What Engine Will Power The High-Performance Chevy Equinox?
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We’ve already speculated whether the prototype of the Chevy Equinox and then of the GMC Terrain with quad exhaust tips foreshadow upcoming performance variants of both crossover SUVs. Such models would be welcomed, as they would give the two related compact crossovers some much-needed pizzaz, thereby becoming the only vehicles in their segment to offer a performance variant (the Ford Edge ST lives in the Blazer/Acadia segment). But what engine could power the alleged high-performance Equinox and Terrain?
Considering that the D2 platform, on which the third-gen Equinox and second-gen Terrain ride, was not designed to accommodate a six-cylinder engine, a very likely candidate is the all-new 2.7L I-4 L3B turbo-charged engine that’s debuted in the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2019 GMC Sierra 1500.
In the trucks, the L3B engine makes 310 horsepower and 348 pound-feet of torque, very respectable figures. However, if General Motors uses the engine in the performance Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain, the power output would likely be somewhat lower.
That’s because, in GM’s case, a transverse powertrain layout has historically sapped roughly 3 percent of total power output due to packaging and durability constraints. Doing the math, that means the boosted four could make somewhere in the vicinity of 300 horsepower and 330 pound-feet pound-feet of torque in the high-performance Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain.
That would make it about 50 horsepower and 70 pound-feet of torque more powerful than the turbocharged 2.0L LTG that’s currently the range-topping gasoline engine in both vehicles.
The TriPower 2.7L L3B I-4 turbo would be an exceptional choice for the high-performance Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain for several reasons. First off, its a four-banger (albeit a large one), but it should fit under the hood of the compact CUVs.
In addition, it features GM’s TriPower technology, which combines an electro-mechanical variable camshaft and Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation), to deliver peak torque at only 1,500 RPM, thereby delivering performance without the costs of a larger, less efficient V6 or V8 engine.
If General Motors is, in fact, developing a high-performance Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain and if the automaker ends up using the L3B TriPower engine for the models, then the engine will likely be paired with a robust version of the GM 9-speed automatic transmission. It’s also worth noting that it would be GM’s first application of the L3B engine in a transverse application.
Both models could theoretically launch for the 2021 model year as part of the mid-cycle enhancement (refresh) of both vehicles.
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It would be awesome but I highly doubt it.
I bet it’s just going to be the 2.0T with performance exhaust like in the Camaro.
Or, they’re just putting quad tips on the 2.0T model for fun.
The 2.0T is already more than enough engine for the lightweight equinox. Anything more than that would be completely overkill and I seriously doubt GM would put the much heavier engine up front on a very lightweight chassis, as it would most likely ruin the great driving dynamics it currently has.
Again, I’d be shocked and amazed if they did it and made it work. I’m not holding my breath though.
I have a hard time believing they would add another engine to the equinox. This would be engine #4.
Also, this goes against everything GM has done with all their latest products with performance trims.
The Silverado offer six engine choices, and it’s Chevy’s best-selling vehicle. As the brand’s second-best-seller, it’s not that much of a stretch to imagine the equinox offering four engine choices. After all, this is the new sedan!
They’re willing to invest where there is money. Something tells me that the Silverado/Sierra powertrain story isn’t done yet, and the same might hold true for the equinox/terrain.
True, but of the six, three are based on the same architecture (5.3, 5.3, 6.2) with another one to a lesser degree (4.3).
I believe that with the Silverado/Sierra powertrains, but I’ll believe it when it happens with the Equinox.
Sure, in much the same way the entire powerplant lineup in the Nox/Terrain is of a similar “architecture” of engines – four-cylinder DOHC configuration, albeit of different generations.
Is the 2.7 able to be transverse? I have never seen a GM state it can be used in this fashion.
Not saying it can’t but just asking do we know for sure it can be.
The 3.6 is transverse and strait,just like the 2.5. it’s not hard to make an engine transverse. While the 2.7 is a good match output wise and weight Wise, it isn’t a performance engine. It has too much stroke for high rpm operation. It would maintain incredible low end power and then shift early. I prefer it this way with lots of low end grunt, even in a sports car, but Ferrari has everyone thinking that sports cars need a 7000rpm whine. I hope they do the 2.7 and show that isn’t necessary
I am well aware of the other engines.
But GM stated the 2.7 was designed with a longer stroke for truck torque. Hence it was presented as a truck engine. Also to change the configuration it takes a different block as they mounting points are different.
I have three 3.6 engines in two configs and they are all three different.
scott – we don’t yet know whether or not the L3B can be mounted sideways. We’ve asked, and gotten no official answer on the matter.
That said, I would imagine that provisions have been made to be able to mount it transversely. There are obvious benefits of doing so.
In any event, I wouldn’t read to much into the press speak of it being designed as a “truck engine”. GM likes to say these types of things when it’s convenient, and omit it at times when it’s irrelevant.
FYI am aware of the torque on the Turbo engines. as my 2.0 was doing 315 FT LBS at below 2000 RPM. It was limited by the trans axle. The Solstice with the same tune was 340 FT LBS.
Actually too much torque on FWD sucks as it can not put it down. AWD will be needed in all these applications.
I think we start seeing a new family of turbo and/or hybrid engines from GM. The 3.0TT and 3.6TT have been around quite a while, and the 2.0T is in it’s like 10th generation. I wouldn’t be surprised if we get an updated 2.0T with hybrid showing up. Would do duty in maybe this hi-po Equinox, Camaro, XT4/5, CT4/5, Blazer, etc.
It won’t be the 2.7 it was design for trucks/rear wheel drive/4 wheel drive. The 2.0t can easily be upgrade to 300hp or more with out much change. That’s probably would be easiest and most economical think to do. The tuning companies are getting well over 300hp on the stock motor. The would probably then also add torque vectoring.
It will be the 2.0T bumped up to at least 295 HP maybe a little more.
I am not holding my breath though for GM to Finally jump into the extremely lucrative Performance CUV field. Hope they do as i have been stating they should forever now.
GM is missing Key Segments…
Wrangler
Hot Hatch
Performance CUV’s
Roadsters…Chevy and Cadillac
Raptor Fighter
Properly Sized 3/5/7 Series Cadillac Sedans
No Cadillac Coupe CUV’s
No Cadillac Four Door Coupe Sedans
Am I missing anything?
I’d agree with the previous posts, this will have the LSY 2.0T in it from the XT4. There’s plenty of room for alternate tuning, and the power from the LSY would be more than adequate with the right final drive…
GM doesn’t use any of their truck engines in any of their other products unlike Ford or fca, that will never happen, but a great daydream.
Chevrolet doesn’t have very many engines available to it and while the L3B 2.7L DOHC-4v 4-cyl turbo may make sense, a hybrid setup may make more sense as an electric motor can give more performance and possibly the first step towards being electrified in 2025.
You’d lose every dollar on that wager.
It will most likely be however, the 2.0 LSY to replace the LTG. The LSY is the L3B but smaller displacement.
This Equinox will only ever see a LSY in a higher state of tune/better exhaust. You can take that to the bank.
The 2.7T is more likely to appear in the new Gen Tahoe/Yukon as the base engine.
Don’t know what Engine they will use or even if they will actually offer a performance version .
I f they do wake up and offer a high performance version I sure hope they do so with the idea of being the best. For too long they have stood by and watch everyone else do high performance version of their SUV’s and hot hatches.
To make a half hearted attempt would just make matters worse.
Since the full size pickup truck will be likely to carry a load about 3 times more than a SUV, this means a hotter camshaft with about 5 percent more power can be used in the lighter SUV. So adding 5 percent to the 310 HP and 358 pounds feet of torque will give 325 HP and 365 lbs feet of torque. Subtract the 3 percent for the restrictive front end use, you end up with a final 316 HP and 355 lbs feet of torque. The aftermarket industry could boost up the turbo another 5 pounds of boost, allowing for about 375 lbs feet of torque and 332 hp, at a minimum. Use E85 gas with it’s 95 octane ( ethanol alone is 99.5 octane ) and you gain another 5 to 10 percent power ratings for at least 394 lbs feet and about 349 HP. If the driver removes the muffler, that will add another 2 to 4 percent in power to bring it about 406 lbs feet of torque and 360 HP. Now, that would then be a high performance SUV.
A pipe dream. Not only would the engine need to be adapted for FWD use but they would also have to beef up the 9 speed trans-axle and spend more money certifying this new setup. Mileage would also be lower and thus reduce Cafe averages. This is the Mary Barra era of GM so I would expect the current 170 HP 1.5T hitched to the 9 speed as a carryover with the lower output 230 HP LSY as the up-level option and the diesel carried over as is.
Since a higher performance engine would be a limited option, probably no more than 10 percent of the sales would be for the 2.7 liter engine. That won’t affect the overall fleet MPG rating very much for this SUV. Since GM is charging about $10,000 more for the 2.7 engine in the full size pickup, over the base model Work Truck, with the base 4.3 V6 engine, it will probably be over priced in the Chev Equinox. You must move up two trim levels above the Work Truck, just to be able to order the 2.7 liter engine, thus the $10,000 spread in price.
According to CAR BUZZ the engine will be the 3.0 TT Caddy Engine. They Even gave a 0 to 60 time of 6.2. Don’t know where they got their info or if any of it is true.
VCAT, Car Buzz must have been reading the comments on this site that i have posted recently about the Caddy 3.0 liter twin turbo engine for the Super Sport Colorado and other GM vehicles. It has 400 HP and 400 pounds feet of torque. The advantage of using the Caddy engine is that it was only used in a AWD configuration and therefore the front transaxle is already set up for big torque. No more engineering is required. Caddy used that TT 3.0 up to 3 years ago, so all they have to do is add the latest developments in software, and away we go. This would save millions on new development costs. If GM top honcho Marry Barra can’t make this wise decision, then i just might buy one share of GM stock and show up at the next shareholders meeting with some large investment houses and demand her resignation…..because she doesn’t have the smarts to run GM.
That info is inaccurate. Take it with a
graincontainer-full of salt.The 2.7 should stay in trucks only ! At this time the 2.7 should be in the Chevy Colorado ! Now if gm would switch to rear drive on the Equinox ,then maybe !
No high performance Equinox for 2020, and no exterior changes to the vehicle.
New 19 inch wheel option, and there is a MIDNIGHT BLACK edition along with the Red line edition that also includes the Premier model. A couple color deletes, and new colors, bright blue and midnight blue the same for the 2020 Blazer.
Off Topic
The 2020 Trax will stop production at the end of December 2019.
The 2020 Impala deletes the LS trim and the MIDNIGHT EDITION. The current 20 inch wheels will have to be special ordered through one of the packages.
Still don’t understand why a heated steering wheel is NOT offered in the Equinox LS and LT trims, whereas Hyundai and Kia and others offer it on the lower trim levels.
2020 Chevrolets below
https://www.gmfleetorderguide.com/
off topic
Also the Impala drops the 4 cylinder engine for 2020