SPY SHOTS! Chevrolet Equinox SS

[Flybrian]

SPY SHOTS! 2008 Chevrolet Equinox SS

A C&G Exclusive!

Cheers and Gears has paid for the rights to use these photos. Please link to the URL OF THIS TOPIC AND NOT HOTLINK OR REHOST THE IMAGES if you wish to share! Thank you!

Cheers and Gears has paid for the rights to use these photos. Please link to the URL OF THIS TOPIC AND NOT HOTLINK OR REHOST THE IMAGES if you wish to share! Thank you!

Just when you thought Chevrolet SSed everything it could, here comes another for next model year.

Chevrolet's Equinox gets a boost in power and a mild exterior facelift with the SS trim level. From the outside, changes are modest with an grille that appears larger and more aggressive and a completely new lower front fascia. Note the new trapazoidal lower intakes remeniscent of the brake cooling ducts on the Silverado and Trailblazer SS flanking the new, larger main lower intake. It also appears that the Equinox has eschewed its large horizontal chrome bar in favor of a body-colored treatment similar to the Trailblazer SS. Although covered, expect chrome exterior door handles. Unseen here, the rear of the Equinox SS will be revamped to sport new dual exhaust tips. Also note the slightly lowered ride height, giving the Equinox a more aggressive stance.

This Equinox's interior has been kept under wraps leading one to believe that a revision is in the works, perhaps in the arena of trim and design. Whether this is the case or not remains to be seen, but the unmasked interior of the Torrent GXP shown seperately keeps open the possibility.

Expect more power from the 'high-feature' 3.6l V6, 275hp to be exact. This powerplant is likely to be mated with a 5-speed automatic transmission used elsewhere in the GM family.

As with the Torrent, production is slated to comment in July, 2007 as a 2008 model. Expect the first public look at either the Chicago or New York Auto Show, although an early showing by either this or the Torrent GXP at Detroit is not out of the question.

Special thanks to Chris Doane for the photography and information!

[Variance]

Damn, even less interest than the Torrent thread has mustered.

I don't have a great feeling about these...

[ToniCipriani]

I wonder why they didn't put the Hydrogen face on it.

[mjd1001]

I wonder why they didn't put the Hydrogen face on it.

214774[/snapback]

I really do hope they mean it will get the new 6 speed automatic, not the 5.

[jbartley]

cool!

off topic. what's that in the background right? mazda cx-9?

nm, i answered me own question.

Edited November 12, 2006 by jbartley

[Bimmer325]

The CX-9 in the background looks good.

Caught it at it's best angle.

[Paolino]

God, you'd think a refresh would be in order to get rid of that God-awful chrome bar across the nose.

[ocnblu]

Seems... ok I guess. The proof will be in the pudding. 0-60, quarter mile, braking distance, skidpad numbers...

[ZL-1]

I wonder why they didn't put the Hydrogen face on it.

214774[/snapback]

Because by using the Hydrogen face (actually Torrent-with-Chevy-badge face) people would be reminded of the nonsense the Torrent is.

[mjd1001]

God, you'd think a refresh would be in order to get rid of that God-awful chrome bar across the nose.

214797[/snapback]

While the bar will still be there, I'm pretty sure it won't be chrome. Under the Camo, it appears it will be body color, and that would hold true to how Chevy did the Trailblazer SS also.

[caddycruiser]

Looks good, and I'm glad the front didn't change too much, because the Equinox is still one of the best looking GM's from every side and angle.

Throw in a bettering interior, tighter suspension/steering, and finally the 3.6L & 6-speed, and you should get even more buyers clamoring for one.

Especially put side to side with a "refreshed" new '08 Escape/Mariner...

[mjdecker]

Could have been worse.. at least we're not getting this.

[CSpec]

Could have been worse.. at least we're not getting this.

214866[/snapback]

Hahaha how true.

I don't really see the point of this supposedly Super Sporty SS model. It should just get a powertrain upgrade--the Equinox is way too heavy and long to be sporty in any sense.

And I agree the CX9 looks excellent in the background.

[turbo200]

Could have been worse.. at least we're not getting this.

214866[/snapback]

hold it, that's the new SS-R version GM has coming out.

I agree with most here, Equinox needs to stay away from the SS badge, and all the lineup should receive suspension/handling/steering upgrades since one of the universal complaints on this car is the lame drive. The 3.5 or 2.4 should become the standard engine, and the 3.6 should be standard. The interior should receive upgrades, and the front end should be freshened with body-color chrome bar and more attractive/current headlight housings.

Torrent should be differentiated by having the 3.6 standard. It should also make room for an optional 6-spd manual, even if it doesn't sell initially, it can help build credentials. Eventually, I would love to see Zeta used for 7 pass crossovers to compete with the likes of CX-7 and MDX [sRX is a competitor for these, I know, but price it below SRX and make it the performance on the cheap model for Pontiac].

Edited November 12, 2006 by turbo200

[Member55]

I really do hope they mean it will get the new 6 speed automatic, not the 5.

214782[/snapback]

IIRC the only 5 speed made by GM is used in the Sigma vehicles and Solstice. That transmission is RWD/AWD so it can't be used in the Equinox. MY guess it will be the new 6 speed.

[Member55]

Youre not recalling correctly.

215051[/snapback]

They have more than one 5 speed?

[Northstar]

They have more than one 5 speed?

215066[/snapback]

The one in the Torrent and Equinox is an Aisin produced 5-speed.

[Member55]

The one in the Torrent and Equinox is an Aisin produced 5-speed.

215067[/snapback]

Yeah, I know, That's why I said made by GM in my origional post.

Edited November 13, 2006 by Member55

[regfootball]

275hp and 6 speed and new interior and this could be a very enticing vehicle......now that we have seen the porky weight numbers on the edge.

[I hope GMRULES again]

Only problem is that they need a better motor in the regular versions and not just in the top of the line model that will probably account for less than 10% of all sales which will leave the Nox of a lot of peoples shopping list.

[Drew Dowdell]

Only problem is  that they need a better motor in the regular versions and not just in the top of the line model that will probably account for less than 10% of all sales which will leave the Nox of a lot of peoples shopping list.

215285[/snapback]

Why? The base engines of it's competitors are all 4-bangers. While the 3.4 that is currently in there isn't exactly a barn burner, it's no slouch.

[I hope GMRULES again]

Why? The base engines of it's competitors are all 4-bangers. While the 3.4 that is currently in there isn't exactly a barn burner, it's no slouch.

215296[/snapback]

I know its no slouch but it has too much baggage. Now the XL-7 has our 3.6 standard and we're stuck with the dated (that's what all the experts say) 3.4. As with too many GM products you have to move to to top model to get the decent engine. Keep the 3.4 in the base truck so it can compete with the comps 4cyl models like you say but at least make the 3.6 standard on the LT perhaps.

[american_driver]

I'd buy one!

[american_driver]

I'd buy one!

216634[/snapback]

For my wife!!!

[Intrepidation]

Eh, the front end is still not that great...that CX-9 on the other hand, is sexy. How sad is it that there's more positive remarks about a background, non GM vehicle than the one we're supposed to be noticing?