2010 Equinox: Chevrolet's New Edge?

[JT87]

Originally Posted by Equinox

I heard the 4 cylinder may come from either Tonawanda NY or St. Catherines in Ontario Canada

I've heard Tonawanda, for most of the non-1.4L 4 cylinder engines.

[Equinox]

Originally Posted by 377Z

Any word if the 4 cylinder model will have available AWD, and if the AWD system will be capable of transferring more than 30% of the torque to the rear axle?

Since the Vue is supposed to do a 50/50 torque split, I presume Theta II will as well. I hate the fact that the 4 cyl Vue is FWD only, though it could be due to the implications of trying to move Vue's heroic mass with 169HP thru an AWD system.

Yes it will.

[Equinox]

Originally Posted by JT87

I've heard Tonawanda, for most of the non-1.4L 4 cylinder engines.

That will be great for the economy there.

[JT87]

Originally Posted by Equinox

That will be great for the economy there.

Indeed, although I understood that much of the work that used to either be done in the region or abroad was now being done in different locations (ie castings coming from foundries out of the area, various dies and tooling coming from overseas). Still good to hear the news of product there after the postponment of their UV8. Last I checked, the 4500 Duramax will be built there too.

Back on the Equinox and GMC, they seem to be interesting products to say the least. The DI 2.3 and DI3.0 engines seem to be great for these vehicles. The 2.3 is supposed to get stellar mileage, so long as its not driven like a Vette. The Chevy seems to be the better proportioned of the two, and probably more appealing overall (think more of a tall wagon than a low SUV). The GMC is quite blocky, and an apparent brick.

[Equinox]

Originally Posted by jcgable

Why they would bump up the Nox but not the Cruze is astounding to me.

GM placed a 5 year life expectancy on the current Nox, plus, there was a 5 year plan for the Chinese motors. The plant would have been sitting idle a while longer if the sales of the current Nox continued to drop. Future plans for the new Nox are moving along quicker now due to the gas prices and future development of Hybrids...Nox comes in that category. The plant also builds the Suzuki XL7 which is coming to it's life span end in 2011. No sooner will the new Nox be coming out a new Suzuki will follow shortly after.

[Equinox]

Originally Posted by JT87

Indeed, although I understood that much of the work that used to either be done in the region or abroad was now being done in different locations (ie castings coming from foundries out of the area, various dies and tooling coming from overseas). Still good to hear the news of product there after the postponment of their UV8. Last I checked, the 4500 Duramax will be built there too.

Back on the Equinox and GMC, they seem to be interesting products to say the least. The DI 2.3 and DI3.0 engines seem to be great for these vehicles. The 2.3 is supposed to get stellar mileage, so long as its not driven like a Vette. The Chevy seems to be the better proportioned of the two, and probably more appealing overall (think more of a tall wagon than a low SUV). The GMC is quite blocky, and an apparent brick.

I agree...I've told people that the new Nox is more sporty looking and the GMC is "conservative" in style...both share the same motors as far as I know...so families may like the GMC for its look.

[GPGuy]

Originally Posted by HoosierRon

3. People who buy Equinoxes don't actually go "four wheeling".

I wouldn't be so sure about that.

[377Z]

Originally Posted by Equinox

That will be great for the economy there.

Cool. The new Equinox is looking like it might actually be competetive with the CRV.

[377Z]

Originally Posted by GPGuy

I wouldn't be so sure about that.

Okay, I'll bite. What kind of four wheeling can you do in a 3,600 lb vehicle with 210 lb-ft @ 3800, with no low range, open differentials, passenger car tires, passenger car articulation, and a max of 30% of that torque (63 ft-lbs, before driveline losses) to the open differential rear axle?

[GPGuy]

Originally Posted by 377Z

Okay, I'll bite. What kind of four wheeling can you do in a 3,600 lb vehicle with 210 lb-ft @ 3800, with no low range, open differentials, passenger car tires, passenger car articulation, and a max of 30% of that torque (63 ft-lbs, before driveline losses) to the open differential rear axle?

Put on some off road mud/snow tires and you might be surprised what it can do. Granted it won't exactly keep up with a Hummer but still it doesn't do a bad job.

[T'Cal]

I always suspected that the Chinese manufactured 3.4L OHV V6 (185 hp) in the Equinox/Torrent was used to bump up the import value of this vehicle or some other weird reason. It is the same engine that GM used in many other cars and vans for years until the North American built version was replaced by the slightly larger, slightly more powerful 3.5L OHV V6 (210 hp). What confused me was why did they choose one of the most dated power plants they had to go ahead of the most modern automatic transmission they had (the 5-speed unit that saw use in no other platform). At minimum, the Equinox/Torrent should've had the 3.5L standard with the 240 hp 3.9L OHV V6 optional, as they were on the GM minivans. Pity. I might've bought one. I still might, especially with the 260+ hp 3.6L DOHC V6 Sport/GXP models. They are tempting.

As for the lack of a GM compact SUV, maybe they'll come out with the kappa-based Nomad wagon. Dare to dream, huh?

[PA Dweller]

Awesome, if it really gets 27-30 MPG on the highway.