Chevy at Work on Equinox Update

Chevrolet’s Equinox crossover utility vehicle has served General Motors well. When it was launched in 2004 as the successor to the Tracker, it offered more of what consumers wanted, including more refinement, comfort and space. Having been on sale for four years now, the Equinox is facing increasingly stiff competition from all angles – North America, Europe and especially Asia. However, General Motors isn’t going to let the SUV fall by the wayside, as a comprehensive update is planned for 2009.

Although the physical structure and frame of the Equinox is expected to stay the same, the vehicle will be heavily modified. Its front-end styling will be completely revised and will look similar to Chevrolet’s new Traverse full-size crossover. In addition, the Equinox, which is already longer than the current Honda Pilot, may also be offered with a third row seat.

In addition to its all-V6 engine lineup, the Equinox is expected to gain a four-cylinder alternative, which should help ease some buyers’ concerns about the rising price of fuel. Also, expect to see all models, regardless of cylinder count, switched over to a six-speed automatic. Currently, the Equinox is powered by a 185-horsepower 3.4-liter V6 mated to a five-speed automatic in standard models, and GM’s 3.6-liter V6 routing 263 horsepower through a six-speed automatic in the Equinox Sport.

When the updated Equinox arrives, rumor has it that GMC will roll out its own version as well, dubbed the Terrain, which will serve as the replacement to the body on frame Envoy, a vehicle nearing the end of its production cycle. It is also rumored that Pontiac will discontinue the Torrent, focusing its product lineup completely on cars.

Although nothing concrete has been confirmed, expect the new Equinox to debut either late this year or early next, and be on sale by the end of the decade.