Buick is back, judging from the concept car I’ve been gazing at all day.

I’m at the Chicago Auto Show, chatting with Chip Thole, the Manager of Exterior Design, and Aaron Stich, the Interior Creative Designer, both at Buick.

The brand new Avista concept looks like a futuristic Jaguar XJ, which is a compliment indeed for the iconic GM-owned brand about their design skills. I could see Jaguar designers just up the carpeted hallway sneaking over to take notes.

Buick has started changing perceptions about what it means to own a Buick. People will not make fun of you. The uptick started with the 2014 Regal GS with its manual transmission and sleek lines. That 259-horsepower sedan has some oomph. I imagine the Avista, if it ever debuts as a production car, might have around 400 or 500 horsepower or more. The concept car specs say it has a 3.0-liter V6 twin turbo with an 8-speed transmission and rear-wheel drive.

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