Who could've seen this one coming? After releasing a teaser image on Facebook last week consisting of four panes, one removed to show a partial image of the 2013 Buick Encore, Buick has released a second picture that has...wait for it...another panel removed!
With this new peek we get a look at the back of the encore and like so many things coming out of Buick lately, it looks tasteful bordering on cool. That rear quarter panel might be a bit of a blindspot based on what we see here, but aesthetically it looks sharp and just a bit like an EX35.
Now if only they could get rid of those hood vents.
(Facebook)
metro88 says:
12:54 PM, 12/27/11
kinda looks like a cartoonish tall current gen Matrix to me
ed124c says:
12:57 PM, 12/27/11
Oh, come on, Mike. Let the designers have some fun.
It will probably be one of the better looking junior crossovers, but it doesn't look ground breaking in the half-a-photo.
If it has the 182 hp 4 cylinder, it will surely be underpowered, like an Equinox. Why? It will weigh close to 4K, if we know anything at all about the new GM.
The Regal turbos come with a stick. Is there hope for a stick on this Encore? I say, "Encore, Encore."
(I like to dream.)
audisport says:
02:19 PM, 12/27/11
Hmmm, looks like a warmed over Saturn Vue..... Oh wait, it is!
Same old tired crap.. Sweet portholes though!!!
bonzjr says:
04:18 PM, 12/27/11
No, it's not a Saturn Vue. Different platform -- this is supposedly on the Gamma (you can see how much smaller it is).
ed124c: I know you know you're dreaming re: the manual trans. But yes, like a good enthusiast you can hope. ;)
Also, if you think 182-hp isn't enough, you'll probably really be underwhelmed if it comes with the 138-hp motor like the Sonic it's allegedly based on.
ne1butu2 says:
06:43 PM, 12/27/11
If it's based on the European Opel, which it is, then it's a little me-too SUV thing that will be invisible against the upcoming Escape and CRV. Like the Verano, this looks to be another vehicle that just barely matches the competition. But for a car with a Buick emblem on it, they'll have to do much better to get noticed.
bombonyou says:
12:18 AM, 12/28/11
i don't see what's wrong with the hood vents.
throwback says:
05:26 AM, 12/28/11
I agree the hood vents have to go. This is based on the Sonic platform so it will not be the size of the Vue. It would seem the natural competitiors will be the Countryman and the Juke.
dinobot666 says:
06:25 AM, 12/28/11
It's an Opel Antara rebadge, you can already see the whole vehicle here:
http://www.opel.de/fahrzeuge/modelle/personenwagen/antara/configurator.html
bonzjr says:
08:45 AM, 12/28/11
No, dinobot666, it isn't.
As a few of us stated above, it's a Gamma. The Antara (which is really very much like the departed Saturn Vue) is a Theta -- and significantly larger as a result.
This is what it is: http://www.inautonews.com/opel-mokka-corsa-based-suv-going-to-geneva
Thanks for playing.
juan_mx says:
04:16 PM, 12/28/11
@bonzjr
You are right, it is an Opel Mokka.
Then, it is the size of an Outlander Sport (in a weaker platform), too small for a Buick in my opinion.
I was hoping they will use the Theta Premium, or al least the Delta II for it.
uncanny_man says:
12:49 PM, 01/ 2/12
Looks just like the suzuki sx4 in the back. Not so good there.