GM Authority has learned has the Buick Encore compact crossover will utilize an extended version of General Motors’ Gamma vehicle architecture, internally known as Gamma Plus or Gamma Extended. The news may come as a surprise to many, as those who have seen the teaser image of the Encore have pointed to styling similarities with the Theta-based Vue.
Moreover, GM Authority sources have said that the vehicle will be “in the 170s [inches] in length” and will feature a longer wheelbase compared to its “regular” Gamma platform mates such as the Chevrolet Sonic.
Stay tuned to GM Authority for more Encore news in the coming weeks.
Comments
Even extended, that platform is just too limited for a Buick compact car, let alone a cuv. If this was a chevy it would be fine.
Where the hell is GM taking Buick?
Yeah. How is a subcompact architecture even conceived for Buick’s second crossover? Even Audi’s subcompact Q3 uses the compact Golf platform because it’s a luxury product.
Seems to me that Buick is covering the extreme ends of the spectrum — large with Enclave, very small with Encore. Perhaps a compact and midsize will follow later…
I feel like GM is taking the Buick Reinassance overboard, If they do make another compact and midsize crossover and with the verano, regal, and lacrosse, they are expanding too rapidly. I think they should focus on making amazing cars rather than trying to make Buick a full line automaker. Two crossovers and 3 sedans are enough for Buick. I mean part of the appeal of Buick is that is sort of still has that luxury image with it. Buick should remain a niche automaker with great cars that are very distinctive, cars that even regular consumers know right away that these are luxury Buicks. Throwing anything at the brand just for sales is okay for chevy, but for Buick, it hurts its long term sales and reputation.
so is it about the same length as the Verano??
Nope. Will be significantly shorter. Verano comes in at 184 inches while the Encore will be in the 170s (that’s all we were told).
My guess is that it will be in the low 170s, making it a subcompact crossover. Not sure that’s what Buick needs right about now… It has the huge full-size Enclave and then a subcompact Encore? How about making one that’s a midsize (SRX/Equinox) or even compact (Vue)?
I guess what they’re trying to do is to set this vehicle and compare it to the Tiguan and then I guess set Enclave to maybe GX?? and then have a midsized compare to the RX but it wouldn’t make sense since the SRX is being compared to the RX
I agree, Buick does not need a sub-compact cross-over. I am 6′ 2″ and drive an Enclave. However, for my needs, it is just too long. Rather than a sub-compact or even a compact Cross-Over, Buick would be well served to chop a foot off the Enclave and then compete with the Infiniti FX 35, but with Front Wheel Drive and AWD. GM has really nothing in this catagory. The closest is the Cadillac SRX which is really too small. Nissan has both the Murano and the Infiniti. They now even have a larger J (?) model . Think about it, better mpg, still maintain large driver and passenger room, and, for more maneverable around town. By the way, a source at GM tells me Cadillac will be adding a model from the Enclave platform.
Hey, just a good common sense suggestion which I think would fill the Buick mold.
This is probably an attempt to not step on GMC’s toes. Since they are usually sold in the same place, I think the Encore is actually a great idea. It’s aimed at a demographic similar to the Verano: wealthy 17-25 yo women who are looking for a cozy, manageable, and docile upscale ride. These are not family women who need lots of seats and cargo room.
Isn’t that a contradiction in terms?
17 yo women don’t have money; they have someone else’s money and I very much doubt ‘Buick’ is on their mind.
Well, Kid G did say wealthy, but yeah they would never buy a Buick, if their rich then probably a Lexus or Mercedes.
Is that a Buick 3 shield logo inside the headlight in the middle of high beam?
Yep, I think its a pretty nice touch.
Babersher:
Your absolutely right give us strong branded vehicles that set Buick apart but don’t scream “let’s fill this or that niche”.
Buick demographic: 35 to 65 established consumer, home owner. Who has an expectation of quality with vehicle purchase. Has purchase a GM product in the past and is familiar with the Buick renaissance as of late. Sorry 25 year olds are not familiar with the Buick brand and shun it because there moms rendevie’s trany craped out at 85,000 and the dealer pissed off there parents because there customer service blows. So now the family buys Lexus products and he or she has a 2002 Toyota Celica or Mazda 3.
Alex I think most are getting off track on the new buick, as you know most luxury brands are downsizing their offerings such as lexus and audi, and you have the koreans going upmarket with their small offerings and they don’t get their loyal followers upset they look at it as incremental business and good for the company. there are product cycles and right now the gamma is in its exxpansion position and new product release , while the midsize utes are not just yet wait a little bit and the midsize ute will come along. this is a really good driving smaller ute that has all the luxury buicks have become to be known for. i do not think people will think this is small when they see it and sit in it. this will be on the low side of mid size or just below not sub compact as some have said. hope this helps
There is nothing wrong with this. They might catch some of the “niche” customers out there. They are taking a subcompact and extending it. They might steall some sales from potential Nissan Juke, MINI Countryman, etc buyers. This is the new Buick after all. We keep hearing they are targeting Acura and Lexus, but really, are they? I think GM is using Buick as an experiment. I mean seriously, im 34 and they got me hook line and sinker with the Regal GS. And Buick’s sales hear in the states haven’t been too shabby as of late. No, I don’t think this is a bad idea and I don’t think they are expanding their line up too quickly. Look at how quickly MINI has expanded their line up. Maybe Buick will find some success with this tactic.
Not sure if I see the need for this as a Buick, but in general GM absolutely needs a smaller CUV. As Tim said, GM has nothing to compete with the likes of the Juke, Mini Countryman, Subaru Impreza, Suzuki SX4, Hyundai Tucson, Toyota CRV. There are a lot of people (myself included) that don’t want something as large as an Equinox. Going forward, all vehicles are going to have get smaller, lighter, and/or become light hybrids to meet the upcoming EPA requirements. This is the future for all manufacturers…as consumers, we need to recalibrate.
“Going forward, all vehicles are going to have get smaller, lighter, and/or become light hybrids to meet the upcoming EPA requirements. This is the future for all manufacturers…as consumers, we need to recalibrate.”
Exactly.
For years and years I’ve had to fight against the mentality of some Yank car enthusiasts who maintain and demand that US automakers stay the course with unworkable and unchanging product plans that were deeply rooted in product plans there were suitable 40 years ago! They live in a damn bubble and still think that it’s the late 60’s and everyone (RE: EVERYONE) wants a massive bloated RWD coupe with poor handling dynamics. It was a waste of energy to even bring up safety and fuel economy becasue those factors “didn’t matter then and shouldn’t matter now”. I even had one tell me the CTS was the worst thing to happen to Cadillac because it didn’t reflect Cadillac’s “tradition” of making pink-finned boats.
They are automotive reactionaries. Considering how much the world and GM has changed in the last 10 or even 30 years, I can rest assured that they are dying off as they slowly start to read the writing on the wall.
Well said, Grawdaddy.
But what I’m wondering about, though, is why Buick would make a compact luxury CUV on a subcompact architecture. They couldn’t use the Delta and make it a CUV variant of the Verano? I’m concerned that a modified platform made for subcompacts is not going to stand the test of refinement and luxury needed in the upmarket segments.
And I’m in no way hoping for or condoning a gargantuan vehicle of the 60s and 70s. In fact, I would bet that using the Delta would result in a vehicle of slightly larger dimensions that weighed in about the same as this one…
Well that’s the thing. A jacked up Delta would fit the bill for a compact Buick CUV.
But unless I’m mistaken, Gamma has SWB and LWB version. So when I think of a raised Gamma CUV, I think of the Chev Trax concept of 2007; perhaps with a measure of Chev Groove concept thrown in.
Not to name-drop, I remember seeing a blurry image of what might be the Encore’s Opel twin on GMI. Unless my eyes decive me, it looked too small to be a raised Delta CUV.
Technically, Gamma has 4 versions.
1. The one under the Spark/Beat/Groove — i don’t even know if it’s considered full Gamma by GM due to the cheap nature of those vehicles and the associated cost-cutting.
2. The one under Corsa and Meriva, which is older and different than the one under
3. Sonic — this is the SWB
4. Encore — this is the LWB
The Encore won’t look like a teensy car (like Spark), but I just don’t think it’s the right vehicle mechanically for a brand that’s trying to move upmarket. At the end of the day, all the features and sound deadening materials in the world don’t help a smallish vehicle based on a subcompact architecture meant for mainstream (non luxury) cars.
But I’ve yet to drive one, so I have to reserve my judgement.
I agree.
I mean I can accept and understand a compact lux car or cuv. The segment itself has been around for ages and if demand at present holds, the segment will stay.
At the present, I can’t say a subcompact car would do well for Buick, although I won’t rule it out entire: it is posible that people might want subcompact luxury cars.
*CoughAstonCygnetCough*
Perhaps the goal is to make compact from a subcompact platform… But my question is “why?”.
GM always does this. They make tweener vehicles that sit in between classes. Equinox/Terrain is a prime example. So is the CTS, STS, and LaCrosse. If the goal is to make a midsize platform SUV, why not use a midsize platform? If the goal is to make a compact SUV, why not use a compact platform? Every other manufacturer has no problem with this, but GM — for some reason — finds these strange solutions to problems that don’t exist! This makes them less competitive, in the long run; here’s one example:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2011/09/opinion-desk-why-is-ford-outselling-chevy-and-gmc-in-compact-midsize-crossover-space/
About the length of my Pontiac Vibe. GM has no CUV in this size range right now. I’m interested.
@David, Isnt the the matrix 180 in, I mean half a foot can make a big difference even though it doesnt sound a lot.
Though of course we cant really say anything till the reveal and after getting all the details, but I have a feeling that GM messed up on the Encore(I am hoping to be proven wrong but I doubt it). I mean the delta would or maybe even theta would have almost been perfect for this kind of car, Like Alex said, by using Gamma they created a problem where none existed before, it reeks of “Old” GM. Either the Encore will be a one generation product or it will change platforms and get bigger for the next redesign in a couple of years..
Another possibility would be that the Encore will be joined in the future by a true midsize and a true compact vehicle… But then, who needs a subcompact?
What we’ve been told (by an unconfirmed source) is that this is actually an Opel model more than it is a Buick, and that Buick will get a midsize model of its own based on Theta when the next-gen Antara comes out. The Antara will have two models — a SWB and a LWB, the latter having 3 rows.
Keeping this in mind, the Encore makes sense…
From the specs on my 2009 Vibe GT: Length: 172.1 in.
David,
Sorry, I didnt realize that the matrix and vibe probably have different lenghts.
The Encore is an absolutely perfect next car for people of all ages that loved the Vibe and now want a quiet luxury vehicle that’s not too big.
Seems like you’re speaking from experience, bud. Have you driven or seen it already? 🙂
It seems like the new Encore will be very similiar in size to the Kia Sportage, which is about 175″ long. Looking forward to seeing it.
So then how come Chevrolet didn’t think about having the Gamma Plus crossover to deal with CR-V? considering Equinox is larger than CR-V
A Chevy “variant” is on its way too. But it still brings up the “why” question.
Why use a subcompact platform to build a compact CUV? Is it for the sake of being different?
Use the Delta to build it and call it a day! Then use the Theta for a midsize, and Lambda for full size. The new Escape is not going to use the Fiesta platform, it will use a true to heart compact architecture from the Focus!
That’s the thing…. and it’s funny how Opel has the Corsa Crossover though using Gamma
Are you referring to the Meriva? If so, it’s much more of a small van than a crossover. In fact, the original thought was to call it Merivan (with the “n” on the end). Word is that Opel will get an Encore twin for itself very soon, though. The Meriva is needed to take on the B-Max from Ford.
i think there was a spyshot of the Corsa Crossover.
The Makka may be it… do you have a link?
I don’t see how it really matters which platform a vehicle is on if it’s going to be relatively the same size anyway.
It matters for two primary reasons, both of which reflect primary concerns to the consumer:
1. Using a platform made for a small (subcompact) car to build a luxury car doesn’t bode well for the luxury experience of the vehicle. Besides having a teensy wheelbase, which ends up looking funny, especially on a luxury car, the track will be narrow. So we have a short wheelbase and a narrow track. Does that sound like a good idea, especially for a luxury vehicle?
2. The smaller the platform, the smaller its components (structural, etc.), leading to a less sturdy (more flimsy) feeling.
Does that sound like a good idea for a luxury car?
At the end of the day, GM created a problem that wasn’t there. They could have used a plethora of other platforms (Theta, Delta) to make a midsize or compact crossover. But they instead use a platform designed for entry-level subcompacts.
Now, this is just fine if (and only if) Buick will eventually get true compact and midsize crossovers to slot in under the Enclave. But if this is the only other Buick crossover, it’s not looking good.
I’ll reserve final judgement until I get behind the wheel and on the road.
Perhaps building this on a subcompact platform allows for more opportunities for weight/efficiency savings. Can Gamma do AWD?
Not that I know of. But neither can the current Delta… Although they may have modified it for crossovers to accommodate AWD.
This weeks automotive news has a spy shot of the Encore and it looks tiny? Make that very tiny! I agree, Why???The Enclave has been a strong vehicle for Buick, about 55,000 sales in 2011, seems so simple to bring a smaller “2-row” version to market? Instead they have opted to go to a “micro” Enclave? I seems obvious to me GM/Buick is over thinking the NA product?
No problem making this vehicle smaller than the Equinox/Terrain and 4 cyl. only. Why not use the Acura RDX and Audi Q3 as targets? Are they afraid of hurting SRX sales?
Please post a link to this spy photo.
On Buick’s Facebook page on the Encore tab, they uncovered 1 of the squares hiding the Encore. It shows the winshield and part of the hood, but enough that you can see 6 portholes. My guess is the Encore will be available with the 3.0L DI V6. I hope it gets the NEW 2.0T myself. More horsepower and TORQUE.
The Verano also has 3 portholes on each side… but doesn’t have a six cylinder offering. The holes are just “for show”.
Haha 3.0L V6 in a stretched sub-compact. I doubt that. In fact, I would be surprised at anything larger than 2.0L (turbo or not). Probably be a 1.4L turbo like the Sonic, no?
We would be lucky if they put a 2.0T in that thing
Agree with the whole why thing here, and why not the delta platform. Is this infact a relic of old GM, meant to be a Saturn or a Pontiac. They still have to spread across brands. Even GM can’t have a model that has its own singular platform, except corvette, bummer.
The CTS’s Sigma platform?
@Grawdaddy Yes, the Sigma is another platform exclusive to one brand. 🙂
Yea thats what I hate about GM and the domestic makes in general(though other automakers often do the same thing), they just cant be content with letting a vehicle retain its own platform. I mean theres nothing wrong with platform sharing as long as the cars are in the same class and have unique sheetmetal, interiors, and other elements. The Cruze and Verano are good examples of this. The Escalade and Tahoe, not so much. But platform sharing should still be limited and not cross distant brands like how the XTS and Impala are rumored to be. There should only be platform sharing between chevy and buick or buick and cadillac, and there should never be badge engineering under any circumstances. On a side note, I fear VW making the same mistake GM once(or possibly still is) making. The Cayenne and Tiguan are reminding me of the Cavalier and Cimmaron. As long as the cars are good, volumes and profit margins will go up, but will dilute the brands identy and reputation over the long term, not to mention if one platform is bad, than all of the brands using it will suffer. Hopefully GM will not fall into the habit of doing this too much.
@Grawddy what about the first gen SRX
What about the present generation CTS?
Grawdaddy,
Youre right, but GM will probably change that with 3rd gen CTS
I’d disagree about the platform sharing bit… to an extent. Toyota and Lexus share many, many, many platforms. Most of Lexus’ volume comes from vehicles based on Toyotas, like the ES, CT, HS, GX, LX, and the RX, although the RX now has a modified chassis for the new model.
In any event, a platform is nothing; two vehicles sharing the same platform can be completely different in exterior design, driving characteristics, and interior design & materials… The Lexus models are perfect examples of this.
Keeping this in mind, let’s remember that Lexus has been the #1 volume luxury brand over the last ten years, with very high resale values (and high brand identity).
So, platform sharing between Chevy, Buick, or Caddy shouldn’t matter; but the final vehicle should. Now, it’s probably a fact of life (and strategy) that Chevys will be FWD-based while Caddys will be RWD-based; but Buick — and this is the point of my comment — shouldn’t be treated as a second-class citizen to Caddy. The two should be on the same level from a luxury perspective, but appeal to different luxury buyers. That’s my take, gents.
Alex,
True but if you notice all of the models ES, CT, HS, GX, LX, sales have been steadily declining, and are only kept afloat because of Lexus’s good image and because the original platforms they are based on are good cars. And I would argue the RX has been modified enough to be considered its own independent platform, thus explaining its success.
Im not saying platform sharing is bad, just that it should be only done in certain cases and that upcale brands like Cadillac and Buick should have at least a few models on independent platforms. I think youre right on Buick and Cadillac, they should be conidered equal to each just pursue different markets. Though it is difficult to consider Buick equal to Cadilac when GM itself has considered Buick a second class citizen to Cadillac. Hopefully that will change.
Agreed; Buick will remain a second-class luxury brand until GM itself realizes that it can take it upmarket to compete with Lexus (and its less sports-oriented brands like the HS, ES, RX, for starters) and charge more for it.
Lexus sales have only declined last year and this year; Their bread-and-butter vehicle — the ES — is already outdated — so I expect sales to drastically shoot back up when the new ES comes to market. Plus, there’s the whole production issue to blame for the decline (natural disasters in Japan have limited production). More than anything, Lexus has changed the luxury game by doing luxury differently — not everything needs to be performance-oriented in the lux space. By doing that, they’ve carved out a solid niche for themselves.
PS: my last three cars were Lexus: 2009 ES330, 2010 IS250, 2010 ES350 and my mom has the LS. I didn’t pay for mine (company cars), but I did learn what Lexus stands for.
We will see what this vehicle truly is, but like many here I wonder about this vehicles legitimacy and what of it’s price point. Is GM looking to fill a niche that doesn’t exist or are they just throwing darts at a wall hoping to hit the dart board, seems risky. Will we be surprised or dismayed, pleasantly surprised or unpleasantly shocked. Will it be a ground breaker or will the floor fall out from underneath. Does GM get there customer, recent history says yes, is GM bring in new customers recent history says yes. But who will buy this vehicle, what demographic will pursue this. Will this bring new light to the Buick brand or will it confuse the customer. Only time will tell…
I think there IS a niche that needs to be filled, just not sure if this is the vehicle to do it. GM needs a vehicle in the $25K range that is smaller than the Equinox, high in utility, well styled and also full featured; to give it an upscale feel (but not luxury). The vehicle will also need to achieve greater efficiency than the Equinox, somewhere in the 35-40 mpg range for FWD and 32+ mpg if AWD is offered (and it should be). If you go back to Page 1 and look at the list of vehicles that a couple of us threw out there, you’ll see that GM has a gaping hole that needs to be filled. I wouldn’t write off the Gamma platform as being inferior to the Delta just because it’s smaller. I think of the platform as just being a mounting points for brakes, suspension, and engine. Wheelbase and track can both be altered to make things bigger and the use of high strength steel pretty much makes every new platform better than the one that it is replacing.
There will be a Chevy that’s similar to the Encore… which will fill the need for a compact CUV. So that’s that. 🙂
About the Gamma platform and dismissing it due to its size — it’s not about the size in and of itself. It’s about what the platform was intended (engineer) for. While it is a set of mounting points (actually, a set of points in space), its original purpose was to be used for very small cars (subcompacts). So by the time you’re done stretching it, increasing the track, etc. — why not use a larger platform to begin with?
There is something to be said for the “solidity” — or the solid nature — of certain platforms; when we’re talking luxury, it’s even more important for that solidity to be present. I don’t think enough of it will be present in this vehicle… but I’d love to be proven wrong.
Daddy, K
JeremyK, thx4 the excellent points, these are the type of posts worth reading, it will be interesting how Buick markets and positions this vehicle, will it have a more aggressive flare or harken back to Buick of old. If aggressive and sporty with Buick elegance this could be a fun vehicle and help Buick pull in new customers as have the Regal and lacrosse.
Alex the chevy and the buick will have two very differant personalities and drive totally differant similiar to comparing the cruze and the verano head to head, if you look at the smaller market of cuv this buick will break ground but it is exactly the new ground we are going for, we do not want to do what everyone else is doing without exploring huge potentials in new areas. how many very good sporting driving compact utility vehicles are out in the market to my likes none. porsche did this with their suv and caddy is doing this with srx and buick will do this with encore, I did not see any comments ideas of this being a great idea but to us a GM this has a lot of potential with both buick and chevy and you forgot GMC, I am sure by now you have seen this what do you think of the style?
JD, non of us have seen the vehicle, a picture of the hood does not get me excited, the front image shown in this post doesn’t do much for me, If I had to judge by this image alone I would have to say YAWN, nothing ground breaking here, no design evolution that speaks to a higher perceived value, just another vehicle with 4 wheeles. JD we want to be wowed, but until we see the whole picture and grasp the whole package many of us are going to question this vehicles legitimacy. The Gamma platform even raises more questions, and until we see the actual vehicle we are going to question it.
Yaba, you are correct about needing to see the whole picture. I loved it. With Enclave, LaCrosse, Regal and Verano, the Buick line has improved tremendously since 2007. I have faith that the people at Buick are continuing to improve the line-up with Encore. It will sell.
I’ve seen references on another web-site to the Opel Mocha. Is this what we can expect?
Craig, you are absolutely right a huge improvement indeed, as GMrs we should have high expectations of our semi luxury brand option. I would buy any Buick you mentioned, and hope to feel the same way about Encore, but at same time I want to give constructive criticism where due, so the next gen of vehicles are even more refined and follow the characteristics of a Buick.
Yaba, the wow factor will be with the GMC version The buick version will be very NICE and a real good drivers cuv Porsche has had a good time with their suv type sports car now it is time to bring a little fun to the CUV segment, the chassis was chosen due to the very stiff components of the chassis. the little cars are being introduced first due to fuel prices and the need to fill some gaps. Pictures are sometimes put out in quarentine so some in the press get to see the full images before total release so they can craft articles this is what i was refering to alex for being some have seen the car, check out rick Kranz at autonews he has seen it for sure and he does like not sure if Alex has seen but i assume he has??? By the way buick is not going for the WOW factor they are going for very very good and what Internally is called Continuous Improvement..hope this helps
I’ll believe it when I see it…
JD, thx for breakdown. I will have to take yr word for it. Honestly I hope I will be impressed. In y regards to a WOW factor vs a GOOD factor there is way to much competition for Buick not to have some wow, for that matter what is going to bring the Toyota/Honda buyer into the show room or even the Acura and maybe Volkswagon buyer. The Verano exterior design is all ready dated and understated even compared to the competition, I hope this vehicle is not that dumbed down from an exterior styling point of view. Stop making excuses and bring it, most consumers shop around including myself, I personally have never bought new and have owned 7 cars (5 of which have been GM)in last 25 years, so what’s going to bring me into a GM dealership to buy brand new where I am not going to lose my shorts in resale value. Time to raise the bar and leave old GM in the grave where it belongs… JD you can preach all the good stuff GM is doing and that’s great and everything but we are still waiting for the holistic experience other car companies provide there customers on top of the value 4 the money. I want to be able to tell my friend I buy GM with out them saying GM is garbage and rambling on about there own personal horror story, or crappy dealership experience and then it makes me wonder why I buy GM.
The Opel Mocha is this vehicle, good grief help us all. Is this some type of sick joke. Please tell me the Buick is skinned differently. PLEASE…
What happened to the elegant concept, this has no relationship to that at all, it’s kind of like the original Volt concept when the car came out people where dismayed by the design change, let’s hope the Buick is more refined then the Opel.