The wraps have come off the Buick Encore at the Detroit motor show today. The soft-roader will be badged as the Vauxhall Mokka when it hits UK showrooms in November, and is the marque's answer to the Nissan Juke and Ford's new Fiesta-based EcoSport.
The high-riding five-seater is 4280mm long and around 1645mm high. It has 1540mm front and rear tracks and a 2555mm wheelbase.
The Mokka has family ties with the Buick Encore. Both are based on GM’s Gamma II platform, which will also underpin the next-generation Corsa. Vauxhall's version will debut at the Geneva motor show in March.
In the UK, the Mokka will offer a choice of 117bhp naturally aspirated 1.6-litre and 142bhp turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol engines, as well as a 1.7 CDTi turbodiesel that has 132bhp and 221lb ft of torque.
All three powerplants will be equipped with stop-start, and the turbo versions can be combined with either six-speed manual or automatic transmissions. An all-wheel-drive version will be available in addition to the standard front-drive model.
The Mokka has a maximum of 1372 litres of load space with the rear seats folded or 533 litres with the seats up, as well as 19 storage holes and Vauxhall’s integrated Flex-Fix bicycle carrier.
The car’s minimum ground clearance is 158mm and uses suspension designed specifically for a company crossover. Most Mokka variants will ride on 18in alloy wheels as standard. Other standard technology includes electronic stability control, traction control, hill start assist and hill descent control systems and adaptive forward lighting. Vauxhall’s front camera system will be available as an option.
Ed Welburn, GM design boss said: "This car puts us on the edge of a new automotive theme. It helps give us the finest Buick product portfolio in decades. A lot of people don't want or need anything bigger than this."
Mary Barra, senior VP product planning said: "The Encore is a very important car for Buick's continued growth in China and North America. Sales were up 17 per cent in China in 2011 for another record year. In the US, we're outselling Audi and sales were up 14 per cent. This car is the first of its size and type to be launched in North America."
Thanks to: Autocar
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