The automotive world will be getting a new Chevy Equinox bestowed upon it for the 2009 model year, and news from General Motors now places a 2.3L direct-injected four-cylinder engine underhood. Currently, the Equinox comes equipped with a boat-anchor of a base engine in the form of a 185-horsepower 3.4L V6 engine. Of course, there is nothing wrong with a pushrod engine, as long as its been suitably updated along the way -- which this one hasn't. The only way to get a more modern powerplant is to step up to the
Sport version with its 3.6L V6 with 263 HP, mated to a nice six-speed automatic tranny. A nice combo to be sure, but a little heavy on the 'go' side for fans of fuel savings.
The Equinox will be joined in 2009 by the
GMC Terrain, which replaces the Pontiac Torrent as the non-bowtie branded small CUV from GM. It likely goes without saying that the Terrain will also get the new four-cylinder engine. So far, we don't have specific details on the new engine from the General, but considering how good its 2.0 turbocharged DI engine is, we have high hopes that the 2.3 will be a worthy powerplant as well.
[Source: GM]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
HoosierRon 3:45PM (7/15/2008)
There is no Equinox SS. It is called the Equinox Sport. And while a new engine may come with the new Equinox, the new Equinox is not arriving in model year 2009. It is model year 2010.
Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy.
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tankd0g 3:29PM (7/15/2008)
Sorry GM, sticking a small motor in one of your tired old land yachts is not the path to better fuel economy.
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UH2L 4:48PM (7/15/2008)
To address the author, the 3.4 L V6 engine is relatively new so what are you talking about it not having been updated? It's based on the old 3400 V6 from 1999 but according to Wikipedia, (and this sounds right based on what I vaguely remember)...
The 3.4 L LNJ is a modified version of the normal 3400 engine. It includes a modified intake manifold, oil pan, engine cover, and fuel system as well as electronic throttle control.
I'm sure it gets better fuel economy than the Acura, (Honda) and Mazda 4 cylinder turbos that they use in their small SUV's.
tankd0g,
The Equinox may be based on an older platform but at 3,600 to 3,900 it's lighter than a lot of cars. So it's no "yacht". The BMW X6 which is much less functional weighs 5,000 lbs. That my friend, is a useless overweight vehicle.
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Jeremy Korzeniewski 4:56PM (7/15/2008)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_60-Degree_V6_engine
The current 3400 engine in the Equinox traces its roots all the way back to the 60 degree 2.8 from the early eighties.
It's been updated... but 185 horses from 3.4 liters means it ain't updated nearly enough.
It's not that the Equinox is a bad car... it's not. But that engine has got to go.
JK
why not the LS2LS7? 5:03PM (7/15/2008)
I'm a pushrod fan, but I'm not real hip to the GM 3.4L. Especially this older range. It came into being as a cheap engine, and it has been dragged along well behind the curve for quite some time.
And wasn't this the model that had all the manifold gasket failures?
I'm not sure how much GM can afford to spend on a motor for a low-end vehicle like this, but I'd love if they put a bit more effort into getting it up to date.
I do appreciate the fuel mileage it gets.
MikeW 6:23PM (7/15/2008)
Seriously, wackypedia.
The 3.4 makes a solid 190hp (GM did not bother accounting for electric power steering)
The 3.4 was supplanted by the 3.5 (see Pontiac G6 launch)
That 3.5 was replaced by a short stroke version of the 3.9) a new 3.5. (Saturn VUE 3.5 V6 222hp, 219ft-lbs)
So, the 3.4 is pretty old, and using a 5 speed automatic is pretty passe.
The 6t45 & 3.5 would be a quick, economical, and cheap powertrain.
UH2L 6:43PM (7/15/2008)
Sure it is one of GM's older engines and will be phased out soon so it does have to go, but it got the job done at a low cost. You shouldn't measure engines on just peak horsepower though. Useable torque at low rpm is what gives an engine driveability and that's the OHV's specialty. I'll have to admit it's not the most refined engine, but I have a family member who has an Impala with the 3.4 L and they have been very happy with it. 30 mpg highway for a large sedan is great.
6t45 & 3.5 would be a quick, economical, and cheap powertrain is right but I'm all for four cylinder engines.
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UH2L 6:49PM (7/15/2008)
Sure it is one of GM's older engines and will be phased out soon so it does have to go, but it had been updated recently and it got the job done at a low cost. You shouldn't measure engines on just peak horsepower though. Useable torque at low rpm is what gives an engine driveability and that's the OHV's specialty. I'll have to admit it's not the most refined engine, but I have a family member who has an Impala with the 3.4 L and they have been very happy with it. 30 mpg highway for a large sedan is great.
6t45 & 3.5 would be a quick, economical, and cheap powertrain is right but I'm all for four cylinder engines.
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GenWaylaid 8:15PM (7/15/2008)
In defense of the 3400 V6, I've found it to be a decent engine. I drive an Olds Alero, a c. 3200 lb. car, and it regularly returns 30 mpg at highway speeds. Even pulling a 1500 lb. trailer the mileage only drops to 28 mpg. I suspect the secret is that the 3400 lump never has to work very hard at speed, but just putters around 2000 rpm. I do wish my city mileage was better than 22 mpg, but the highway is where I do most of my driving anyway.
And yes, there was that one time three years ago when all the coolant boiled out the head gasket, but I complained hard enough that GM paid for the repair.
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mkon 10:25AM (8/06/2008)
The existing mild-hybrid system from Saturn Vue will be a better option to along with this model.
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