Swagger coming to showrooms
HOLDEN PLANS LAUNCH OF TWO NEW SUVs
Holden says it will introduce some “American swagger” into its showrooms with the launch of two new SUVs, the five- seater Equinox and the seven- seater luxury Acadia.
The medium- sized Equinox arrives in Holden showrooms in November, replacing the ageing Captiva SUV.
The larger Acadia is still being adapted for the Australasian market and will arrive in Holden New Zealand showrooms next year. There will be three variants of the Equinox, powered by either a 2- litre or 1.5- litre turbo petrol engine, or a 1.6- litre turbo diesel engine.
All Equinox models will have a nine- speed automatic transmission, and will be built in Mexico.
However Holden is at pains to insist neither the Equinox nor Acadia are is a traditional “Yank Tank”.
Instead, Holden engineers have spent years contributing to the specification of the Equinox, helping to create a world- class, better- handling, vehicle more suited to Australasian conditions.
Driven drove a camouflaged, pre- production 2- litre version of the Equinox at Holden’s Lang Lang proving ground near Melbourne this week.
Holden engineers are still refining the suspension and other aspects before production of right- hand- drive versions begins.
The Equinox proved agile on a slalom course at the proving ground, pulling away quickly and incredibly smoothly from a standing start.
There was plenty of feel in the steering and the Equinox rode well over a variety of surfaces, rough and smooth.
Holden engineers also showed two early pre- production and partially camouflaged models of the larger seven- seater Acadia, to be introduced next year.
Pre- production work to adapt the model for the Australasian market is not as advanced as the Equinox.
Both models are important for Holden, broadening its SUV range as it transitions from the rearwheel- drive Australianmanufactured Commodore sedan.
Holden’s director of communications, Sean Poppitt, told journalists babies may be cute but Aussies don’t love them as such as they love their SUVs. Last year in Australia a new baby was born every 101 seconds, while a new SUV was bought every 70 seconds.
“Such is the surging popularity of the SUV market,” he said.
SUVs now accounted for 40 per cent of the Australian market, with Holden already offering the small Trax SUV, and the more rugged seven- seat 4x4 Trailblazer in the New Zealand market. They will be joined by the high- tech Equinox and the luxurious Arcadia.
“The Acadia in particular will add some real American swagger to the Holden showroom,” he said.
The Equinox has been designed and developed in North America but Holden engineers say they have been involved in developing the car since its inception six or seven years ago.
Australasia will be the only market for right- hand- drive models in the world.
Unique suspension hardware, damper and steering tuning have been developed to suit the Australiasian market.
Holden is keeping drivetrain details of the Acadia under wraps until closer to its launch date next year, but in North America the model is powered by a V6 motor, and is available in both front wheel drive and all wheel drive models.
Holden NZ said detailed specifications and pricing of the Equinox would be available closer to its November launch. The Acadia will reach New Zealand next year.