New GM Design Patent Shows Possible Chevy Equinox Electric
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A recently published design patent illustrates what may very well be a next-generation Chevy Equinox electric crossover. With an entirely new platform, design, and technologies, it’s possible that the all-new crossover EV may carry a different name, but for now it’s safe to say that this does indeed look like an electrified take on the Bow Tie brand’s mid-sized crossover.
Given GM’s stance on EVs versus hybrids, we’re inclined to believe that these illustrations are representative of a Chevy Equinox electric vehicle rather than a gas-and-electric hybrid of sorts. To clarify, the automaker has already stated that it is choosing to focus its electrified vehicle efforts entirely on full EVs, and that its findings suggest customers aren’t particularly interested in hybrids.
Additionally, the design illustrations depict a vehicle with a ‘closed’ front end, similar to that of the Chevrolet Bolt EV and EUV as well as the Cadillac Lyriq. Moreover, the figures do not show any accommodations for an exhaust system, which is, of course, necessary for a hybrid model.
There are, of course, other factors that substantiate the conjecture of this being a Chevy Equinox electric crossover. For instance, back in November of 2020, CEO Mary Barra declared that General Motors would increase its financial commitment to EVs and AVs by $7 billion with the intention of launching a total of 30 new electric vehicles globally by 2025. Prior to her statement, The General had already revealed the GMC Hummer EV pickup truck, and would eventually go on to expand the GMC Hummer EV product line with the addition of the GMC Hummer EV SUV.
GM has also announced the refreshed 2022 Chevy Bolt EV and it’s all-new larger sibling, the 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV as well as the production-ready Cadillac Lyriq luxury crossover. To that end, Barra has also clarified that the current microchip shortage won’t hinder General Motor’s EV rollout, though it has delayed production of the refreshed 2022 Chevy Equinox model until mid-August.
It’s almost guaranteed that such a vehicle will utilize GM’s Ultium Drive And Motor Technology, which are designed for a broad range of applications, including front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive propulsion combinations and can even be used by high-performance and off-road vehicles. This underlines Barra’s belief that the company has the capability to “put everyone in an EV.”
While the patent was technically filed by SAIC-GM for the Chinese market, we know that most of the Ultium Drive components – including castings, gears and assemblies – will be built with globally sourced parts at GM’s existing global propulsion facilities on shared, flexible assembly lines, meaning such a model could eventually find its way to North America; a feat that satisfies GM’s global ambitions.
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Hat tip to Motor Trend.
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It does look like an Equinox, but I’m a little dubious that it’s an Equinox if SAIC-GM filed it for the Chinese market.
It also looks a little strange — as if someone at SAIC took an existing GM model of an Equinox and started doing preliminary work on top of it. This is so early in the development stage that it might look nothing like the finished product.
Equinox is sold in China and it’s likely than the Pan Pacific Design Center took the lead on this project much like GM once used Opel Russelheim in a similar way. Also, Buick will likely be getting a similar version under Buick Envision badging while such a model won’t be sold in the US.
More BEVs will be sold in China, we will me late to adapt because US lacks a charging network, and regulations here, even under Biden, aren’t as tight.
This has the Buick front end. Take a look at the Buick Velite 7. (The Chinese Bolt EUV)
GM showed an EV at the Barclays conference which could be this one, hard to scale the size because it was sitting in the background, but it looked to be between equinox, and traverse sized.
Why not wait until the next generation Equinox? This seems late in the lifecycle when the mid-cycle refresh is entering production next month. Wouldn’t it make more sense to use a fresh design/vehicle in the next generation? This generation Equinox doesn’t scream EV-design/aero.
If this were to become an Equinox EV, then it would absolutely be for the next-gen model.
Peep the first sentence.
I see that’s what the first sentence says, but the pictures say otherwise. The side profile is the current generation Equinox. The DLO, body lines in the door panel, the pillars, the taillight inserts (aside from the addition of a light bar connection in the rear) are all from the current generation.
What says these drawings represent an entirely new platform or vehicle? To me it appears to be a heavy refresh/EV variant of the existing Equinox.
This better be for China ONLY…if GM thinks that that thing (an electrified Current Gen Nox) will do battle with the VW ID.4 and Mustang Mach-E they are crazy. GM better have a proper RWD Based Chevrolet CUV coming out like yesterday.
I believe that the Cadillac Lyriq will give us a good idea what an electrified Equinox will be like since the Lyriq will be rwd starting at a price of ~60 grand.
@ma7mgte
Yeah I would hope that would be the case but GM is really late to the game so far.
Not sure how GM started before pretty much everyone and only have the Bolt on offer as of right now.
The ford Mach – E is selling like crazy right now.
This is not the first electric Equinox. GM built over 100 2009 Equinox models with a H2 fuel cell and an electric power train and a small battery. Look up the Equinox history and read about it. As a present owner of a gasoline 2009 model, I search to buy one of the H2 models ( I did buy and still keep the original Owner Manual ) and convert it to a fully electric, but GM kept them in house and never sold them. Anyway, the electric Equinox is long due since that year.
It’s about time they are electrifying the Equinox! An electric version of the Equinox should have been the first all electric vehicle they came out with, because it has been one of Chevy’s best sellers. It’s a mid to compact-size SUV and that is what most people are looking for. Then they should have concentrated on the smaller subcompact SUV Bolt EUV which would have been a Trax replacement, but with more passenger space inside than the Trax.
It’s about time they are electrifying the Equinox! An electric version of the Equinox should have been the first all electric vehicle they came out with, because it has been one of Chevy’s best sellers. It’s a mid to compact-size SUV and that is what most people are looking for. Then they should have concentrated on the smaller sub-compact SUV Bolt EUV (SUV) which would have been a Trax replacement.
Americans are into hybrids at $4 a gallon . Early adopters cough fake environmentalist we’re not into hybrids . Gm is going to get caught flat footed when gas prices rise .
Buying a hybrid Honda CR-V when my lease is up . Would get a hybrid nox if available
Wow, another lower case gm design flaw in the making.
I would personally like to see it. An affordable SUV that the common folks can actually afford that isn’t the size of a matchbox. I am ready to make the jump to electric but the current available ones that I can afford are just too small for my family. We currently have a 2019 Equinox for our around town car and a larger 2021 Acadia for when we have to take the kids and the dogs together. I would love to see electric version of both that keep the same price point as their gas powered predecessors.
Yet another line of LED’s across the front and rear to signify golf cart.
Yes sir Mr president.