All-new luxury crossover is versatile, efficient and continues brand’s growth

Editor’s Note: The North American International Auto Show in Detroit boasted cars of today, tomorrow and possibly years down the line. While automakers from all over the world were excited to flaunt their new product, attendees were in the backyard of General Motors, which includes Cadillac, GMC, Chevrolet and Buick.  Mentioning the latter, I, along with the rest of the media from all over the world, was looking forward to seeing the all-new 2013 Buick Encore, described as “…a luxury small crossover that delivers Buick’s signature style, interior acoustic refinement and collection of luxury amenities in a maneuverable, versatile and efficient package,” according to their communications department. The J’Adore staff was truly impressed with the Encore crossovers we have driven the past—especially with how it handled like a sedan—but the 2013 model exhibited an even sleeker, futuristic body style, coupled with technological enhancements that immediately solidify it as the vehicle to beat in its class. The following is the official press release from Buick. We can’t wait to take this one on the road!

-         Dennis Malcolm Byron, Executive Editor

DETROIT – Buick today introduced the all-new 2013 Encore – a luxury small crossover that delivers Buick’s signature style, interior acoustic refinement and collection of luxury amenities in a maneuverable, versatile and efficient package.

“Buick Encore is a great-looking, smart choice for those who want luxury crossover amenities in a more maneuverable and agile vehicle,” said Tony DiSalle, U.S. vice president of Buick Marketing. “It represents a luxury alternative for a new audience of Buick customers, and delivers features and flexibility not typically found in vehicles of its size today.”

Buick models continue to gain in popularity, with two consecutive years of higher retail sales. The Encore joins Verano – Buick’s third all-new sedan in three years – to round out the brand’s lineup and continues the momentum established by the Enclave crossover almost five years ago.

With room for five and up to 48.4 cubic feet (1,372 liters) of storage space with the rear seat folded, the Encore offers substantial cargo capacity along with the confident, higher driving position, all-wheel-drive capability and contemporary styling of a crossover. In fact, its cargo space compares favorably against similar-sized international competitors:

Additional features include 10 standard air bags and an Ecotec 1.4L turbo four-cylinder/six-speed automatic powertrain, along with standard and available technologies such as Buick’s voice-activated IntelliLink – which uses Bluetooth or a USB to connect the driver’s smartphone to a high-resolution, full-color seven-inch LCD display radio.

And because it’s a Buick, QuietTuning is standard on the Encore, which also features Buick’s first use of active noise cancellation technology.

Contemporary design offers versatile spaciousness

In keeping with the global design language that has come to symbolize the brand, the Encore’s sculpted and elegant styling traits – including sweeping character lines – make it instantly identifiable as a contemporary Buick. Signature cues include a waterfall grille, chrome accents and surrounds, portholes on the hood and painted lower panels, similar to the Enclave.

“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.”

Blue-accented projector-beam headlamps and detailed taillamps enhance the premium appearance; and 18-inch, five-spoke painted aluminum wheels are standard. Seven-spoke chrome wheels are available.

Inside, the Encore’s organic styling carries over to a flowing instrument panel that wraps naturally into the door panels. A prominent central instrument panel houses the large, full-color, seven-inch LCD display for the IntelliLink voice-activated radio system. It also features displays for the SiriusXM satellite radio, as well as available navigation and rear camera systems.

A contemporary mix of dark and light tones distinguishes the cabin, which is accented with ice blue ambient lighting, select use of bright trim and wood-grain trim. Premium seats featuring high-density foam for greater comfort on long drives are trimmed with either a contemporary cloth/leatherette motif or available leather. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel are available. The rear seat features a fold-down armrest with cup holders.

More of the Encore’s comfort and luxury features – standard and available – include:

• Remote vehicle start
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Rainsense wipers
• Bose premium sound system
• Heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls
• Six-way, power-adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar adjustment and driver memory.

Encore also features plenty of storage capacity and storage compartments. It offers 18.8 cubic feet (533 liters) of storage behind the split-folding rear seat and 48.4 cubic feet (1,372 liters) with the rear seat folded. With the rear seat in place, there’s room for at least six full grocery bags and with the rear seat folded, there’s room for golf clubs and overnight bags for a weekend getaway. Even the front passenger seat folds flat to extend the cargo length and accommodate long items that would not normally fit in a vehicle of this size.

Nine exterior colors and three interior color combinations will be offered.

QuietTuning gets ‘active’

QuietTuning is the process of defining Buick quality, sound and vibration characteristics and designing and refining the vehicle following a three-point strategy of reducing sounds at their source, blocking sounds from entering the cabin and absorbing any remaining sounds.

For the Encore, specific content was applied to achieve 40 sound benchmarks for refinement, including Buick’s first application of active noise cancellation. With it, ceiling-mounted microphones detect engine noise, the frequencies of which are processed by a computer that directs counteracting sound waves through the audio system’s speakers and subwoofer.

Additional 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.