Buick Could Adopt Diesel Engines for US Lineup, Says Insider

Buick would apparently be selling more Opel Mokka-based Encores in the US, if the model had a gutsier engine available under the bonnet, as the 1.4-liter 138 hp unit that it’s now available with isn’t to all buyers’ liking.

An Edmunds report, quoting unnamed inside sources, says that they just might do something about that, in an effort to further align the brand with Europe’s Opel, and that something may be a diesel engine – it's range is pretty much aligned, with only the Enclave SUV not sharing its underpinnings with a Euro model, and the Verano and Regal sedans clearly showing their origins.

That means fitting a diesel shouldn’t be a problem, as the basic frames have been thought up with the oil-burning units in mind too. However, while all the sedan models in the range would have no trouble taking a 2.0-liter engine (diesel or otherwise), the Encore, with its very short hood, can only go as high 1.6L. Luckily, Opel does have a new turbocharged 1.6-liter petrol unit too, and if the source is right, it might be the one to boost the Encore’s popularity.

Sticking to the theme of this article, it’s worth mentioning that Buick adopting diesel power plants in the US would be a natural move, as their premium European rivals are doing so too. It would also help create more demand at GM’s Euro engine plants too, making the management less inclined to fire people for the greater good of the company, as Ford is doing in Belgium.

It is not known when Buick will officially go diesel, and while the Encore is the model most in need of a new, more powerful engine, that extra power will probably come by simply burning more gasoline. The Verano is apparently the most suitable to currently get one, but so are their other sedan models, if that’s the case.

By Andrei Nedelea

PHOTO GALLERY

Meet the Adams Family: Buick's Waterfall Grille Plastered on Opel's Premium Mini

Knowing that GM has rebadged a number of Opel models as Buicks since its restructuring in 2009, including the Astra and the Insignia, there was no doubt in our minds that sooner or later, someone would turn Opel's new Adam premium city car into a Buick.
'Automotive manipulator' Theophilus Chin replaced Opel's French mustache-styled chrome piece with Buick's trademark waterfall grille, and well, that's all that was done to the car.

Buick and GMC Showrooms Receive a Makover in the States

General Motors' efforts to revitalize its Buick passenger and GMC truck divisions are not only limited to updating each brands vehicle lineup but also extend to refreshing their joint dealerships across the country.
The program includes a new exterior façade with updated signage, brighter and more comfortable showrooms with a customer greeting station as well as a lounge with free WiFi, while some dealers plan to go the extra mile and add a café or salon into the mix.

Interested? 1987 Buick GNX with Only 5,000 Miles on the Odo

One of the 547 Buick GNX muscle cars that GM built in 1987 has been listed for sale by a Las Vegas dealer. Cleverly described by C&D in its days as "Darth Vader's Ride", the GNX is a rare gem, even more so if it has a mere 5,000 miles on the odometer like this example that's priced at US$95,000.

When it came out in 1987, which was the only year it was offered for sale, the Buick GNX was the fastest production car in GM's range (Corvette included) thanks to its 3.8-liter force-fed V6 engine that was factory (under)rated at 276HP and 360 lb-ft. Power was sent to the rear wheels through a modified four-speed automatic transmission.