Chevrolet Equinox

Chevrolet Equinox
Manufacturer	CAMI Automotive
Parent company	General Motors Canada
Production	2005-present
Assembly	Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada
Predecessor	Chevrolet Tracker Chevrolet Blazer (in Mexico)
Class	Mid-size crossover SUV
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Platform	GM Theta platform
Engine(s)	3.4 L LNJ V6 3.6 L LY7 V6
Transmission(s)	5-speed Aisin AF33 automatic 6-speed GM 6T70 automatic
Wheelbase	112.5 in (2857 mm)
Length	188.8 in (4796 mm)
Width	71.4 in (1814 mm)
Height	69.3 in (1760 mm)
Related	GMC Terrain (Middle East) Saturn Vue Pontiac Torrent Opel Antara Suzuki XL7

The Chevrolet Equinox is a mid-size crossover SUV from Chevrolet, introduced in 2004 for the 2005 model year. It replaces the Chevrolet Tracker in the United States and Canada, while in Mexico it replaces the Chevrolet Blazer as the Tracker is still sold there. The Equinox slots between the HHR and TrailBlazer, and is the first crossover SUV from the marque. Although its dimensions are mid-sized, GM calls the Equinox a compact SUV.

Riding on GM's Theta platform, the unibody Equinox is mechanically similar to the GMC Terrain, Saturn Vue, Pontiac Torrent, and the 2007 Suzuki XL7. However, the Equinox and the Torrent are larger than the Vue, riding on a 112.5 in (2857 mm) wheelbase, 5.9 in (149.9 mm) longer than the Saturn. It comes standard with a front-wheel drive layout, with optional all-wheel drive. Being a unibody architecture, the Equinox is not designed for serious off-roading like the truck-based Chevrolet Tahoe and Chevrolet TrailBlazer.

The Equinox is produced at the CAMI Automotive GM/Suzuki joint venture plant in Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada. The 3.4 L LNJ V6 engine is made in China (by Shanghai GM), while the Aisin AF33 transmission is made in Japan. Starting with the 2008 model year, the Equinox Sport is fitted with a 3.6 L V6 engine that is made in the U.S.

2008 model changes

2008 Chevrolet Equinox Sport

Equinox Sport

In 2008, Chevrolet will add a Sport model of the Equinox that features lowered ride height and the new 3.6 DOHC V6. The larger, more powerful engine allows the Equinox to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under seven seconds and increases horsepower over 40% (raising it to 264). The Sport model will showcase a slightly different exterior styling, 18 inch wheels and a six speed automatic transmission. It will be available in either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive configurations. GM has stated the Equinox Sport was the first vehicle to reflect its more cautious naming standards. Instead of using the Super Sport badge as it had in the past on higher performance vehicles (such as this one), GM has opted to reserve the SS nomenclature for special models worthy of its namesake.

Chevrolet Equinox LTZ

Equinox LTZ

In addition to the Equinox Sport, a new Equinox LTZ model joins the lineup. The LTZ model is differentiated from other Equinox models by its 17-inch bright chrome-clad aluminum wheels, bright chrome door handles and bright chrome luggage rack side rail inserts. Standard interior features include heated front seats, leather seating inserts, head curtain side impact air bags, AM/FM stereo with six-disc in-dash CD changer and MP3 CD playback capability and a Pioneer premium seven-speaker audio system. Equinox LTZ also features the same enhanced ride and handling package as LS and LT models.

2008 model features

Changes made to ’08 Equinox models include the relocation of the compass readout from the inside rearview mirror to the driver information center (on models so-equipped), and three new exterior colors: Navy Blue Metallic, Black Granite Metallic and Golden Teal Metallic.

OnStar is standard on ’08 Equinox models. OnStar-equipped Equinox models are equipped for Turn-by-Turn Navigation, the first factory-installed, fully integrated GPS navigation system from OnStar. Equinox features an enhanced ride and handling package for 2008 that includes stiffer shocks, hydraulic bushings and tuned spring rates.

Also new for 2008 is Electronic Trailer Sway Control – a feature that is integrated into the standard StabiliTrak system and detects the occurrence of trailer sway that may be caused by improper trailer weight balance or excessive vehicle speed. Upon detection of trailer sway, StabiliTrak will begin to apply brakes individually, independent of the driver applying the brake pedal, to assist the driver in stabilizing the vehicle, and the StabiliTrak activation telltale will flash to signal the driver to reduce vehicle speed. If trailer sway continues, StabiliTrak will reduce engine torque to reduce the speed of the vehicle.

Standard safety features include StabiliTrak electronic stability control system, standard four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and tire pressure monitoring system. Head curtain side air bags are available.

Podium Edition

Like the Pontiac Torrent, the Equinox gets the Podium Edition trim sold only in Canada for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.

Sales

Model Year	Sales
2004	84,024
2005	130,542
2006	113,888
2007	89,552

Future

The Equinox is expected to be redesigned for the 2010 model year. Recent spy photos of an unknown Chevrolet crossover have been confirmed to be the next generation Equinox. As the Equinox is redesigned, the rebadged Pontiac Torrent will be dropped, replaced by the GMC Terrain which will share the same platform but will receive unique sheet metal and features not found on the Equinox.

Equinox Fuel Cell

Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell

The Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell vehicle uses hydrogen for fuel and its only emission is water. The Equinox Fuel Cell will use the same fourth-generation hydrogen technology found in the Chevrolet Sequel concept, which was unveiled earlier in September. The Equinox Fuel Cell is designed for only 50,000 miles 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 heavier than the original Equinox and has one inch less ground clearance. To reduce weight, the Equinox Fuel Cell has aluminum doors and a carbon fiber hood.

Safety Occupants, Pedestrians

The Equinox Fuel Cell will come with a range of safety features, including ABS, traction control, and GM's OnStar telematics service, which will offer drivers advice on operating the cars as well as information on nearby hydrogen filling stations. The car is expected to meet all 2007 federal safety standards. The Equinox Fuel Cell will have a screen on the dashboard which lets the driver know how much gas they have saved relative to the same mileage of a gasoline-powered Equinox. The instrument panel will also feature a kilowatt meter and a fuel cell energy display. The fuel cell has four vapor outlets which replace the exhaust pipe. Three carbon-fiber fuel tanks storing up to a maximum of 4.2 kg of gaseous hydrogen at 10,000 psi (70 MPa) will give the Equinox a range of 200 miles. The Equinox Fuel Cell is certified by the EPA as a zero-emission vehicle (ZEV). GM will build more than 100 Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell vehicles and will begin deploying these test fleet vehicles in the fall of 2007 as part of a comprehensive plan dubbed “Project Driveway."