Stains Happen: 2018 Equinox Designed for Everyday Life

Stains Happen: 2018 Equinox Designed for Everyday Life

Stains Happen: 2018 Equinox Designed for Everyday Life

People turn to social media to share experiences and track the latest trends in fashion and design. So does Chevrolet.

When working on the 2018 Equinox’s interior, the design team crafted a comfortable, fashion-forward interior with features and materials developed for easier everyday use. During the process, they followed real people on Instagram and other social media channels, along with designers and lifestyle influencers, monitoring color and fabric trends as well as common consumer problems such as dark-wash denim staining other fabrics it touches — including new-vehicle seats.

“Many fashion trends disappear after a year of two, while the Equinox is designed for the long haul, making the durability of its materials very important,” said Mara Kapsis, color and trim designer for the 2018 Equinox. “By following real people and absorbing the little things in life that help or hinder them — such as photos posted of muddy paws, spilled drinks or stains on the seats — we learned more about how we could make the new Equinox easier to live with and enjoy every day.”

The 2018 Equinox interior offers a durable denim-like seat fabric that is easy to clean, or available leather seating surfaces with a new treatment that resists staining and scuffing.

The denim-like material’s appearance and color were inspired by contemporary trends in black denim clothing, while the material offers exceptional wear resistance and easy clean-up.

“The fabric is very durable, while the color and even the pattern help hide dirt and stains,” said Kapsis. “It’s also very easy to vacuum and clean, which saves owners time and helps keep the interior looking great year after year.”

As for the available leather-trimmed seats, the newly developed surface treatment makes it easier to clean any “bleeding” of other materials such as new jeans and annoying scuffs from black leather belts or boots.

“The Equinox is designed for the way our customers live,” said Kapsis. “Complementing its style with durable, easy-to-clean materials helps ensure it and its owners make a fashion statement every day.”

Fashion forecasting was also part of the process, as the design team needed to anticipate color trends about three years ahead of the Equinox’s launch, which is typical for vehicle design.

“More than anticipating where design will be when the vehicle is introduced, you’ve got to balance it with a timeless quality that will keep it looking modern for years to come,” said Kapsis. “There’s risk involved with that, but it paid off with the new Equinox.”

courtesy: media.chevrolet.com

Equinox Diesel Offers Expected Segment-topping 39 Mpg Hwy

Equinox Diesel Offers Expected Segment-topping 39 Mpg Hwy

Equinox Diesel Offers Expected Segment-topping 39 Mpg Hwy

Get ready to ghost your gas station. The 2018 Chevrolet Equinox offers an EPA-certified 39 mpg on the highway (FWD model) with the available 1.6L turbo-diesel engine.

That number is expected to top the segment in highway fuel economy, with greater highway mileage than the 2017 Toyota RAV4 hybrid and Nissan Rogue hybrid. A 577-mile cruising range (FWD) also means the Equinox diesel can drive farther between fill-ups, such as Chicago to Memphis, Tennessee, or Boston to Richmond, Virginia.

“Chevrolet continues to lead with technologies that offer customers more choice,” said Steve Majoros, marketing director for Cars and Crossovers. “Our three-engine turbo-charged Equinox lineup means we can provide drivers more options for the performance and efficiency they desire.”

The new turbo-diesel engine is part of Equinox’s trio of all-turbocharged propulsion systems. It is SAE-certified at 240 lb-ft of torque (325 Nm) and incorporates a variable-geometry turbocharger that helps generate strong torque at low rpm and more horsepower at higher rpm. The engine also features stop/start technology to optimize efficiency in stop-and-go driving and it is compatible with B20 bio-diesel fuel.

“It is very fun to drive, with torque on demand at all speeds,” said Dan Nicholson, vice president of Global Propulsion Systems. “In fact, the engine delivers 90 percent of peak torque between 1,500 and 3,250 rpm. The strong torque provides the feeling of a larger engine, with exceptional smoothness and quietness.”

The 1.6L is a clean-sheet redesign developed entirely within General Motors, including the engine control system. Development was driven from GM’s diesel product center in Torino, Italy, and involved more than 24,000 hours of computational analysis, while simulated and real-world testing totaled more than 4.35 million miles of driving.

About the 2018 Equinox

The all-new 2018 Equinox is a fresh and modern compact SUV featuring an expressive design, increased cargo space, the latest connectivity, expanded roster of available safety features and all-new range of turbocharged engines.

Purposeful technologies are designed to help keep passengers safe, comfortable and connected. Teen Driver is offered along with safety features such as Safety Alert Seat, Surround Vision, Forward Collison Alert with Following Distance Indicator and more.

The 2018 Equinox is on sale now, starting at $24,475 (including destination charge). Pricing for the turbo-diesel engine starts at $31,435 (including destination) when it goes on sale this fall. Tax, title, license and dealer fees extra.

courtesy: media.chevrolet.com