2013 Audi A3

Video: Buick Previews Small Premium Car With Avant Concept

 
2 1,889 views Sep 22, 2009
Follow Nelson

Buick Avant Concept sketch

Buick Avant Concept sketch

Enlarge Photo

Size matters here in the U.S., as much as we may wish it were otherwise. We like our cars, our horsepower figures, our salaries and our meals to be as super-sized as possible. But there's a growing trend to recognize the big value in small things, and Buick is hoping to tap into that in the automotive sector with the Avant.

As cities grow more densely populated and fuel prices rise, owning a large car or SUV is becoming less and less practical. It hasn't changed overnight--and it's not going too--but there's been a definite progression back toward smaller vehicles in the U.S., and Buick's paying attention.

It's drawing on its resources in densely-populated and congested China to help deliver a new small premium platform, and this video reveals some of the concepts flying behind the scenes at Buick: doors that slide instead of swinging open when in tight spots; seating that re-configures itself based on the number of occupants; a unique "micro-pergola" sun roof.

All of these features are clearly concept-only for the present, but they illustrate Buick's desire to think outside the box in approaching the small premium segment, something that's going to be a pre-requisite to convincing us free-range North Americans that we need a compact yet still feature-filled and likely pricey city car.

To see all of these features and more in action, check out the video below.

[GM Lab]





Tags:
Posted in:
 
Contribute
Send us a tip Comment Contact the editor
Follow Us

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

  • Posting indicates you have read this site's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • Notify me when there are more comments
Comments (2)

  1. fb_100000275684479 avatar Michael Escobar Posted: 9/23/2009 4:03pm PDT

    Surely Audi can't be pleased? I do like some of the ideas present in this concept, particularly the sliding doors and oh-so-chic roof. Too bad the chances of seeing most of this stuff on production GM cars range from naught to zilch.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  2. By  memoire pour mac Posted: 12/14/2009 10:24pm PST

    I like the forward sliding door concept. It would work in any condition. The second concept is very nice, but unfortunately I'm positive it would not make it to market because it would sell. Just like the concept Volt was much better looking than the production version, this concept will face the same bait and switch. Too bad.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

Connect with Facebook

Motor Authority. Now with your friends.

Discover stories your friends read.
Share stories more easily.
You control what you share.
Learn more

Research New Cars

Go!


More from High Gear Media

 
 
MotorAuthority
  • Follow Us
  • Twiiter
  • Facebook
 
 
© 2011 MotorAuthority. All Rights Reserved. MotorAuthority is published by High Gear Media. Stock photography by Homestar, LLC. Send us feedback.