Like the upcoming Chevy Volt, the release of the Chevrolet Equinox will be closely watched as GM desperately needs popular models to boost sales at dealerships and put consumer perceptions back on track. The 2010 Chevrolet Equinox is almost here, but already a new hybrid model is said to become available for the 2011 model year.
With General Motors facing major financial challenges, it has been forced to get rid of a number of brands under its huge umbrella. One of these brands is Saturn, which includes the Saturn Vue Hybrid SUV. As one of the most affordable hybrid SUVs available, the Salt Lake City service and parts specialists believe that GM realized the same system should also be implemented within the upcoming Equinox to better provide the fuel efficiency that consumers demand.
With Saturn’s sale to Penske Automotive Group, GM realized they needed the technology behind the Vue hybrid, and upcoming Volt plug-in hybrid, to reduce fleetwide fuel economy and appease eco-conscious car buyers. Luckily says Louisville Auto Loans, even despite Saturn’s sale, the automaker will retain the technology and utilize it quickly for the upcoming Equinox and other vehicles.
For 2011, the Chevrolet Equinox will feature a 3.6-liter V6 engine and a two-mode hybrid drive system. The new system will differ slightly from the existing system featured in the Saturn Vue according to one used car dealer Hartford because the Equinox’s engine is a larger than the Vue’s 3.0-liter unit.
The engine for the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox hybrid will be mated to an Electrically Variable Transmission (EVT). This transmission us currently used by other hybrids within GM’s lineup, such as the Chevy Tahoe and Silverado pickup. With hybrid SUVs costing significantly more than gasoline-only models, it’s hard to predict how successful the Equinox will be. After all, just look at the Vue hybrid’ sales.
Volvo Dives into Plug-in Hybrid Technology
Volvo has been struggling amid slumping global sales, but that hasn’t stopped the automaker from diving into research and development. One such as product of its R&D efforts is a new plug-in hybrid that will be due by 2012. Volvo has committed itself to producing a high mileage diesel-electric plug-in hybrid, but it has yet to confirm its plans to sell the vehicle in the U.S.
Lexus ES Still Critical to Luxury Brand Lineup
As one Lexus’ most popular models, there will be plenty of drivers that will be happy to see a revamped Lexus ES 350 coming to showrooms later this month. While it may not be a full redesign, the updating certainly brings needed enhancements.
Euro Civic Type-R Teases U.S. Consumers
In the U.S., Honda is mostly known for producing somewhat conservative, economical cars. However, the image of Honda outside of the States is far more performance oriented. This is attributed to a range of models that can be had overseas, but remain unavailable here.
