Three days after GM announced that it would rapidly and extensively deploy its fuel-efficient nine-speed transmission in China, with 13 GM models adopting the technology by 2020, the Chevrolet Equinox will be the first model to get the unit.

The Equinox is equipped with the nine-speed automatic transmission when mated to a 2.0L twin-turbo engine, which delivers maximum output of 191 kW and peak torque of 353 Nm. It can accelerate from 0 to 100kph in 7.8 seconds.

The new nine-speed has a wider 7.6:1 overall ratio – the difference between the first gear ratio and the top gear ratio – compared to the six-speed transmission, with a ‘deep’ first gear that supports excellent off-the-line acceleration and a ‘tall’ top gear for low-rpm highway cruising. That balance, says GM, optimises acceleration and fuel economy and reduces engine noise during cruising.

The Equinox comes standard with a 1.5T engine combined with a six-speed automatic transmission. This engine yields maximum output of 132 kW and peak torque of 275 Nm. It delivers strong performance that is on par with larger-displacement naturally aspirated engines common in mainstream midsize SUVs. In addition, thanks to stop/start technology, this model offers best-in-class fuel efficiency of 6.7 L/100 km.

The Equinox is GM’s best-selling SUV globally. Since its debut in 2004, more than 2.4 million have been sold worldwide. It is one of the more than 20 new or refreshed products that Chevrolet is introducing in China through the end of 2020.