Buick’s near future plans
Buick Encore 2013
The 2013 model year for the guys at Buick is pretty much taken over by crossovers.
Starting with the compact Buick Encore crossover which will debut in the first quarter of 2013, the American carmaker is trying to get a foothold in what appears to be a developing segment of luxury small crossovers. We say it’s a developing segment because there will be competition here, in the form of the BMW X1 and the Audi Q3, the first one is to be launched this year, while the second one in 2014.
The popular Enclave crossover has seen quite heavy modifications, both on the inside and the outside, while in the sedan category Buick is planning to add a turbocharged engine into the Verano compact – a Verano coupe might also be in the books.
Now all of these are planned for the upcoming year, but let’s take a look at the major models that the carmaker is planning on launching between 2013 and 2015.
They’re planning a new LaCrosse for the second half of 2013 to be their 2013 model – this new 2014 model will feature comprehensive improvements to its interior, an enhanced acoustics package and a whole new palette of colors to choose from. The exterior will only get slight enhancements, like a brushed-chrome trim.
Then there’s the Regal, which is expected to get a 2-4-liter engine for the 2013 model year, alongside with Gm’s eAssist mild hybrid technology. This was introduces as a two thousand dollar option for 2012.
A redesigned version of the Regal, developed in Germany, will wear the Opel Insignia badge, but won’t show up in the showrooms till the 2016 model year.
Getting back to crossovers, there’s the Encore five-seat compact which will debut at the start of 2013. It will be built on the Gamma front-wheel-drive subcompact platform which also can be found in the Opel Meriva MPV.
