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2.0-liter turbo four reportedly returning to Chevrolet Equinox line-up for 2022

Chevrolet's popular Equinox crossover will enter the 2021 model year with comprehensive updates and a turbocharged, 1.5-liter four-cylinder as its only available engine. The 2.0-liter turbo four offered through 2020 is allegedly leaving the line-up, but it will be replaced for 2022 with a newer engine that produces slightly less power while returning better fuel economy, according to a recent report. Called LSY internally, the new 2.0-liter turbo four already powers the Cadillac XT4, among other models in the General Motors portfolio. Enthusiast website GM Authority learned it will deliver 237 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 258 pound-feet of torque from 1,500 to 4,000 rpm. For context, the 2.0-liter available through 2020 (known as LTG) made 252 horses and 260 pound-feet of twist, and the 1.5-liter posts figures of 170 and 203, respectively. As a trade-off for the slight drop in horsepower and torque, the LSY is smoother, quieter and cleaner than the LTG it replaces. Transmission options remain unconfirmed, but the four-cylinder will likely shift through a nine-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive will come standard, and all-wheel drive will be offered at an extra cost. Chevrolet hasn't commented on the report; it hasn't even confirmed the Equinox is losing the LTG engine for 2021. If the rumor is accurate, details about the 2022 Equinox should be released during the first half of 2021. GM Authority added the GMC Terrain, which is closely related to the Equinox, will receive the new engine for 2022 as well. Both should have gotten it for 2021, but the on-going global pandemic delayed its launch. Related Video:

GM cutting Chevy Sonic, Buick Verano production [UPDATE]

UPDATE: A previous version of this story indicated that Orion Assembly would be idled for seven weeks, from February 16 through April 6. This was incorrect. The factory will instead only be idled for the weeks of February 16 and April 6. The story has been edited to reflect this. General Motors has announced that the factory responsible for the Buick Verano and Chevrolet Sonic will be idled for the weeks of February 16 and April 6, with blame being placed on excess supply. The Orion Assembly plant, about 45 minutes north of GM's Renaissance Center headquarters, employs about 1,800 people, but they'll be given a pair of furloughs as inventories of the sub-compact Sonic and premium compact Verano reach 127 days and 84 days, respectively. That works out to 26,600 Chevys and 9,800 Buicks waiting for buyers. According to Automotive News, the compact Chevy sales bested the industry average in 2014, jumping up nine percent versus the the overall segment's eight-percent gain, while the Buick sedan's sales were down four percent. When asked about the shutdown, a GM spokesman told AN that it will "build to market demand," while also pointing out that the company did not comment on production plans. News Source: Automotive News - sub. req.Image Credit: Bill Pugliano / Getty Images Plants/Manufacturing Buick Chevrolet GM buick encore orion assembly

Expect greater differentiation in GM's next-generation SUVs

General Motors says its next-generation Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade models will offer shoppers improved interior differentiation. Car and Driver recently caught up with Chris Hilts, GM's creative manager of interior design, who said that the cabins will all feature unique instrument panels, consoles, center stacks and switchgear moving forward. Apparently GM is now aware that consumers may be bothered by the fact that today's $85,000 Escalade has effectively the same cabin as a $45,000 Tahoe. Hilts says SUV buyers want more refinement than their pickup purchasing counterparts - and those same buyers also want their SUVs to have more exterior differentiation between the company's Silverado and Sierra pickup lines. Shocking.
That all sounds good to us, but we've heard this song and dance before. GM made big waves about how different the new-for-2013 Silverado and Sierra would look from each other, but judging by what we've seen so far, GM's stylists are painting in shades rather than with the full spectrum. For more on the what to expect out of GM's new SUVs, click on the C/D link below.