A quick search through any Buick forum on the internet will throw up a surprising number of people just wishing the company brought back the fast coupe formula. And from the bunch of renders of a modern Buick GNX that have since been created, this one stands out. Created exclusively for HotCars by digital artist Rostislav Prokop, this new Buick GNX concept looks the most... realistic.
Thanks to SUVs and crossovers, fast coupes don’t make as much sense as they used to. You know, when the Buick Grand National and original GNX took everyone by surprise in the 1980s, for example. Just take a look at Buick’s current lineup (of only SUVs and crossovers, from the 2023 Buick Encore to the 2023 Buick Enclave) to get the point.
But modern muscle cars like the Chevrolet Camaro, or even the Cadillac CT4-V sedan, prove that there’s definitely a market for a car with character. At least within the GM universe that Buick exists in.
Considering there’s the Buick Wildcat EV concept slated for production in 2024, a fast two-door Buick isn’t that hard to imagine once again. And we’d argue that a lot of sense can be made in bringing back the Buick Grand National name tag, or even the Buick Regal (which is still on sale in China).
Because people already have memories attached to those cars. The cherry would be if a modern Buick GNX had a twin-turbo V6 like the original GNX and GMC Syclone, another legend with the same engine. The motor definitely made it one of the top Eighties’ muscle cars. After all, GM does have 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engines on offer in the Cadillac CT5 and CT5-V, as well as the epic 3.6-litre twin-turbo V6 in the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing. You see where we’re going with this?
What A 2023 Buick GNX Should Look Like
There’s no mistaking the Buick lineage in this fresh GNX concept. It’s got the curves and complex bodywork of modern Buicks. Even the classic grille with vertical chrome slats of older Buicks. And of course, the addition of the distinct rear-quarter glass of the original GNX. All placed on top of what could be the Camaro platform underneath.
But this modern GNX carves out a personality all for itself thanks to all of those things. Instead of looking like just another Camaro-clone. It does seem like no body panel has been left untouched when it comes to character lines. The hood is sculpted and even has a scoop/power bulge to mark it as a performance model.
The fenders have slats that continue into the front doors. And the rear quarter panel swoops up and over the rear tires. Then there’s the signature Buick lights at the rear. Perfect?
Well, almost. We do think there’s room for improvement in the headlights. The lights look like they’ve been borrowed from the Buick Encore small-SUV. But a slightly more modern interpretation like the lights from the Buick Enclave mid-size SUV might’ve worked better. Still in line with Buick styling, but more modern. And definitely better than the mess that was the 2000s attempt at a GNX revival.
How McLaren Made The 1987 Buick GNX Such A Legend
One of the aspects of the ’87 Buick GNX that made it so special to drive was the fact that McLaren helped set it up. The name stood for Grand National Experimental, so you can imagine just what ASC/McLaren put into it — upgraded turbos, freer-flowing heads, tweaked engine management, and a whole lot of chassis and suspension work to make it handle better.
One of the main goals was to beat the Chevrolet Corvette of the time. Though that goal was very much unofficial. That’s because GM forbade any of its umbrella companies to outdo the Corvette. That’s also why the 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 in the GNX was underrated to 276 hp. Actual horsepower figures are way more.
Bringing Back The GNX With A Modern Twin Turbo V6
Speaking of horsepower, how does north of 460 hp from a 3.6-liter twin-turbo V6 sound? Because that’s what’s possible from the engine in the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing. And the obvious choice of engine donor for a modern GNX. It’s available with an automatic, or a six-speed manual. The manual would be preferred, for obvious reasons, even if it takes the 0-60 mph time up from the auto’s 3.9 seconds.
Another option would be the less powerful 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 that’s in the Cadillac CT5-V, good for 360 hp and a 0-60 mph time in just over four seconds. It might suit the slightly more relaxed nature of a modern GNX. But truth be told, if Buick were to commission a Grand National comeback, they should just go all out. In the spirit of the original, of course.