1968 Buick Skylark Custom Convertible 2-door 5.7l on 2040-cars

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2021 Buick Encore sheds top two trims, offer only Base and Preferred

A few days ago, CarsDirect reported that the 2021 Buick Encore would prune its top two trims, the Sport Touring and Essence variants. Paring those two trims would leave the Base and the Preferred, creating larger price and amenities differences between the stalwart Encore and the new, larger, nicer Encore GX. It turns out the change has already gone into effect for the 2020 model year, as shown in Encore's Build & Price page at the brand's web site. Now the only trims available are the 1SV and Preferred. The prices for these trims won't change for next year, either. The Encore will start at $24,195 after a $995 destination charge, and now topping out at $26,215 for the all-wheel drive Preferred model. Previously, the Essence AWD established the top of the hill at $31,795. The move eliminates almost all of the MSRP overlap with the Encore GX, which ranges from $25,195 to $31,595. There will be less feature overlap, too. The now-dead Encore trims opened the door to proper luxury amenities like LED headlights, leather seats, dual-zone climate control, and an auto dimming rear-view mirror. The amenities available on the Preferred are limited to floor mats and accessories, save for the $495 Safety Package that adds Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Side Blind Zone Alert, and the $300 Remote Start. The Encore GX comes in three trims, Preferred, Select, and Essence, and "Leather-appointed seating" doesn't appear until the top-dollar Essence trim for $29,495 in FWD fettle.  The closest the Encore and Encore GX will get to one another is in engine output. The smaller crossover comes only with a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. The Encore GX offers two engines depending on powertrain. A 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder with 137 hp and 166 lb-ft comes solely with front-wheel drive, and a 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder with 155 hp and 174 lb-ft is available with either front- or all-wheel drive. Related Video:    

Buick mulling more powerful Encore; diesel too

Looking to set itself apart in the mid-luxury segment, Buick is looking to introduce a diesel engine somewhere in its US lineup. And according to Edmunds, the two best chances of a diesel Buick rest with the Encore and Verano.
In both our First Drive and Review of the 2013 Encore, our chief complaint about the compact crossover was the the lack of power from the 138-horsepower turbo engine. Edmunds says that the recently introduced 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine (with both gas and diesel variants) from the Encore's overseas cousin, the Opel Mokka, could make its way into the Encore delivering the much-needed boost in power.
Then there's the Verano. As a close relative to the Chevy Cruze, which just added a diesel engine for 2014, the article speculates that a Verano Diesel might actually be the more "probably candidate" if and when Buick decides to add a diesel model to its portfolio. Either way, offering such an engine in one of its products could be a great way for Buick to differentiate itself from Cadillac and possibly even attract buyers from Volkswagen, Audi and Mercedes-Benz looking for a luxurious, fuel-efficient vehicle.

Buick Blackhawk concept headed to auction block again

While the collector car auction market is often criticized for inflating the price of vintage models out of the realm of affordability for many buyers, these sales do give us an opportunity to look back on some of the beautiful, rare designs of the past. Just take a glance at this Buick Blackhawk concept with a shape right out of the '40s or '50s. Despite the heritage styling, it was pieced together from older pieces for Buick to celebrate itself in the early 2000s With styling inspiration from the classic Buick Y-Job concept car, the Blackhawk mixes actual vintage components to create its curvaceous shape. However, the power retractable top is thoroughly modern being made from carbon fiber and stows in the deck lid when the roof needs to go down. After so much work on the outside, the Buick has something equally surprising under the hood. It's a 1970 455-cubic-inch (7.5-liter) V8 GS Stage III V8 with a claimed 463 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, and for easy cruising the mill is linked to a four-speed automatic. Built in-house by Buick, the Blackhawk was once part of the General Motors Heritage Fleet, but the automaker sold it off in 2009 at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, AZ, along with many other members of the collection. The concept went for $522,500 after the buyer's premium, according to the auctioneers. Now, it's crossing the block again with no reserve as part of RM Auctions sale of the Andrews Collection on May 2, 2015, in Fort Worth, TX. The 75-car auction also includes highlights like one of seven 1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica SWB Cabriolet models bodied by Pininfarina. Featured Gallery Buick Blackhawk Concept News Source: RM Auctions, Barrett-Jackson AuctionsImage Credit: Darin Schnabel Courtesy of RM Auctions Design/Style Buick Auctions Convertible Concept Cars