Encore small SUV has best May ever; brand sales post best May since 2005
Buick Encore retail and total sales rose 22.1 percent and 20.7 percent, respectively, in May as demand for the brand’s small luxury SUV shows no signs of letting up. It made up 30 percent of the brand’s sales.
Buick U.S. sales increased in May compared to a year ago on the strength of the brand’s crossover models. Buick Enclave deliveries were up 23 percent and the Encore was up 21 percent, for its 17th consecutive year-over-year sales increase.
Buick has sold more Encores this year than any other model, accounting for 30 percent of the brand’s retail sales.
2015 Buick Encore small SUV
“Buick was among the first to capitalize on the rapidly growing small SUV segment with the Encore, which appeals to buyers seeking luxurious features in a smaller and more efficient package,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president, Buick. “The Encore has performed extremely well in its segment and we expect it will continue to do so.”
In its debut year, Encore scored at the top of its segment in the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study – practically unheard of for a new model. In a recent owner survey, 96 percent said they were either satisfied or completely satisfied with their vehicle and 95 percent said they would recommend a Buick based on their experience with the Encore.
Autotrader.com recently named Encore one of its 10 Best Cars for Recent College Grads, citing its sleek exterior styling, premium interior, maneuverability, quality and fuel efficiency.
Earlier this year, Buick was the first U.S. automaker in the Top 10 in a popular consumer magazine’s annual ranking of automotive brands. At No. 7, Buick moved ahead of traditionally high-rated automakers such as Honda and BMW. Eighty-three percent of Buick models made it onto the magazine’s recommended list – the most for any brand.
Lean machine: New Opel Astra up to 200 kilograms lighter
Agile, frugal and quiet: Astra only available with latest-generation engines
Clever design: Smaller exterior dimensions, more spacious and comfortable inside
Outstanding connectivity: First completely new model with Opel OnStar
Infotainment debut: IntelliLink R 4.0 compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
First in class: Intelligent Full-LED Matrix light IntelliLux LED®
Clever back-up: Technologies and driver assistance systems from higher segments
Wellness seats: Massage function, ventilation and seat-width setting
Eye-candy: New Opel Astra catches the eye with a lighter, more athletic appearance.
Opel and compact class cars – this specific success story starts with the Kadett in 1936 and will be continued with the new Astra, the eleventh generation of an Opel compact class car. So far, 24 million Kadett and Astra compact class models have left the plants. And now Opel is ready to add a new chapter to the history of its bestseller. The next generation Astra is based on an all-new lightweight vehicle architecture, will only be driven by latest generation engines and offers features previously only known from higher segments. The lean design makes the new Astra look more athletic than ever before. To put it briefly, the new Astra combines efficiency with elegance and will redefine the compact class segment with its innovations. New Opel Astra will celebrate its world premiere at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt this fall (September 17 to 27).
Compact dimensions: With total length of 4.37 meters is the new Opel Astra almost five centimeters shorter than its predecessor.
Typical features: The divided C-pillar and the characteristic ‘blade’ raising towards the rear characterize the new Opel Astra.
“Three values are decisive for the new Astra – efficiency, innovation and dynamic performance,” said Opel Group CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann. “Our engineers developed it from the proverbial white sheet of paper. The new Astra is up to 200 kilograms lighter than its predecessor – and its athletic design makes this outwardly visible. Its dimensions are smaller but both spaciousness and comfort have been increased considerably. Under the hood the Astra will only feature engines of the latest generation. Numerous technologies and assistance systems from higher segments increase the comfort and safety of the Astra passengers, with our personal connectivity and service assistant Opel OnStar, ultra-modern phone integration and the ground-breaking new Adaptive Full-LED Matrix light IntelliLux leading the way.”
Clearly identifiable: Opel flash in the center of the chrome bar on the grill and makes the new Astra immediately recognizable as a member of the Opel family.
Saving where it counts: The new vehicle architecture
Lighter, more frugal and agile and at the same time even more comfortable – the new Opel Astra meets all of these demands thanks to its successful fitness program. The visionary Monza Concept, unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, was the role model for the eleventh generation Opel compact class car. According to Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann, every element and every design feature of the Opel Monza Concept reflects efficiency. The new Opel Astra follows this vision rigorously. Depending on the model and trim level it will be up to 200 kilograms – at the very least 120 kilograms – lighter than its predecessor. The completely new vehicle architecture plays a major role in the weight reduction. Every component was checked for compact design and lightweight materials. The bodyshell weight alone was reduced by 20 percent from 357 to 280 kilograms. Additional, chassis-related measures resulted in another 50 kilograms of weight reduction; these include high-strength and ultra-high-strength low-weight steels, compact subframes as well as weight reductions to the front and rear axle.
Bodyshell weight alone was reduced by 20% from 357 to 280 kilograms
The end result of this fitness program: agility and driving comfort are improved in the new Opel Astra. It is more responsive, corners better and gives a much more direct overall driving experience. In a nutshell, the new Opel Astra is more fun to drive than ever before.
Only the best: The latest powertrain portfolio
The engine in the new Opel Astra supports this claim. Under the hood of every new Astra a member of the completely new engine portfolio can be found. Outputs range from 70 kW/95 hp to 147 kW/200 hp. The diesel and gasoline engines with a displacement of up to 1.6 liters all have three things in common: they combine highest efficiency with excellent responsiveness and running smoothness.
The 1.6 CDTI with a wide range of outputs starting at 70 kW/95 hp covers the diesel offer whereas the 1.0 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo (77 kW/105 hp) is the base level gasoline engines. The highlight in the new Opel Astra engine portfolio is the all-new 1.4 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo, a four-cylinder unit from the same family as the smaller but nonetheless powerful one-liter, three-cylinder engine. The all-aluminum engine will make its debut with 107 kW/145 hp. It impresses with dynamic responsiveness and high performance while curbing fuel consumption. The engine delivers maximum torque of up to 250 Nm very early. Maximum power is available between 1,800 and 4,000 rpm – perfect conditions for driving pleasure in combination with efficiency. Based on its construction, the new 1.4 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo also adds less weight to the car. The aluminum engine block alone weighs ten kilograms less than the forged steel block of the current 1.4 liter turbo.
All-New 1.4 ECOTEC Direct Injection Turbo with 107 kW/145 hp and maximum torque up to 250 Nm
Athletic design meets spaciousness: The perfect Astra symbiosis
Agile, frugal and quiet: New Opel Astra will only be available with latest-generation engines
The design of the new Opel Astra also depicts efficiency and once again the Opel Monza Concept was the role model. The evolution of the Opel design philosophy ‘Sculptural Artistry meets German Precision’ ensures that the new Astra catches the eye with a lighter, more athletic appearance instead of a muscular look. The Opel Blitz in the center of the chrome bar on the grill and the characteristic ‘blade’ raising towards the rear make the new Astra immediately recognizable as a member of the Opel Family. The front headlamps melt into the radiator grille to form a graphic unity. The most significant design cue is the divided C-pillar, creating the impression of a floating roof. The interplay of light and shadow is emphasized by the horizontal crossbar above the brand logo linking the rear lights. The new Opel Astra does not just look smaller – it is smaller. With a total length of 4.37 meters it is almost five centimeters shorter than its predecessor. With a height of 1.46 meters it is also 2.6 centimeters smaller. The dimensions obviously have an impact on aerodynamics and efficiency with the new Astra boasting a drag coefficient below 0.30.
Exciting rear-view: Interplay of light and shadow is emphasized by the horizontal crossbar above the brand logo linking the rear lights.
Smaller on the outside but bigger on the inside – Opel engineers are responsible for successfully squaring this circle. The wheelbase may have been reduced by two centimeters but the amount of space inside increased. In combination with newly designed seats, the passengers in the rear can enjoy an additional 35 millimeters legroom. Furthermore, the distance between the front and rear seats was increased – this improves travel comfort and sense of space. The high-quality cockpit and the instrument panel seamlessly transfer the characteristic and aesthetic exterior design to the interior, thus ensuring that a new interior design generation is introduced in the new Opel Astra. It is characterized by an especially clear look, also reflected by the reduced amount of control switches and buttons along with the large color touchscreen in the center stack.
Help and service around the clock: Outstanding connectivity with Opel OnStar
All new models adhere to the principle: Opel democratizes technologies and innovations from higher segments, Opel makes innovations affordable. For example in connectivity. The next generation Astra is the first new Opel model that will be available with the personal connectivity and service assistant Opel OnStar from its launch. Opel OnStar offers customers a broad range of safety and comfort services. If an airbag deploys, Opel OnStar will be alerted automatically. An advisor will then contact the vehicle to determine whether help is required. If there is no response, emergency responders are immediately sent to the exact location of the vehicle. This is only one example of the advantages of the new personal connectivity and service assistant. Drivers and passengers can reach OnStar 24/7 and 365 days a year. No matter whether they need roadside assistance or any other service – an OnStar advisor is always ready to help. Furthermore, OnStar will turn the new Opel Astra into a 4G LTE mobile Wi-Fi hotspot. Up to seven devices, from smartphones to tablets, can be connected simultaneously.
Easy control: The Intellilink functions can be accessed via the up to eight-inch large touchscreen.
In addition, the new generation of the IntelliLink infotainment system will celebrate its debut in the Astra. As it is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, it will facilitate bringing the world of smartphones into the car – a premiere in the compact class segment. Each system builds off of the features smartphone users rely on most. Android Auto is built around Google Maps, Google Now and the ability to talk to Google, as well as a growing audio and messaging app ecosystem that includes WhatsApp, Skype, Google Play Music, Spotify, and podcast players. A full list of supported apps is available at Android.com/auto. Apple CarPlay takes the iPhone features you’d want to access while driving and puts them on the vehicle’s display in a smart, simple manner. That allows drivers to make calls, send and receive messages and listen to music right from the touchscreen or by voice via Siri. Apple CarPlay supported apps include Phone, Messages, Maps, Music and compatible third party apps. A full list of those apps can be found at Apple.com/ios/carplay. The functions can be controlled via the large, up to eight-inch touchscreen located high on the center stack, via remote control on the steering wheel (volume) or via voice control.
Fully connected: The new generation of the IntelliLink infotainment system, compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, will celebrate its debut in the new Opel Astra.
Premium technologies for the compact class: IntelliLux LED® and Co.
The is an absolute novelty and safety highlight in the new Astra. The ground-breaking, Opel patented full-LED matrix light of the next generation enables driving with glare-free high beams and will be available in the compact class for the first time in the Astra.
IntelliLux LED®: Opel patented Full-LED Matrix light enables driving with glare-free high beams with “cutting out” area around oncoming or preceding vehicles and will be available in the compact class for the first time in the new Astra.
Consisting of 16 LED segments – eight on each side of the vehicle – the new LED Matrix system automatically and constantly adapts the length and distribution of the light beam to every traffic situation. In the process, it works with the Opel Eye front camera. As soon as the vehicle exits urban areas, the high-beam lighting is automatically switched on – and it always remains on. At driving speeds of 80 km/h, drivers detect objects at the side of the road around 30 to 40 meters sooner than with conventional halogen or xenon low beam lighting. This gives them around 1.5 seconds more time to react. Dazzling other road users is also not a problem. When the camera detects light sources from oncoming or preceding traffic, individual LEDs in the relevant zone are deactivated, simply “cutting out” the area around the vehicles. The rest of the road and its surroundings remain brightly illuminated. With this degree of precision and adaptation, LED Matrix light elevates lighting technology to the next level.
Opel IntelliLux LED on: Consisting of 16 LED segments – eight on each side of the vehicle – the new LED matrix system automatically and constantly adapts the length and distribution of the light beam to every traffic situation.
Not only does the system illuminate the surroundings brighter than conventional lighting systems, it also has a considerably longer running life than headlamps with Halogen or Xenon lamps. Another advantage is that mechanical movements are no longer necessary in the headlamp – the individual LED segments turn on or off according to the situation, which also contributes to durability.
Apart from Opel OnStar and IntelliLux LED®, future Astra owners can look forward to a string of further safety, driver assistance and comfort systems – many of which are unrivalled in this segment. The Traffic Sign Assistant and the Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning along with Following Distance Indication and the Forward Collision Alert with Collision Imminent Braking not only make driving the new Astra more comfortable but also safer. Cruise control with speed limiter ensures that the speed is always within the legal boundaries. Advanced Park Assist increases comfort and can park the car automatically at the push of a button. The rear view camera is activated once reverse gear is selected. And Side Blind Spot Alert recognizes obstacles within a 3-meter radius on either side and behind the car that are hidden from the driver’s vision.
High-quality cockpit: Interior of the new Opel Astra is characterized by an especially clear look, also reflected by the reduced amount of control switches and buttons along with the large color touchscreen in the center stack.
The AGR (Campaign for Healthy Backs) tested and certified ergonomic seats are also outstanding. They continue Opel’s tradition in excellent, ergonomic seats and now come with additional comfort features. The new Opel Astra will offer 18-way adjustable seats for the driver. They have a massage function, ventilation and seat-width setting. And the rear passengers can also look forward to more comfort than before with the two heatable outer back seats available as an option.
Squaring the circle: New Opel Astra is smaller on the outside but bigger on the inside.
The all-new Opel Astra is therefore not only safer, more comfortable, more attractive and more modern than ever before, it is also lighter, more agile, more aerodynamic and more efficient in every sense of the word. It is Opel’s road to the future.
NOTE: New Opel Astra is under consideration for introduction in South Africa in 2016. Model range, specification, and pricing will be announced closer to launch.
ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team well prepared for round three of FIA ERC Junior
Opel works driver Emil Bergkvist heads to SATA Rallye Acores as ERC Junior leader
Team colleague Marijan Griebel completed WRC round in Portugal as preparation
Thumbs up: The ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team consisting of Stefan Clemens, Marijan Greibel, Emil Bergkvist and Joakim Sjöberg (from left to right) is optimistic ahead of the SATA Rallye Acores.
Highly motivated and full of confidence, the ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team is eagerly heading to the gravel adventure at the SATA Rallye Acores with its two works ADAM R2 machines. After victories at both previous FIA ERC Junior rounds, Swedish Opel works driver Emil Bergkvist (20, from Torsåker) has a solid lead with 78 points and a 42-point advantage over his closest competitor. After coming in second at the Rallye Circuit of Ireland, his German team colleague Marijan Griebel (26, from Hahnweiler) is now in fifth place in the FIA ERC Junior rankings.
Upwards trend: Marijan Greibel and his Copilot Stefan Clemens want to continue to impress in their Opel ADAM R2 at the SATA Rallye Acores after finishing second at the Rallye Circuit of Ireland.
The two drivers supported by ADAC and Opel have meticulously prepared for the third round of the FIA ERC Junior taking place on the Portuguese archipelago around 1,400 kilometers west of the European continent in the mid-Atlantic. Following intensive gravel training in Austria, the teams tackled individual test races. ERC Junior leader Bergkvist, who learned rallye driving on the gravel roads in his home country and feels right at home on this surface, easily won his class at the South Swedish Rallye with his co-driver Joakim Sjöberg in their ADAM R2. One week later, teammates Griebel and his co-driver Stefan Clemens were racing towards a podium finish in the extremely challenging Rallye de Portugal, part of the World Rallye Championship, when tire damage in the last stage led to suspension problems, forcing them to withdraw from the race. On the Monday before the Azores rallye, Bergkvist and Griebel were already on site for another test day in their race cars.
Serial winner: Opel-backed Emil Bergkvist has won both races in the FIA ERC Junior so far and is 42 points clear of his closest rival in the overall rankings.
So the ADAC Opel Rallye Junior Team drivers are full of optimism going into the third round of the season, which is already the mid-way point of the FIA ERC Junior 2015. “I am really looking forward to the Azores,” says Bergkvist. “I have watched a lot of on-board videos and can hardly wait to tackle this fantastic gravel track in my ADAM R2. Of course the competition is again going to be really tough. But the ADAM R2 has proven that it is a sensational rallye car on all surfaces. We are very well prepared and want to deliver a clean performance with as few mistakes as possible. If we manage that, then I am confident that we’ll again have a good shot at a podium spot.”
Team colleague Griebel adds: “To take part in a rallye in the fascinating countryside of the Azores is a dream come true for me. I’m expecting extremely challenging stages with constantly changing gravel surfaces. The quickly changing weather in the Azores can also play an important role. You have to be ready for everything. I wouldn’t go so far as to use the word routine after having raced in just one gravel rallye, but my two test runs and participation in the Portuguese WRC race were certainly very good preparation for the Azores. My main goal there is to successfully cross the finish line with the ADAM R2 and to score as many points as possible for the FIA ERC Junior.”
Taking part in the entire ERC Junior with a customer ADAM R2, Pole Aleks Zawada and his French co-driver Cathy Derousseaux are also racing under the Opel colors in the Azores.
The Rallye Acores covers a total distance of 725.8 kilometers, including 17 demanding gravel stages covering 216.6 kilometers. The rallye begins in Ponta Delgada on the largest island São Miguel on Thursday (June 4) at 3:45 p.m. local time (CEST minus 2 hours), and will be neutralized from 10:30 p.m. The next day the first leg will continue from 9 a.m. and finish around 9 p.m. The second leg starts on Saturday (June 6) at 8:30 a.m. and the finish line will be crossed around 7 p.m. Opel offers live timing on the website www.opel-motorsport.com.
