Buick Centieme Concept

Information

The Buick Centieme is a luxury crossover utility concept vehicle unveiled in 2003 to commemorate Buick's 100th anniversary.

Designed to blend the best features of a sedan and an SUV, the Centieme (French for 'hundredth') was a showcase for the brand's future design direction and a precursor to the production Buick Enclave.

The car was built by the famed Italian design house Bertone.

Under the hood, the concept is powered by an experimental 3.6-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, capable of producing 400 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain is paired with a Hydra-Matic 4T65-E 4-speed automatic transmission and General Motors' Versatrak all-wheel-drive system. The interior offers seating for six passengers in a three-row configuration featuring individual 'captain's chairs'.

The exterior design, finished in a sophisticated Canyon Mist metallic blue-red tri-coat paint, features a low, wide stance with short front and rear overhangs that project an agile appearance. Key design elements include Buick's classic chrome oval grille, artful teardrop headlamp clusters, and wraparound taillights that echo the oval theme. The car rides on large 22-inch aluminum wheels.

The cabin emphasizes luxury and versatility, with six individual power-adjustable seats upholstered in various grades of leather. The floor is covered in a custom-made woven leather, reminiscent of high-end home decor. Other notable interior features include movable center consoles that can slide forward to increase cabin space, accents of engine-turned aluminum and olive ash wood inserts, soft ambient lighting integrated into the headliner, and DVD screens built into the front seatbacks for the entertainment of rear occupants.