Buick Blog

We have seen the teaser of a Buick compact crossover as early as 2009 which is basically a rebadged edition of the Saturn Vue (which by the way is obsolete now). The only significant design difference is the waterfall grille of the new crossover , and that issue caused bad press and so the production was canceled.

Buick however did not give up and said May last year that they will still pursue the production of the compact crossover.

Just the other day, at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, Buick finally pulled the covers of the 2013 Buick Encore which is set to roll out for consumption by next year. The Buick Encore reflects the co-design practice with the Opel division which will release a twin version that might be called the Opel Mokka before the end of 2012.

It seems the design team did a bit of revision and did a pretty decent job as the vents just under the headlamps are not looking as awkward as the earlier teaser versions. The waterfall grille is there with the headlights on the side that makes use of blue rings similar to that of the Enclave. The compact crossover will roll on five spoke alloy rims or an option of seven-spoke chrome rims.

The interior tries to go premium with premium dashboard materials, LCD display-cum-navigation system, and the IntelliLink voice controlled system which comes as standard.

The 2013 Buick Encore will depend on the 1.4L turbocharged powerplant that can give out 148 horsepower with a torque of 140 lb-ft. The engine is coupled with a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The company has not revealed the figures for fuel economy. All-wheel drive will be an option.

Buick aims to send the Encore against competitors like the BMW X1 and the Q3 from Audi. We are also awaiting the official pricing for this Buick compact crossover.

For the longest time now, the automotive community has regarded the Buick models as a “sensible luxury” vehicle like its competitors Acura and Lexus. Meaning, Buick isn’t really in line with performance luxury vehicles like the BMW and Audi whose direct competitor from the General Motors line is the Cadillac. Whenever the name Buick comes up in conversations or when you talk to Buick experts, you’d get the idea that Buick isn’t in par with Mercedes-Benz.

Anyway, like most brands, the automotive community still wonders what the world can expect from the brand in the years to come.

There have been reports that American car company General Motors is gearing up to unveil a redesigned version of the Opel Astra as a three-door Buick Astra model to US consumers. However, we still have no reports about the specifications and engine details.

The Buick Astra model is not the only model that’s been getting the limelight. There’s also the production of the so-called Baby Enclave which is a five-seater compact crossover model which is expected to roll out in the 2013 product line. The Baby Enclave will be built on the brand’s Gamma subcompact platform. This model has also been called the Encore.

Lastly, GM is also producing the Buick Enclave crossover which has been improved with massive upgrades for its interiors one of which is the brand’s IntelliLink infortainment feature. As for the revamped Enclave, it might roll out as part of the 2016 lineup some time in 2015.

About a year from its official release in the United States, the 2012 Verano by Buick still tickles the curiosity of the dealers and consumers through a recent online survey initiated by the car manufacturer. The results of the survey give us an idea of how the Verano will be tagged which range between $21,000 and $26,000 depending on the availed trim level and the options.

According to General Motors, the final pricing for the Verano is not yet set. The survey though is looking into the price of four trims:

There will be a base version that might be priced between $20,900 and $21500. This Buick Verano will run on 2.4L 4-cylinder engine linked with a 6-speed automatic gearbox.

The Verano will also have 2 midlevel variants that will have tags at $22,100 to $22,700 and $23,300 to $23,900.

The top of the line version of the 2012 Verano will come with heated seats, 18 inch rims, leather upholstery, Bose audio, park assist, and remote start will set you back from $25,600 to $26,200.

The Buick Verano identity was confirmed around October by General Motors and hinted that the production of the car will start by fall next year at their Orion Township factory in Detroit.

The car manufacturer has earlier rolled out the Verano as the Buick Excelle GT in China. Both vehicles are using the Delta II global platform for compact cars of GM.

China is still using an old system where car manufacturers need to file patents or take the risk of having their vehicles to be copied. News about the Chevrolet Volt coming into China next year with a Buick badge and not a Chrysler bowtie or an Opel is going around.

It just happens that General Motors filed a patent but submitted the one for Opel Amptera that is Voltec powered instead of the Chevy Volt’s. The Volt will also not be branded as Opel since it is not a well-known brand in China leaving Buick, the best brand of GM in China, as the wisest choice.

It makes perfect sense that the Ampera will be sold in China with a Buick badge since it has been the practice of the company to re-brand the Opel cars as Buicks when they reach the country.

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