Chevrolet Equinox
Encyclopedia
The second generation Equinox was announced by GM on December 21, 2008, and debuted at the 2009 North American International Auto Show
in Detroit.
The 2010 Equinox went on sale in June 2009. It is built on a stiffened version of the same "Theta" platform used in the previous model. The new Equinox has a pair of new gasoline direct injection
engines, with better fuel economy claimed by GM. Earlier 2010 models had the GM badges, but were later deleted.
The new 2.4-liter straight-4
engine made in the US (Tonawanda, NY & Spring Hill, Tn.), produces 182 hp and 172 lb.ft torque, and achieves up to 22 miles per US gallon (9.35 km/L) (city), 32 miles per US gallon (13.6 km/L) (highway).
Optional is a 3.0-liter V6 engine that produces 264 hp and 214 lb.ft torque, with fuel economy at 17 mpgU.S. (7.2 km/L)(city), 25 mpgU.S. (10.6 km/L)(highway).
Both powertrains come with six-speed automatics and optional all-wheel-drive systems (front-wheel-drive is standard).
Marketing of Chevrolet Equinox resumed in Mexico
during late November 2009, for the 2010 model year after a year of absence. As of the 2011 model year, no Chevrolet Equinox is sold in Mexico
again.
stated, "...our testing didn't come close to achieving [the EPA's numbers], even though we're usually within 1 mpg of the EPA combined number. " Car and Driver
recorded another 18 miles per US gallon figure and noted its "...fuel economy that won’t live up to the 22 miles per US gallon/32 miles per US gallon EPA ratings in real-world use...". Green Car Reports recorded as much as 25.8 miles per US gallon on a road trip, driving almost exclusively highway miles in "Eco" mode; this is about 20% below the published highway EPA rating. AutoWeek
only averaged 23 miles per US gallon. The Truth About Cars
published an editorial suggesting that GM "inflated" the Equinox's fuel economy ratings for public relations
purposes and that the trip computer inaccurately reports fuel economy reported to the driver.
Motorweek, however, managed to achieve 29.3 miles per US gallon with their test car during mixed driving. LeftlaneNews.com was also able to average 28 miles per US gallon average in mixed city and highway driving.
uses hydrogen for fuel with water as its only exhaust. The Equinox Fuel Cell uses the fourth-generation hydrogen technology found in the Chevrolet Sequel
concept, which was unveiled in September 2009. The fuel cell is designed for only 50000 miles (80,467 km) of driving, but is engineered to be operable in subfreezing temperatures throughout its life. GM states that the Equinox Fuel Cell is about 500 pounds (226.8 kg) heavier than the original Equinox and has one inch less ground clearance. To reduce weight, it has aluminum doors and a carbon fiber hood. It uses headlights from the Pontiac Torrent
.
A dashboard mounted screen calculates the fuel savings to that of a gasoline-powered Equinox. It also includes a kilowatt meter and a fuel cell energy display. The fuel cell has four vapor outlets that replace the exhaust pipe. Three carbon-fiber fuel tanks store up to a maximum of 9.25 pound
s (4.2 kg) of gaseous hydrogen at 10,000 psi (70 MPa), and give the Equinox a range of 200 miles (321.9 km). The Equinox Fuel Cell is certified by the EPA
as a zero-emission vehicle (ZEV). GM built 115 Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell vehicles and deployed them in through 2007-2008 in several target areas including New York and California as part of a comprehensive plan dubbed "Project Driveway".
, and GM's OnStar
telematics service, which offers drivers advice on operating the cars as well as information on nearby hydrogen filling stations. The car meets all 2007 federal safety standards.
assessed the vehicle's performance as nearly the same as the 3.6 litre gasoline powered equivalent, while bemoaning the dearth of high pressure hydrogen filling stations near Riverside, California in 2008.
sells an all-electric conversion of the Chevrolet Equinox. They have sold their first electric Equinox to Dayton Power & Light
, and have a five-year, 1,000 SUV order from Northern Lights Energy in Iceland
.
North American International Auto Show
The North American International Auto Show is an annual auto show held in Detroit, Michigan at Cobo Center, usually in January. It is among the largest auto shows in North America.-History:...
in Detroit.
The 2010 Equinox went on sale in June 2009. It is built on a stiffened version of the same "Theta" platform used in the previous model. The new Equinox has a pair of new gasoline direct injection
Gasoline direct injection
In internal combustion engines, gasoline direct injection , also known as petrol direct injection or direct petrol injection, is a variant of fuel injection employed in modern two-stroke and four-stroke gasoline engines...
engines, with better fuel economy claimed by GM. Earlier 2010 models had the GM badges, but were later deleted.
The new 2.4-liter straight-4
Straight-4
The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft....
engine made in the US (Tonawanda, NY & Spring Hill, Tn.), produces 182 hp and 172 lb.ft torque, and achieves up to 22 miles per US gallon (9.35 km/L) (city), 32 miles per US gallon (13.6 km/L) (highway).
Optional is a 3.0-liter V6 engine that produces 264 hp and 214 lb.ft torque, with fuel economy at 17 mpgU.S. (7.2 km/L)(city), 25 mpgU.S. (10.6 km/L)(highway).
Both powertrains come with six-speed automatics and optional all-wheel-drive systems (front-wheel-drive is standard).
Marketing of Chevrolet Equinox resumed in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
during late November 2009, for the 2010 model year after a year of absence. As of the 2011 model year, no Chevrolet Equinox is sold in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
again.
Debate about EPA fuel economy ratings
Skepticism about the Equinox's EPA fuel economy ratings has been raised after a number of road tests at the model's launch achieved 20 to 30% lower fuel economy than the official EPA ratings. After achieving 18.8 miles per US gallon in a road test, Edmunds InsideLineEdmunds.com
Edmunds.com is a provider of automotive information via Web sites, books, and other media. The company is headquartered in Santa Monica, California and maintains an office outside of Detroit, Michigan...
stated, "...our testing didn't come close to achieving [the EPA's numbers], even though we're usually within 1 mpg of the EPA combined number. " Car and Driver
Car and Driver
Car and Driver is an American automotive enthusiast magazine. Its total circulation is 1.31 million. It is owned by Hearst Magazines, who purchased prior owner Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. in 2011...
recorded another 18 miles per US gallon figure and noted its "...fuel economy that won’t live up to the 22 miles per US gallon/32 miles per US gallon EPA ratings in real-world use...". Green Car Reports recorded as much as 25.8 miles per US gallon on a road trip, driving almost exclusively highway miles in "Eco" mode; this is about 20% below the published highway EPA rating. AutoWeek
AutoWeek
AutoWeek is a fortnightly automotive enthusiast publication based in Detroit, Michigan. One of 32 titles published by Crain Communications Inc, its parent company, AutoWeek is unique as the only consumer title among its sister publications....
only averaged 23 miles per US gallon. The Truth About Cars
The Truth About Cars
The Truth About Cars is a website covering automobiles, automotive products and the auto industry. Its features include the GM and Ford “Death Watch” and Chrysler "Suicide Watch" series. The site began publishing in 2002, and features a mix of automotive reviews, editorials and news...
published an editorial suggesting that GM "inflated" the Equinox's fuel economy ratings for public relations
Public relations
Public relations is the actions of a corporation, store, government, individual, etc., in promoting goodwill between itself and the public, the community, employees, customers, etc....
purposes and that the trip computer inaccurately reports fuel economy reported to the driver.
Motorweek, however, managed to achieve 29.3 miles per US gallon with their test car during mixed driving. LeftlaneNews.com was also able to average 28 miles per US gallon average in mixed city and highway driving.
Sales
| Calendar Year | Sales |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 84,024 |
| 2005 | 130,542 |
| 2006 | 113,888 |
| 2007 | 89,552 |
| 2008 | 67,447 |
| 2009 | 86,148 |
| 2010 | 149,979 |
| 2011 (January-October) | 160,143 |
Fuel Cell
The Chevrolet Equinox Fuel cell vehicleFuel cell vehicle
A Fuel cell vehicle or Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle is a type of hydrogen vehicle which uses a fuel cell to produce electricity, powering its on-board electric motor...
uses hydrogen for fuel with water as its only exhaust. The Equinox Fuel Cell uses the fourth-generation hydrogen technology found in the Chevrolet Sequel
Chevrolet Sequel
The Chevrolet Sequel is a hybrid crossover SUV concept vehicle developed by General Motors and introduced at the 2005 North American International Auto Show....
concept, which was unveiled in September 2009. The fuel cell is designed for only 50000 miles (80,467 km) of driving, but is engineered to be operable in subfreezing temperatures throughout its life. GM states that the Equinox Fuel Cell is about 500 pounds (226.8 kg) heavier than the original Equinox and has one inch less ground clearance. To reduce weight, it has aluminum doors and a carbon fiber hood. It uses headlights from the Pontiac Torrent
Pontiac Torrent
The Pontiac Torrent is a sport utility vehicle that was offered by the Pontiac division of General Motors, being the successor of the discontinued Pontiac Aztek. It was manufactured at CAMI Automotive in Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada, and it replaced the U-body Aztek as the company's crossover SUV...
.
A dashboard mounted screen calculates the fuel savings to that of a gasoline-powered Equinox. It also includes a kilowatt meter and a fuel cell energy display. The fuel cell has four vapor outlets that replace the exhaust pipe. Three carbon-fiber fuel tanks store up to a maximum of 9.25 pound
Pound (mass)
The pound or pound-mass is a unit of mass used in the Imperial, United States customary and other systems of measurement...
s (4.2 kg) of gaseous hydrogen at 10,000 psi (70 MPa), and give the Equinox a range of 200 miles (321.9 km). The Equinox Fuel Cell is certified by the EPA
United States Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress...
as a zero-emission vehicle (ZEV). GM built 115 Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell vehicles and deployed them in through 2007-2008 in several target areas including New York and California as part of a comprehensive plan dubbed "Project Driveway".
Safety occupants, pedestrians
The Equinox Fuel Cell includes safety features such as ABS, traction control systemTraction control system
A traction control system , also known as anti-slip regulation , is typically a secondary function of the anti-lock braking system on production motor vehicles, designed to prevent loss of traction of driven road wheels...
, and GM's OnStar
OnStar
OnStar Corporation is a subsidiary of General Motors that provides subscription-based communications, in-vehicle security, hands free calling, turn-by-turn navigation, and remote diagnostics systems throughout the United States, Canada and China. A similar service is known as ChevyStar in Latin...
telematics service, which offers drivers advice on operating the cars as well as information on nearby hydrogen filling stations. The car meets all 2007 federal safety standards.
Performance
Motor TrendMotor Trend
Motor Trend is an American automobile magazine. It first appeared in September 1949, issued by Petersen Publishing Company in Los Angeles, and bearing the tag line "The Magazine for a Motoring World". Petersen Publishing was sold to British publisher EMAP in 1998, who sold the former Petersen...
assessed the vehicle's performance as nearly the same as the 3.6 litre gasoline powered equivalent, while bemoaning the dearth of high pressure hydrogen filling stations near Riverside, California in 2008.
Electric vehicle
Amp Electric VehiclesAmp Electric Vehicles
Amp Electric Vehicles is a Cincinnati, Ohio based company specializing in the conversion of OEM vehicles to electric power. Among their current offerings are electric versions of the Chevrolet Equinox, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac Solstice...
sells an all-electric conversion of the Chevrolet Equinox. They have sold their first electric Equinox to Dayton Power & Light
DPL Inc.
DPL Inc. through its subsidiary The Dayton Power and Light Company is a public utility that sells electricity to residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental customers in a area of West Central Ohio....
, and have a five-year, 1,000 SUV order from Northern Lights Energy in Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
.