InvictaMan

hmmm, no reply?

The insecure will moan at this one, but I think GM screwed up royaly by placing Buick with Pontiac and GMC. These dealerships do not have the facilities or mind-set to sell sophisticted, luxury vehicles. Buick should have been paired with... ah... dare I say it, Cadillac. The two are so different, yet so much alike in target market. They sell the same package, just in different wrappings. So much more value would have been added to the Buick brand, and both they and Cadillac actually could benefit from the increased showroom traffic. Buick dealers could actually ask the "new" higher pricing needed to pay for the quality upgrades and not have to be embarrassed by the less than humble surroundings. Most of the Buick/Pontiac dealerships in my area ended up in Chevrolet dealerships. You can't sell a Lexus at a truck or Chevy dealership, and Buick does want to be Lexus. Or is that Cadillac? Oh well, put them in the same selling space and let the buyers make the decision. At least each will compliment the other, and GM does not have the momentous task of drawing high-end customers into a low-end dealership to sell one of its more luxurious brands. All we are saying, is give Buick a chance.

That is a seriously Invicta hood on that car.

I'm with you there. LaCrosse is not one of my favorite names. Invicta however... Change the name to Invicta and you move from marketing a mommy mobile to presenting a vehicle named with a strength that will attract both males and "young" males. The style alone will appeal to women. Let's face it, LaCrosse was simply a transition vehicle to get us from the "W" Regal to this completely new vehicle.

Here's a quick take on the production Invicta. Enjoy.

Certainly. Considering that there are numerous colors of plastic and the sweep itself has no woodgrain makes it obvious that these are stand-in parts. Looking on target.

I think this opens the door for a very nice flagship sedan and a Riviera flagship coupe. I'm happy. Now give us a luxury-filled Buick CX-9 and I will be thrilled.

Amen

I think the premise has validity, especially considering the recent Invicta video find; but I think that this is the equivalent of a chop, only in writing. Other than the potential of those two images being studies for such a vehicle, there truly is only speculation and rumor. The discussion here has spoken of the need for such a move, to follow gas price increases; being both pro and con for personal visions of compacts in Buick's future. I would like to see them, and I think necessity is going to dictate it if Buick is going to survive. After seeing those images in the video, particularly the coupe-like version with the fuzzy rear detail, I actually got excited about Buick building an X-6 competitor. The non-SUV CUV. The other looks to be a hard top roadster. Remember that GM has officially stated to expect unique, new offerings from Buick. Basically, think out of the box. Besides, Electra, Reatta and a host of other names would be far better for such a vehicle. A Buick Electra Hybrid compact? I always say, "an article without valid quotes is usually not based in fact, its an opinion piece." I mentioned in a post a good while back in the Buick Invicta Concept teaser thread that despite strong indication that it was the LaCrosse replacement, this same site had an article about the Invicta Concept stating that it would be a replacement for the Lucerne and had in their specifications page that it was Zeta based and gave other specs that would match a Lucerne. I see now that they have traded the article out for their take on the standard issue Buick Invicta press release. Pure speculation like this article.

Glad to see you guys are still kicking, now let's kick some tires in here, lol.

Sure is quiet around here.

That first one sure has a lot of CTS coupe written all over it, with curves. Perhaps a compact coupe and roadster off the Delta II? It even favors a little bit of... This Baby The rear top half of this vehicle is very blurry in the still. Could it be that this is not a coupe at all? Could this be a sleek compact CUV, with a low roof line, updated Rendezvous rear design? And I'm actually intrigued by the roadster. A new Reatta. Power fold hard top, nice, I like the muscular lines that look like they form an air vent for the rear wheels. That rear looks kind of like one of the preliminary Riviera concept sketches. Looks like a practical roadster, with lots of room for top and clubs in the back. I really liked the Velite headlight configuration, and the Riviera Concept too, hope we see more of that thinking when we see front ends. Going back and looking at some of the sketches they released on the Riviera Concept, you can really see some of that development in these two vehicles. Look at the top image and then look at these sketches. Then look at the bottom vehicle and look at these sketches. Interesting the similarities in bits and pieces of the concepts.

As in relation to the cheap product they have pandered off to the US over the last couple of decades? Apparently Buick, which don't get me wrong, I have always had a nostalgic affection for, finds it easier to foster a foreign market rather than correct a world of mistakes made in their home market. I think US buyers would give them the respect they deserve if they had only lived up to it in the not so distant past. Their efforts to regain that respect is at least the one thing I am optimistic about. I'm actually proud of the strides they are making, my only disdain is that it took them near extinction in the US to do it. Personally, I feel if I was willing to spend $36,000 for a loaded Pilot in 2003 (Which btw I did not when I purchased it, even though they did not want to negotiate in the first model year. My feelings about Honda have changed for the worse even still, because with this fourth Honda purchase I got a distressing indoctrination into Honda's "we're so great we could care less about our loyal customers" attitude), I would be willing to spend $40,000 or so for a new Enclave. Am I cheap? I would think I am one of Buick's target buyers, a sub-50 person who is looking for a great value in an upscale vehicle. If spending $44,760 five years later for a comparably equipped Enclave is demanded, I think Buick needs to realize that they are not going to be on the top of the resale value list for a while, they have to earn it and sell accordingly. I think they can do it and I look forward to seeing them there; however, they honestly cannot be so demanding so quickly with their very recent track record. In all honesty, I attempted to buy an Enclave and could not get the sales staff at three of my local dealerships to give me a call back when I offered to negotiate. Not to mention that I was dealing with folks who were not geared toward selling near-luxury cars and I knew more about the vehicle than they did. I could get a comparably equipped MDX Techno, with more power and Bluetooth, for $43,000 and be assured that I was making a good investment. Sad thing is, I really wanted to buy the Buick and support a domestic brand. Still driving the Honda. I'm waiting Buick, wanna sell me a car at a value? I need an SUV for business, but I'm thinking that I cannot continue to afford one with gas prices. That is why I am so excited about the Invicta. That, and the personal dream for Buick to do an Enclave on a smaller scale.

Throw a waterfall grill in with that tri-shield and it's called a Park Avenue. Unfortunately Buick thinks we don't deserve such luxury here in the US.

Been comparing the mule shots with the Invicta again and I'm starting to get concerned. I'll hot air on the interior this time. The seats in particular. The Invicta apparently will follow in the path of the Enclave when it moves over to production spec. Though the interior photos are limited, you can see from some of the exterior debut shots that the front buckets are nicely designed, with back seat amenities like incorporated folding tray tables and probably the elegant leather portfolios to hold stuff. The mule shot, of the guy reaching in the back door shows that we here in the US are going to be getting the cheaper version; plastic clam shells with fish net stuff holders. Why? Why? Another possibly good observation, the mule has something black on the sides of the head rests. Could these be speakers, a la the STS's on the seat shoulders? Just went back and looked at the STS on their web site, which btw is nicely designed and promotes their internationality (I guess because they are not afraid to show you that they maintain the same standards of luxury for each market) right up front, and the STS interior is sadly lacking when compared to the Invicta. Oh well, it's a goner anyway.

I really can't get too excited about this revamp, I'll have to wait until they do something serious, the new vehicle, on I guess Delta II from what everyone is saying.

And since we are dealing in hilarity here, here's an out of context rib tickler... "I'm Your Father, Harley!"

I'm sure I'm unintentionally insulting someone here, but that B&W house in the background looks like a set from the 1960s Twighlight Zone. Very appropriate for the subject, lol. Considering that the scale in that photo is for 4 foot tall occupants, Buick has just designed their first UDO.

I think there is more difference at the rocker and door shape around the rear wheel well. That rocker has concerned me since the spy shots surfaced. It looks clumsy, especially in comparison to the nice job on both the Invicta and Riviera concepts. Also look at how much difference there is in space between the front door seam and the front wheel opening.

Cool, thanks. Mmmmm, that interior does look better in the flesh. The sequential shifter design is nice, almost looks manual. And it looks like the heat and cool seat switches are nicely placed on the console Paolino. The wood is in all the right places and not overdone. I was looking at the CGI of the interior and it looks as if there is a small line of ambient light running above the wood that sweeps the dash. I thought maybe it might be a chrome detail. The photo shows this area, but it is definitely not chrome and if ambient, is not lit. That would be a nice, toned down compromise from the Riviera interior. I thought it was a bit much. A buddy of mine said "how could you drive that car with that much light shining at you," my response was "Park." I just want to personally thank Buick and their designers. It is obvious that they have been listening to those of us that admire the marque and want to see it rise to greater heights. There is so much in this concept that "is" what we asked for. Keep up the good work and we look forward to seeing what you can come up with next. I hope you realize that our critique here comes purely from love, we are excited and anxious.

I'm with you there, though I don't remember the interior on their Regal. But the new car looks as if it is going to have an interior that is superior to both the LaX and CLaX. They're listening, and I hope they are hearing you on the wood Paolino.

Here is the clicker for the site: http://www.lexus.com/fcv/ There is no complete description there for which vehicle the LF-S is projected toward, scale and design would point toward the mid-size range; however, the LF-Sh is most definitely the precursor for the new LS, with hybrid technology on board. And I know you folks are tired of hearing me say it, but they need to take a clear look at the LF-X, Buick needs a five-seater crossover to get improved gas mileage and handling in place for the future. The exciting thing to think about is that Buick is now using virtual design technology (That Ford is plugging big time with their SUV), which means that they should be developing more concepts virtually, which means seeing more creativity and affordable dry runs on new ideas, without the expense of clay modeling and manufacturing.

And that Century was being sold until this year as the Regal in China. Go figure. I just went back and looked at the CLaX on their site, and upon looking again I realize how evolutionary this new Invicta/LaX/Whatever is — far better. Remember when everyone was gaga over the CLaX and complaining about our pitiful version. The exisiting CLaX is not all that anymore in comparison, IMO. The Invicta even looks better than the PA, which IMO is too much of a rebadge job. Yup, I know, I know...Zeta is its saving grace. I guess I'm saying, be happy, it is getting better in terms of what we were saying to Buick a few short years ago. Just keep talking and remember, they can't afford to spend money to tool a car that may be a hit or miss. I think they are giving us their best right now, in a package that is beautiful and still should have universal design appeal.

Hmmm, I've been on that mailing list since the Enclave concept, but now that you mention it, I haven't gotten anything in a long time. Thanks.

I was thinking the same thing. I actually think the Buick is sexier and carries a lot more design content. The video says they created the design in 5 weeks, so I imagine the Lexus concept existed at that point and was definite homework. The lines along the sill are almost identical, though Lexus' are softer at the intersections. The site does not identify if this is an ES or GS replacement concept. There is a concept there for the LS as well.