2009 Chevrolet Equinox news, pictures, and information

2009 CHEVY EQUINOX: MORE STANDARD FEATURES MAKE THIS A COMPACT SUV CROSSOVER WITH EXTRA-LARGE VALUE

The Equinox is available in LS, LT, LTZ and Sport models, each available wîth all-wheel drive. Standard comfort, convenience and safety features on all models include five-passenger seating; head curtain side-impact air bags; power door locks wîth remote keyless entry; power windows; air conditioning; tilt §teering; rear liftgate wîth defogger and washer/wiper; fold-down front passenger seat for longer cargo items; sliding rear seat wîth a 60/40-split seatback and two-position recline; four-wheel disc brakes wîth ABS; StabiliTrak electronic stability control system; traction control and OnStar.

LT models add body-color details such as the door handles, outside mirrors and roof rail side bars, as well a great list of available features, including a remote vehicle starting system and a Pioneer premium seven-speaker sound system. The LTZ is differentiated from other Equinox models by 17-inch bright chrome-clad aluminum wheels, bright chrome door handles and bright chrome luggage rack side rail inserts. Standard interior features include heated front seats, leather seating inserts, AM/FM stereo wîth six-disc in-dash CD changer and MP3 CD playback capability and a Pioneer premium seven-speaker audio system.

The performance-oriented Equinox Sport packs a unique 3.6L V-6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission, as well as specific exterior and interior details. See the 'Equinox Sport details' section below for more information.

Powertrains

The five-passenger Equinox is one of the few compact SÚVs equipped wîth a standard V-6 engine. It is powered by GM's 3.4L V-6, rated at 185 horsepower (138 kW) and 210 lb.-ft. (285 Nm) of torque. This durable overhead valve engine is coupled to an electronically controlled five-speed automatic transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com) It's a powertrain combination that delivers smooth, strong acceleration along wîth reduced highway cruising engine speeds for excellent fuel economy – up to 24 mpg in EPA-rated highway mileage.

Equinox Sport is powered by a high-feature 3.6L V-6. It is a DOHC engine wîth variable valve timing that delivers 264 horsepower (197 kW)* and 250 lb.-ft of torque (339 Nm)* – a 42-percent power increase over the Equinox LT. The 3.6L engine is paired wîth a Hydra-Matic 6T70 six-speed automatic that provides an excellent balance between performance and fuel economy. This powertrain combination helps deliver an estimated 0-60 mph time of less than seven seconds and 24 mpg in highway fuel economy.

Customers can also opt for an on-demand all-wheel-drive system, which delivers power to the front wheels during normal driving conditions but seamlessly transfers a portion of the power to the rear wheels if front wheel slippage is detected. While primarily intended for on-road use, this AWD system also provides excellent traction and mobility for off-road use.

Interior space, comfort and convenience

Equinox's standard Multiflex sliding rear seat can be moved nearly eight inches (203 mm) fore or aft, as well as reclined. In the aft position, this seat provides generous legroom for three full-size adults and a split seatback wîth two recline positions. With the seat all the way forward, Equinox offers 67.1 cubic feet (1,900 L) of cargo space. Because the rear seatback has a 60/40 split, Equinox can transport up to two rear passengers along wîth long cargo items. The front passenger seat folds flat, further extending cargo room length. When folded, the hard front seatback can be used as a table or desktop.

A Driver Information Center (DIC) is standard. Located in the instrument panel cluster, the DIC includes more than 20 personalization and vehicle information features, such as tire pressure, trip odometer, fuel range, outside temperature display and door locking/unlocking features (on uplevel models) – all standard.

Customers also have a choice of improved audio systems, all wîth standard XM Satellite Radio, a six-speaker system and an auxiliary input jack for MP3/iPod playback. The choices include:

• AM/FM stereo wîth CD player

• AM/FM stereo wîth CD/MP3 player and Radio Data System (RDS)

• AM/FM stereo wîth six-disc in-dash CD/MPS and RDS

• AM/FM stereo wîth CD/MP3 player wîth DVD playback capability and RDS

• AM/FM stereo wîth CD/MP3 player wîth full-feature navigation wîth touch screen, voice control and RDS
Chassis and suspension


Equinox has one of the longest wheelbases in its class and is built on an optimized body architecture that helps provide a confident driving experience. The structure is complemented by an independent MacPherson strut front suspension and a four-link coil spring layout in the rear, for a smooth, comfortable ride typically associated wîth larger SÚVs. The rear suspension has a trailing arm as well as three additional locating links to facilitate a low, wide load floor and to maximize rear passenger space.

Electric power §teering is standard on LS, LT and LTZ models; it helps provide precise §teering control and performance, as well as enabling improved fuel economy because there is no engine-driven power §teering pump. An electronic control unit, calibrated for a variety of desired performance characteristics, controls an electric motor mounted on the §teering column to provide the precise amount of assist needed for any given driving situation. Its variable-ratio §teering delivers a responsive feel during highway driving and low effort for easier parking.

All Equinox models also are equipped wîth vented front disc brakes wîth dual piston calipers and rear disc brakes. Anti-lock brakes and traction control are standard.

Equinox Sport details

The Equinox Sport delivers a performance-inspired appearance, wîth specific body- color front and rear fascias and a body-color grille cross bar. The front and rear fascias have trapezoidal design cues; the front fascia uses silver-painted trapezoidal air inlets, while the rear fascia features dual chrome trapezoidal-shaped exhaust outlets. That performance-oriented look is enhanced by eliminating the roof rack, although it is offered as an option. Also, 18-inch flangeless, high-polished, forged aluminum five-spoke wheels, mounted on P235/50R18 tires, complement the aggressive stance.

Inside, the Equinox Sport has standard all-Ebony trim and appointments all its own. Heated seats wîth bolsters covered wîth Sport-specific unique cloth are standard, wîth perforated leather-covered versions available. It also has a leather-wrapped, four-spoke §teering wheel and specific instruments, including a 140-mph speedometer. The shifter also is unique to the Equinox Sport, its J-gate design enables precise control of the six-speed transmission's fully automatic or manual tap-up/tap-down features.

Equinox Sport is powered by a high-feature 3.6L V-6. It is a DOHC engine wîth variable valve timing that delivers 264 horsepower (197 kW)* and 250 lb.-ft of torque (339 Nm).* It is paired wîth the Hydra-Matic 6T70 six-speed automatic transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com) The performance is complemented wîth hydraulic power §teering and a performance-tuned suspension. A long, 112.5-inch (2,857 mm) wheelbase and wide, 61.8-inch (1,569 mm) track give the Equinox a stable, confident road feel, while the Sport's lowered ride height, specific shock tuning, control arms and larger, solid stabilizer bars add to its more responsive, sporting driving experience. The overall ride height is reduced by about 1 inch (25 mm).

The front suspension has a MacPherson strut design, wîth firm hydraulic bushings and springs. The front struts have internal rebound springs that improve roll stiffness and §teering sensitivity, while maintaining ride comfort. The rear suspension features a four-link independent layout wîth stiffer bushings.

Safety features

Standard dual-stage frontal air bags wîth GM's passenger sensing system, head curtain side-impact air bags and safety belt pretensioners complement the strong safety cage construction of Equinox. Dual-stage frontal air bags are designed to help reduce the risk of air bag-induced injury. The passenger sensors, located in the seat cushion, adjust the air bag deployment speed based on the occupant's weight.

The head curtain side-impact air bags act like a protective curtain when deployed, unfolding from the roof rail between the A-pillar and side window header to help provide protection for front- and rear-seat outboard passengers.

The pretensioners in the front safety belt system deploy at the same time as the frontal air bags to take up slack in the safety belt webbing. Pretensioners also help reduce the amount of occupant movement in the event of a crash to help reduce the risk of injury.

Equinox's rear seats are equipped wîth the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system anchors for child safety seats. This system provides two lower anchors and a top tether anchor in all three rear seat positions to be used to secure a child seat to the vehicle seat structure. These attachment points are designed to make it easier to properly install compatible child safety seats.

Equinox also has a standard tire pressure monitoring system. It alerts the driver when a significant reduction in pressure occurs in one or more of the vehicle's tires by illuminating a warning light on the instrument panel. The low tire pressure warning remains on until the tire pressure is corrected.

Electronic Trailer Sway Control

	Vital Stats
Engine : 3.4 L., 6-cylinder Power: 185 hp Torque: 210 ft-lbs Engine : 3.6 L., 6-cylinder Power: 264 hp Torque: 250 ft-lbs
5-speed Automatic

Standard StabiliTrak electronic stability control system wîth Electronic Trailer Sway Control helps drivers maintain control during sudden maneuvers or in low traction conditions by using a comprehensive series of sensors to measure acceleration, deceleration, §teering angle and yaw rate. By monitoring these inputs, the system automatically controls the vehicle to help maintain the driver's intended path when a measurable deviation from the intended course is detected. The system maintains control by regulating vehicle acceleration or applying the brakes at any wheel.

Electronic Trailer Sway Control is integrated into the StabiliTrak system and detects the occurrence of trailer sway that may be caused by improper trailer weight balance or excessive vehicle speed. Úpon detection of trailer sway, StabiliTrak will begin to apply brakes individually and independent of the driver applying the brake pedal, to assist the driver in stabilizing the vehicle, and the StabiliTrak activation telltale will flash to signal the driver to reduce vehicle speed. If trailer sway continues, StabiliTrak will reduce engine torque to reduce the speed of the vehicle.

OnStar