In Retrospect

[Guest YellowJacket894]

Hello and welcome back to In Retrospect. After a breif hiatus, IR is back and will be brought to you monthly in The Lounge. Future issues will/may hold more content.

This month we ask one question: Why didn't they build that?

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The car that should have been built was a concept by GM -- Nineteen-Ninety-Five's Buick XP2000.

These images taken by avant1963:

XP2000, 1995 -- This is an elegant rear-wheel-drive sedan showcasing advanced technology to enhance the convenience, comfort and safety of its passengers, and excellent packaging -- the length of a mid-size Regal, wheelbase of a Roadmaster and interior space of a Park Avenue. XP2000 is a five-passenger car with a pearlescent silver-gold exterior color. It also has a full-size 5-liter V-8.

The heart of XP2000 is a network of advanced computers that tailors the car to the needs and desires of the individual driver and allows it to used the Intelligent Vehicle Highway Systems planned for the next century. These computers also link XP2000 to the rapidly growing "information superhighway," making it easier for the driver to work and relax while in the car.

Among specific features is a remote keyless fob that can position the car's seats, climate controls and even driving response to a specific driver's tastes; a "Smart Card" setup in which a plastic card may be inserted into the instrument panel, allowing the driver to charge tools, fuel, food and other services; an advanced head-up display, and an instrument-panel display that can be adapted for use with a personal computer; a navigation system with arrows guiding the driver along a map display; and an array of safety features, ranging from eight air bags (including one in each door panel) to a detection system for obstacles near the path of the car.

Description: An elegant roomy rear-wheel-drive mid-size four-door family sedan showcasing advanced technology to enhance the convenience, comfort and safety of its passengers. XP2000 is a five-passenger car with a pearlescent silver-gold exterior color. The heart of XP2000 is a network of advanced computers that tailors the car to the needs and desires of the individual driver and allows it to used the Intelligent Vehicle Highway Systems planned for the 21st Century. These computers also link XP2000 to the rapidly growing "information superhighway," making it easier for the driver to work and relax while in the car. Owned by Buick Motor Division, Flint, Mich.

Key Features: Remote keyless fob that can position the car's seats, climate controls and even driving response to a specific driver's tastes; a "Smart Card" setup in which a plastic card may be inserted into the instrument panel, allowing the driver to charge tools, fuel, food and other services; an advanced "head-up" display, and an instrument-panel display that can be adapted for use with a personal computer; a navigation system with arrows guiding the driver along a map display; and an array of safety features, ranging from eight air bags (including one in each door panel) to a detection system for obstacles near the path of the car. One key feature is efficient packaging -- the length of a mid-size Regal, wheelbase of a Roadmaster and interior space of a Park Avenue. Plus room underhood for a full-size V-8.

Why didn't GM build it?

The platform would've made a great replacement for both the W-Body and B-Body cars; the styling was near timeless and well-done; the packaging was a flawless idea. (They can keep the Automated Highway Sytem, though.)

Why didn't they built it? Guess you can chalk it up to the beancounters. In the late '90s, GM felt as if rear-drive cars were going the way of the dodo because of the growing popularity of the GMT-400 SUVs and pickups. Rear-drive cars were out as far as GM was concered.

But wait -- this still has a spot in the GM line.

If someone at GM would just downsize the interior space and wheelbase a bit, they would have a nice rear-drive replacement for both the W-Body and the Epsilion platforms. GM would have an edge over the competition because, as of now, no one offers a mid-size rear-drive car. Offer this for about the same price as the current Malibu and there could be a hot, smash hit on GM's hands.

So, GM, why aren't you building it?

Suppliment For The July 2006 Issue:

Maybe GM wanted to build it (from the April 1994 issue of Car & Driver)...

Bad move GM. Building this over a badge engineered Century should've been common sense. And -- look! -- we were going to get a wagon, too. What a shame.

Edited July 14, 2006 by YellowJacket894

[76ChevyTrucker]

I never saw anything about this one, but I do like the idea, although modernizing the powertrain would have to be a priority. I think that the styling of it keeps with what Buick currently is, so why not dust off the plants and build it?

[z28luvr01]

This looks to have been the styling basis for what eventually became the 2nd-gen Aurora. It wouldn't surprise me if that was in fact the case, as NINETY_EIGHT_REGENCY and VenSeattle have some pretty good knowledge of the politics between Buick and Olds in the mid 90s.

[Variance]

Am I alone in seeing more than a little Lacrosse in that concept?

Or maybe a last-gen Rivera in sedan form.

[Drew Dowdell]

it doesn't have the right kind of grill for current cars. Todays cars have big, bold grills. The days of bottom feeding carp grills are over.

everything else seems fine

[Croc]

This was to be built off of the Holden platform. Look at the beltline and overall proportions...this is a Commodore for Buick.

EXCEPT for one little thing...

The XP2000 was to have been the RWD 1997 Regal. Due to something I am not aware of within GM, this was nixed at the last minute (prolly an issue with exchange rates or unions or something) and the Regal as we know it was rushed from the PLANNED W-body Century.

Hence, Buick gets two cars with very little differentiation.

[Guest YellowJacket894]

[in response to Croc.] Huh. Come to think of it, I did read in an old 1996 issue of Car & Driver that both Buick and Cadillac were going to get RWD sedans based on Holdens. We know the Cadillac turned out to be the Catera, but it never crossed my mind that this was that aborted car.

I'll dig it out, scan the article, and add a supplement to the original issue.

[Petra]

Neat story behind it, but, like most Buicks of the era, it looks a little dated now. The automotive styling world has since moved on from the "droopy jellybean" look.

[Croc]

If anyone knows why GM ultimately axed the Holden-based Regal, I'd love to hear it...

[ocnblu]

That's the first thing I thought, too. Croc is right, it has the stance and proportion of a Catera. I do like it though, even if it is a bit dated.

[avant1963]

I have these old pics from the NY Auto show when the XP was a new concept:

[ocnblu]

It would have been such a cool car with a turbocharged 3.8L...

[Flybrian]

The rear treatment manifested itself in the Regal and much of the front was incorporated into the LaCrosse. The XP2000 was my least favorite Buick concept in terms of forward styling. The grille is not just pinched, its been sat upon.

[knightfan26917]

The rear treatment manifested itself in the Regal and much of the front was incorporated into the LaCrosse.

Oh my goodness, yes!

Heh...and, yet, altogether, it does have the stance of the Catera ... even the sides of it looks Cateraish to me.

Interesting.

Cort, "Mr MC" / "Mr Road Trip", 32swm/pig valve/pacemaker

MC:family.IL.guide.future = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/

Models.HO = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/trainroom.html

"It's not the car I want" ... George Jones ... 'The Corvette Song'

[Bimmer325]

With a tweaked front-end (something that likely would've been adressed for production regardless), the XP was the car that would've saved Buick.

[76ChevyTrucker]

I really think that Buick should have built that car. It looks good and I would like to see one on the road.

[the_yellow_dart]

This looks to have been the styling basis for what eventually became the 2nd-gen Aurora.

165543[/snapback]

[Guest YellowJacket894]

Suppliment added. Read it.

[VenSeattle]

With a tweaked front-end (something that likely would've been adressed for production regardless), the XP was the car that would've saved Buick.

166171[/snapback]

Buick isn't Dead.

[Petra]

A pity they never built it, but I can see where it influenced other Buick models, like the 1997 Regal. It also pretty much set the tone for every Buick concept that followed it for 5 or so years.

[C.H.U.D.]

So much Holden Commodore in that design as well.

[Camino LS6]

Missed opportunity.