Buick's Avista has won the EyesOn Design Award for a concept car at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show, which will continue until January 24. The American automaker also received the award last year for its Avenir Concept. It is given to a concept and production vehicle that is unveiled at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).
The Avista on display at NAIAS 2016 has a twin-turbocharged V6 engine. It uses an 8-speed automatic transmission to provide 400 horsepower to the rear wheels.
Buick unveiled the sporty Avista coupe concept one day before the Detroit Auto Show officially started. It has many of the same specs as Buick's Avenir concept.
The executive director of Buick Global Design Bryan Nesbitt shared that design has been an integral part of Buick's long history and latest success. He credited Avista's design to work by a team of designers, engineers, craftspeople, and United Automobile Workers (UAW) partners, according to CarScoops.
There has been no official statement from the General Motors (GM) division. However, it has been reported that Avista shares design features included in the latest versions of Chevrolet Camaro and Cadillac ATS. This could imply a commercial version might be available later.
The Avista surprised many auto industry experts when it won the design award at Detroit Auto Show 2016. This was especially true because the company had not produced a truly unique vehicle in quite a while.
Buick's big task is to build a production vehicle that is as jaw-dropping as the concept car. It could be argued that part of Avista's design has hints from car companies including Audi, Tesla, and Audi. However, the final result is a vehicle that looks like a Buick car, according to Slash Gear.
Duncan Aldred is Vice President of global Buick sales, service, and marketing. He explained that Avista is a symbol of Buick's "dynamic soul," which combines the brand's history of performance, and beautiful style.
Avista's body lines continue from the vehicle's front to its rear. It is another feature shared by the Avenir concept and 2017 LaCrosse.
The award helps to promote EyesOn Design. It is a program of the Henry Ford Health System's Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology (medical/surgical eye problems).