GM TO ADD EASSIST TO CHEVY EQUINOX AND GMC TERRAIN

By Zach Bowman, Autoblog.com - General Motors is aiming to improve fuel economy performance on both the Chevrolet Equinox and the GMC Terrain by integrating the company's eAssist hybrid system, according to GM Inside News. The report cites multiple unnamed sources indicating that the hybrid crossovers will debut for the 2014 model year, and that they will utilize the same eAssist system found on sedans like the Buick Regal, Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Malibu. The system pairs a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine with a 15 kilowatt electric motor and a 115-volt lithium-ion battery pack.

So far, GM has priced its eAssist models identically to the company's V6 offerings. If that trend continues, buyers will have their choice of fuel-efficient crossovers without having to endure a price penalty. As you may recall, the Buick Lacrosse eAssist yields an estimated 9.4 L/100 km city and 6.6 L/100 km highway, which we're guessing wouldn't be too far off of what a front-wheel drive Equinox or Terrain eAssist would be capable of returning.