After teasing the SUV for quite some time, Buick->ke17 has finally dropped the cover off the all new Buick Encore - General Motors' response to the Audi Q3->ke2666 and the BMW X1->ke2474. The Buick Encore will begin arriving at U.S. Buick dealerships in the first quarter of 2013.
The 2013 Buick Encore->ke4147 will offer contemporary styling, signature QuietTuning technology, and a host of features and amenities customers have come to expect from Buick. It will join the current Buick line-up with models like the Verano->ke3685 compact luxury sedan and the Regal GS->ke3574 sport sedan, both combined with the fuel-efficient eAssist "light electrification" technology.
The new 2013 Encore is powered by a new Ecotec 1.4L turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers a total of 140 HP and a peak torque of 148 lb.-ft. The engine is mated to a standard Hydra-Matic 6T40 six-speed automatic transmission.
UPDATE 01/19/2012: Buick has unveiled the first promotional video for the new Encore crossover. Enjoy!
UPDATE 04/06/2012: The 2013 Encore has also been presented at the New York Auto Show. Check the picture gallery to see a new set of live images.
Hit the jump for more details on the 2013 Buick Encore.
2013 Buick Encore
- Make: Array
- Model: 2013 Buick Encore
- Engine/Motor: power-dense Ecotec turbocharged four-cylinder
- Horsepower: 140
- Torque: 148 lb.-ft. between 1,850 rpm and 4,900 rpm
- Transmission: Hydra-Matic 6T40 six-speed automatic transmission
- [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Exterior
The 2013 Buick Encore features the same sculpted and elegant styling used for all other Buick models. The front of the small SUV gets a a waterfall grille, chrome accents and surrounds, portholes on the hood, and painted lower panels, similar to the Enclave->ke1275. The model will be offered with standard blue-accented projector-beam headlamps and detailed taillamps and 18" five-spoke painted aluminum.
"The Encore brings Buick’s timeless, sculptural design to the crossover segment in a way that blends elegance, efficiency and utility," said David Lyon, executive director of design. "There’s confidence in its athletic stance and elemental beauty in its rich details."
Dimensions:
- Wheelbase (in / mm): 100.6 / 2555
- Overall length (in / mm): 168.5 / 4278
- Overall width (in / mm): 69.9 / 1774
- Overall height (in / mm): 64.8 / 1646
- Track (in / mm): front: 60.6 / 1540; rear: 60.6 / 1540
- Curb weight (lb / kg): FWD: 3190 / 1447; AWD: 3309 / 1501
- Minimum ground clearance (in. / mm): 6.2 / 158
Wheels
- 18 x 7-inch painted aluminum (std.)
- 18 x 7-inch chromed aluminum (opt.)
Interior
The interior of the Buick Encore combines ice blue ambient lighting with bright trim and wood-grain trim. The seats are trimmed in either a contemporary cloth/leatherette motif or available leather, and the steering wheels is wrapped in premium leather and holds the audio controls. Buick is also offering a prominent central instrument panel with a large, full-color, seven-inch LCD display for the IntelliLink voice-activated radio system.
The biggest feature of the interior is Buick's latest QuietTuning technology that refines the vehicle following a three-point strategy of reducing sounds at their source, blocking sounds from entering the cabin, and absorbing any remaining sounds.
Standard QuietTuning features include:
- Acoustically treated headliner with a tuned gap between it and the high-strength-steel roof panel
- Sound-absorbing materials used in the cabin, under the hood and in the wheel house liners
- HydraMatic 6T40 six-speed transmission with neutral gear disengagement
- Quiet-tuned 18-inch Continental tires
- Aero-optimized outside mirrors
- Ultra-quiet engine alternator
- Acoustic-laminated windshield and thicker 5mm side window glass
- Foam baffle insulation at the opening of body structure cavities.
Engine
The 2013 Buick Encore is powered by a new power-dense Ecotec 1.4L turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers a total of 140 HP and 148 lb.-ft. of torque between 1,850 rpm and 4,900 rpm. The engine is mated to a Hydra-Matic 6T40 six-speed automatic transmission that offers a "steep" first gear and a "tall" overdrive top gear to achieve a wide ratio spread of 6.14:1.
The new Encore is built on a global small-crossover platform and features a MacPherson strut front suspension used with coil springs, a large stabilizer bar, and side-load-compensated front strut modules. The rear suspension incorporates a compound crank (torsion beam) design, with a double-wall, tubular V-shape beam profile with gas-charged twin-tube shocks.
Engine features
- A high-efficiency alternator
- Regulated voltage control
- Electronically controlled returnless fuel system
- Deceleration fuel cut-off.
Safety technologies
- Standard StabiliTrak electronic stability control
- Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and electronic brake force distribution
- Cornering brake control and brake assist
- Available all-wheel-drive system that seamlessly shifts power to the rear wheels when required for better traction and handling
- Available forward collision alert and lane departure warning
- Available front and rear park assist
- Available rear vision camera.
- Driver and front passenger frontal air bags
- Driver and front passenger knee air bags
- Front and rear thorax air bags (all outboard positions)
- Side curtain air bags for front and rear outboard passengers
Prices
The 2013 Buick Encore will go on sale in the first quarter of 2013. Prices will be announced at a later date.
Competition
As Buick itself confirms, the new Encore was built as a competitor for models like the BMW X1 and the Audi Q3, undoubtedly making it the cheaper of the three. The BMW X1 will be offered with a choice of four engines - one gasoline and three diesels - and will be available in rear-wheel drive and xDrive all-wheel drive configurations. The Audi Q3 will be offered with one TDI and two TFSI units, with power ranging from 140 HP to 211 HP.
Model |
Rear Seat in Place |
Rear Seat Folded |
Buick Encore |
18.8 cu. ft. / 533 liters |
48.4 cu. ft. / 1,372 liters |
BMW X1 |
16.9 cu. ft. / 480 liters |
47.4 cu. ft. / 1,350 liters |
Audi Q3 |
16.2 cu. ft. / 460 liters |
48.2 cu. ft. / 1,365 liters |