Buick Introduces 2016 Encore Sport Touring

New 1.4L turbo engine, exclusive exterior cues add distinction, performance

2015-07-20

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Oshawa – Buick today introduced the 2016 Encore Sport Touring – a more spirited take on the brand’s popular crossover. It is distinguished by unique exterior cues and driven by an exclusive, all-new 1.4L turbocharged engine featuring direct injection and stop/start technology.

The exterior features include a winged rear spoiler, 18-inch aluminum premium-finish wheels and body-color door handles, while the technologically advanced 1.4L turbo is part of a new, global family of small, power-dense engines developed to balance performance and efficiency with exceptional refinement.

Direct injection helps it generate an estimated at 153 hp (112 kW) and 177 lb-ft of torque (240 Nm), for about 11 percent more horsepower and nearly 20 percent more torque than the Encore’s standard engine – and a greater feeling of power on demand, particularly at low- and mid-range engine speeds. It’s matched with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Stop/start technology further contributes to reduced fuel consumption in stop-and-go driving. It automatically shuts down the engine when the vehicle comes to a stop under certain driving conditions, such as a stoplight. The engine automatically restarts when the driver takes his or her foot off the brake.

“With more performance, technology and efficiency, the all-new Encore Sport Touring is a driving force behind Buick’s expansion and a catalyst for introducing a new generation of customers to the brand,” said Mike Speranzini, brand director, Buick in Canada. “This small crossover’s unique package of luxury features helps attract new customers to the brand.”

The 2016 Encore Sport Touring goes on sale this fall. All Encore models offer room for five and up to 48.4 cubic feet (1,371 liters) of storage space. Standard features include:

Blue-accented halogen composite projector-beam headlamps
IntelliLink voice-activated infotainment system with a 7-inch-diagonal, high-resolution, full-color display
OnStar 4G LTE connectivity with a Wi-Fi hotspot (includes a three-month/3GB data trial)
Rearview camera system
Fold-flat front passenger seat that extends the cargo length and accommodates items up to eight feet long
Ten standard air bags, including side-curtain and knee air bags
QuietTuning with Bose Active Noise Cancellation technology
Heated outside rearview mirrors with signal indicators
Fuel-saving electric power steering
Four-wheel disc brakes.

Encore Sport Touring also includes the Convenience package, which adds a 120-volt power outlet, auto-dimming inside rearview mirror, dual-zone climate control, fog lamps, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Side Blind Zone Alert and remote starting.

All-wheel drive, a premium Bose® audio system, navigation radio and a moonroof are available.

1.4L turbo details

The Encore Sport Touring’s exclusive 1.4L turbo is based on an all-new engine family, sharing only its displacement with the Encore’s standard 1.4L turbo engine. It features an aluminum cylinder block and head, which helps reduce mass to enhance performance and efficiency.

Engine efficiency is also bolstered through reduced friction, including low-friction piston rings, a low-friction camshaft drive and a low-friction oil pump. Additional engine features include:

A durable steel crankshaft is used for strength and reduced engine vibration
Powder-metal steel connecting rods and hypereutectic-alloy aluminum pistons that are tough and contribute to quietness. They are used with low-tension rings that reduce friction, which contributes to greater efficiency
A variable-flow oiling system helps maximize fuel efficiency. The crankshaft-driven oil pump that matches the oil supply to the engine load, changing its capacity based on the engine’s demand for oil – eliminating energy wasted to pump oil that is not required for proper engine operation
Piston-cooling oil jets are used to minimize piston temperatures – helping to optimize performance, refinement, efficiency and emissions.

The cylinder head has a water-cooled exhaust manifold integrated within the aluminum casting. Its single-piece design provides a number of benefits, including quicker engine warm-up, which contributes to better emissions performance. It also enhances durability by eliminating the need for gasket sealing around the exhaust ports, as well as offering under-hood packaging advantages.

Along with performance and efficiency, the new 1.4L engine offers excellent refinement, with low vibration and noise levels – a hallmark of Buick’s legendary quietness. Highlights include:

The camshaft drive-chain is optimized for low sound levels through an inverted-tooth design. The entire chain architecture, including its tensioning, wrap and guides, is designed for reduced overall noise radiation and the elimination of any perceived abnormal sounds
The integration of a lower, stamped steel sump at the bottom of the aluminum oil pan also reduces noise
The front-end accessory drive features an overriding alternator coupler to remove the effect of crankshaft oscillations. In addition to refinement benefits, this also allows a reduction in tensioning force to reduce friction levels and improve efficiency
Acoustically optimized covers for the top and front of the engine
Crankshaft isolation with iron main bearing inserts.

FAST FACT: Encore sales have increased 5 percent year-to-date.

About Buick in Canada

Buick is an international modern luxury brand offering vehicles with sculpted designs, luxurious interiors and thoughtful personal technologies, along with responsive-yet-efficient performance. Buick is attracting new customers with its portfolio of award-winning luxury models in North America and China. Learn more about Buick cars and crossovers at www.buick.ca, on Twitter @BuickCanada or at www.facebook.com/BuickCanada

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