Spy Shots: GM's super Thetas from Chevy and Pontiac
The Chevy Equinox and Pontiac Torrent, General Motors' two badge-engineered SUVs based on the Theta platform, are about as vanilla as sport utilities come. Therefore, we've been eager to learn more info about high performance versions the General has in the works. The Equinox one will be badged as an SS model, while the Torrent's will be either a GT or GXP. Both models sport larger wheel/tire combos that look neatly tucked in their wheel wells thanks to a lowered suspension. Each ute's front fascia will also be modified with additional air intakes that butch up their rather boring mugs. What we're really interested in is the powerplant that GM has decided to stuff into these two vehicles. Replacing the rather weak 3.4-liter V6 that produces 185 horsepower in the Equinox and Torrent will be GM's high-tech 3.6-liter V6 producing 275 horsepower. That's a big bump of 90 horsepower that will surely change the flavor of these Thetas. [Source: Cheers and Gears]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Daily Blog Tips 3:48PM (11/12/2006)
I agree that the added horsepower will definitely change the appeal of the car, at least for some "power users" out there.
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Chrome 5:48PM (11/12/2006)
I'm sure that's a typo. These will have the GM corporate 3.6L DOHC V6 mated to the new 6-speed automatic.
Looks like GM is finally getting interesting!
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chuck 6:23PM (11/12/2006)
It's about Time that chevrolet came to their sences and is coming out with anew Grill on the pickups those V-SHAPED Grills look like XXit and I feel sorry for the people that are stuck with those cheap ugly looking trucks. I may now consider a pickup or HHR PANEL.
CD
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BOB 6:35PM (11/12/2006)
More of GM putting a better dress on a pig, until they can come up with exciting and COMPETITIVE models. I hope that will be soon.
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Whydrive 7:57PM (11/12/2006)
rob, who gave you the right to drive? maybe you're the asshole folks yell at.
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Joe Gakenheimer 8:11PM (11/12/2006)
That is a big deal, those things will fly! It would be nice to see an LT edition with the bigger engine too; but you know the General.
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rob 10:34PM (11/12/2006)
Nope. Sorry. I pay attention, I don't have a cell phone, I always use my signals, and I stay in the right lane unless I'm passing. SUV drivers do none of these things.
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MikeW 11:08PM (11/12/2006)
The 3.4 makes more than 185hp.(190-195) GM never re-rated it from minivan duty where it has hydraulic power steering and a crappy intake and exhaust.
Suzuki XL-7
3.6 V6 252hp 243 ft-lbs Aisin-Warner 5 speed automatic 2.48 axle ratio
New 'feature' this year, TALLER GEARING 2.48 axle ratio from 2.7. This will make the 3.4/5 speed automatic feel like crap so the people will demand the new engine.
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Bill maher is an Idiot 11:25PM (11/12/2006)
rob was raped by multiple SUV drivers, who gloated about it on cell phones. Then he had AIDS.
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Darien Allen 8:06AM (11/13/2006)
Great generalizations there rob... of course people who drive cars never do any of those things, and ALL SUV drivers do ALL of those things. :rolleyes
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That One Person 10:20AM (11/13/2006)
#9 MikeW...Suzuki is using the DOHC 3.6 that GM is putting in everything. But Suzuki builds the 3.6 themselves. It is a totally different engine than the 3.4. The 3.4 is Chinese built and is a pushrod design. The 3.5 and 3.9 liter V-6s that GM uses are basically larger versions of the 3.4.
Anyways, these things were in need of power. The 3.4s werent cutting it.
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MikeW 11:18AM (11/13/2006)
The 3.4 with the 2.7 axle ratio moved the front drive version pretty well, ~16@85 in the 1/4
But hey, GM traded driveability for rear disc brakes.
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Jon 8:53PM (11/13/2006)
This is a good idea. The SUV will appel to mom and the SS will appeal to dad, making both happy. The equinox is a great value, especially compared to the toyota highlander.
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MikeW 10:40AM (11/15/2006)
Not really. The equinox has horrible headlights, no steering feel, red rear turn signals, no four wheel drive-it uses a gerotor and clutch pack system, but it does have a nice rear suspension design, and the transmission selector- P RNDIL-if 'I' for intermediate locks out 1st and 5th, that would be useful for winter driving, 'L' would be good if the brakes failed or severly faded (it had rear drums) The front drive has a large 20 gallon tank, but the pump/clutch pack drivetrain models only have a 16 gallon. The steering ratio is nice and slow for off roading, but how many people do that.
Sure the highlander could use a new powetrain lineup, a 2.5 liter & 3.0 liter V6 as standard for front drive and four wheel drive, but the old 3.3 moves around nicely on 91 AKI fuel, and has a 19 and change gallon gas tank. The steering ratio is overly quick at 16:1, and the spare wheel is full sized. The wheelbase is shorter, but the weight distribution is better.
Neither is appealing.
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