2010 Chevy Equinox, Click to Traverse the Title and VUE it!*

[YSSMAN]

I wish we got the BLS. It would have made a nice entry level Caddy.

With the CTS back then, yes, the BLS would have been a great alternative. Especially if they offered it only with a V6 and AWD. Nevertheless, now, it would have been too far overshadowed by the overall goodness of the current CTS.

The next BLS (RWD, Alpha car) should be far-more appropriate.

RE: Opel/Vauxhall Antara

We've got it as the VUE

The Antara, VUE, Equinox, SRX and Terrain all ride on the same platform. Strangely, I still prefer the look of the Antara/VUE over the rest.

 

[PARAGON GT]

Well they have the site up and running for the new Equinox.
All New Equinox

 

[Joey D]

So engineers tweaked and tweaked the engine but could only squeeze 2 more mpg's out of it. Here's an idea, make the vehicle lighter and you won't have to screw with the engine. However, I will give them that 32 highway mpg isn't awful, as it is better than it's Japanese competitors.

2010 Chevy Equinox expected to hit 32 mpg highway
When General Motors rolled out the new 2010 Chevy Equinox in January, they announced the new EcoTec 2.4-liter four-cylinder version equipped with direct injection was expected to get 30 mpg on EPA highway cycle. Since then, the powertrain engineers have continued to tweak the calibrations to eek out every last mile from every gallon of gas. The EPA is still finishing up its evaluation of the Equinox but Chevy spokesman Brian Goebel sent out a note this morning that the latest internal tests at GM are showing the Equinox hitting 32 mpg on the highway cycle. In the city, the Equinox is expected to achieve a rating of 22 mpg. Those numbers easily top competitors like the Honda CR-V at 20/27 mpg and the Toyota Rav4 at 22/28 mpg. The Equinox should be in dealer showrooms in June.

 

[Philly]

There's nothing wrong with tweaking the engine to get 2 more mpgs out of the car.

And for an SUV, I don't think they'll be too overly concerned with weight. It's definitely one thing in a car, where performance matters somewhat, but a compact SUV isn't really about that. Don't get me wrong, losing the weight in anything is good, but I think people would rather see engines becoming more efficient in CUVs than lighter weight contributing to efficiency. Plus, light weight only helps in the city, so your highway mileage is completely dependent on gearing, engine efficiency and the aerodynamics of the vehicle.

 

[JCE]

I'm surprised they actually spent any time at all trying to tweak something. Still, they didn't try hard enough. I can get 32mpg in my minivan on the motorway @ 72mph.

 

[homeforsummer]

Yup, can't complain about an increase of any sort really, even if it's only 2mpg.

 

[Joey D]

I'm not really complaining, I just think they could have done better.

 

[homeforsummer]

Probably so, but could they have done better cheaply? This late in the development process it's going to be easier to tweak the engine than it is to lop weight off the body.

 

[JCE]

Probably so, but could they have done better cheaply?

Yes. Use lighter materials, cutout the interior fat and most importantly tune the cpu to give better mpg. That's cheaper than spending the R&D to increase a measly 2mpg. *shrugs*

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

I think they had to tinker with the ECU.

 

[Philly]

Well also remember that GM is just trying to sell the car. Investing the money to significantly reduce emissions won't help them much. 2 MPG is good enough to make their numbers look good. And since people buy based on numbers, 2 MPG is enough to give them all the mileage advantage they'll need to boast "best in class fuel mileage."

 

[YSSMAN]

Well, even then, I don't think GM is putting too many eggs in the Equinox's basket. The SUV craze is pretty much over with, I think, and while CUVs (like this) remain "popular," its likely a short-term deal. Personally, I'd take the improvements made to the Equinox as a measurement of what should be done with the cars already available. Equip the Malibu with that same 2.4L engine and the six-speed gearbox, and lets see if we can cross the 35+ MPG rating.

GM's main concern should be making well-built, fuel-efficient vehicles that sell for less than a comparable Toyota. Its the only way they're going to be able to stay afloat, for the moment.

 

[JCE]

GM needs an Opel Tigra type small car along with a city car or two. They also need to ditch the redundant SUVs. There is absolutely no need for a Tahoe AND Suburban. Period.

 

[Joey D]

Probably so, but could they have done better cheaply? This late in the development process it's going to be easier to tweak the engine than it is to lop weight off the body.

I suspect you are right, however if GM wants to get back on it's feet it needs to get inventive. I have to imagine tinkering with the engine wasn't exactly cheap and that money could have have been dumped into something else. Who knows though, I'm not real sure what changes they made.