Chevrolet Equinox

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Comments

  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    Who cares where the engine is made?

    In terms of names, I can't find a page where the engine is called a "Vortex" anywhere. Edmunds says simply a 3.4L producing 185 hp as does my brochure from the auto show.
  • rhodyredrhodyred Member Posts: 3
    Does anyone have a really good pic of the interior center console/stack area??? I have seen the interior pic that's here at Edmunds but it doesn't really show me what I want to see. I'm interested in the Equinox, exterior looks are gorgeous but I really want to know what the interior looks like. I've been searching all the Auto mags/Auto shows to try to find a really good pic but haven't come up with anything yet. If anyone has any ideas, links, whatever thanks :)
    RhodyRed
  • vcjumpervcjumper Member Posts: 1,110
    my typo on the vortex.. called it vortec in an earlier message.
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    vcjumper : Well, the NOX does not have a Vortec so far as I can see anywhere. Perhaps that was the initial plan until the Chinese forced GM to export something for hard currency? ;-)

    rhodyred : I have a great picture of the dash in the brochure I got at the Toronto Auto Show but I don't have a scanner. It looks good is all I can say, a very stainless steel look to it.
  • regfootballregfootball Member Posts: 2,166
    There are Chevy ads out right now that specifically refer to it as the Vortec 3400.
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    For which vehicle?
  • joey2brixjoey2brix Member Posts: 463
    I signed up on the chevy web site for more into when available. They sent me a page color flier (fedex'd it too.) that says
    " Standard Vortec 3400 V6 engine with 185hp and 210lb-ft of torque"

    Now I always that the truck engines had a longer intake manifold to steal a few extra hp's.

    Honda did that with the 2L civic engine it put in the first CRV. The intake manifold sits high up from the intake ports. Tries to speed up the intake flow into the motor. Can be done in a SUV engine bay since you have more room before you hit the hood.

    Also, no one said the transmission will be from China, just the motor.

    The flies also says "Choice of FWD or on-demand AWD" so maybe the AWD system will have a select feature as the Escape does. (I think you can't select AWD on the Vue or on Versitrack systems).
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    Well maybe the 3.4L is not the same as the van motor then? It's all so sketchy, I wish GM was more clear on this stuff. I guess since the NOX will not be out for 10 months +, perhaps the details are still being worked out. I would think a Vortec 3.4L would have more HP / torque than the 3.4L in the Montana.
  • joey2brixjoey2brix Member Posts: 463
    Check out the specs on a blazer. That vortec 4.3 is listed @ 190hp and 250lb torque. I'm sure there's nothing different in the motors other then the intake setup.

    GM's probably going to crate up one of the old 4.3L engine lines and just ship it off to China since the new all aluminum 4.6L is being set up for production in 2-3 years.

    Probably 4.3's from China won't make it into the first Nox's if they're not making them there already. GM will leave the option open to pull 4.3's from any of it's engine plants later on.

    The flier they mailed me said some more lit would be sent out in April. (Probably with the NY Auto Show debute.)

    I'll check it out there and post any updates I see.
  • regfootballregfootball Member Posts: 2,166
    the vortec 3400 is a reworked grand am motor as far as what I can tell. In no way would this be a new motor. GM doesn't make new motors. They just rehash all the old ones.
  • vcjumpervcjumper Member Posts: 1,110
    I guess the ecotoc, the inline truck motors and the upcoming high feature 3.6L are a figment of my imagination.
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    vcjumper : Too funny.

    joey : I guess the 3.4L is just a modified van motor then. I don't really care what they call it, I'm looking for utility, quality, style, mileage and price. The NOX looks like it will have all of these qualities.
  • regfootballregfootball Member Posts: 2,166
    ok, 'very rarely' does GM make all new motors.
  • vcjumpervcjumper Member Posts: 1,110
    I think you could say that about just about every mfg.. Look at Toyota and their reliance on the 3.0 v6, Nissan and the 3.5L. Chrysler hasn't had anything new for a while. Honda seems to make 1.6L into 1.7L and 1.8 into 2.0's etc.

    Would be nice for GM to use the 3.6L on more affordable cars than the CTS.. Or just put the 3.2 from the CTS into their mainstream volume cars. Put a 5 speed auto on it so it gets nice acceleraion.
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    Autoweek web site is reporting today that the 3.6L will be an option on the 2004 Rendezvous. All new DOHC V6 producing 255hp. One can only up this motor may find it's way into other cars/truck like the NOX.
  • logic1logic1 Member Posts: 2,433
    As production ramps up on the new high output engines, GM will start offering them as an upgrade on many models, I am sure.

    There is no profit in designing and tooling an engine and then not getting the most sales out of the investment.
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    I hope they put that 3.6L in one of the new GM sedans (other than the Catera). I would buy that for sure. The engine sounds real nice.
  • vcjumpervcjumper Member Posts: 1,110
    I can always hope for a Grand Am with restrained styling inside and out (get Holden to do the interior just like the GTO, not GM North America) with this motor and the quality to be able to sell a tonne at the price of the Accord v6 coupe. But they have to do it before I get a Mazda 6 in sedan or hatch trim in a few years.
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    The Matrix/Vibe dash was all done by Pontiac so I know they can do a good interior. A Grand Am with a 3.6L option on the new platform could be a scary good machine. Even a slightly smaller 3.6L variation would be ok. Should find out much more on that in the coming year. Mazda 6 is sweet.

    For us, the next purchase is an SUV or van so I'm more interested in the NOX at the moment.
  • rhodyredrhodyred Member Posts: 3
    Dindak:

    Thanks, I was finally able to get into the Chevy fullthrottle site and saw what it looks like--COOL. It does have a stainless steel\aluminum look to it.
  • thrennersthrenners Member Posts: 4
    Here's a direct link to the full throttle thingie: http://www.chevrolet.com/fullthrottle/media/popup_flash.htm

    I ****LOVE**** the rear cargo area. That adjustable shelf thing rules!

    I believe the NOX is going to bring me back to GM. (Owned Two Cavaliers, Driving a Mustang now -husband is inheriting it. Mustang was bought while single and a non homeowner.) I really thought I wanted an Escape, but I've fallen in love with the Equinox.

    Time to start funneling money into that ING account again for a downpayment. :)
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    I actually have a screen shot of the NOX as wallpaper on my PC. I suspect it could be our next vehicle also. We have to wait until one car is paid off before buying again though so it's likely going to be well over a year away.
  • nextmoonnextmoon Member Posts: 386
    Any guesses to it's dimensions?
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    Don't know exactly, but I can tell you it was the biggest small SUV at the auto show.

    Probably 10% bigger than the Escape on the outside.
  • joey2brixjoey2brix Member Posts: 463
    The Edmunds future spec page on the Nox is probably correct. I was reading down the Jimmy/Blazer thread since the Nox will probably replace it. I hope the 4.3L doesn't suffer from the same massive engine failures I was reading over there. Scary.
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    The Equinox will have a 3.4L V6 similar to the one found in the Rendezvous. The 4.3L is near the end of the line.
  • joey2brixjoey2brix Member Posts: 463
    I inverted the 4 and the 3. I'm wondering, does GM have an engine plant up in the Great North making the 3.4 already? Might make sense why it was chosen over the new 3.5 that's comming out.
    If the 3.4 from China had to be imported for political reasons, I guess GM would put an old 3.4 in a "lower priced" model and give the 3.5 to the Cadillac and Buick models.
  • joey2brixjoey2brix Member Posts: 463
    Well, saw the NOX up close. (on the turntable, no touching) Very stylish, best looking mini-ute IMO out of all of them. While it looks bigger then an Escape on the outside, probably due to the clamshell shaped tailgate, the NOX is not exactly big on cargo space. The rear shock towers really cut into the rear space. Passenger compartment looks huge with the very large door openings.

    It looks very beefy like the Trailblazer. My only other complaint was the rear hatch glass does not open just like the VUE.

    Well, lets hope some pre-production units get out to the magazines for road testing before next year.
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    I agree, this truck will be similar inside to the VUE. That said the VUE has a decent size interior for this class.

    3.4L is not my first choice for this vehicle, but it's dependable, should get good mileage and have good torque. I think we will see some pre-production tests in the fall.
  • joey2brixjoey2brix Member Posts: 463
    The Nox will take after it's big brother the Trailblazer not it's half brother the VUE in the weight class. This SUV will need the V6. Too bad no 3.5L for now. If they keep to the 19K-25K price range, you'll get base Nox with a V6 for the same price of a base Escape with a 4 cyl.
  • macrosonicmacrosonic Member Posts: 10
    Just to break from this big engine debate, there's something much more serious we need to discuss... Where the heck are the cupholders! :-) I don't see a single one. Is there going to be some funky hidden foldout one?
  • joey2brixjoey2brix Member Posts: 463
    Please, run me over with a minivan! Call me crazy but no food or bevs in my car. That "Multi-flex" sliding rear seat rail is wild, the front cushion of the back seat just "floats", so you can stuff your six-pack or Similac bottles under there.
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    I'm sure the cup holders fold out from somewhere. There are no cars made for North America without them any more (to my knowledge anyway). The question is, will it be a cup holder than can handle an super Big Gulp??

    ;-)
  • rhodyredrhodyred Member Posts: 3
    Macrosonic,

    You are right, where are those cupholders?? I just printed out an "updated" equinox brochure and it states, "The
    CENTER CONSOLE ARMREST
    conceals storage for smaller
    valuables, while a FLOOR
    STORAGE BIN — located under
    the armrest and between the
    front seats — accommodates items like a small backpack."

    So if one uses the space in such a way cupholders popping out from that area would have a difficult time as the "small backpack" would be in the way.

    I'd love to know just where they plan to put those cupholders ;-)
  • dglozmandglozman Member Posts: 178
    got a new brochure in the mail. Not that many pictures. It has one nice interior picture. Why would they place power windows buttons on the central console?
  • regfootballregfootball Member Posts: 2,166
    so they don't have to run electrics into the door.

    I HATE power window switches on the console.
  • joey2brixjoey2brix Member Posts: 463
    Ah, the motor's in the door so you still have to wire up the door. I guess it saves one extra switch on the passenger side. My CR-V's got all 4 switches on the driver's side dash. Saving that one switch is really gonna keep the cost down!

    Another strange thing I remember from the AutoShow: Only the driver side outer door handle had a key hole! So what happens when the lock freezes and the key-less entry battery is dead?

    I hope this was just something on the demo model. Are there other cars out there like this?

    Yea, I got the brochure also. No meat. I'd like to start seeing dimensional specs. I'm starting to worry that they're gonna take that whole Versa-Track junk system off the Aztek and put it in the Nox. Same engine and dimensions. Don't do it GM!
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    Mite have something to do with the fact the VUE has the same set up. I don't mind it though. Minor issue.

    Don't think you will see much on the Nox till late fall.
  • dglozmandglozman Member Posts: 178
    I really like an exterior of Equinox. I think its the best looking small SUV I saw so far. But since I own 2002 CR-V (and I love it) I'm looking at this car from different perspective. It has to be functional, reliable and fit and finish should be at least on par with CR-V. Looks is not everything. As far as I know , the engine is not the most modern engine and by far is not the best V6 currently produced.
     My CR-V is not the best looking SUV but its definitly by far the best SUV in its class. And in order for me to consider Equinox it should at least match the quality and functionality of CR-V
  • joey2brixjoey2brix Member Posts: 463
    I'm in the same boat as you, but I've been paddling my '97 CR-V for a few more years and next year it's time for a new boat. You're ask'n a lot of GM to come out with a quality match to the 'V the first year out. I'm hoping the CAMI plant runs a better fit and finish job then other domestic GM plants. Hey, sex sells and Lutz knows it. It's looks beat the pants off an Escape. Now give me interior room, a fair price, 0% GMAC financing and my pocket full of GM Card award points, I'll give it fair shot.
  • regfootballregfootball Member Posts: 2,166
    I do think the Equinox will sell a whole bunch. I myself would like to see an OHC v6, but in this segment the Equinox should quickly vault to the top. The photos indicate that the interior is much improved over other GM models and is actually attractive. Its a nice size vehicle and the exterior looks nice as well.
  • macrosonicmacrosonic Member Posts: 10
    if you search the web hard enough you can find these brochures before GM releases them. I just received that brochure in the mail that you mentioned but actually found it on the web about a month ago. There was another brochure that was just meant for dealerships on the web too. Can't remember where I got it. but here are the preliminary specs it listed. Not sure if this is new info to anybody...

    Wheelbase - 112.5"
    Length - 187.3"
    Width - 72.1
    height - 67.0"
    Track (front) - 61.6"
    Ground Clearance - 8.0"
    Standard Engine - 3.4L V6
    Standard HP - 185
    Standard Torque - 210
    Automatic Trans - Standard
    5-speed Auto trans - Standard

    It was making a point with the last two on the auto 5-speed trans because all the other cars in its class had auto-trans as Optional and 5-speed as unavailable. (it included a chart comparing the equinox to the liberty, escape, santa fe, sorento, rav4 and cr-v)
    The rest of the brochure was the same old descriptions and pics we've already seen.
  • joey2brixjoey2brix Member Posts: 463
    Like headroom, legroom, etc. interior volume, EPA milage, stuff you get from the auto mag reviews.
    These specs were on Edmunds site for several months already.
    No one has a real five speed auto. Just an electronic lock up torque converter. With so little HP, you'll probably only get to use it on downhill grades.
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    The Nox is coming from a Suzuki / GM plant that now makes the Tracker / Vitara. Given the decent quality of those 2 vehicles I would think the Nox would inherit some of that. This vehicle could be a huge hit for GM if they get it right out of the starting gate.
  • regfootballregfootball Member Posts: 2,166
    main thing i see is that they actually nailed the exterior styling, the room is proper, and the interior is nice if trendy even. The v6 is not high tech but most people who buy in this class probably won't know a camshaft from a turn signal as long as they can haul their freaking dog in the back.
  • libertycatlibertycat Member Posts: 593
    I like the front and side styling of the Equinox. But I HATE the taillamps. They're just like those in customized Civics and Integras. I realize the Mitsubsihi Outlander XLS, Lexus RX300, and RX330 have these too but they look ugly on any car. No offense to someone here who drives one of those customized Civics or Integras or an Outlander or RX300/330.
  • nhnonnanhnonna Member Posts: 1
    Bummer! I have had three of these vehicles and I love them. Anyone have any alternatives besides the Vitari for 4WD convertibles coming out?

    nhnonna in lakeport nh
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    nhnonna : I think the Suzuki versions of these vehicles will continue.

    libertycat : I don't think the NOX tail lights were clear though, were they?
  • libertycatlibertycat Member Posts: 593
    what do u mean by clear?
  • libertycatlibertycat Member Posts: 593
    There will still be the Jeep Wrangler, Suzuki Vitara, and Isuzu Rodeo Sport convertibles.
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