GMI Exclusive: Did Lutz Mean 2.4L For Equinox??

[nsap]

GMI Exclusive: Did Lutz Mean 2.4L For Equinox??
Equinox supposedly gets updated ECOTEC, 'Nox feature details emerge.
www.gminsidenews.com

November 3, 2008
By: Nsap

Back in July General Motors had a press conference to announce radical changes to their business plan due to the, at the time, likelihood of an economic crisis. During that press conference Bob Lutz was quoted as saying that the next-generation Chevrolet Equinox and all-new GMC Terrain would have a 2.3L direct-injected four-cylinder base engine. Lutz is infamous for telling more than GM Communications likes, so we were not surprised to hear him touting this supposedly new powertrain. Likewise, we also took it as the gospel truth, you know, considering it came directly from the horse’s mouth. Even GMI reported about the 2.3L as recently last week! However we’re hearing now that the 2.3L may have been a goof-up.

For the 2009 model-year GM released an updated 2.2L variant of the ECOTEC family of four-cylinders. Among other small updates, the engine (finally) got variable valve timing, making it good for 155 HP in its lowest form. Not to mention, the engine gets better fuel economy with the power increase. GM has also trickled the amazing that 2.0L ECOTEC with its turbocharged, direct-injected greatness down to lower products (Cobalt and HHR). The point? GM has been doing a number of updates to the ECOTEC line lately. GMI has been told that such updates are going to continue, only now for the 2.4L ECOTEC. The 2.4L was an all-new addition to the ECOTEC family several years ago; debuting with variable valve timing, decent power output and fuel economy numbers that, in many cases, bested its 2.2L brother. The update that is supposedly coming to the 2.4L is a very welcomed addition: direct injection.

For some time now GM fans have asked when the “normal” ECOTEC engines would get direct injection. Well it sounds as if the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain will be one of the first (if not THE first) product line to get it. That would lead us to believe that the “2.3L” comment from Lutz during the press conference was a misstep. That whole press conference was about GM staying afloat during the crisis, so possibly (likely) everyone was a little tense.

GM claims that direct injection improves highway fuel economy by approximately 13% and performance by about 18%, but those vary by engine. Currently the 2.4L makes anywhere from 169-173 HP in its various applications. GMI has not confirmed any performance numbers for the direct injected 2.4L, but we were told somewhere between 200-210 HP. That would correlate with GM’s figure of 18% increase in power as well.

GMI reported last week that the 2010 Equinox/Terrain would have an all-new 3.0L direct injected High-Feature V6 as an uplevel engine, with about 250 HP.

In other Equinox/Terrain news, it sounds as if the new utes are going to get the options needed to compete. GMI was told that along with having two all new powertrains, they will have options such as: rear view camera, power rear liftgate, in-dash hard drive, and a new type of navigation system.
Pilot builds of the new crossovers are being performed now at the CAMI plant in Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada. Production is slated to begin in early 2009.

[nadepalma]

Outstanding news. As nsap says, the 2.4L I4 is a new addition to the Ecotec family. Utilizing an existing engine and updating it with DI will be a welcome change and a strong edition to GM's powertrain lineup.

I hope that we get more details on this soon. I also hope that we can see thie engine start in the Equinox but eventually filter down to the Malibu, Aura, G6 and perhaps even the Cruze and HHR.

An optional engine in this mold wouldn't be all that different from Honda offering two different I4s for the Accord line - one base, one "jazzed" up with higher performance numbers as a step-between the base model engine and the higher end V6. GM will hopefully do the same and I applaud it.

One last point. Toyota has a new 2.7L I4 that puts out 183 or so HP and 183 ft lbs of torque. The folks on InsideLine are already hailing it as a great engine for torque and smoothness. If GM can produce better numbers with 300 LESS CC's of displacement, that in itself will be an accomplishment and noteworthy.

Good write up nsap!

[prototype66]

Good news on the content. I hope they recruited TomTom or Garmen for the nav like I hoped for about two years ago when I had to train for the current disc based mess.

[MechEng]

I believe I read somewhere (can't remember) that the 2.3L was just a modified 2.4L.

My understanding was that they were going to change the machining on the 2.4L (2384cc) block to increase compression ratio to better take advantage of the DI. And this change would offically reduce the displacement to 2.3L (< 2350cc).

I could be wrong on this. But the 2.4L is very close to a 2.3L.

[Michael_S]

200 horsepower from a 4-cylinder is an excellent compromise between power and fuel economy.

[ponchoman49]

I would think that this engine would eventually trickle down to the Aura, G6 and Malibu possibly as an upper trim level engine ala Hondas new Accord. 200-210 HP should make for a pretty competent base engine with the bonus of increased mileage for the Nox and Vue.

[Canyonaro]

Outstanding.....I can see this engine trickle down as a base engine in some other products pretty quickly and thats a good thing. For once I would consider a base i4 with 200+ hp (although I usually choose the more powerful engines).

[jomo]

Originally Posted by ponchoman49

I would think that this engine would eventually trickle down to the Aura, G6 and Malibu possibly as an upper trim level engine ala Hondas new Accord. 200-210 HP should make for a pretty competent base engine with the bonus of increased mileage for the Nox and Vue.

My hope is that this replaces the base 2.4L in its entirety. The only gripe people have had about the 2.4L + 6Speed combo in the Malibu and Aura is that it doesn't have enough power. This new 2.4L would be just the thing to maintain current class-leading fuel-economy and erase the one nit people have with the cars.

[PA Dweller]

Originally Posted by nsap

[center][size="5"]Currently the 2.4L makes anywhere from 169-173 HP in its various applications. GMI has not confirmed any performance numbers for the direct injected 2.4L, but we were told somewhere between 200-210 HP. That would correlate with GM’s figure of 18% increase in power as well.

In other Equinox/Terrain news, it sounds as if the new utes are going to get the options needed to compete. GMI was told that along with having two all new powertrains, they will have options such as: rear view camera, power rear liftgate, in-dash hard drive, and a new type of navigation system.
Pilot builds of the new crossovers are being performed now at the CAMI plant in Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada. Production is slated to begin in early 2009.

Now thats impressive, 200 or more HP out of a 4 cylinder engine and no Turbocharger. Plus all these cool options I never expected to see on an Equinox. I never really cared for the Equinox until I heard what the next generation will bring.

I hope the 4 cylinder engine can be equipped with AWD

[Rocket 88]

Originally Posted by nsap

During that press conference Bob Lutz was quoted as saying that the next-generation Equinox and GMC Terrain would have a 2.3L direct-injected four-cylinder base engine. However we’re hearing now that the 2.3L may have been a goof-up.

For the 2009 model-year GM released an updated 2.2L variant of the ECOTEC family of four-cylinders. GMI has been told that such updates are going to continue, only now for the 2.4L ECOTEC.

Simple Math. Bob's talking about the 2.2L and the 2.4L so to make it easier on everyone he just said "2.3L" You know... just kinda average things together...

[WishIhadatruck]

The 2.4L is 2384cc in size. It certainly wouldn't take much of a change to get it below 2350cc. Who knows, it sounds like it will have a nice 4-cyl anyway. Hopefully you can get AWD with the 4cyl like someone else said.

Originally Posted by jomo

My hope is that this replaces the base 2.4L in its entirety. The only gripe people have had about the 2.4L + 6Speed combo in the Malibu and Aura is that it doesn't have enough power. This new 2.4L would be just the thing to maintain current class-leading fuel-economy and erase the one nit people have with the cars.

Part of the reason there is a power issue with the Malibu is the cars are on the heavy side. With more power, better fuel economy (which is already great), and reduced mass we'd have a huge improvement. The Malibu and Aura are already great cars.

[VAs Finest]

Originally Posted by prototype66

Good news on the content. I hope they recruited TomTom or Garmen for the nav like I hoped for about two years ago when I had to train for the current disc based mess.

Yeah. I prefer TomTom, or whatever gets me Tele Atlas maps. I find them to be the most accurate maps you can get. Can't wait to hear more details.

[Rick_VT]

One last point. Toyota has a new 2.7L I4 that puts out 183 or so HP and 183 ft lbs of torque. The folks on InsideLine are already hailing it as a great engine for torque and smoothness. If GM can produce better numbers with 300 LESS CC's of displacement, that in itself will be an accomplishment and noteworthy.

Good write up nsap![/quote]

If the new GM 2.4 does have a big advantage over the 2.7 toyota motor i hope GM really make a point of that in some decent ads, maybe question the supposed O2 advantage toyota been spruiking for years.

[Michael_S]

Originally Posted by jomo

My hope is that this replaces the base 2.4L in its entirety. The only gripe people have had about the 2.4L + 6Speed combo in the Malibu and Aura is that it doesn't have enough power. This new 2.4L would be just the thing to maintain current class-leading fuel-economy and erase the one nit people have with the cars.

The press and people used to driving Camaros and Mustangs think that it doesn't have enough power.

Millions of Americans have contentedly driven weaker vehicles for decades. I was perfectly fine with the Malibu 2.2 4-speed auto I rented a few years back.

Power is fun, but people who buy the 4-cylinder instead of the V6 care more about fuel economy.

[FenwickHockey65]

Good deal. I think that a 2.4L DI I-4 would be a great mix of fuel economy and power.