle to come from that platform & the Reatta was a wonderful vehicle that had the same fate as the Allante. Don't forget the presence of the GNX or GSX stage I.

Nick

[mhoward1]

If Buick wants to really go for the youth market, they will need a daring, all new vehicle with a slant towards true performance. That means AWD or RWD. The biggest issue is if they do this, they will compete against the Vette and what ever Caddy decides to do next.

[904scooby]

This is starting to make me see that GM still has too many brands...

They need to Make chevy the economy car and sports car and some trucks producer, GMC the trucks only, Caddy the performance/luxury producer and Buick the mid level sports/lux producer. But if they could combine these into one company and cut the redundant models please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[904scooby]

Originally Posted by White out

Hopefully it will be based off the G8 or CTS.

When Buick does a coupe, they do it well.
- Yes, the last Riviera was the best vehicle to come from that platform & the Reatta was a wonderful vehicle that had the same fate as the Allante. Don't forget the presence of the GNX or GSX stage I.

Nick

GNX or any of the the t-type coupe's.

[jigga]

Originally Posted by 904scooby

This is starting to make me see that GM still has too many brands...

They need to Make chevy the economy car and sports car and some trucks producer, GMC the trucks only, Caddy the performance/luxury producer and Buick the mid level sports/lux producer. But if they could combine these into one company and cut the redundant models please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree with this one..

[coolbluelb]

Yeah, I associate Buick with people who want a Cadillac but can't afford one. I know they are super chic in China, but here in the States it will take some doing to make Buick into the new Pontiac (albeit one that everyone doesn't hate).

[MrSaabaru]

Seriously, who wouldn't kill for a GNX...

I grew up on buick coupes. My first car was my dad's old 1988 buick riviera t-type. First ever car with the 3800. Loved that car. 8-way power seats, even with adjustable thigh extension and reversible leather for the summer heat. Bose casette player, sunroof, and dozens of computer information options. Ran forever. Sat for 2 years while he was out of town for a long-term biz trip and I drove his 95 Riv, then started up at first key turn and drove some more...That was his second, after an 87 Riviera T-Type. Before that was an '80 Regal. I would have loved a Reatta...after that, he had a 1995 Riviera Supercharged. Car had plenty of go, and was ultimately comfortable for long trips. We took it from Michigan to Florida once.

While they aren't associated with 'young', it isn't irreversible. Check how many people my age think of Lincoln as land-yachts, but liked the LS upon introduction.

[SCRAPPYDO]

Okay, I did not forget about the GNX or Grand national, but they are long dead. We will not see a full size car become a coupe again anytime soon. Perhaps am wrong, but a Buick Coupe needs to be luxurious GT that is still affordable, and nothing that competes with caddy.

[Tim-H]

Originally Posted by SCRAPPYDO

Okay, I did not forget about the GNX or Grand national, but they are long dead. We will not see a full size car become a coupe again anytime soon. Perhaps am wrong, but a Buick Coupe needs to be luxurious GT that is still affordable, and nothing that competes with caddy.

Ah, but with the new trend a car doesn't have to have only 2 doors to be called a coupe, it can even have a B-pillar.

They'll just rebadge an Opel, Vauxhall, or Holden.

[SCRAPPYDO]

I guess if you throw the traditional definition of a coupe out the door, like VW, and Merc have done, then I guess you can get away with it. Reguardless, as long as it is Obama motors, they get nothing from me.

Ford really needs to make the equivalent of the G8.. I would buy it in a second.

[sub9lulu]

throw the LS9 into whatever = win

[subySerb]

Opel previewed the Insignia (now Regal) back in 2007 as a coupe.

[SCRAPPYDO]

Originally Posted by sub9lulu

throw the LS9 into whatever = win

Um no...Maybe in super horsepower fantasy land where you live, where a subcompact has 400HP, but in the real world, it needs something like the ecoboost that ford is putting out. GM has a great v6 that is in the CTS. Throw that in the Buick, and you can have a winner. The last thing it needs is some mega displacement 16 valve dinosaur motor with a blower on it.

[Yotsuya]

I absolutely agree. If I want retro-tech I'll get a used car (still looking for a 89-92 Volvo 240).

[BigElm]

The Opel = Buick design is to attract younger buyers.