GM Introduces Two New Ultra-Efficient Engines with New Equinox

The Ford and GM battles of the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s are reigniting, but instead of the old days when styling and horsepower ruled the roads a new era of motorized warfare rages in fuel economy and emissions.

Performance is still as important as ever and styling is what pulls people down to the dealership in the first place, but Ford made a point of telling its Escape story all over again within a year when it launched  its updated 2009 model, which was more or less the same truck as the  2008 other than powertrain mods. The big news from Ford was a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 170-horsepower on tap and a 28 mpg highway fuel economy rating, and the General didn’t have much of anything new to fight back with… until now that is.

Along with the introduction of the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, totally new from the ground up by the way, come two powerplants that will be sure to impress. The new 2.4-liter Ecotec four will make up to 182-horsepower while returning an non-certified EPA estimated 30 mpg on the highway, edging out the Escape and simultaneously besting most others in the compact SUV class.

“At a time when customers are so concerned about the fuel efficiency of their vehicle, the Equinox delivers,” said Ed Peper, GM North America vice president, Chevrolet.

Those wanting for more power will be able to move up to a new V6 as well. Gone is the efficient (at least with regards to how long it lasted) 3.4-liter unit and the top-tier 3.6-liter V6, both replaced by a direct-injection 3.0-liter V6 that makes a seriously motivating 255-horsepower. Once again it compares favourably to the Escape’s upgraded 240-horsepower 3.0-liter V6.

As you may have heard, the only negative to direct injection engines is noise, vibration and harshness levels that are often higher than their convention counterparts. GM has worked to counter such inherent problems by adding rubber isolators to minimize fuel rail noise, while variable valve timing improves greater power and fuel efficiency throughout a wider rev range.

Adding to the efficiency, both the four- and the six-cylinder engines will be enhanced by GM’s state-of-the-art six-speed transmission, maximizing performance and fuel economy for a range of more than 500 miles with either engine as used in the Equinox.

While the engines launch in the new Equinox, expect them to show up throughout GM’s range within the next few years.