Buick Releases Encore Teaser Ahead Of Detroit
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Just a few minutes ago, Buick released a teaser image of the Encore — its new compact five-passenger crossover. The design of the front facia appears similar to the new Verano compact sedan, with the primary projector-style headlamp carrying the blue Buick tinge that’s become synonymous with the brand.
Buick released the photo accompanied by the following description:
Get ready for the 2013 Buick Encore, an all-new stylish crossover that seats up to five passengers and debuts at the 2012 North American International Auto Show next month. In the coming weeks, we’ll reveal a full photo of the Encore as we get closer to its official reveal on Jan. 10. Stay tuned to our Facebook page for more details!
Some other elements of the Encore that meet the eye:
- Headlamp enclosure has a horizontally-placed plastic insert — not sure how we feel about this quite yet
- Small Buick logo on the inside headlamp
- Single parking sensor on the front bumper
- Hood portholes
- Body-mounted mirrors
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I can’t wait!!
Do I see a Chevy Captiva under there?
The headlamps are dangerously reminding me of a Chevrolet Equinox and those mirrors remind me of a Chevrolet Captiva…… why?!?!?!?!?!?!
and you guys might wanna post this about the 2013 Chevy Impala http://wot.motortrend.com/spied-2013-chevrolet-impala-finds-its-lost-swagger-146359.html
Im impressed
How are you always the first one to break the news on this site when something is posted elsewhere. maybe GMA should hire you!
I just saw it on Motortrend.
Hey now. I was too busy driving the 2013 Malibu Eco to write this up.
lol
btw how was the test drive of the Malibu Eco??
Delta or Theta
Definately not Gamma, too small
The headlight styling doesnt look like it will age well.
Saturn Vue mirror and front fascia molding. I fear; I hope my fears aren’t substantiated.
This is a totally new vehicle I think there are just a few shared parts but none in the exterior or interior most where you cannot see, I think you will like it is small and very fun to drive.
This one is actually based on the Gamma platform. In fact, it’s typically referred to as the “Gamma-SUV.” Always thought it was weird that they would make a SUV off of the Sonic’s platform, but, well, here ya go!
How do you know for sure?
i don’t think it is
I think this is just based off on Theta
I don’t get that plastic insert thing. What’s the purpose of that? Can’t be “styling,” I hope. Also, what do you mean by “body-mounted” mirrors? What other type is there?
That plastic insert might actually be a spot for LED Daytime running lights. Maybe available on a GS or Lux model. who knows. I do think that the Headlights could have been sculpted a little better though. Could have taken some design cues from the Regal on the headlights I think.
Power train wise I’m thinking a 2.0L Turbo, and either the 2.4 as a base, and maybe the 3.6 or 3.0. probably the 3.6 LFX. Hopefully the AWD uses an ELSD in the rear like the SRX.
“Body Mounted Mirrors” Refers to the mirrors being placed on the door panel or a quarter panel compared to the normal (truck Style) on the A-Pillar
I think to make it look better maybe they should put LED’s on the plastic part
The plastic insert below the headlight I want to guess one of four things, 1) turn signal location for some markets. 2) Optional fog lamps. 3) cooling ducts for brakes. 4) fresh air intake for engine
GM is resurrecting the Theta II-based Saturn Vue as the Chevy Captiva for fall 2011 as a 2012 model. And you may have also heard that the Captiva will only be available for fleet purchase to companies such as rental car and taxi firms.
The Buick Encore is very similar to the Captiva, look at the side mirror, headlights, etc. Buick may have put the cutout near the headlight to attempt to hide the fact that it is just a rebadged Captiva.
I wish that Buick would have followed the Buick Envision concept as focus for the new Encore. I believe that it would have truely been a competitive vehicle to compete with Lexus and would have probably had a waiting list of a month or two.
the headlamps is not exactly alike between the Encore and Vue
I just saw Motorweek’s test of the new Honda CR-V. The whole time I’m wondering: What is the draw to a small CUV? In other words, can anyone tell me what is exciting about a small station wagon with a high center of gravity that seats 5?
This segment is hot – Ford’s new Escape, this Encore, a new CR-V…But still, I don’t get it. I own a Prius and am saving up for a Volt. With Volt, I am slightly, slightly lamenting the loss of the center seat in the rear. When I brought up the Prius to my wife in 2007, she said “ABSOLUTELY NOT – IT’S TOO SMALL , WE HAVE SMALL CHILDREN ( 2 )”. We test drove small SUVs, minivans and CUVs and I couldn’t wrap my head around the loss in gas mileage, not-impressive room and higher cost. Closest to practicality I got was the Mazda 5 ( at least it had a sliding side door! ) but it was rated at that time at a meager 22 mpg combined!
When I grabbed the stroller and two kids booster seats and took my wife to the Toyota dealer, she was dubious. When I set the seats in back and there was ( small ) room in the middle for a third – and the back hatch area swallowed up the large-side stroller no problem – she relented. We’ve had the vehicle for four years and never once had a situation where something we had to haul ( Costco loads…Home Depot ) was too big or too tall for the Prius spacious rear hatch area. I’m 6′ 1″ with long arms and legs and I fit in our Prius with room to spare.
A CUV form factor gives you more drag, more mass – and not a whole heck of a lot of room behind the rear seat.
So I posit the question to all you CUV fans. What’s the deal?
James,
Well, Im sure you know car purchasing is highly emotional, and frankly CUVs just look a whole lot better that hatchs, plus a lot people always wanted to buy a full size suv, but because of gas and money, felt better migrating to a cuv. I bought the prius in 2002 in California before the prius was cool and popular, and I remember no one really wanted it becuase it was percieved to be ugly, even though it was highly practical. A lot of people also like the higher seating of CUVs. I guess it just comes down to preference rather than practicality for some people.
The Prius is a nice car, unfortunately many of the drivers seem to be going too slow in the fast lane, James. A bit off topic, aren’t we?
The Buick Encore looks great and with “Quiet Tuning” it’ll be comfortable and quiet inside. I think it will sell very well.
The chassis is Gamma large for this, not the theta. It will be quiet and more driver oriented and have tight handling think of this as Buicks version of the GMC Grannit. With both being about the same size as each other but with GMC having more function and buick having more style and handling. check out our face book site at buick more of the reveal will happen there. The theta version was killed a few years back by Bob Lutz and rightfully so it was ugly if you would have seen it, more reveal info to come. think of new midsize (small midsize vehicles being made in the midwest remember that info coming from GM about two new midsize vehicles, this is one of them)
So it’s on Gamma but about as large as a Theta?
If it’s anywhere near the 170 inches in length that our sources have stated it will be, it’s won’t be anywhere near the size of a Theta.
The Theta-based Equinox is 188 (rounded); the Terrain is 185.3.
I’m pretty sure I can make out 3 portholes on the hood. Possibly indicating a V6 under the hood? Interesting, Can’t wait to see it, could be a nice AWD commuter.
I read on Facebook that a Buick salesman said that the portholes don’t mean anything anymore. The Verano has three portholes because he said two would look ridiculous and the German made Regal had 0 portholes. Since the Encore is based on the Gamma Platform, the engine bay can only accommodate 4-cylinder engines. I think.