General Motors is betting on fuel efficiency
General Motors announced its newest addition to the SUV family on September 22. Officially named 2018 Chevy Equinox, it will most likely see its release in early 2017. A spokesperson revealed there were going to be three models.
GM explained that the model would be 70 pounds lighter than its predecessor and almost 20 inches shorter. The design features a curvy designed similar to the Chevrolet’s Cruze and Malibu.
It also features a not so tall suspension which is strange for an SUV vehicle. In the inside, the Equinox has a clean and straightforward dashboard with high-end details. In a nutshell, it combines the finesse of a Sedan with the robust chassis of an SUV.
Chevy Equinox 2018 specs
The Equinox will come in three different versions. One with the 1.6L turbo diesel engine, another with the traditional 1.5 gasoline engine, and the last one will sport a 2.0L gasoline engine.
The 1.6 version will pack up to 136 horsepower with a fuel economy of 40 miles per gallon at regular speeds. Then the 1.5 gasoline engine boasts a 170 horsepower with a fuel economy of 31 miles per gallon.
Lastly, the 2.0L standard SUV engine, will make up to 252 horsepower and features the least efficient fuel economy with 28 miles per gallon, according to GM.
They have all been turbocharged for a better acceleration power and count with four small yet powerful cylinders. The Equinox will come with a manual 6-speed shifts or an automatic transmission.
These three types of engines are available for customers to let them choose between performance, capability or efficiency. Also, GM wanted to implement a new set of safety systems in the car. Some examples are the low-speed security brake system and the lane-keep assist.
Dashboard and features
GM’s spokesperson mentioned it would include a couple of essential features in the Equinox for a more comfortable experience. The 2018 Equinox MyLink system will come with 7 or 8 inches diagonal screens according to customer’s request, and the Chevy Assistance features.
The company will also install Apple Car Play and Android Auto right from the start so customers may use their devices safely while driving. Lastly, The newly released “Teen Driver” service will be part of the car’s features.
This new system sends parents and legal guardians a full report on the cars activity when activated. They can also choose to set a maximum volume for the radio, implement automatic lock when at a particular location and issue different visual or sound alerts when the driver reaches a fixed speed limit.
Sources: Chevrolet