Chevy Eqinox Eco Coming With EAssist Hybrid, GMC Terrain to Follow

Colum Wood
by Colum Wood
2011 Chevrolet Equinox LTZ. X11CT_EQ022 (06/22/2010) (United States)

General Motors is preparing to take more steps to add hybrids to its different vehicle lineups, adding it’s eAssist technology to both the Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain.

According to GMInsideNews the plan to hybridize the two crossovers was initially scheduled to be included in the 2014 model change, but has now been pushed up, meaning we’ll see the high-mpg versions before then.

The reason for the about-face is reportedly due to a desire to keep eAssist production healthy. With the Malibu Eco (the eAssist model) launching first, GM fears the introduction of a cheaper non-hybrid 2.5-liter 4-cylinder version will drastically reduce demand for the eAssist-equipped model. In order to avoid any lull in production, the eAssist-equipped Equinox and Terrain will be set into production early.

In the Malibu Eco, the eAssist system uses a 15-hp electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack mated to a 180-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine to deliver 26-mpg in the city and 38-mpg on the highway. A similar system fitted to either crossover could produce numbers that are close.

Expected to arrive in 2013 as 2014 model year vehicles, look for the eAssist-equipped Equinox to wear the Equinox ‘Eco’ badge.

[Source: GMI]

Colum Wood
Colum Wood

With AutoGuide from its launch, Colum previously acted as Editor-in-Chief of Modified Luxury & Exotics magazine where he became a certifiable car snob driving supercars like the Koenigsegg CCX and racing down the autobahn in anything over 500 hp. He has won numerous automotive journalism awards including the Best Video Journalism Award in 2014 and 2015 from the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). Colum founded Geared Content Studios, VerticalScope's in-house branded content division and works to find ways to integrate brands organically into content.

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  • Andresparra Andresparra on Apr 07, 2013

    se tiene programado venderlo en COLOMBIA? cuanto costaria y cuando llega. se ve muy buen vehiculo ojala lo traigan a colombia

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