With a new exterior design and enhanced powertrains, Chevrolet recently unveiled the 2018 Equinox. Designers and engineers focused on safety, performance, and connectivity during development, taking into account what compact SUV customers desire.
Elements from other successful General Motors’ platforms were incorporated into the new Equinox.
“We’re applying the same customer focus to grow our crossover and SUV business, starting with the Chevrolet Equinox,” said Alan Batey, Global Chevrolet President.
Interestingly enough, the new SUV was unveiled on the actual autumnal equinox.
Exterior Design
The 2018 Chevy Equinox radiates the automaker’s global design language. It’s easy to see the likes of the Malibu and Cruze – the door lettering is even similar to the Silverado. Every 2018 Equinox will feature chrome accents, projector-beam headlamps, and LED daytime running lights.
Extensive aerodynamic designs were used to increase overall vehicle efficiency and invoke the senses.
“Customers who previewed the vehicle early on had a strong emotional response to the sleek and sophisticated exterior design,” said John Cafaro, Executive Director, GM Design. “Those same themes are carried through to the interior, making the space beautifully intuitive.”
Interior Design
A down-and-away instrument panel and a low windshield are meant to increase visibility for the driver. Denim-style seat fabric is available. The “kneeling” rear seat allows the bottom cushions to tilt forward when the split-folding seatbacks are lowered, thereby creating a flat load floor with 63.5 cubic feet of cargo space.
Connectivity features include the MyLink infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
An OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot is available.
Engine & Transmission
The 2018 Chevy Equinox offers three turbocharged engines, one of which is a diesel. The latter, a 1.6L, is a first for the compact SUV segment. Perhaps Chevy is taking a page from the Colorado’s book by offering a diesel here too? The other two engines include a 1.5L and a 2.0L turbo. A new nine-speed automatic is part of the 2018 Equinox’s powertrain package.
“With three choices, customers can select an engine that offers more of the attributes that are important to them: efficiency, performance and capability,” said Dan Nicholson, Vice President, Global Propulsion Systems.
According to Nicholson, the engines offer the best of both worlds.
“The advantage for each is the power of a larger engine and the efficiency of a smaller engine,” he said.
The 2018 Chevy Equinox is approximately 400 pounds lighter than the current one, equaling a 10 percent weight reduction
“It is an all-new SUV from the ground up and one that takes on the industry’s biggest competitors with a stronger architecture, greater efficiency, and more technology,” said Rick Spina, Executive Chief Engineer.
Safety & Security
The 2018 Chevy Equinox offers a variety of available safety technologies and adaptive crash-avoidance features. The radar and camera based systems alert the driver to numerous oncoming threats like a potential collision. Many are new for the Equinox including Safety Alert Seat, Surround Vision, Forward Collision Alert with Following Distance Indicator, and Low-Speed Forward Automatic Braking. Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning and Rear Seat Reminder are also new.
Lane Change Alert, Side Blind Zone Alert, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert round out the list of safety features.
Availability
The 2018 Chevy Equinox goes on sale in the first quarter of 2017 in North America – 115 additional global markets will follow later on next year. After the Silverado, the Equinox is Chevrolet’s best selling vehicle, moving some 2 million units since its inception.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan
Photos & Source: Chevrolet
from Automoblog.net http://www.automoblog.net/2016/09/23/2018-chevy-equinox-product-performance-overview/
via IFTTT
from Tumblr http://peternpalmer.tumblr.com/post/150848623991
via IFTTT
No comments:
Post a Comment