General Motors revealed last week at the 2013 Shanghai auto show the new Buick Riviera concept, which is a plug-in hybrid vehicle with a rather interesting exterior design. The new Riviera concept comes with the BIP (Buick Intelligent Performance) technology, which incorporates a dual-mode W-PHEV (wireless plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) propulsion system. This means that the Buick Riviera can be driven in either electric mode, or hybrid mode, to get the performance and handling of a sports car. The new Riviera can be recharged via wire, or wirelessly via a sensory recharge panel situated on its chassis. Buick equips the Riviera concept with intelligent four-wheel steering, an electromagnetic-controlled suspension and an air spring package.
The Riviera also features high-speed 4G LTE Internet connectivity. Through this network, the new Buick Riviera is able to communicate with other vehicles, and to offer various weather and real-time traffic information.
The Buick Riviera's new forward-looking active safety system uses 10 high-resolution cameras and 18 micro high-precision sensors. The system uses the information to project a holographic image onto the windshield.
This system includes an eagle view record system, night view assist, side blind-zone alert system, lane departure warning system, full-speed range-adaptive cruise control system, lane change assist system, parking assist system, rear cross-traffic alert system, autopilot system and "transparent" A pillars.
When designing the new Riviera concept, Buick took special care to give it the best possible drag coefficient. To accomplish this, they gave the Riviera concept a raked windshield, a 14-degree fastback design and a metallic fiber spoiler, with active grille shutters and diffusers, and active pneumatic wheels.
Buick Riviera Concept video:
