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DETROIT – Chevrolet announced the new 2008 Equinox Sport, a performance-oriented variant of the popular compact SUV.

It has an aggressive stance and a sporting nature, thanks to a lowered suspension, bold 18-inch wheels, a powerful, 263-horsepower (196 kW) DOHC engine – backed up with a six-speed automatic transmission with manual tap up/tap down control – a tuned exhaust and unique exterior appointments. Details such as body color fascias and the elimination of the roof rack contribute to the sleek design, making the Equinox Sport an uncompromising performance vehicle.

“The Equinox Sport embodies all of the value-driven performance ingredients that have made Chevrolet the brand for performance enthusiasts of all walks of life,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. “Better still, customers don’t have to sacrifice the versatility they expect from the Equinox – they simply get an SUV that hauls their friends and cargo with head-turning style.”

The 2008 Equinox Sport is scheduled to arrive at Chevrolet dealerships in the third quarter of 2007. Front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive models are available.

Design details

Using Chevrolet’s popular Equinox SUV as the foundation, the Equinox Sport delivers a performance-inspired appearance, with body colored front and rear fascias and a body color grille cross bar. The front and rear fascias have trapezoidal design cues; the front fascia uses silver-painted trapezoidal air inlets, while the rear fascia features dual chrome trapezoidal-shaped exhaust outlets.

The Equinox Sport’s performance-oriented look is enhanced by eliminating the roof rack, although it is offered as an option. Also, 18-inch flangeless, high-polished forged aluminum five-spoke wheels, mounted on P235/50R18 tires, complement an aggressive stance.

Inside, the Equinox Sport has standard all-Ebony trim and appointments all its own. New seats with bolsters that enhance lateral support during quick cornering maneuvers are standard, with perforated leather-covered versions available. It also has a leather-wrapped, four-spoke steering wheel and specific instruments, including a 140-mph speedometer. The shifter also is unique to the Equinox Sport, as it is a J-gate design that enables precise control of the six-speed transmission’s fully automatic or manual tap-up/tap-down features.

Standard features also include those for which the Equinox is already known and appreciated: five-passenger seating with a Multi-Flex, split-folding rear seat, flat-folding front passenger seat , power door locks with remote keyless entry, power windows, air conditioning, tilt steering, rear liftgate with defogger and washer/wiper, and an AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo with six-speaker audio system. XM Satellite Radio and remote vehicle starting also are standard. Available options include a power sunroof, Pioneer seven-speaker audio system and OnStar with Turn-by-Turn Navigation.

Performance

GM’s high-feature 3.6L V-6 powers the Equinox Sport. It is a DOHC engine with variable valve timing that delivers 263 horsepower (196 kW)* and 250 lb.-ft of torque (342 Nm)* – a 42-percent power increase over the Equinox LT. The 3.6L engine is paired with a new Hydra-Matic 6T70 six-speed automatic that provides an excellent balance between performance and fuel economy. This powertrain combination delivers performance that would be the envy of many sports cars, with an estimated 0-60 mph time of less than seven seconds.

The Equinox Sport’s underhood acumen is complemented with a performance-tuned suspension. A long, 112.5-inch (2,857 mm) wheelbase and wide, 61.8-inch (1,569 mm) track give the Equinox a stable, confident road feel, while the Sport’s lowered ride height, specific shock tuning, control arms and larger, solid stabilizer bars add to its more responsive, sporting driving experience. The overall ride height is reduced by about 1 inch (25 mm).

The front suspension has a MacPherson strut design with new control arms and stiffer, hydraulic bushings and slightly stiffer springs. The rear suspension features a four-link independent layout with stiffer bushings.

GM’s innovative StabiliTrak electronic stability control system, front and rear disc brakes with four-channel ABS and tire pressure monitoring system all are standard on the Equinox Sport – as they are on all Equinox models for 2007. On AWD models, the automatic all-wheel drive system has no buttons to push. It engages automatically when wheel slip is detected.

Chevrolet is America’s No. 1-selling automotive brand. With the largest dealer network in the United States , Chevrolet is the leader in full-size trucks and the leader in sales of vehicles priced $35,000 and above. Chevrolet delivers more-than-expected value in every vehicle category, offering cars and trucks priced from $9,995 to $78,175. Chevrolet delivers expressive design, spirited performance and great value with standard features usually found only on more expensive vehicles.

2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX SPORT PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS:

Overview

Models:
Chevrolet Equinox Sport FWD & AWD

Body style / driveline:
5-passenger, 4-door SUV , front-engine, front- or all wheel drive

Construction:
welded galvanized steel monocoque

EPA vehicle class:
compact sport utility vehicle

Manufacturing location:
Ingersoll , Ontario , Canada

Key competitors:
Toyota RAV4 Sport, Mazda CX-7

Engine

Type:
3.6L V-6 (LY7)

Displacement (cu in / cc):
217 / 3564

Bore & stroke (in / mm):
3.7 x 3.37 / 94 x 85.6

Block material:
cast aluminum

Cylinder head material:
cast aluminum

Valvetrain:
dual overhead camshafts, 4 valves per cylinder

Ignition system:
coil-on-plug

Fuel delivery:
sequential fuel injection

Compression ratio:
10.2:1

Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm):
263 / 196 @ 6500*

Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm):
250 / 342 @ 3100*

Recommended fuel:
87 octane

Emissions controls:
evaporative system, dual catalytic converters and positive crankcase ventilation

Estimated fuel economy

(city / hwy):
TBD

Transmission
Type:
6T70 6-speed automatic electronically controlled

Gear ratios: (:1):

First:
4.48

Second:
2.87

Third:
1.84

Fourth:
1.41

Fifth:
1.00

Sixth:
0.74

Reverse:
2.88

Final drive ratio:
2.77

Chassis/Suspension

Front:
independent MacPherson struts

Rear:
independent 4-link w/coil springs and trailing arm

Steering type:
hydraulic power rack-and-pinion

Steering ratio:
16.5:1

Steering wheel turns, lock-to-lock:
2.5

Turning circle, curb-to-curb (ft / m):
41.83 / 12.75

Brakes

Type:
power front and rear disc, standard anti-lock brakes

Rotor diameter x thickness (in / mm):
front: 11.65 x 1.02 / 296 x 26

Rotor diameter x thickness (in / mm):
rear: 11.93 x 0.79 / 303 x 20

Wheels/Tires

Wheel size and type:
18-inch high-polished, flangeless aluminum

Tires:
P235/50R18 all-season steel-belted radial blackwall tires

Dimensions

Exterior

Wheelbase (in / mm):
112.5 / 2857

Overall length (in / mm):
189.6 / 4816

Overall width (in / mm):
71.4 / 1814

Overall height (in / mm):
65.7 / 1669 (w/o roof rack); 67.9 / 1726 (w/ roof rack)

Track (in / mm):
front: 61.7 / 1568
rear: 61.8 / 1572

Approach angle (deg):
14.9

Departure angle (deg):
21.7

Breakover ramp angle (deg):
12.85 @ EPA mass

Minimum ground clearance (in / mm):
6.6 / 167.5

Curb weight (lb / kg):
FWD: 3908 / 1773
AWD: 4044 / 1835

Weight distribution (front / rear):
FWD: 59 / 41
AWD: 58 / 42

Interior
Seating capacity:
5

Headroom (in / mm):
front: 40.9 / 1038
rear: 40.1 / 1018

Legroom (in / mm):
front: 41.2 / 1048
rear: 40.2 / 1021

Shoulder room (in / mm):
front: 55.7 / 1414
rear: 55.9 / 1420

Hip room (in / mm):
front: 51.1 / 1298
rear: 51.4 / 1305

Capacities
EPA interior volume (cu ft / L):
138.6 / 3919

Passenger volume (cu ft / L)
106.4 / 3013

Cargo volume (cu ft / L):
Maximum behind rear seat:
Maximum behind front seat:

35.2 / 996.9
68.6 / 1942.8

GVWR, standard (lb / kg):
5114 / 2320 (FWD & AWD)

Payload, base (lb / kg):
1000 / 454 (FWD & AWD)

Trailer towing maximum (lb / kg):
3500 / 1588 (FWD & AWD)

Fuel tank (gal / L):
FWD 20.5 / 77.6
AWD 16.6 / 62.8

Engine oil (qt / L):
5.5 / 5.2

Cooling system (qt / L):
12.7 / 12

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