Buick Avenir line expands to include Regal

[mmcartalk]

Yeah, folks, I know........another Buick thread from MM?

So.....what else is new?

Seriously, there's some more news at the division...besides the new-for-2019 Lacrosse Sport Touring model. The slow-selling Regal gets a new Avenir package, which is mostly cosmetic except for the 19" wheels, but adds a flair of interior/exterior luxury that previous models seemed to lack. .....never mind the fact that the 19" wheels will probably stiffen up the Regal's already-stiff (by Buick standards) ride even more. Also of note, this is probably the last of the Opel-designed Buicks we will see in the American market. The Opel-rebadges, of course, were (mostly) responsible for Buick's rise to a very high position on Consumer Reports' reliability list...arguably higher than any other American nameplate. It's nice, IMO, to see GM not only holding on to their sedans/hatchbacks, but even expanding their packages and trim levels, at a time when Ford is kissing most of them good-bye, although true Regal sedans were dropped last year, with the new hatchback and wagon added. As for now, the new Avenir trim level seems to be for the Regal hatchback model only, not the AWD Tour-X-wagon.

https://media.buick.com/media/us/en/...31-avenir.html

https://www.buick.com/avenir?eVar36=...12452636#regal


https://www.motortrend.com/news/2019...op-trim-level/ See all photos

/ 2019 BUICK REGAL AVENIR IS THE LATEST TO GET THE NEW TOP TRIM LEVEL2019 BUICK REGAL AVENIR IS THE LATEST TO GET THE NEW TOP TRIM LEVEL

Avenir badge continues to spread throughout the Buick lineup BUICK
REGAL
SEDAN
NEWS
by Words: Alex Nishimoto Photos:

Manufacturer July 31, 2018

Buick's upscale Avenir trim has helped the brand win both prestige and sales, so it should come as no surprise that the badge is rolling out to more models in the lineup. The latest to receive the Avenir treatment is the 2019 Buick Regal Sportback, rolling out to dealerships this fall.

Like the two U.S. Avenir models before it, the LaCrosse and Enclave, the Regal Avenir offers interior and exterior enhancements along with a host of standard features. Inside, you'll find diamond quilted front seats with Avenir-embroidered headrests, sill plates emblazoned with the Avenir logo, and the first application of Buick's new cloud-capable infotainment system. The interior can be had in either a Whisper Beige or Ebony color scheme.

VIEW 16 PHOTOS

Outside, the Regal Avenir sports a unique grille with a three-dimensional mesh pattern inspired by the 2015 Buick Avenir concept. The five-door also receives Avenir badges on the front doors and an exclusive set of 19-inch Pearl Nickel-finished alloy wheels. Like all non-GS Regals, the Regal Avenir will get a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four, tuned to 250 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, which will be mated exclusively to a nine-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive.

We like how the standard Regal Sportback drives, but noted in a review that the interior doesn't feel special enough. Here's hoping this new Avenir trim can change that.

Pricing for the 2019 Buick Regal Avenir will be announced closer to its launch in the fall.

Source: Buick

See all 16 photos PHOTO GALLERY

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[mmcartalk]

https://media.buick.com/media/us/en/...31-avenir.html


2019 Regal Avenir Offers Sleek, Versatile Luxury

Premium Line Extends to Buick’s Freshest Face

2018-07-31

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — With the addition of the Regal Avenir — the fourth Buick globally to get an Avenir trim in less than a year — the momentum behind Buick’s highest expression of luxury continues to grow. Since its introduction last fall, Enclave Avenir has set the pace for Avenir, selling faster than all other Enclave trims and comprising 20 percent of total Enclave sales in the United States. A similar story is unfolding for the new LaCrosse, where Avenir is selling 70 percent faster than other trim levels.

“Avenir sales have exceeded our expectations,” said Phil Brook, vice president, Buick and GMC Marketing. “Buick customers value the exclusive styling, premium features and convenient experience Avenir provides, and we are excited to extend that successful formula to Regal.”

Half of all Regal Sportback buyers are choosing the top trim level, and within the midsize car segment demand is growing for more premium vehicles. Over the past four years, demand has risen 30 percent for midsize cars priced from $30,000 to $40,000, reflecting the increasing customer demand for more luxury, convenience and safety without compromising overall value.

Buick’s first cloud-connected1 Infotainment System debuts on Regal Avenir, enabling embedded apps and enhancing how customers interact with vehicle features such as profiles, available navigation, voice recognition system updates and applications. Owners will now be able to personalize their user preferences and seamlessly take that profile with them into any compatible vehicle.

“Innovation comes standard with Avenir,” said Chris Hay, Product and Pricing director, Buick and GMC. “It is a place for us to showcase our latest ideas to promote occupant well-being before we roll them out to other vehicles in our portfolio. The Enclave Avenir was the first Buick with Evonik Acrylite exterior lighting, a Rear Camera Mirror and an ionizer, and now Buick’s latest infotainment interface will come standard with the Regal Avenir.”

Other Avenir-exclusive interior details include a Whisper Beige interior theme with Ebony accents, unique diamond quilt-stitched front seats, embroidered first-row headrests and Avenir-scripted sill plates.

An Ebony interior theme is also available on Avenir models.

On the exterior, Regal Avenir’s more dramatic look features the unique Avenir three-dimensional mesh upper grille inspired by our award-winning concept cars. Avenir script badging on the front doors and exclusive 19-inch Pearl Nickel wheels create more visual differentiation and complement the Regal’s timeless design.

Numerous safety and driver assistance technologies2 available on other Regal Sportback models come standard on Avenir, including Rear Park Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, LED headlamps with auto leveling, cornering lamps and driver side auto-dimming mirrors. Additional active safety technologies, including Adaptive Cruise Control - Advanced, are also available.

A 250-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 260 lb-ft of torque, a nine-speed automatic transmission, ample cargo space with a discreet rear opening and tri-folding 40/20/40 rear seats, wireless charging, navigation and Bose eight-speaker premium audio also come standard on Avenir.

Pricing will be announced early fall 2018 when Avenirs arrive at dealers.

With one of the freshest lineups in the industry, Buick has found success offering premium SUVs and cars with sculptural designs, refined performance, modern interiors and thoughtful personal technologies. Buick’s award-winning customer service and sales experience, along with the new Avenir trim, the highest expression of Buick luxury, are attracting new buyers to experience Buick’s unique approach to attainable luxury. More information about Buick vehicles is available at buick.com.

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1 Requires Connected Access.

2 Read the vehicle owner's manual for important safety or driver assistance feature limitations and information.

 

[ssun30]

Good attempt. But what are they offering against the ES?

The Avenir marque's main battleground is China. It's not making serious noise after two years. The ES reigns supreme. Cheap Cadillacs also didn't help.

 

[mmcartalk]

But what are they offering against the ES?

The Lacrosse has traditionally competed with the ES. It is considered the "American" Lexus. It also competes with the Kia Cadenza, Toyota Avalon, Lincoln MKZ, and Genesis G80.

The Avenir marque's main battleground is China. It's not making serious noise after two years. The ES reigns supreme. Cheap Cadillacs also didn't help.

I agree that recent Cadillac sedans, despite their good handling, are not really competitive. They simply ride too stiff....and, in doing so, they alienated too much of their traditional buyer base.

 

[Ian Schmidt]

The interior on this looks nicer than most of the Cadillacs, which should pose a problem for Cadillac rather than the other way around.