Buick Introduces A More Powerful Encore For 2016

By Andy Lilienthal

Buick's subcompact Encore CUV has been a strong seller for the GM brand (30,549 units moved as of June 2015, up 29%). However, if there's been one sticking point, it's been the power. The current Encore makes just 138 hp and 148 lb/ft of torque from the 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder mill, yet has to haul around as much as 3,358 lbs.

GM announced today that there will be a new Encore Sport Touring model for 2016, which will make 153 hp and 177 lb/ft of torque from an all-new direct-injected 1.4-liter engine, which will also feature start/stop technology. And despite the fact the new engine's displacement is the same as the older one, nothing else is.

Small Car Highlights From the 2014 Portland International Auto Show

2015 BMW i3

The 2014 Portland International Auto Show will be held February 6–10 at the Oregon Convention Center. Subcompact Culture attended the press day on February 5 to get a preview of some of the latest rides. And while there were exotics, sports cars, SUVs, pickups, and just about everything else there, we attended for the small cars ... of course.

2015 BMW i3 

One of the most notable and exciting small cars at the show is the 2015 BMW i3, which is an EV with an optional inline two-cylinder 650cc range-extending gas engine. The vehicle makes 170 hp and 184 lbs./ft. of torque and will weigh in at about 2,700 lbs. It's estimated the small front-drive BMW (a first for the brand) will get 125 eMPG. By the way, yes, it's got 20" wheels wearing 165/65/20 tires. That's a new one. The interior is simply stunning, to be frank. There's futuristic yet simple design throughout, including a gorgeous wood dash area in front of the passenger, and suicide doors. Made with scads of carbon fiber, the i3 will start out at $42,275.

2015 Subaru  WRX STI

Another highly anticipated vehicle at the Auto Show is the 2015 Subaru WRX STI. The standard '15 WRX isn't slated to go on sale until April, but Oregon is Subaru country, and Subaru was able to bring the hot- rodded WRX STI, which won't go on sale until June, to the Portland show for all to see. Making 305 horsepower out of its 2.5-liter boxer four-cylinder mill and delivering power too all four wheels, the new STI will likely be a beast despite the somewhat toned-down sheet metal. However, the big wing and gold wheels are back, and are likely to appeal to the rally car crowd. Can't wait to drive this one.

2015 Volkswagen Golf

Another popular car here in the Pacific Northwest is the Volkswagen Golf, and this is the new MkVII model. Complete with revised sheet metal, the new Golf also gets a new 1.8-liter turbocharged engine standard (vs. the past 2.5-liter five cylinder), as well as a revised TDI turbochraged diesel. The gas engine will make 170 hp and 184 lbs./ft. of torque. The new TDI makes 150 hp and a whopping 236 lbs./ft. of torque. Expect TDI mileage to be in the low 40s when it's released. By the way, 52% of all VWs sold in Portland, OR are TDIs—far more than any other market in the U.S.

2015 Ford Fiesta ST

Ford's sporty Fiesta ST has been out a few months now, but this was the first I'd seen one in the flesh. wearing stunning Molten Orange Metallic paint, the ST is truly a hot hatch. A turbocharged 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine making 197 hp and 202 lbs./ft. of torque, a six-speed manual gearbox, unique alloy wheels, and different front and rear fascias make this the Fiesta to get if you're looking for a pocket rocket. This one had the optional and awesome Recaro seats, too. Love this thing, and can't wait to drive one. 

In addition to the above vehicles, there are a host of other new small car—and other cool bits—to check out at the auto show:

Fiat 500 Gucci

Kia Soul

Fiat 500L Trekking

Buick Encore

Folding paper Scion xB

Nissan Versa Note

Will Orders' twin-turbo Toyota GT86 rally car

Classic Volkswagen Bug

Custom Honda CRX

Brazuka Smart ForTwo

New Smart EV Bike

Opel Adam to Come to U.S. as a Buick?

Chrysler offers the Fiat 500. MINI offers the Cooper. Could Opel's Adam be the next upscale A-segment vehicle for the U.S.?

The Truth About Cars is reporting that Opel Chairman Karl-Thomas Neumann told reporters at the Frankfurt Motor Show that GM is considering selling the Adam in the U.S. as a Buick. Now if you'll remember, Buick recently started selling the Encore—a small SUV-ish like creature based on the Chevrolet Sonic platform. It's selling pretty well. Chevrolet has proven that the A-segment can indeed be successfully sold in the U.S., as witnessed by the higher-than-expected sales of the Spark.

So is there room in the U.S. for the Adam? I'd like to think so. I think the car looks great. It's got a bit of retro to it without being a MINI, Fiat, Beetle, or other retro ride, but still looks modern and attractive. GM could slot it under the Encore, and perhaps attract a younger demographic to the brand. The Buick brand does seem to be edging towards the less stodgy side in recent years (the new Regal GS, for example, is quite rewarding to drive), and the aforementioned Encore helps to erase the association of elderly blue-haired women and the Buick Century.

I'd love to see the Adam sold here eventually. It won't happen for a while, as apparently Neumann says the current Adam could not be federalized. But perhaps in the next few years we'll see another cool subcompact hit the U.S. market, and it might be wearing a Buick badge.

Buick goes small with the Encore crossover

Yes, I mentioned "small" and "Buick" in the same phrase. The Encore was just unveiled at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. It's got a 100.6-inch wheel base (1.2-inches longer than a Chevy Sonic), and an overall length of 168.5-inches, which slots it directly in between a Sonic hatch and sedan in terms of size. GM claims it's got more room than the BMW X1 and the Audi Q3, for what it's worth.