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Redesigned rsquo18 Chevy Equinox going on sale in firstquarter 2017 in North America
<p><strong>Redesigned &rsquo;18 Chevy Equinox going on sale in first-quarter 2017 in North America.</strong></p>

Chevy Betting on ’18 Equinox to Shine

The automaker is hoping fresh sheet metal, a snazzy interior and extensive new features in the areas of safety, driver assistance, connectivity and powertrain will turn the tide for the &rsquo;18 Equinox.

CHICAGO – On this first day of fall, Chevrolet produces its own autumnal Equinox in hopes the next-generation midsize CUV can find sunlight once again in this booming segment.

Since the Chevrolet Equinox launched in March 2004, sales have totaled more than 2 million units and the 5-passenger utility vehicle was No.1 in the sector some months.

But rivals such as the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Nissan Rogue and Ford Escape have nudged the Equinox into the darkness in recent years. Through August, all those vehicles have trounced the Equinox, which has tallied 158,475 deliveries, while the segment-leading CR-V has mustered 231,609 sales, according to WardsAuto data.

Chevrolet is hoping fresh sheet metal, a snazzy interior and extensive new features in the areas of safety, driver assistance, connectivity and powertrain will turn the tide for the ’18 Equinox.

Going on sale in the first quarter of 2017 in North America, the new Equinox is expected to be available in 115 additional markets globally by year’s end.

Power comes from three available turbocharged 4-cyl. engines, including 1.5L and 2.0L gasoline mills mated to General Motors’ new 9-speed automatic transmission. The automaker says the 1.6L diesel will be the only one available in the segment.

The new CUV sheds about 400 lbs. (180 kg) compared with the prior-generation vehicle, and the new switchable all-wheel-drive system disconnects from the rear axle when not needed in an attempt to reduce fuel consumption.

Carrying forward many of the design cues and sculpted, aerodynamic shapes seen in the Chevrolet Volt, Malibu and Cruze, the new Equinox features chrome trim on all models and springs from an all-new architecture.

Like the Malibu and new Chevy Trax, the instrument panel is designed to appear “down-and-away,” slanting toward the windshield to create spaciousness.

New interior elements include available denim-style seat fabric and rear seats that tilt forward, allowing folded seatbacks to lie flat.

Chevrolet’s latest connectivity technologies included 7- and 8-in. (18- and 20-cm) MyLink infotainment systems designed to support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as an available OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot.

New available driver-assistance systems include Surround Vision; Forward Collision Alert with Following Distance Indicator; Low-Speed Forward Automatic Braking; Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert; and Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert 

Teen Driver mode also is offered, allowing parents to set controls and review an in-vehicle report card in order to encourage safe driving habits, even when they are not in the vehicle. 

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