No, that’s not a Chevy Malibu wagon, but it’s the closest thing to it. This Equinox prototype looks like a miniaturized Traverse and shares the current Chevy face first seen on the Malibu.
The next Equinox will ride on a lengthened version of the Saturn Vue’s TE platform—a combination of the Theta (current Equinox and Pontiac Torrent) and Epsilon (Malibu and Saab 9-3) architectures—which by our calculations makes it 75-percent car. The stretched TE platform will also underpin Cadillac’s SRX replacement, as well as the Saab 9-4x crossover. A fifth version for GMC is also possible—rumored to be called Terrain—which would top GM’s quartet of Lambdas for crossover proliferation.
Little has been done to hide the identity of the five-seat crossover, save for removing the bow ties and blacking out most of the trim. The added length is visible in the longer rear doors as well as the thick C-pillar that separates the door glass from the rear quarter windows. The smooth front end has a sporty look while large fender flares give a somewhat rugged feel. A lone interior shot shows a clean cabin with chunky door handles, vent, and gauge pods.
Under the hood will be one of the first applications of GM’s new 2.3-liter direct-injection four-cylinder engine, which product boss Bob Lutz says will allow the Equinox to lead its segment in fuel economy. A larger—and thirstier—option could be the 257-hp 3.6-liter V-6 that’s found in the Vue. Two-mode and plug-in hybrids are also a strong possibility. The Equinox will continue to be offered in all-wheel- and front-wheel-drive variants.
An on-sale date of May 2009 has been previously discussed for the Equinox, but a delay would not surprise us given GM’s recent production schedule changes.
The next Equinox will ride on a lengthened version of the Saturn Vue’s TE platform—a combination of the Theta (current Equinox and Pontiac Torrent) and Epsilon (Malibu and Saab 9-3) architectures—which by our calculations makes it 75-percent car. The stretched TE platform will also underpin Cadillac’s SRX replacement, as well as the Saab 9-4x crossover. A fifth version for GMC is also possible—rumored to be called Terrain—which would top GM’s quartet of Lambdas for crossover proliferation.
Little has been done to hide the identity of the five-seat crossover, save for removing the bow ties and blacking out most of the trim. The added length is visible in the longer rear doors as well as the thick C-pillar that separates the door glass from the rear quarter windows. The smooth front end has a sporty look while large fender flares give a somewhat rugged feel. A lone interior shot shows a clean cabin with chunky door handles, vent, and gauge pods.
Under the hood will be one of the first applications of GM’s new 2.3-liter direct-injection four-cylinder engine, which product boss Bob Lutz says will allow the Equinox to lead its segment in fuel economy. A larger—and thirstier—option could be the 257-hp 3.6-liter V-6 that’s found in the Vue. Two-mode and plug-in hybrids are also a strong possibility. The Equinox will continue to be offered in all-wheel- and front-wheel-drive variants.
An on-sale date of May 2009 has been previously discussed for the Equinox, but a delay would not surprise us given GM’s recent production schedule changes.
