April 19, 2008 4:23 PM by Brian Potter Filed Under: Concept CarBuick
Buick enjoys the same kind of brand recognition in China that Lexus or BMW have in the US. Therefore, it's no surprise that GM have used Auto China 2008 in Beijing to launch the Invicta Concept.
Intended as Buick's first global design for international markets, the Invicta follows in the footsteps of Mercedes' CLS with a 4-door sedan with a coupe-like roofline. Adopting design cues from the Buick Riviera Concept which debuted at last year's Auto China 2007, the Invicta Concept is slated to be the saving replacement of the the Buick LaCrosse.
Buick has resurrected the Invicta name which was first seen on the North American production car in 1959. The Invicta show car is the first time the nameplate has appeared on a Buick in China.
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.
Buick Evolves Global Design Inspiration Into Invicta Show Car
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.
BUICK INVICTA SPECIFICATIONS
Vehicle type:
four-door, five-passenger luxury show car sedan
Wheelbase (in / mm):
114.5 / 2908
Length (in / mm):
194.2 / 4932
Width (in / mm):
73.8 / 1874
Height (in / mm):
57.7 / 1466
Track (in / mm):
64.4 / 1635 front; 64.5 / 1637 rear
Engine:
2.0L DOHC, direct injection turbo
Horsepower (kW):
250 / 186
Torque (Nm):
220 / 298
Transmission:
six-speed automatic
Suspension:
MacPherson strut, front; independent, rear
Brakes:
four-wheel anti-lock disc
Wheels:
polished aluminum, 20 in. x 8.5 in. with milled Buick emblem
Tires:
P245/40R20
Auto China 2008
Buick Brand Overview
About the Buick brand
Buick remains focused on being GM’s premium, international brand and is growing internationally by leveraging partnerships across the globe
Buick is reshaping its international portfolio with new, premium vehicles including the Enclave in North America and Park Avenue in China
The Riviera concept introduced at last year’s Shanghai auto show introduces Buick’s new global design direction and was developed with input from GM’s Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) in Shanghai
The all-new LaCrosse, which debuts later this year in North America, will be Buick’s next great example of global collaboration, benefiting from the global power of GM’s design and engineering organization
Interesting facts about Buick in China
Sun Yat-sen, the first president of the Republic of China, took his first automobile ride in a 1912 Buick
Two Buicks bought in 1924 by the last emperor of China were the first cars owned by an emperor and the first to enter the Forbidden City
China ’s first Buick sales office opened in Shanghai in 1929
On Dec. 17, 1998, the first locally produced Buick in China rolled off the assembly line at Shanghai GM
Regular production of Buicks in China commenced on April 12, 1999
In 2001, the 100,000 th Buick rolled off the production line at Shanghai GM
In 2007, Buick remained the largest-volume GM brand in China, a distinction it has held since 1999
More than 332,000 Buick products were sold in China in 2007, representing a year-on-year increase of 9.2 percent
Buick has a network of 380 sales outlets in China
Buick Care has set a new standard for aftersales service
Buick offers five product lines in China: Park Avenue, LaCrosse, Regal, Excelle, GL8
Buick Invicta concept
Makes its world premiere at Auto China 2008
Name is Latin for “invincible”
Name first appeared on a Buick production model in 1959 to1963, and this is the first time the nameplate appears on a Buick in China
Invicta is Buick’s strongest statement yet of its deliberately international plans
carcrazy1234
April 19, 2008 9:56:05 AM
damnnn that be nice... i'm not the biggest fan of GM or american brands but that's very nice... the new buicks in my books are very nice
This is really nice. I hope it is built and sold in the USA. The production car, without the chopped roof should look even better. It looks modern, original and like a Buick. Who would have "thunk" this to be possible. Let hope they get the quality, handling and engine right.
i find it amusing that nobody has noticed they've basically stolen the sytling from the new Jag XF. and i thought the chinese were the worst at just straight copying other manufacturer's designs!
I tried looking. The only thing that kinda resembled between the two cars was how the trunk is kind of laid out (barely). This car is pretty darn unique, nothing I can think of comes to mind. The jag xk for some reason reminds me of a seventh gen cougar (I know they are vastly different but from the few I have seen driving around, the first car that came to mind was a cougar)
look at the side profiles. the shape of the windows and the C pillar are identical. ok, so the windowline is higher on the buick but something's telling me that won't make it to production anyway. next look at it from dead-on front. we have that big quadrangle-ish grill with a central circular badge and big headlights. but i'll give you that the front 3/4 and rear 3/4 view don't look the same but i still think there's been some copying going on.
WHO CARES!!! JESUS PEOPLE... who cares if there are minor cues to other cars on the market. this car looks good... period! thats that! its not bash buick fest yet people... save it for later or never
glass weighs alot... lol it really does that's probably why they used less. Also i find less glass a litle more attractive... compare the side profile of the lexus LS600 and this and look for yourself... this has more curves and shape... beautiful
That lexus is pretty close, but the Buick is about 3x smoother then it. Also I wouldn't say stolen. If you got a bunch of automotive designers together in a room and cut off all outside sources until they designed something. I am pretty sure you could still find similarities between the car they design and existing vehicles. That being said. That lexus looks like a bmw. So who really is stealing what from who? I am guessing nobody is stealing, but some companies "borrow" ideas more then others.
damnnn that be nice... i'm not the biggest fan of GM or american brands but that's very nice... the new buicks in my books are very nice