Last week, we showed you what we believe is a prototype of the upcoming Chevy Equinox refresh. Today, we caught another camouflaged Equinox tester at GM’s Milford Proving Grounds that is even more interesting than the last. That’s because this particular tester is wearing less camo than the previous model, especially around the C- and D-pillars, while featuring a set of quad exhaust tips. Given that the current Chevy Equinox offers either a tucked-under single tip or dual exhaust, this sighting adds an unexpected element into the mix and makes us wonder whether Chevy is working on a high-performance version of its compact crossover SUV, potentially an Equinox SS.
What a theoretical Equinox SS variant would consist of is currently anyone’s guess, and aside from the quad exhaust, we can’t seem to make out any other performance-oriented bits on this prototype. That said, high-performance versions of Chevy crossovers are desperately needed. In fact, the Bow Tie brand is currently at a competitive disadvantage by not offering high-performance models of any of its crossovers, while buyers continue to flock in droves to the vehicles from sedans.
We should also note that there is a remote (though likely) possibility that the quad tips are fake, put on this tester to fool spies and enthusiasts like us into thinking we’re looking at an Equinox SS.
The Chevy Equinox is getting a midcycle refresh for either the 2020 or 2021 model years. Expect a redesigned front end, with a new front clip, headlights and grille, new tail lights, along with some sort of a modification to the treatment of the C- and D-pillars.
There will also be a few updates to the interior. On the powertrain side, the 6-speed automatic transmission, which is currently mated to the base turbo-charged 1.5L I-4 LYX gasoline engine and the 1.6L I-4 LH7 turbo-diesel, should be replaced by the new GM 9-speed automatic. The 9-speed is already mated to the turbo 2.0L I-4 LTG. Speaking of the LTG, it could be replaced by its successor, the 2.0L LSY I-4.
About Chevrolet Equinox
The Chevrolet Equinox is a compact crossover. It slots above the Chevrolet Trax and below the Chevrolet Traverse. It will also be positioned below the rumored to be the future Chevrolet Blazer. The first-generation Equinox ran from the 2005-2009 model years and was based on the first-generation Theta platform. The second-generation Equinox was offered from the 2010-2017 model years and was based on the Theta 2 platform. Both the first- and second-generation models were "tweeners", in that they straddled the compact and midsize CUV segments in size. The third-generation model was introduced for the 2018 model year. It rides on the GM D2 platform shared with the second-generation GMC Terrain, Chevrolet Cruze, and Chevrolet Volt and, unlike its two predecessors, is positioned squarely in the compact segment.
The third-generation, 2018 and newer Equinox features an all-new exterior and interior, while being slightly smaller inside and out compared to the outgoing model. It also offers an all-new engine lineup and an all-new lightweight architecture that enables a weight savings of over 400 pounds compared to the second-gen model. As a result, the new Equinox gets better fuel economy while also delivering improvements in ride, handling, packaging, and safety.
The Equinox is assembled at the following GM plants:
- GM CAMI plant in Ontario, Canada operated by GM Canada
- GM Ramos plant in Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila, Mexico operated by GM Mexico
- Wuhan II plant in Hubei, China operated by Shanghai-GM
Related News & Info
- GM news
- GM forums
- Chevrolet Equinox information
- Running GM sales results
- Running Chevrolet sales results
- Running Chevrolet Equinox sales results
- Running Chevrolet sales results
Comments
I was going to say a Blazer SS would make more sense, but none of this makes any sense.
It would make sense if GM had ONE of their RWD/AWD platorms suitable for CUV duty.
We’d get a Cadillac fully differentiated from the rest of the corporate vehicles. We could also get special offerings from Chevy, Buick, and GMC.
If Chevy had a hand-me-down RWD/AWD CUV platform from Cadillac, THAT would be worthy of the SS badge.
I’m sorry Ms. Barra, that makes too much sense. I’ll let you continue relying on buyers paying thousands more for the same vehicle with a “higher” badge.
I would love to see something along the lines of TrackHawk. Chevy has nothing to compete with that segment right now.
I hope if they call it an SS make it worthy or just slap a RS emblem on it and that will do. Let’s not bring back the late 90’s early 00’s on which if a car had bigger wheels and an color package it was an SS.
Or a massive V8 just for the hell of it.
I’m all for V8s, but if the car can’t put the power to the ground; why bother?
How ironic if they were actually going to do a performance SS variant with the new 2.0T losing both power and torque with the switch to the disappointing LSY engine that sees a whopping 37 LB FT torque drop from what the LTG engine was capable of making. An SS version of this needs more power period!
numbers aren’t everything. the LSY achieves more HP and torque lower down, ie more usable without ringing it out to 5000+ rpm. and focuses on economy.
I doubt if this is an SS trim it would get just the 2.0 LSY as it sits in the CT6/XT4, either a tune, or it will be a different engine or engine+motor combo.
How about LSY with 237hp and 258lb-ft, plus electric assist, combined to 335hp and 430lb-ft like the CT6 hybrid? 0-60 in 5.2 seconds (same as a Ford Edge ST)
I would much rather a 6 liter turbo model or supercharged. SS is supposed to mean performance, not a 4 banger with a turbo.
supercharging from factory wont happen on small engine much anymore. they rob too much power themselves and make it tricky for small engines to meet CAFE.
and a 6L turbo would make the compact crossover undriveable. How much power do you want? 700?
Easiest way to add economical performance (on top of already having a small turbo engine), and future-proof, is with hybrid.
“SS is supposed to mean performance, not a 4 banger with a turbo.”
The 2.0T/C Cobalt SS Nurburgring FWD record holder will firmly disabuse you of that kind of thinking.
The turbocharged 5spd Cobalt SS was more worthy of the SS name than the bloated and disjointed 1996 4spd auto Impala SS ever was.
Yes 2.0 turbos have some power, I own one. Is it enough power to justify putting it into an SUV that is heavy to begin with let alone with 7 people in it? No.
Would we know if they were adapting the new 2.7 truck engine for transverse crossovers?
The torque would be fun if they can make the engine smooth enough, and the XT4 needs a 2nd engine also.
An SS version would make perfect sense. The Nox needs it.
Chevy offers zero Performance CUV’s or Soft Off Road CUV’s. That in my opinion needs to change ASAP.
Also, they need to give the Nox better interior materials. Design wise it is fine but NOT materials wise for the segment.
It could sure use an interior without all that black.
Whatever happened to gray interiors?
Or tan….
It is a RS.
skinny tires makes me thing the same way
Live to dream.. developing a Equinox SS performance model makes a lot of sense given that the Chevrolet Equinox is a very popular vehicle having sold 332,618 units in 2018; but Chevy should also consider building a Blazer SS by dropping the 6.2 Liter V8 EcoTec3 L86 especially as competitors are already building high performance models of their CUVs.
The new Blazer is based on a front wheel drive based platform and won’t fit the L86. Instead, how about an updated LF3 3.6 Twin-Turbo V6 from the XTS V-Sport tuned to 400 hp and 390 -395 ft-lbs of torque.
More than likely just a redline version with some sporty looks but nothing in the way of actual performance. Prepare for disappointment again…
More power would be good as would more power across most of the GM line of vehicles. To call it an SS would be a mistake.,
Why would it be a mistake to call it an SS if it is made properly?
Is it a mistake that Audi uses RS moniker on their CUv’s?
Is it a mistake that BMW uses M moniker on their CUv’s?
Is it a mistake that Mercedes uses AMG moniker on their CUv’s?
The world has changed, GM has to as well or be left behind.
Except we all know that doesn’t fit triple zero Barra’s future agenda so will never happen. With this upcoming new emission std I suspect the 230 HP 2.0T will be the top engine for the Nox/Terrain and to call that an SS is a joke!
When the XT4 came out I pretty sure I read the new 2.0t was capable of more power and that it will show up later on. I think they are using it as a entry level for the XT4 and then make a sportier version with more power.
GM has to compete with the various Ford models that have either a standard 2.3 liter turbo or even a full tilt very high torque V6 engine as an option. The only GM small engine that is light enough to compete is the 2.7 liter turbo 4 cylinder that is only in the full size, 2019 Silverado and GMC pickups. The 358 foot pounds of torque of the turbo 2.7 liter is still not enough power to compete, so GM could either poke or stroke the engine to get to at least 3 liters. To get 3 liters that is a 12 percent increase in engine size to bring 401 pounds feet of torque. That’s not a Ford beater, but just enough to match the power of the Ford turbo V6 engines. Take that GM turbo 2.7 liter up to a 3.2 liters and you increase the internal engine size by 19 percent. This 3.2 liter 4 banger will give a torque of 426 pounds feet. Why do i focus on torque? Because it is torque that moves any car or truck and to get low RPM torque to peak at just 2500 RPM, that will do more than the same torque at 4,000 RPM. Run high octane E85 gas and GM says you will get at least an extra 5 percent in power. This means that a 3.2 liter with 426 lbs feet of torque will get 447 lbs feet of torque peaking below 3,000 RPM and a flat curve to over 5,000 RPM. I’ll do the conversion for you guys like this. 447 lbs feet of torque, times 5,000 RPM divide by 5252 and you get 405 HP. Obviously with an AWD or a 4WD system, the power will get to all four tires and offer better handling for the real SS.
Big Fours do not tend to run smoothly. Balance shafts can only do so much. I can’t think of one over 2.7 L, though there probably are or have been some.
Cadillac wisely bypassed giant straight sixes for the V8 in 1915 when their 4 couldn’t compete.
I just want to see a Blazer that’s comparable to the Edge ST performance wise. It can’t have a turbo-4, but a comparable Twin-Turbo V6 (which GM currently has 3 of, including a transverse version) should be easy to do.
100%
GM needs to make performance vehicles once again for Chevrolet. Not just Camaro and Vette.
Performance sells. What is so hard for GM to figure out?
MIKE, Cost, cost cost. To use twin turbos cost too much. Poking and stroking the 2.7 liter turbo 4 cylinder keeps the cost down and the front end very light, at least lighter than a V6. I priced an order for a 2.7 liter on a new 2019 Silverado and you must move up from the base Work Truck version to get that engine. It costs $10,000 to move up two levels of model and pay extra for the 2.7 liter. Since the various truck reviews are roasting GM for the crappy fuel mileage, they won’t sell too many of them with the 2.7 liters. So, GM might as well take all the engineering time and money they spent on the 2.7 liter and redo it. Just stroking it to 3.2 liters will do the job, anything smaller just does not have enough torque for a full size pickup. If GM made the turbo 4 bigger, they could use it as a serious industrial engine as well. Remember that with a turbo, you get a free 12 percent power boost when you run it on ultra high octane propane or CNG. GM, WHY IN GOD’S NAME WOULD I SPEND $10,000 TO BUY THE UNDERPOWERED, POOR GAS MILEAGE 2.7 LITER TURBO FOUR??? WHY? WHY? WHY? FIRE SOMEONE.
To use twin turbos on a V6 costs too much. Stroking the 2.7 liter turbo 4 cylinder keeps the cost down and the front end very light, at least lighter than a V6. I priced an order for a 2.7 liter on a new 2019 Silverado and you must move up two model levels from the base Work Truck version to get that engine. It costs $10,000 to move up two levels of model and pay extra for the 2.7 liter. Since the various truck reviews are roasting GM for the crappy fuel mileage with the 2.7, they won’t sell too many of them with the 2.7 liters. So, GM might as well take all the engineering time and money they spent on the 2.7 liter and redo it. Just stroking it to 3.2 liters will do the job, anything smaller just does not have enough torque for a full size pickup. If GM made the turbo 4 bigger, they could use it as a serious industrial engine as well. Remember that with a turbo, you get a free 12 percent power boost when you run it on ultra high octane propane or CNG. GM, WHY IN GOD’S NAME WOULD I SPEND $10,000 TO BUY THE UNDERPOWERED, POOR GAS MILEAGE 2.7 LITER TURBO FOUR??? WHY? WHY? WHY? FIRE SOMEONE.
They already have the development done on the TT V6s, just start propagating them across brand lines. Anyway, here’s what I think Chevy should do. Throw back to the Z perf packages of the 90s, create a Z27 performance package for the Malibu (with AWD) and Equinox, utilizing the new 2.7L 4-cyl Turbo and also do a Z36 perf pkg utilizing the 3.6 TT V6 for the Blazer and Traverse, add in the current Buick Regal GS’s suspension and brembo brakes to complete the 2 pkgs.
I’d believe it if it makes it on the Nurburgring
snore…boring!!!!!!
Both Ford and Chevy are seriously missing the mark right now and they don’t have to be. It’s truly sad to see what these two brands are quickly becoming and its all for no reason.
Look I get it, hybrid and electric cars are coming. Global market position is a big thing now. I got it. GM has four car lineups, one of which has absolutely no purpose and that is Buick. Why not take Buick, dump all of your electric and hybrid ideas and investments into that brand. This way you can truly give birth to good looking electric and hybrid cars like the Buick Avista, give life and reason to the Avenir concept sedan, and several other buick models and let the regal out to pasture. Give buick the entire VSS-F (front wheel drive) chassis and let them blossom and bloom in China and in other spots where buick cars will flourish.
As much as i love GMC, I don’t see the point in having Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac when GMC is nothing more than i bridge between the two of them. It’s like the Camaro and Firebird of the GM truck world. Here’s a thought, combine them. GMC nameplates should be packages on the Silverado, Tahoe and Suburban. As far as the SUVs/Crossovers go, drop the Trax, Equinox, & Traverse, bring back the RWD platform Trailblazer (including the Trailblazer SS V8), change the Blazer name to Typhoon, keep the styling & Put in on a RWD platform, and bring out an actual Blazer on the Colorado platform. Colorado name needs to go back to S10 which would make the blazer the S10 Blazer, bring back the Blazer Xtreme, Blazer ZR2, S10 ZR2, S10 ZR5, S10 Xtreme, and an S10 Syclone. The truck also needs a makeover with more of the big brother styling of the silverado along with a Denali package. Give the Silverado some love with the current 1500 lineup dropping the high country, adding a Silverado SS, Silverado Cheyenne, Silverado Sierra, Silverado Denali, Silverado Classic-10 pickup, etc. The Silverado HD would add an off road “Scottsdale” package to the 2500HD and the rest of the line would carry on, blending GMC features on the higher end trucks, dropping the High Country for Denali treatment. Chevrolet’s car lineup could stand a complete makeover and reboot. While the Camaro would stay, Chevy would be back into the RWD car game with the new VSS-R platform including the Alpha-2 platform bringing in the cars from the Holden Special Vehicle program and rebranding them all Chevrolet, Bringing us the Commodore, the Senator & the Maloo. Along with the next gen Camaro, this would give Chevy a lineup that people would actually enjoy and flock to. While there would obviously be V8 variants, the 2.7L Turbo-4 would be the base engine with options such as twin turbo V6 engines, naturally aspirated V6 engines and of course whatever the next generation V8 small block Chevrolet will be cooking up (more than likely some sort of DOHC variant smaller than 6.0L, I’m hoping in flavors of 4.6L 5.0L possibly 5.3L and hopefully 5.7L) all of them backed by either a 10-speed auto, a 10-speed hybrid auto, a 7-speed DCT and maybe even a 7-speed manual if they’re still around. With all of that, this allows Cadillac to do its own thing with the new blackwing engines and twin turbo v6 engines with Cadillac exclusive tuning and designs bringing them that much closer to competing with BMW, MB, Audi, Jaguar, Porsche, etc. GM also needs to go ahead and let Cadillac claim the Corvette and boost it up to the level it belongs on.
Of course, GM still needs to have electric cars in the Chevy lineup and Cadillac lineup, and you know what, why not? There is no need to be single track minded. however these cars do need to be separate from the conventional cars and have their own names and models. What pisses loyal enthusiast off the most is having some hybrid or electric variant of a car that we feel an emotional attachment to come driving down the road. It’s not a good feeling. However, knowing that the company that you feel a brand loyalty to is doing something positive towards the environment is a good feeling. Chevy already has an electric car, actually 2, the Bolt and the Jolt. Granted the names might be a little cheesy but they work and they’re good cars (they don’t catch fire like TESLA! even though they might not have the performance) I do agree GM needs to get on the ball and make more electric vehicles, but not at the sacrifice of conventional vehicles & conventional performance vehicles. Plus there is a market for all of the vehicles I’ve listed above. Lexus has the GSF, RCF & LC500, while Toyota has the big and bad 5.7L DOHC Tundra, Nissan has the 5.6L Titan and Armada along with a diesel Titan HD. BMW, MB-AMG, Audi, Jaguar, Land Rover and Porsche all have high performance RWD based vehicles and they sell like hotcakes even with twin turbo V8 engines with AWD costing over $100,000. All of the Chevy vehicles I just mentioned should top off at under $75,000.00 or relatively around the price of a ZL1 Camaro and start down in the $20K range. If GM did something like this, they’d save a ton of money, be better positioned in the global market, and they’d have cars that people would be happy to buy.
Holy Paragraph, Batman!
are weed vape pens different from other vape pens