Buick Revealing New Crossover Next Month

[nsap]

Baby Enclave will finally show its face during NAIAS.
www.GMInsideNews.com
December 6, 2011
By: Nick Saporito

Screenshot from one of New GM's first commercials that allegedly shows the Encore in the background as a clay model.

By now it is no secret that Buick is currently working on a smaller crossover to add to its expanding portfolio of premium vehicles. Known as the “Baby Enclave” within much of the media and information sources, GMI first confirmed the existence of this small crossover way back in 2009 and also reported its alleged name, Encore. As the Encore nears the final stages of development, GMI has learned that the new Buick will be revealed in January.

As previously reported, the Encore will be based on GM’s Gamma architecture, the same fundamentals found under the recently launched Chevrolet Sonic. The exact size of the Encore is still a bit fuzzy, but it is important to note that its Gamma underpinnings are not an automatic default to sub-compact stature. The Gamma architecture is extremely flexible, meaning GM can hone the size of the Encore to fit whatever sweet spot Buick wishes to fill. Previous rumors have suggested the Encore would be similar in size to the Nissan Rogue, if not a touch larger.

Expect the Encore to be powered by GM’s latest Ecotec four-cylinder engines and six-speed automatic transmissions. GMI has not confirmed exactly which displacements will be slotted into the Encore.

Multiple sources have stated that the design theme of the Encore follows the larger Enclave, which is no surprise considering the pet name of “Baby Enclave.” Despite being far along in the development process, spy shots of the Encore have been scarce. One poorly circulated shot of the interior did surface on a blog, which GMI has been able to validate independently as being that of the Encore.

The Opel remnants in the interior come as no surprise. The Encore will be shared between Buick and Opel, much like the relationship between the Buick Regal and Opel Insignia.

At last report, the Encore is slated to launch sometime in late 2012 as a 2013 model.

[Dr. Show-Me]

Will the Encore have an awd option? Price range?

[CamaroCrazy]

Sounds exciting. Since Encore is on Gamma, is there a chance the production GMC Granite could share the same basic components with the Encore? Is there a chance we could see a production Granite next month too?

[knack0125]

OMG!!!! This just makes me wanna make the 8 hr drive to michigan even more. Darn you GM, why not wait til the NY show so I can see it in person. -_-

Either way its super exciteing, i'm just wandering the place this would slot into. would it be Nox/Terrain sized or something smaller? Or is it the Buick version of the Trailblazer that we are sapposedly not getting? :P

[TonyGXP]

idk what to expect. did we really need another variant of the equinot and terrainable?? both second rate "CUV's" imo. lacking in almost every area the competent competition (Edge, Journey, Tiguan, A5, Even Tuscon and Sportage) has to offer.. they need to sit higher and have much more power as the V6 is barely quicker. Fit and finish is superior to some, but the materials are lacking... Get on the ball GM..

[autoplaybook]

Yup...that's a very mildly changed Opel/Vauxhall Meriva IP.

Makes sense, since the new Meriva rides on Gamma.

Can't wait to see the Encore in the metal. The renaissance at Buick continues!

[bballr4567]

Will the Encore have an awd option? Price range?

I doubt it. It would make sense seeing how popular the Juke AWD variants are but we are talking about GM here.



Anyways, this is needed. BADLY. Not only as a Buick, but a GMC and Chevy. We will see what GM does with this baby cute CUV.

[Al63240]

idk what to expect. did we really need another variant of the equinot and terrainable?? both second rate "CUV's" imo. lacking in almost every area the competent competition (Edge, Journey, Tiguan, A5, Even Tuscon and Sportage) has to offer.. they need to sit higher and have much more power as the V6 is barely quicker. Fit and finish is superior to some, but the materials are lacking... Get on the ball GM..

Apparently, the buying public does not agree with you. I think they are more than adequate with one exception. They should have the 3.6L engine from the Vue instead of the 3.0L.

On topic, since this is a buick, I'll hold out hope. But I don't really care for the idea of CUV's this small. I think the worst examples are the Infiniti's (FX??) They look almost like a matchbox car. Something that looks a lot bigger that is midgetized.

[ne_one]

i'm just wandering the place this would slot into. would it be Nox/Terrain sized or something smaller? Or is it the Buick version of the Trailblazer that we are sapposedly not getting? :P

As a yardstick, the Rogue is roughly 184" long, 71" wide with a wheelbase of 106". The Equinox is 188" long, 73" wide and has a wheelbase of 113".

So... a bit smaller with a different layout.

In addition to the interior spy shots, exterior images were claimed to be of the Encore as well.

[mbukukanyau]

If my experience shopping for the Equinox against Rav4 and CR-V, GM products are way above anything coming from its Japanese counterparts, so this will be a winner.

[DenaliHD66]

Looks stupid. Looks like an oversized sonic.

[rfraleigh]

Well I'm excited!
I hope the Buick is just like the Opel (like the Regal) with only grill and badge swaps. Of course, if this were a perfect world we would also get a diesel in NA.

Does anyone know if it will have AWD? Being an SUV, I would expect it but you never know...

I had high hopes for this car, but those exterior spy shots scared me.

Well we can hope it was just a mule. I really hope it was because this car was sounding good. (Not as much looking good if the exterior spy shots are production, but i'm still excited) We can hope the car looks more like this

[Envoy4Life]

I had high hopes for this car, but those exterior spy shots scared me.

[rfraleigh]

...competent competition (Edge, Journey, Tiguan, A5, Even Tuscon and Sportage) has to offer....

You mean Q5? The A5 is a coupe/ convertible. And the Rouge, which is being cited as similar in size is smaller than the 'nox and it's GMC sister. Either way, your right. This is a competitive segment so if GM can pull it off right, I'll be happy.

[John Wilde]

Pictures and Video of a camoed prototype here:

http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/n...2-1470621.html

This information is old, it is just a refresher.