Buick Invicta Concept: Shanghaied in New York

It won't be displayed in the clay until the Beijing auto show on April 19, but Buick's letting more than a few whispers out about its new Invicta concept.

While we're amassing for the New York auto show, Buick's eye ahead to Beijing will include a fully realized concept version of this sketch, which General Motors released today along with some brief information on the new Invicta.

That name -- which is Latin-speak for "invincible" -- was last seen in the Buick lineup 45 years ago. It's now applied to what GM says is a "premium" car with global appeal. To that end, the Invicta's been a shared effort -- with GM design studios in North America and China getting in on the action.

GM design president Ed Welburn says the new car is a milestone for GM's upscale, not-quite-Caddy brand. “The result will set a new design standard for Buick," he's quoted in a release.

Though much of it is rendered in this hazy sketch, the Invicta is said to be inspired by the Riviera concept shown last year. A sumptuous interior is enveloped in a shape that draws on Buick lines from the 1940s through the 1970s. And since it's said to share some of the Riviera concept's lighting and interior elements, we're guessing that maybe the Invicta is a four-door version of the Riviera concept from last year's show circuit - perhaps a forerunner of the rear-drive Buick sedan we told you about last month.

We'll have more on the Invicta as we report from the New York auto show throughout the week. Stay tuned.