InvictaMan

Hmmm, with that in mind....

Looking at the interior spy shots of the LaCrosse, the sweep of that Insignia dash seems to be very similar. The Buick will be more upscale in it's presentation, but the sweep feel of the cockpit looks like it will be a similar vein in the EPII siblings. While pondering the latest interior peaks, I was thinking the door handles seem to be a bit far back on the door in the LaC spy shots. The Insignia puts them much further up towards the dash. Seems more ergonomic (old term, but Lexusspeak now, based on their dotted line commercials) to me.

Definitely a difference in the roof line, belt line, hood and deck. But very close. I lined up the wheel wells and had to stretch it up to make it work with the roof line of the Insignia.

More fun with overlays...

Want a good look at what the New LaCrosse will look like, here is the new Opel Insignia ahead of formal release. http://jalopnik.com/379602/2009-opel-insig...lly-placed-tape

Ran across this article at Wikio, that came out today. Very sharp conversation, unfortunately not very endearing for Buick's future. Buick sure could use some C&G support there in the comments. GM Death Watch 172: Buick’s Enclave By Adrian Imonti http://www.wikio.com/leisure/cars/buick?wfid=53130324

Well, not much to be seen in the new teaser shot. If it truly is a photo of the car, the details have been blurred out. Not sure what to think of the bulges at the side windows. Why can't the production models have sweet rear views like this. The mirrors on the new Insignia are huge in comparison and look clunky.

Apparently there is still some major confussion about what Invicta will be. This article still says it is Zeta and gives all kinds of detail that one wonders where it was obtained or contrived. http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com...ick-invicta.htm

Actually, the dash, door and seat look tri-tone. The seat base is lighter than the lower leather, which is lighter still than the top. The door has a lighter panel between a darker upper and lower, and there is a lighter color still on the sweep at the door handle. This lighter sweep continues across the dash. That sweep is kind of in the area that might be considered the ambient lighting area of the Riv, do you think? That side mirror is a bit Enclave chunky though.

Except, thank God, for the Buck Rogers bump on the instrument pod.

I like it. I find it hard to believe that they are going that simple on the headlight pod configuration. Whoever said it was the Riviera Concept made over was right only to the extent of the sweapspear. This is definitely Acxus. I mean Acura in their better years, the TL. I never thought of Buick as the BMW wannabe division, but this car definitely has styling undertones. I think they have looked at every desirable car from every maker and blended their best assets (beyond the headlights). I'm a go for Invicta, as long as Lucerne is Electra. How dare Saturn.

Here is an interesting overlay. I couldn't find a higher resolution of this image of the Park, which interestingly is similarly lit from above in introduction. I overlayed the Invicta Concept, and some interesting things appear. If this is indeed a Zeta replacement for the Lucerne/ParkAvenue, when you line up the sketch with the wheel wells; the height, windsheild rake, even the rear sweep of the back glass are similar. What is different is the fact that the sheet metal is much higher in the back, hip is much higher, with sleeker gangster type greenhouse. The length would appear to be extended, depending on how literally you take the artist's expression. Just thought it might be interesting to see how this sketch would fit on an existing Buick zeta. Buick Invicta Park Avenue Overlay Link

Buick is infamous for taking package names and evolving them into model names. Seems like it waters down model integrity.

Now I could see Opel putting the Electra name on in Europe, but a Saturn being donned Electra in the US would be a travesty. That is a name that carries weight with Buick, it is aligned with Buick and it will always be Buick. Not to mention the fact that it fits perfectly into the evolving Buick line-up. I mean really, just how many decent historic Buick names are there? Let's just pop on a pill box hat and narrow tie and go for a spin in our Skylark. "Feel special in your exciting, new 2010 Buick Special!" I've got it, let's go pick up Annette and go to the beach in our Somerset. Please, Buick is moving beyond that level, and there are very few historic Buick names left to ride that wave into the future. The Chinese will not be happy. Based on the list provided for Buick at wikicar.org, I would say from a marketing perspective, these names would be currently viable given the up-level, contemporary shift of Buick: Buick Allure (2005 — Current, only sold in Canada) Buick Centurion (1971 — 1973) Buick Century (1936 — 1942, 1954 — 1958, 1973 — 2005) Buick Electra (1959 — 1990) Buick Enclave (2008 — Current) Buick Estate Wagon (1940, 1946- 1964, 1970 — 1990) Buick Gran Sport (1968 — 1972) Buick GSX (1970 — [[1971) Buick Invicta (1959 — 1964) Buick Lucerne (2006 — Current) Had to drop this one in. Hilarious, considering Lexus wanted to be Buick and now Buick wants to be Lexus: Buick Luxus (1973 — 1974) Buick Park Avenue (1991 — 2005, USDM defunct - sold in China.) Buick Rainier (2004 — Current) Buick Reatta (1988 — 1991) Buick Regal (1973 — 2005) Buick Riviera (1963 — 1999) Buick Roadmaster (1936 — 1958, 1991 — 1996) Buick Sport Wagon (1964 — 1971) Buick Wildcat (1963 — 1970) Marquette? Says this was a "companion brand." Buick Marquette? Hmmmm. Maybe flagship sedan? Buick Century Cruiser (1969) Buick Signia (1998) Buick Blackhawk (2000) Buick Bengal (2001) Buick Velite (2004) On a personal note: If the Invicta name does indeed take the place of LaCrosse, and the Riviera coupe goes EPII; the Invicta 5-seat Crossover and coupe compact concepts I did would be nice as Reatta (coupe) and Rainier (crossover). Regal and Ranier. Century and Century Cruiser could be cool. I had to struggle on these names, not certain that model has a positive connotation with the younger folks. My parents drove their 80s model to death and loved it. It's fun to look back at these past Buick names.

A Saturn!? They are going to give a venerable Buick name like Electra to Saturn? Boo, Hiss.

Given new light, the potential line-up could be: Electra = Zeta Sedan Invicta = EPII Sedan Riviera = EPII Coupe Regal = Delta Sedan/Crossover & Coupe Enclave = Lambda Crossover My preference is: Electra = Zeta Sedan Regal = EPII Sedan Riviera = EPII Coupe Invicta= Delta Crossover & Coupe Enclave = Lambda Crossover

As usual, the sketches are much lower and sleeker, but it is a pretty good fit if you stretch it up from the bottom. Here is the sketch silhouette reshaped to fit the mule.

LOL, I'm with you on the chill and cup holders. Please add the sweep of ambient light from the steering column across the dash when the fob enters the car and I'm sold. Maybe a nice female voice that says "Good Morning, how are you?"

Well, my mind is changed on this. I do agree that this is the EPII. And who am I to deny the great Invicta name to this car? LOL. I much prefer it over LaCrosse. If you consider the model for Buick, Lexus, they have two vehicles that are relatively the same size but offer different characters — the GS and ES. And the history of Buick shows this car (Invicta) to be a sibling as well. It could be Regal and Invicta. So the multi-level marketing concept could also be true. This would still leave room for the Lucerne replacement flagship and Riviera compact luxury. I still want to see a sub Enclave crossover though. This could mean exciting things coming from Buick.

This is definitely the Lucerne replacement. They are throwing a concept out to guage design critique for the production model. The LaCrosse (Whatever) is definitely mid-sized and way too far along for a concept. Is Zeta definitely out of the picture on this one? The current Chinese Park Avenue utilizes this platform.

Rapid sounds more like a Dodge or Chrysler. I think it lacks the Buick history which apparently appeals to both the US and Chinese markets right now. But I would love to see more concepts of such a vehicle. Actually, I'd like to see both the Invicta and Riviera, since the concept has evolved here to build two vehicles off the same platform, a compact crossover and a compact coupe.

LOL, yeah, that is the actual rear end of the Velite, straight out of the photo. I agree with your thought though. And as for the ventiports, the Riviera has never been a compact luxury coupe either, so we are treading all new waters here with the advent of fuel prices. I think the ports are something that will resonate with both older Buick buyers and with younger drivers who like the iconic bling. It is becoming an iconic detail in Buick styling (as well as many other Brands who seem to think it is cool).

Works for me. Future Buick Line Up Link In this scenario, the Super designation is resigned and the top content, luxury and/or performance packages are as follows: Enclave Ultra, Electra Park Avenue, Regal Ultra, Regal GSX, Invicta Ultra and Riviera GSX. Base models carry the name only and are contented and tuned to buyer preference. Five vehicles on four platforms. A mix of RWD, FWD, AWD. And eleven different models available based on premium packaging options. And this line is not so bad on the green side either, with performance and luxury models on the smallest platforms, that contribute to a full range of sizes and functions. Bringing back the Golden Age of auto buying to this premium marque by letting the buyer custom order the base vehicles to their preferences, making them personalized.

Riviera and Invicta anyone? One platform, similar styling and content, unique tuning, two completely different compact offerings from an American luxury brand. Who says everything has to be sedans? Riviera Chop Link Invicta Chop Link