After three separate concept models that Buick has showcased over the years, hopes for the 2018 Buick Riviera production model are as resolute as ever. Rumors of the Riviera’s return have surfaced again after last year’s Shanghai Auto Show when Buick relied on the storied Riviera name in order to introduce a brand-new plug on hybrid concept designed by Shanghai GM, that was announced as “a design study of the future expression of Buick.”
So, will General Motors build the 2018 Buick Riviera? A release date, specs or an actual confirmation are yet to be seen. But, the word on the street is that Buick is getting ready to delve into a more futuristic territory with their upcoming models, so the Riviera could very well be among them.
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Exterior and Interior
The aforementioned concept that debuted at the Shanghai Auto Show features some innovative design including a glass-intensive fastback and a sharply angled windshield, as well as a set of gullwing doors. However, these are the drastic features that aren’t likely to make their way into the 2018 Riviera or any new production model from Buick. We do, however, expect to see a logical extension of this concept incorporated into the rumored production model.
Inside, the 2018 Buick Riviera could include some of the luxurious materials that were featured inside the 2016 concept model. The sandblasted aluminum, lava-colored suede, and ebony accents could all make their way into the production model.
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Engine
Since Buick is considering going in a more futuristic and therefore more sustainable direction in the future, it would make sense if the 2018 Buick Riviera incorporates the wireless plug-in hybrid electric vehicle propulsion system that was introduced in the Rivera concept last year. Although Buick didn’t elaborate much on the specifics, we know that this system allows you to drive in a completely electric mode or a combination of the gas and electric hybrid modes. Moreover, the charging system works through a regular cable to charging port that is, in this case, incorporated into Buick’s iconic porthole design, or through a wireless inductive charging system. As for the actual hybrid technology in this system, not much is known, but it is probably based on the Chevy Volt’s and Cadillac ELR’s hybrid setups.
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2018 Buick Riviera Release Date and Price
There is no official confirmation from Buick regarding the Riviera’s rumored resurgence, but if the new model were secretly about to enter production, the earliest possible release date for the new Buick Riviera would be the second half of 2018. The pricing is, however, a little harder to predict, but after taking into account the going rates of some of the Riviera’s eventual competitors, we can estimate the starting price for the new model at anywhere between $40.000 and $50.000.
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