Posted on Leave a comment

2015 Buick Encore Receives 5-Star Overall Safety Rating

2015 Buick Encore Receives 5-Star Overall Safety Rating

Entire 2015 Buick portfolio posts top New Car Assessment Program ratings

DETROIT – Contrary to its compact figure, the 2015 Buick Encore delivers big when it comes to safety. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave both front- and all-wheel drive Encore models a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score after extensively testing both models in its New Car Assessment Program.

As a result, buyers can find models with a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score throughout Buick’s range of 2015 model year vehicles: the Verano, Regal, LaCrosse, Encore and Enclave.

“Consumers are consistently surprised to discover Encore provides the characteristics they expect in our larger offerings – style, sophistication, connectivity and comfort,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Buick. “NHTSA’s evaluation affirms Encore lives up to Buick’s safety reputation.”

Encore’s five-star ranking reflects its performance in NCAP front, side and rollover tests. Encore also received a five-star score on a side pole impact test, which simulates hitting a tree just behind the driver’s side A-pillar at 20 mph.

The 2015 Encore’s strength comes from a strong body structure, 66 percent of which is formed from high- and ultra-high strength steel. Encore also offers 10 standard air bags, including driver and front passenger frontal air bags, driver and front passenger knee air bags, front and rear thorax air bags for all outboard seating positions, and side curtain air bags.

Encore offers available safety features, including rear cross traffic alert and side blind zone alert systems with the Convenience Package. Encore Premium models offer front- and rear-park assist, forward collision alert, and lane departure warning.

Posted on Leave a comment

Buick Sets Second Consecutive Annual Global Sales Record

Brand sells nearly 1.2 million vehicles with double-digit gains in U.S. and China

DETROIT– Buick delivered nearly 1.2 million vehicles in China, the United States, Canada and Mexico in 2014, marking the second consecutive sales record for the most Buicks sold in a single year in the brand’s 111-year history.

Strong growth in both China and North America resulted in global sales of 1,170,115 units, up 13.4 percent over 2013. China posted a 13.5 percent sales gain, while the U.S. delivered an 11.4 percent sales increase. Canada also saw strong sales growth, with a 31 percent increase over 2013. In the U.S., 42 percent of Buick buyers were new to the brand and to General Motors.

Buick experienced strong global growth in both crossovers and sedans from a product lineup that is among the freshest in the industry and the strongest the brand has ever featured.

The Encore small crossover ended 2014 with 138,218 sales globally, up 42 percent.  The eight-passenger Enclave exceeded 66,000 sales to set an all-time sales record in North America. Exclusive to China, the GL8 posted an annual sales gain of 14.6 percent, while the all-new Envision sold 19,747 units in the first two months and was named Motor Trend China SUV of 2015.

In the sedan segment, the China-exclusive Excelle again delivered high volume in the compact sedan segment, delivering 293,908 sales. The Excelle GT and Verano compact sedans combined globally to deliver a 22.4 percent gain, while sales of the Regal were up 27.2 percent.

Country 2014 Volume 2013 Volume Percent Change
China 919,582 809,918 13.5
United States 228,963 205,509 11.4
Canada 18,745 14,310 30.9
Mexico 2,825 2,319 21.8
Total 1,170,115 1,032,056 13.4%
Posted on Leave a comment

2014 Buick Regal Infused with New Technology

  • Exterior design with signature wing-shape LED lighting; revised interior designed around next-gen IntelliLink infotainment and new advanced safety features
  • More efficient and more refined  2.0L turbo engine delivers 18 percent  more power in Regal Turbo
  • New all-wheel-drive system incorporates electronic limited-slip differential to help optimize traction in all driving conditions

NEW YORK – Buick revealed the new 2014 Regal today, designed to be a sportier and smarter evolution of the brand’s dynamic midsize sedan. New purposeful technologies enhance safety and the driving experience with a more refined turbo engine – along with the introduction of all-wheel drive.

The new Regal also introduces new radar- and camera-based safety features – including Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Change Alert, Side Blind Zone Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert and Collision Mitigation Braking – for surround protection. In-vehicle connectivity is enhanced with next-generation IntelliLink, featuring simpler, more intuitive controls and natural speech recognition.

Adaptive Cruise Control is also offered. It senses traffic in front of the Regal to adjust vehicle speed, including stopping the vehicle in heavy traffic and accelerating again.

“The new 2014 Regal is more expressive, more connected and more technologically advanced,” said Tony DiSalle, U.S. vice president of Buick Marketing. “ Nearly half of new Regal buyers are conquests who are new to Buick and they represent the youngest median age among the brand’s lineup.

“The new Regal gives those discerning buyers more of the technologically advanced features they want in a modern luxury sedan, all with the style and refinement they expect from Buick.”

New front and rear styling, with bold, signature wing-shape LED daytime running lamps and LED taillamps were designed to give Regal a more contemporary and premium presence. The interior features a redesigned central instrument panel and console along with a new fashion interior trim combination.

The new 2.0L turbo engine delivers 18 percent more horsepower in the Regal Turbo, for a greater feeling of on-demand power The available Haldex all-wheel-drive system helps make the most of traction in all driving conditions and also enhances the cornering capability of the Regal GS when driven in the GS mode of the Interactive Drive Control System.

A 2.4L engine with eAssist light electrification technology is also available on the 2014 Regal. Six-speed automatic transmissions are matched with both engines and a six-speed manual is available in the Regal GS. Electric power steering is now featured on all models.

The new Regal makes its public debut at the New York International Auto Show, where it will be on display March 29-April 7. It goes on sale this fall.

2014 BUICK REGAL PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS

Overview

Models: 2014 Buick Regal Luxury Sport Sedan with eAssist, Regal Turbo and Regal GS
Body style / driveline: four-door, five-passenger front engine transaxle. front-wheel-drive midsize vehicle
Construction: steel body frame integral (unibody) with front and rear crumple zones; galvanized steel front fenders, hood, roof, door panels, one-piece bodyside outer panel, thermal plastic olefin (TPO) bumper fascias
EPA vehicle class: Midsize
Manufacturing location: Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
Key competitors: Acura TSX, Volkswagen CC, Volvo S60, Lexus IS 250, Audi A4, Infiniti Q50

 

Engines

2.4L DOHC I-4 2.0L DOHC I-4 Turbo
Application: Regal eAssist Regal Turbo and Regal GS
Displacement (cu in / cc): 145 / 2384 122 / 1998
Bore and stroke (in / mm): 3.46 x 3.85 / 88 x 98 3.39 x 3.39 / 86 x 86
Block material: precision sand cast aluminum cast aluminum
Cylinder head material: SPM cast aluminum cast aluminum
Valvetrain: DOHC, four-valves per cylinder, continuously variable valve timing DOHC, four-valves per cylinder, continuously variable valve timing
Ignition system: individual coil-on-plug individual coil-on-plug
Fuel delivery: direct injection and electronic throttle control direct high-pressure fuel injection
Compression ratio: 11.2:1 9.5:1
Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm): 182 / 136 @ 6700 rpm* 259 / 193 @ 5300 (est.)
Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm) 172 / 232.2 @ 4900 rpm* 295 / 400 @ 1700 (est.)
Recommended fuel: regular unleaded premium recommended, but not required
Max engine speed: 7000 rpm 7000 rpm
Emissions controls: close-coupled, catalytic converter; continuously variable valve timing; positive crankcase ventilation evaporative system; supplemental air injection system, partial zero emissions vehicle capable (eAssist) close-coupled catalytic converter; continuously variable valve timing; 58x ignition system; returnless fuel rail; wide-range O2 sensor
Fuel economy (city / hwy): TBD TBD

 

Transmissions

Hydra-Matic 6T40 Hydra-Matic 6T70 GM F40-6
Type: six-speed transverse, electronically controlled, automatic overdrive six-speed transverse, electronically controlled, automatic overdrive six-speed manual
Application: std w/ 2.4L eAssist std. Regal Turbo / GS opt. Regal GS with FWD
Gear ratios (:1):
First 4.58 4.48 3.92
Second 2.96 2.87 2.04
Third 1.91 1.84 1.32
Fourth 1.45 1.41 0.95
Fifth 1.00 1.00 0.76
Sixth 0.75 0.74 0.62
Reverse 2.94 2.88 3.75
Final Drive 2.64 2.77 3.76

 

Electric Drive System (Regal With eAssist)

Type: belt-driven, liquid-cooled motor/generator unit and lithium-ion battery system; air-cooled power electronics and battery pack
Maximum electric generating power: 15 kW @ 1570-3180 rpm
Maximum electric motor torque (cranking): 110 lb.-ft. / 150 Nm
Maximum electric motor torque (electric assist): 79 lb.-ft. / 107 Nm @ 1,000 rpm
Maximum electric motor power (electric assist): 15 hp / 11.2 kW @ 1,000-2,200 rpm
Lithium-ion battery: 115V, 0.5-kWh, 15 kW peak power

 

Chassis/Suspension

Front: independent, MacPherson strut-type with dual-path mountings, specifically tuned coil springs, direct-acting stabilizer bar (hollow); hydraulic ride bushings; continuous damping control; HiPer Strut suspension standard on GS and AWD models. Interactive Drive Control System standard on GS
Rear: four-link independent rear; hollow stabilizer bar; continuous damping control (FWD models); Interactive Drive Control System standard on GS. H-arm suspension standard on AWD models
Traction control: all-speed using engine torque reduction and brake intervention
Steering type: electric rack-and-pinion power-assisted (dual-pinion design) with eAssist and Regal Turbo with FWD; belt-driven electric power steering standard on GS and AWD models
Steering wheel turns lock-to-lock: 2.68 (18- and 19-inch wheels)
Turning circle, curb-to-curb (ft / m): 37.4 / 11.4
Steering ratio: 15.2:1

 

Brakes

Type: four-wheel disc w/ABS and electronic stability control
Brake rotor diameter – front(in / mm): 2.4L: 11.7 / 296 vented; single-piston, cast iron caliper2.0L (Turbo): 12.6 / 321 vented; single-piston, cast iron caliper

2.0L (GS): 13.6 / 345 vented; four-piston, aluminum Brembo caliper

Brake rotor diameter – rear(in / mm): 2.4L: 11.5 / 292 solid; single-piston, aluminum caliper2.0L (Turbo and GS): 12.4 / 315 vented; single-piston, aluminum caliper

 

Wheels/Tires

Wheel size and type: 17-inch machined alloy (eAssist)18-inch 13-spoke painted alloy (std. on Turbo)

18-inch chrome alloy (avail. on Turbo)

19-inch alloy, 5-Twin Spoke (std. on GS)

20-inch polished alloy, 5-Twin Spoke (avail. on GS)

Tires: Michelin Energy Saver P235/50R17 low rolling-resistance all season (std. on eAssist)Michelin Pilot MXM4 Primacy P235/50R18 (std. on Sedan and Turbo)

Goodyear Eagle RSA P245/40R19 (std. on GS)

Pirelli P-Zero P255/35-ZR20 summer rated (avail. on GS)

 

Dimensions

Exterior

Wheelbase (in / mm) : 107.8 / 2738
Overall length (in / mm): 190.2 / 4831
Overall width (in / mm): 73.1 / 1857
Overall height (in / mm): 58.4 / 1483
Front track (in / mm): 62.4 / 1585
Rear track (in / mm): 62.5 / 1588

 

Interior

Seating capacity (front / rear): 2 / 3
Headroom (in / mm): 38.8 / 986 (front)36.8 / 935 (rear)
Legroom (in / mm): 42.1 / 1069 (front)37.3 / 947 (rear)
Shoulder room (in / mm): 56.7 / 1440 (front)54.4 / 1382 (rear)
Hip room (in / mm): 55.4 / 1407 (front)52.3 / 1328 (rear)

 

Capacities

EPA passenger volume(cu ft / L) : 96.8 / 2741
EPA interior volume (cu ft / L): 111.1 / 3146
Cargo volume (cu ft / L): 11.1 / 314 (2.4L eAssist – estimated)14.2 / 402 (2.0L – estimated)
Fuel tank (gal / L): 15.8 / 59 (2.4L eAssist)18 / 70 (2.0L)
Engine oil (qt / L): 2.4L: 5.0 / 4.72.0L: 6.3 / 6.0
Curb weight (lb / kg): 3600 / 1633 (2.4L)3671 / 1665 (2.0L Turbo)

3710 / 1683 (2.0L GS)

*SAE certified.

Note: Information shown is current at time of publication.

Click here to visit our Buick Regal community and start discussing your next vehicle!