Chevrolet Equinox
I would like to start a discussion on the upcoming Chevy Equinox. It should be built on the Saturn VUE platform and may have an engine option from China according to this article :
http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=5468
The Equinox looks to be a very good vehicle when it comes out... lets go..
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Steve, Host
Not much info yet, but I think this will be a very good truck if it's base off the VUE.
I'm really curious about these Chinese engines though, very odd.
It will be very interesting to see how this new crossover comes out. Interesting times in the auto sector for sure!
Equinox looks like it will be a nice vehicle.
Not much info on it yet. Perhaps we will see something in the winter on the auto show tour.
I guess with all the cost cutting, they had to share with Chevrolet.
Don't forget that the Equinox is supposed to be a compact SUV which makes a 3rd row seat even more doubtful.
However, being that GM is bringing the Equinox to market so late, they just might have that 3rd row as an option to attract new customers.
I guess your just gonna have to wait until late 03 to find out. But don't worry, your no the only one waiting to see this vehicle.
Steve, Host
tidester, host
More details should be out in a week or two when the Equinox debuts at the Detroit Auto Show.
Steve, Host
Make sense I suppose. China is a pretty closed economy aside from Hong Kong.
http://www.autonews.com/files/2003_detroit/03detroitshowart/General%20Motors/Chevrolet/Equinox/
My daughter wants to get a small SUV. Maybe I will help her get one of these.
What are the avilable power plants? The thing looks very Lexus like, probably the best small SUV I have seen.
Not sure of the V6 details though I know it will be imported from China. Why I don't know but it's been suggested that it's a hard currency export trade off to stay operational in China for GM.
I'm sure it will be peppy.
http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=5659
Steve, Host
I wonder how pricing will compare to the V6 Vue?
I will look at replacing my CRV next year and this will come up against a new CRV. I have a funny feeling the Equinox will run second dragging that old 3.4L from China.
Something tells me there will be a lot of buyers, whether you stay in your CRV rut or not.
The VUE will have a Honda 3.5L option next year if you want a bigger motor.
"Its refined and sophisticated 3.5-liter V6 produces 240 horsepower at 5,400 rpm and 242 pound-feet of torque at 4,500 rpm with the aid of Honda's Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC).
Besides providing for a relatively flat torque curve (with ample acceleration at low to mid rpm) and strong performance at high engine speeds, VTEC boosts fuel economy."
I wouldn't call the torque output useless.
I think it's sad the the largest car company on the planet has to go to HONDA to get their 3.5L ?
Of course if you'll promise to drop a Honda VTEC 3.5L in an Equinox, you can have my deposit money today.
First, GM's press release said the Equinox will debut for under 20k. We know from the VUE (whose platform will base the Equinox) that the Equinox will be a solid car like performer at any price.
An even torque band is good for more than towing. It means the car will accelerate quicker without compromising mpg. The engine will also be easier to maintain than the Honda V6.
The Equinox will in fact be solid challenger to the CRV. In fact, as the Equinox will be priced less than the CRV with the V6 -- the CRV V6 will be a pricier option filled offering -- will look a lot better than the ugly little CRV box on wheels, and will have unique seating options, it will easily beat the CRV in both price and options.
You want to pay extra so you can say you bought a Honda, fine. Something tells me you will not have as much company as Honda wishes.
The future VUE V6 has nothing to do with this forum. Auto companies get large and stay large by making good business decisions. Adding expensive factory capacity to make engines in an era of massive overcapacity may satisfy a juvenile sense of what is right from my car company. GM did not see a reason to pay for additional capacity to make 20k V6s per year for the VUE.
Now where do you get the idea that the Honda V6 is high maintenance? Let's see, it's a great Indy car motor and I don't seem to ever see Honda problem boards? Car rags can't say enough about all the Accura, Accord, and Pilot models that use it.
It looks like GM is forced to use this engine because of the over capacity they are adding in China. Part of the politics of getting into a new 3rd world market. Can't try to build a high tech motor in a low tech country.
GM doesn't use its world resources correctly. The GTO project is an exception: Need a low volume V8 sport coupe to replace the firebird. Holden in allstralia had a great car. Just throw a Pontiac grill and some nameplates on it. Presto! New Euro styled sport coupe with zero development costs!
The 3.4L V6 in Equinox will offer smoothness a 4 cyl can not, even one from Honda. Priced around the same I will very likely go with the Equinox assuming quality is there. The vehicle is coming from a Suzuki/GM plant with a good record so I think it will be ok. The VUE has done fine and is now recommended by consumer reports also.
I think the Equinox really casts a pall on the VUE and am not quite certain what GM is trying to say to Saturn here.
The Equinox, and the fact the Maxx will be a Chevy instead of a Saturn lead me to wonder how committed GM is to Saturn in the long run. If Chevy can get the small car and truck people back, GM may think Saturn is redundant.
joey2brix : As the Equinox is an 05, the earliest it can be sold is January 04. From what I have read, that's when it will be out.