GM unveiled the plug-in hybrid SUV Chevrolet Equinox Plus at the Beijing Auto Show specifically for the Chinese market.
In due course, a comparable model will likely face in the US. This new SUV is the outcome of GM and SAIC's (Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation) cooperation.
Its combination of a 188-horsepower electric motor and a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine produces about 365 horsepower.
Impressive acceleration to 100 kph (62 mph) in less than seven seconds and an electric driving range of up to 155 km (96 miles) on the Chinese test cycle characterize the Equinox Plus.
The SUV has many battery pack configurations; the top model has a 24.4-kWh battery that offers a higher electric range;
the less expensive models have a 16.5-kWh battery that provides a slightly shorter range.
In the United States, plug-in hybrids like the Equinox Plus are becoming increasingly popular as they compromise conventional-
gas-powered and electric vehicles. They provide a safety net against the little infrastructure for EV charging.
Though General Motors hasn't formally announced the Equinox Plus for the American market, its design and chassis resemble those of the gas-
powered Equinox, making its introduction comparatively simple and affordable.
With GM's intentions to increase the number of its hybrid cars and the growing market for them,
there's a strong likelihood that the Equinox Plus or a comparable model will soon be offered in the US.
In general, GM's shift to more hybrid and plug-in hybrid alternatives reflects how the auto-
industry is changing as it works toward a more environmentally friendly future.
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