#NAIAS: Is The Buick Avenir Concept's DESIGN Shouting "I HEART BENTLEY" ?

One of the most interesting General Motors concepts in YEARS debuted at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show (NAIAS). That wouldn't have been the all-new Chevrolet Bolt or anything from Cadillac, which was too busy showing off the likes of the ATS-V and CTS-V.

It was the Buick Avenir Concept.

(NAIAS) Detroit Auto Show

Looking more deserving of a Cadillac badge, it was a mix of elegance and timeless design. But, the more I looked at it, the more I saw something familiar. I saw a lot of Bentley Flying Spur in there.

While it's not "dead on" — how could it be as the concept is MUCH more exaggerated — I think it's pretty clear some creative license was taken from the Bentley. Check out the overall greenhouse and especially that embellished C-pillar/fender on the Buick. Compare that with the C-Pillar and fender of the Flying Spur. Note the prominent front grille?

The BIG place the Avenir differs from just about everything on the road is its rear decklid that seems to remind me of a vintage Corvette or the Bugatti 16C Galibier that never made it to production.

Aside from that, I wanted to ask YOU, the AutoSpies faithful: is the Buick Avenir Concept's DESIGN shouting "I HEART BENTLEY?"

As we noted when we saw the press release and studio shots, the Avenir seems to be taking a page from Chrysler's playbook — to be more specific, the 300. By emulating more luxurious models, there's a good chunk of consumers that will buy-in for that more high-end look. Remember when the 300 came out? Those things were FLYING out of showrooms because of its luxurious vibe.

Let us know what you think in the comments below.


**The 2015 Detroit Auto Show (NAIAS) photo galleries are sponsored by Lexus.


(NAIAS) Detroit Auto Show

MDarringer - 1/17/2015 10:09:05 PM

+4 Boost

Bentley wishes this was theirs

JDMUSMuscle - 1/18/2015 4:35:44 AM

-5 Boost

Matt, when will your strong inferiority complex towards the Europeans ever end, my friend. That Buick looks ok, but not Bentley level ok.

We should just accept the fact that the Americans are desperate to stay relevant in the automobile world right now.

W124E320 - 1/19/2015 4:20:29 PM

+2 Boost

The Avenir so much better looking than the Bentley... there is no contest. There is so much more passion, emotion, and relevance. The Buick has so many design cues that link it to a very glamorous Buick heritage. When American cars look like American cars, again, EVERYONE will want them. This is a perfect example and the Bentley is a perfect example of tired and boring European design. If this car was built, with the mechanics of the CT-6 (insanely stupid name), I think it would be an out of the park grand slam home run, GLOBALLY! (and by that I mean USA & China)(The Europeans are snobs and I doubt they'll buy ANY American cars regardless of how good they are).

iamdabest1 - 1/18/2015 11:28:59 AM

0 Boost

itll never come out looking like this, otherwise it is pretty nice. falls in right there with chrysler 300, huyundai equus... shouldnt bother people who drive the real thing.
the pontiac g8 looked like an m3.... look where that got them.

nguyenvuminh - 1/18/2015 12:27:45 PM

+3 Boost

@JDMUSMuscle - you can be pretty provocative but your comment regarding MDarringer's "inferiority comples towards the Europeans" is +1
As for Buick's recent cars, I really like their acknowledgement that it's best they go with the Opel cars. As for this Buick in particular, I like it quite a bit, especially the rear three-quarter and tail design. Unique without looking weird just to be different and even the proportion still allows a hint of a high boot/trunk while not looking bulky with its downward slant.

ParadoX - 1/18/2015 1:02:01 PM

+2 Boost

It reminds me of the old Lucerne with some style. Very nice though.

wcbrown - 1/19/2015 9:57:48 AM

+4 Boost

@JDMUSMuscle - You are so irrelevant. It floors me that anyone even acknowledges your ignorance on this forum. You just keep right on thinking that the Americans are 'trying' to stay relevant in the auto industry. Last I checked, all automakers are trying to stay relevant...they ALL need sales to survive.

Kudos GM and Buick!!

monopoly1 - 1/19/2015 8:05:22 PM

+1 Boost

Beautiful car! But don't hold your breath for Buick to built it, because they're too busy relaunching old, outdated Opel's.

Benzes1 - 1/20/2015 1:09:20 PM

0 Boost

The Bentley looks soooo much better. For a Buick though, this car should be produced. It would be a great addition to their brand.