Autoblog

Promising the best possible fuel economy for whichever type of vehicle its customers choose, GM's Bob Lutz and Ed Peper trotted a full lineup of green vehicles from their arsenal. The Aveo5, Impala E85, Malibu Hybrid, Tahoe Hybrid, Silverado Hybrid, Volt, Equinox Fuel Cell, Beat and Groove were used to show off that Chevy will be the brand carrying the greenish flame most prominently into the future for GM. Lutz talked about having a whole range of options available to meet future trends, from hybrids, to flex-fuel burners, to fuel cells, to electrics like start/stop technology and good old-fashioned economy cars that get great fuel economy.

How often do we see a so-called "sports" version of a car where the manufacturer has clearly forgotten the "sports" part? The Chevrolet Malibu SS comes to mind (along with many others), but GM says "No more!" having over-diluted the SS label.

According to global design VP Ed Welburn, "Not every car that has some extra features and fancy racing stripes can be an SS".

Witness the new Equinox Sport, whose lack of an extra "S" on the label seemed conspicuous when we reported on its debut just days ago. Although it's packing a throaty 263-hp V6, Chevy evidently wanted not to over-sell it and over-use the SS label, and so they didn't. (The thought that they could bolt on s supercharger or shoe-in a V8 for a future SS is mouthwatering, though pure speculation at this point.)

We just hope the Equinox Sport (and other modestly-named performance models) will be met in the marketplace with enthusiasm, because this is the kind of integrity we could stand to see more of from manufacturers.

[Source: Detroit News via Motor Authority]

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]

The US Army took delivery of the first Chevy Equinox fuel-cell vehicle yesterday during a Washington, D.C. ceremony that marked the kickoff of GM's new Project Driveway initiative. Maj. Gen. Roger A. Nadeau (above), commander of the US Army's Research, Development and Engineering Command, was on hand to accept the keys from GM's Larry Burns and Senators Carl Levin (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).

The fuel-cell Equinox will be used for general transportation duties on bases in Virginia and California, and will afford the military additional real-world experience regarding FCV operation, maintenance and logistics. The Army and GM have a history of woking together with FCVs, the most recent example being the Silverado Fuel Cell Truck y into service last year.

In a somewhat humorous aside, the joint press release issued by GM, the Army, and Senator Levin's office notes that the Equinox will be used for "non-tactical" purposes. Hello? It's an Equinox alternative-fuel vehicle. Saying that it's not intended for tactical use is akin to taking out an ad in the newspaper to tell readers the sky is blue.

It's also apparent that not all the Project Driveway FCVs have the new-look face seen on the press photos released last week by GM. The Army's machine (right) has the enlarged grille opening and added intakes in the front bumper, but it's obviously a variation on the old Equinox front end. Looks like a facelift may be on the horizon.

(Press release after the jump)

[Source: GM]

General Motors yesterday unveiled plans for "Project Driveway", a field market research project that will place 100 hydrogen-powered fuel-cell vehicles with customers across the United States. A diverse cross-section of customers with varied driving environments will be chosen to participate in California, New York and DC, with a target for delivery in fall 2007.

The fuel-cell vehicles are based on the Chevy Equinox crossover, and aside from the alternative powertrain, include all the usual features.

Hydrogen power is a significant development in that its only emissions are given off in the form of pure water. One significant problem this poses in cold-weather climates is that the "exhaust water" freezes, making this solution a bit problematic when the thermometer dips below freezing. But GM claims that its Equinox Fuel Cell vehicle will operate in cold climates. The development, manufacturing and testing of the vehicles is taking place at three GM facilities in the Canadian province of Ontario, so they had better work or they'll never make it out of the factory.

(Read the complete press release after the jump)

[Source: GM via AutoblogGreen]

General Motors has announced in the past plans for 14 crossovers, and it looks like deliverance is near. The automaker says it's planning some compact crossovers for the global market to be produced in Thailand, Mexico or India, and will market the vehicles under the Chevy, Saturn, Opel, and maybe even GMC and HUMMER brands. The vehicles, based on a shortened version of the platform under the Saturn Vue (pictured) and Chevy Equinox, should hit the market sometime in 2009.

[Source: Edmunds InsideLIne]

That's the best guess of Autoblog reader Johnathan Stein who runs the blog How Bourgeois. He snapped these spy shots of a lightly camouflaged Equinox with his Treo. It hardly appears as if any modifications have been made to the front and rear that are under wraps, but Stein notes that nearly all badging had been covered with tape, including on the wheel caps, and this Equinox was wearing big five-spoke rims that resemble the six-spoke ones on the Trailblazer SS. Could an Equinox SS be in the works? We think it's certainly possible as the SS moniker has been liberally applied across Chevy's lineup, although these shots don't provide much proof either way.

[Source: How Bourgeois]