Buick GL8 Avenir MPV brings along even more luxury

Even as the third-generation Buick GL8 MPV debuted in 2016, it featured a luxury trim version called Avenir – fine leather finish, individual second-row seats, and an added third-row sofa. Last year, an even better equipped four-seat variant of this trim came out as a concept car. Now, after a series of patent images, Buick has confirmed that the production start is not too far away.

Based on the first teaser pic, the cabin stays true to its conceptual version except for the different second-row console, the lack of a champagne bottle shelf, and the single-tone steering wheel.

The prototype from the last year also had a special bumper trim and new wheels; it remains to be seen whether these will make it into production.

The GL8 series comes powered by a two-liter, four-cylinder turbo engine with direct injection. Its nominal output amounts to 260 hp (194 kW) and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque. The transmission type is six-speed automatic, and it only drives the front axle. Getting from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes 9.3 seconds, and the top speed is capped at 205 km/h (127 mph). Combined-cycle fuel economy is estimated at 8.6 liters of gasoline burned per 100 km (UK: 33 MPG; USA: 27 MPG). The dimensions are as follows: L = 5,203 mm (17.07 feet), W = 1,878 mm (6.16 feet), H = 1,805 mm (5.92 feet), wheelbase = 3,088 mm (10.13 feet).

Once the new Buick GL8 Avenir hits the market, it will mainly have to compete against the likes of the Mercedes-Benz V-Class and Lexus LM.