The automotive world will be getting a new Chevy Equinox bestowed upon it for the 2009 model year, and news from General Motors now places a 2.3L direct-injected four-cylinder engine underhood. Currently, the Equinox comes equipped with a boat-anchor of a base engine in the form of a 185-horsepower 3.4L V6 engine. Of course, there is nothing wrong with a pushrod engine, as long as its been suitably updated along the way -- which this one hasn't. The only way to get a more modern powerplant is to step up to the Sport version with its 3.6L V6 with 263 HP, mated to a nice six-speed automatic tranny. A nice combo to be sure, but a little heavy on the 'go' side for fans of fuel savings.

The Equinox will be joined in 2009 by the GMC Terrain, which replaces the Pontiac Torrent as the non-bowtie branded small CUV from GM. It likely goes without saying that the Terrain will also get the new four-cylinder engine. So far, we don't have specific details on the new engine from the General, but considering how good its 2.0 turbocharged DI engine is, we have high hopes that the 2.3 will be a worthy powerplant as well.

[Source: GM]

Click on the image for a gallery of high-res images of the 2008 Astra

General Motors is officially retiring the era of the plastic bodied Saturn with the introduction this week of new Saturn Astra. The new entry level Saturn is coming this fall courtesy of the gang in Russellsheim, Germany. Surprisingly the two and four dour hatchback versions of the c-class German will be the only versions available stateside, at least at first, since the four door sedan, wagon and retractable hardtop convertible won't be crossing the pond. Aside from the Saturn badges the car is unchanged from the Opel right down to the radio. The engine will be a 140hp version of the 1.8L Ecotec four cylinder, mated up to either a 5-speed stick or 4-speed auto-box. GM will be showing the car this week in Chicago and we'll be bringing you lots of live coverage from show floor. In the meantime check out the press release after the jump and a gallery of high-res press shots.



[Source: General Motors]