Sporting a black chrome grill, wood-accented steering wheel, and a stitched leather interior, the first Buick to wear the brand’s new high-end Avenir badge has arrived, with a second on the way. The Avenir name, a dose of sporty luxury meant to help Buick compete against BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and other premium automakers, debuts with the brand’s flagship vehicle, the three-row Enclave SUV. Starting at $54,390, the 2018 Enclave Avenir “points the direction for our design language all the way down through the rest of the entries for the brand,” said Bob Boniface, director of Buick exterior design. Boniface confirmed that another model bearing the Avenir badge will launch by the end of the year. Nearly half of Enclave customers buy the top two trim levels, which tend to run more than $50,000, according to spokesman Stuart Fowle.

Source: Forbes October 03, 2017 19:41 UTC