GM’s tire pressure monitoring system on the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain has, as per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, failed to meet federal standards. The two models are being recalled by GM for repair.

Equinox and Terrain models built between July 18 and September 6 totaling 33,964 units are impacted by the recall. A sticker placed on the driver-side door jamb has the build date for the vehicle on it.

The two popular models have been growing in sales since they hit dealers in 2010, with the Equinox up 33% from September 2010 as of this September, and 45% for the same time frame on the Terrain.

In the next few weeks the recall will begin, as poor tire pressure can lead to blowouts, crashes, and other issues, like a decrease in fuel economy. Chevrolet can be contacted for further information at 800-630-2438. GM dealers will be correcting the problem at no cost to the owner.

- By: Alexandra Koken

The navigation system goes beyond its directional duties to include Bluetooth, music, local weather forecast, and comes with three months of SiriusXM NavTraffic. USB and auxiliary inputs allow the driver to connect their devices easily and an SD card reader is available for photos that can be displayed when the vehicle is in park.

GM’s navigation system engineer Dave Bonjanowski says “Terrarin’s Color Touch Navigation System is practical, purposeful technology with a high-tech look and feel at an economical price point compared to competing systems,”

The system comes with a smaller price tag then its competition at $795.

Check out the video after the jump.

- By: Alexandra Koken

The 2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist, which starts at $29,960, delivers up to 37 mpg highway fuel-economy. The new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco will also utilize the eAssist system 2.4L Ecotec direct-injection 4-cylinder.

According to sources, GM’s popular crossovers, the Chevrolet Equinox and the GMC Terrain, will soon get eAssist technology. When? The eAssist system will be offered on the 2014 Equinox and Terrain and will be the same system used by the LacRosse and Malibu.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: GMI

GMC is implementing the automotive industry’s premiere collision avoidance technology in the upcoming 2012 Terrain SUV.

The new system assists in preventing front-end and lane departure crashes with a high-resolution digital camera that is attached to the rear-view mirror. As it keeps an eye out for lane markings and vehicle shapes, it alerts the driver with both a visual and audible warnings if lanes are being changed without signal or if the vehicle gets too close to another.

Data from the National Automotive Sampling System puts rear end crashes at about 6 million annually, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is firm about the cause being distracted drivers, and believes this system can help.

General Motors Technical Fellow for the systems comments “Digital image sensors are used in just about everything from cameras to mobile phones to computers and this is making them a more-affordable alternative for use in vehicles. By combining a digital camera with state-of-the-art image processing algorithms, we’re able to estimate when a crash may be imminent.”

At a rate of 14 frames per second, the system can quickly identify an approaching issue and alert the driver, as it also charges the breaks for a more rapid response from the driver.

GM’s executive director of Vehicle Safety and Crashworthiness, Gay Kent, says “GM is committed to providing protection before, during and after a crash, but the bet scenario is to avoid a collision in the first place, and this technology is designed to assist drivers for that purpose.”

- By: Alexandra Koken

The Chevrolet Equinox and the GMC Terrain are very popular sellers for General Motors. The automaker has added as many a 100 workers to its Canadian plant that builds the two crossovers as demand shows no signs of slowing down.

According to Dan Borthwick, president of Canadian Auto Workers Local 88, GM added 100 workers to its assembly line at its CAMI Automotive Inc. plant in Ingersoll, Ontario.

Borthwick said that the move will increase production by more than 50 vehicles a day, to more than 1,100 units a day. The plant has been running three shifts and Saturday overtime shifts for nearly 2 years to meet high demand, he said.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Automotive News

We’ve heard it before and today we’re hearing it again. GMC has plans to build the Granite Concept crossover to GMC’s lineup as a production model. Pegged to be a step down from the Terrain Crossover, the GMC Granite is said to appeal to buyers with “urban lifestyles” and will compete with the likes of the Scion xB and the Kia Soul.

First time at egmCarTech? Visit our home page for the latest news.

The concept had a 1.4L four-banger that was turbocharged and had a six-speed manual transmission. We haven’t heard of any confirmed news in terms of the power and drivetrains, but we can ponder about the possibility of a 2.0L turbo four-banger with the option of a 2.5L naturally aspirated four-pot.

Other details have yet to be release, but as usual, more news about the Granite should come out as time passes by.

Other than that, GMC has plans to add a Denali version of the Terrain in 2012 for the 2013 model year followed by a Terrain eAssist mild hybrid in 2013 for the 2014 model year. A new GMC Yukon is due in 2013 for the 2014 model year followed by a new redesign Acadia for the 2015 model year. The GMC Sierra will be redesigned and reengineered for the 2014 model year in 2013.

- By: Chris Chin

Source: Automotive News

2011 GMC Terrain Active Noise Cancellation

If you must pass gas in your vehicle when riding with other passengers, don’t buy a GMC Terrain. If you want to save gas and have a nice quiet interior, than definitely look into purchasing one. A new active noise cancellation technology in the GMC Terrain enables it to deliver an EPA-rated 32 mpg in highway driving while ensuring the driver in one of the quietest interiors in its segment.

“On the highway, Terrain easily tops the 28-mpg rating of Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Ford Escape,” GM said in a statement.

“The use of active noise cancellation for fuel economy benefit on Terrain is among the first at GM,” said Paul Beaker, program engineering manager for GMC Terrain. “It has strong potential for implementation on other four-cylinder vehicle programs.”

How does it work? GM engineers chose to lower the 6-speed transmission’s gear shift points to enable the Ecotec 2.4L four-cylinder engine to run at lower rpm torque in the GMC Terrain. While in ‘Eco’ mode, which the driver can activate with a click of a button, the torque converter clutch engages at lower engine speeds to help preserve gas. The move does improve fuel efficiency by up to one mpg, but it also creates a low-end frequency boom. To counteract that boom, engineers added a noise cancellation system that relies on two microphones embedded in the headliner to detect the hum and prompt an onboard frequency generator to create counteracting sound waves through the audio system’s speakers and sub-woofer.

So next time you think about passing gas in the car, make sure it doesn’t have a noise canceling feature.

Click here to read our review on the 2010 GMC Terrain.

Review: 2010 GMC Terrain:

All Photos Copyright © 2009 Omar Rana – egmCarTech.

- By: Omar Rana

Thanks for the tip George.

2011 Chevrolet Equinox LTZ

General Motors announced today that it is recalling close to 98,000 units of the 2011 model year Chevrolet Equinox, GMC Terrain and Cadillac SRX. The recall is being taken because the front seatbelts could become loose in a crash, which could lead to injury. The problem was discovered during seatbelt development tests in Sept. and the two incidents that occurred during the tests were on the driver’s side seatbelt.

A total of 97,843 vehicles are being recalled in the United States including 59,606 Chevrolet Equinox models, 25,674 GMC Terrain models and 12,563 Cadillac SRX models.

GM will start notifying owners of the vehicles involved in January. All of the repairs will be paid for by GM.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: CNNMoney

2010 GMC Terrain

General Motors announced today that sales of the GMC Terrain are continuing at a rapid pace as it enters its second model year. GM said that in the first seven months of 2010, the Terrain has consistently taken just 13 days to turn on dealer lots. That figure compares with 28 days for the rest of the compact SUV segment and 51 days for all vehicles.

“We’ve had an outstanding response to the Terrain since it launched last Fall,” said Lisa Hutchinson, GMC Product Marketing Director. “The Terrain is attracting new buyers to the brand who are looking for an SUV that offers fuel economy, exterior and interior styling, quality and safety that maintain GMC”s reputation for engineering excellence.”

GM also said that the Terrain appeals to women more than any other GMC product, which is pretty obvious since GMC is not really known for making female oriented vehicles. Approximately 46 percent of buyers of the Terrain are women, which is more than 20 percentage points higher than the overall brand.

Click here to read our review on the 2010 GMC Terrain.

Review: 2010 GMC Terrain:

All Photos Copyright © 2009 Omar Rana ““ egmCarTech.

- By: Omar Rana

GMC Granite Concept

GMC, has been known as a brand that gets rebadged Chevrolet pickups and SUVs with more content. However, now that General Motors only has four brands (Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC), the truck/SUV brand is reinventing itself to target younger buyers.

It was reported earlier this year that GM has approved the Granite Concept, which was unveiled at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, for production. GM quickly responded to the report right away saying that it hasn’t announced anything official but with the warm reception that the Granite received in Detroit, we’d be surprised if GMC decided against producing the compact model.

According to Automotive News, if GM does plan to produce the model, look for it to hit markets in 2013.

Other than that, the GMC Terrain crossover may get a high-end Denali version in the 2012 model year along with a possible hybrid variant in the 2014 model year. The GMC Acadia will be refreshed in 2012, followed by new versions of the Yukon and Yukon XL in 2013.

GMC Granite Concept:

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

General Motors said today that it will be adding additional production of the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox and 2010 GMC Terrain in order to meet growing customer demand of the hot-selling crossover/SUVs. GM said Equinox/Terrain combined sales are up 100% in Canada and 128% in US over last quarter.

The Detroit automaker will be adding a third shift to support Chevrolet Equinox production in Oshawa on the Consolidated Line in October and is expected to help the return of approximately 600 employees to the plant. At CAMI, all laid off employees will soon be recalled and the additional body shop volume required to support the Equinox build in Oshawa is expected to result in the need for approximately 70 new jobs, at CAMI by August of this year. The plan also enables CAMI to increase GMC Terrain volumes.

Click here to read our review on the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox.

“This plan for CAMI and Oshawa allows us to meet customer demand for hot products while avoiding a potential production over-capacity situation by creatively using our assets and facilities,” said Mark Reuss, president of GM North America. “This innovative approach enables us to ramp up in a timely and cost-effective way and highlights the importance of these plants and communities in our North American plans.”

2010 Chevrolet Equinox:

2010 GMC Terrain:

- By: Omar Rana

In a statement released today, GM announced that they will be investing $C 90 million to re-tool CAMI Automotive’s West Body Shop plant in Ontario, Canada. According to DetNews, the investment plan will boost production of the GMC Terrain and Chevrolet Equinox by about 40,000 units and recall about 150 laid-off employees.

“This investment is an excellent example of what happens when you get the product right.” said GM Canada’s president, Arturo Elias. “If the product is right, everything else follows ““ increased production, increased employment and strong market demand.”

The Equinox and Terrain are two of GM’s best-selling models. So far this year, GM has sold 63,850 vehicles.

Check out our review of the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox and the 2010 GMC Terrain review here.

Review: 2010 GMC Terrain:

Review: 2010 Chevrolet Equinox:

- By: Stephen Calogera

All Photos Copyright © 2009 Omar Rana ““ egmCarTech.

Last month the folks over at GM were good enough to let us test-drive the direct-injected, 4-cylinder, 2.4L 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. This month though, we were given a week with the Equinox’s Theta platform sibling, the 2010 GMC Terrain. Though the two cars share the Theta platform, the 2010 Terrain has considerably more power that the Equinox; a 3.0L V6 engine that puts out 264 horses.

The two cars are similarly priced, though the 2010 Terrain offers an sharper and more aggressive exterior. Regardless, both models have exactly the same interior and power train lineup. So what”s the point of offering two very similar SUVs with similar pricing under one company umbrella? According to GMC”s General Manager Susan Docherty, the GMC brand is evolving and is looking to break into offering a product lineup that is appealing to a wider market (rather than those just interested in load hauling SUVs or pickups), including those looking for fuel-efficient family vehicle. The 2010 Terrain replaces the body-in-frame GMC Envoy as the brand’s entry-level SUV, and also replaces the Pontiac Torrent. Both the Envoy and the Torrent were sold in the same dealerships prior to GM dropping the Pontiac brand.

Click through to read more and to view the high-res image gallery (at the bottom of the post).

Review: 2010 GMC Terrain:

2010 GMC Terrain FWD Specifications:

Base Price: $24,995.
Price as Tested: $29,930.
Engine: 3.0L V6 DOHC SIDI – 264-hp/222 lb-ft of torque.
Transmission: 6-Speed automatic.
Curb Weight: 3,798 lbs.
0 to 60 mph: 7.4 seconds.
Fuel-Economy: 17/25 mpg (city/highway).

Exterior:

The 2010 Terrain sits at the bottom of the GMC lineup, just below the Acadia, as the brands smallest SUV offering but don’t be thrown by that; the bold, muscular design with fender flares provide for a very aggressive stance.”We wanted to carve the GMC Terrain away from the pack and establish its identity as a powerful, fresh crossover SUV with a confident and strong stance,” said John Cafaro Jr., director of exterior design, Global Crossover Vehicles. “Everything about the Terrain communicates a sense of tailored toughness and passionate craftsmanship.”

In our opinion, GMC hit the nail right on the head as far as exterior styling goes, though some may not be attracted to the angular styling and excessive design elements such as the three-tier grille and rectangular headlight housings with their chrome accents. Standard exterior features include; deep tinted glass, heated power side-view mirrors, 17-inch painted aluminum wheels (18″ and 19″ optional), roof rack side rails, fog lamps and body-color door handles.

Those who are attracted to the ‘bling’ look should opt for the Chrome Exterior Appearance Package which includes; chrome door handles, luggage rail inserts, grille, mirrors, and body-color bumpers with chrome rear skid plates.

Interior:

If you’ve seen the inside of the 2010 Chevy Equinox, theres not much left to tell you about the Terrain. Save for a red LED lit dash, ambient lighting, and GMC logo on the steering wheel, the interior is exactly the same to that of the Equinox. The premium cloth seats were even straight out of the Equinox, whose interior we’ve already reviewed. Since we’ve already done a more in-depth analysis of the same interior when we reviewed the 2010 Equinox, here is a basic rundown of standard and optional features available on the 2010 GMC Terrain.

The very base 2010 GMC Terrain SLE-1 (base price of $24,995) comes with an impressive list of standard features including:

• A rear-view camera system (embedded into the rear-view mirror).”¨”¢ AM/FM/XM Stereo with CD player and a USB port.
• MultiFlex sliding rear-seat (rear seat can be moved fore and aft nearly 8 inches increasing rear-passenger leg room or rear cargo capacity).
• 60/40 split folding rear seats.
• Driver information system (displays fuel-range, average fuel-economy, instantaneous fuel-economy, average speed and many other functions.
• One year of OnStar.
• Air Bags, Dual stage front driver & passenger with passenger sensing system; Head curtain side air bags (1st & 2nd row).
• Manual single-zone climate control.

Our 2010 GMC Terrain SLE-2 (base price of $26,595) came with everything from the SLE-1 trim plus:

• Premium cloth seating.
• Standard Bluetooth connectivity.
• 8-speak Pioneer sound system with subwoofer and amplifier.
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel with mounted audio and cruise controls.
• 8-way power driver seat.

For more customization and your other needs, GMC offers optional equipment including:

• Convenience Package ($440): Includes remote start and heated front driver and passenger cloth seats.
• Cargo Package ($245): Includes rear cargo cover, cargo convenience net, luggage crossbars.
• Rear Seat Entertainment System ($1,500): Includes Dual display, remote control, AUX jack, 2 wireless headsets (requires Convenience Package).
• Audio System with Navigation ($2,145): AM/FM/XM stereo, CD player with MP3/WMA playback capability, 7-inch touch-screen Color Interface Display, enhanced DVD based navigation with voice recognition, 40 GB Hard Drive.

Compared to its rivals which include the Ford Edge, Nissan Murano, and the up-level Honda CR-V and Toyota Highlander, the Terrain comes rather well-equipped. One feature we loved on the Equinox also made it into the Terrain; a dedicated child lock button on the center console right next to the door lock control button.

Performance:

All 2010 GMC Terrain models come standard with a 2.4L inline 4-cylinder direct-injection engine, delivering 182-hp with a maximum torque of 174 lb-ft (only option offered on the SLE-1 models). It is the same engine that we had a chance to test on the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox 1LT, which means that the Terrain returns the same 22/32 mpg (city/highway) fuel-economy. Of course, if you”re concerned about efficiency and are not worried about fast acceleration (0-60 mph in 8.6 seconds), this is the power-train choice for you. However, if you want more power GM offers an upgraded 3.0L V6 direct-injected VVT engine for an additional $1,500, which is he engine that we were fortunate enough to have for a week.

The 3.0L V6 produces 264-hp and a peak torque of 222 lb-ft. Mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, the V6 brings the Terrain from 0-60 mph in 7.8 seconds. Of course, the 264-hp engine offers faster acceleration, a more responsive feel, and more towing power. When mated to a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine the 2010 GMC Terrain offers a max towing capacity of 1,500 lb. When mated to 3.0L V6, that number is more than doubled as the towing capacity boosts to 3,500 lb. The 3.0L V6 is also decently fuel efficient compared to its 6-cylinder rivals with its 17/25 mpg EPA estimate. During our week long test, we realized a combined fuel-economy of 20 mpg.

Reverting back to the 2.4L 4-cylinder model: Not many are aware of it, but this model carries GM”s first application of the company”s Active Noise Cancellation technology. The system uses microphones to detect booming sounds inside the vehicle and sends counteracting sound waves through the speakers to ensure a quiet driving experience at all speeds. Now we”re not sure if that same technology is applied to the 3.0L V6 model, but the overall drive quality remains comfortable and smooth, keeping the cabin of the V6 2010 Terrain very quiet.

All 2010 GMC Terrain models come standard with front-wheel-drive, and for $1,750, an all-wheel-drive system is optionally available.

Overall:

If you happen to be in the market for a mid-size crossover SUV, put the 2010 GMC Terrain on your list of vehicles to test-drive. if the $24,995 starting MSRP isn’t enough, consider the impressive features that come standard on the vehicle.

Review: 2010 GMC Terrain:

- By: Omar Rana

All Photos Copyright ©2009 Omar Rana ““ egmCarTech.

It’s that time of the year again – when Motor Trend picks the “Motor Trend SUV of the Year” for the year 2010. Last year’s award went to the 2009 Subaru Forester. It seems as though this year, Motor Trend has focused most of its attention on luxury SUVs. Either way, stay tuned for the winner who will get all the bragging rights in their new ad campaigns.

Let us know who you think should win in the comments section after the jump.

Click through for the list.

2010 Motor Trend SUV of the Year Contenders:

Acura ZDX
Audi Q5
Cadillac SRX
Chevrolet Equinox
GMC Terrain
Lexus RX
Lincoln MKT
Mercedes GLK
Subaru Outback
Toyota 4Runner
Volvo XC60

- By: Omar Rana

As you can see, we’ve been a bit slow at posting today (and we deeply apologize for that). However, it’s mainly because we are spending our last day with the 2010 GMC Terrain and are running around doing the photo shoot for the crossover before it goes back later tonight. Keeping with tradition, it’s time for us to provide you with some fun facts before the full-review due out next week.

Fun Facts about the 2010 GMC Terrain SLE2:

- Starting MSRP comes in at $25,850: Our 2010 GMC Terrain SLE2 carried a final price tag of $29,930 with the 264-hp 3.0L V6 ($1,500), 18-inch aluminum wheels ($250), Sunroof, tilt and sliding ($795) and Trailing Equipment ($350).
- Power: 264-hp 3.0L direct-injected V6 mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission.
- EPA fuel-economy estimated at 17/25 mpg (city/highway): We averaged a combined fuel-economy of 20.0 mpg over the full week.
- Key competitors: Nissan Murano, Toyota Highlander, Volvo XC60, Ford Edge, Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-7, Hyundai Veracruz.

We’re still taking questions from you guys so ask us anything you want to know about the 2010 GMC Terrain and we’ll get it answered for you. As always, if you’re looking for a quicker response – send us a Tweet.

2010 GMC Terrain SLE2 (Weekly Test-Drive):

- By: Omar Rana

All Photos Copyright © 2009 Omar Rana ““ egmCarTech.

Let’s face it. Even though you may end up loving the exterior of a vehicle, you spend most of your time “living” inside of it. With that in mind, the 2010 GMC Terrain interior does not disappoint. In terms of quality, the inside of the GMC Terrain uses very solid an sturdy materials for the interior construction.

The red stitching in the seats and the glow of the red ambient lighting also add a luxurious feel to the Terrain. That luxurious theme is carried into the “floating” center stack, which is also highlighted with a red ambient light, that houses ergonomically placed controls. One thing we like the most is the dedicated child-lock button. For women that are considering purchasing a compact SUV, the dedicated child-lock button is a great option offered by the Terrain.

The best part of the interior? It’s extremely comfortable. The standard MultiFlex sliding rear seat can be moved fore and aft nearly 8 inches increasing rear-passenger leg room or rear cargo capacity. The 60/40 split offers a number of configurations for the passengers and cargo. The rear cargo offers a total of 31.6 cubic feet of storage, along with one of the Terrains four AUX power outlets.

Some answers to the questions we were asked on Friday:

Pat: What kind of fuel-economy are you averaging with the V6 as compared to the 4-cylinder Equinox?

In the 182-hp 2010 Chevrolet Equinox 4-cylinder model we averaged a total of 23 mpg throughout the week. In the 264-hp 2010 GMC Terrain V6, we managed to average 20.9. While that may sound pretty good, we want to point out we’ve been driving a lot on the highway. EPA estimated fuel-economy for the FWD V6 powered 2010 Terrain comes in at 17/25 mpg (city/highway).

GMfan87: What things do you like better about the terrain than the equinox?

The 2010 GMC Terrain has a tighter steering feel than the Equinox, which we absolutely love. Another thing we like about the GMC Terrain is the red ambient lighting – the Equinox had ice-blue ambient lighting.

2010 GMC Terrain (Weekly-Test Drive):

- By: Omar Rana

All Photos Copyright © 2009 Omar Rana ““ egmCarTech.

For the next 7 days, I will be test-driving the all-new 2010 GMC Terrain. The Terrain joins its Chevrolet Equinox and Cadillac SRX siblings as GM’s latest competitor in the compact crossover/SUV segment. So join me in welcoming the 2010 Terrain to the egmCarTech garage and make sure you ask me all the questions you want answered in our daily updates (you guys should really take advantage of it).

First impressions: The interior on the 2010 Terrain is gorgeous – in fact, the only reason we love it so much is because it’s the exact same interior on the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox we recently tested but with a little more ‘solid’ feel. In terms of exterior appearance, the GMC Terrain offers luxurious touches with chrome inserts in the grille, around the grille, around the fog lamps, side view mirrors and a couple of other areas. It has a very aggressive and bold body style, which some may admire and others may shy away from. Our test 2010 GMC Terrain SLE2 is priced at $29,185 and is powered by 3.0L direct-injected V6 making 264-hp, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. So far ride-quality is very impressive – one thing I love the most is the tight steering feel, which many American cars seem to lack.

The Terrain is also offered with a 2.4L 4-cylinder direct-injected engine making 182-hp. That trim-level gets an estimated EPA estimated 32 mpg on the highway. Prices for the base 2010 GMC Terrain start at $24,995 for the FWD model with the 182-hp 2.4L 4-cylinder.

As usual, I’ll be providing you with daily updates about the new 2010 Terrain. Make sure you ask me all the questions you want answered. If you’re looking for a quick reply send me a Tweet at our Twitter account.

2010 GMC Terrain (Weekly Test-Drive):

- By: Omar Rana

All Photos Copyright © 2009 Omar Rana ““ egmCarTech.

During a live web chat on GM’s FastLane blog, Susan Docherty, General Manager of Buick and GMC, said that the company has no plans to offer a diesel or Denali version of the 2010 GMC Terrain.

Answering questions from consumers, Docherty said that there are “no current plans for a Denali version” for the Terrain. “In terms of Denali trim for the Terrain, something to consider, however we have packed Terrain with lots of standard features and equipment that would appeal to a Denali buyer,” she said.

“We are not considering building a Buick’ version of the Terrain/[Chevrolet] Equinox,” she said.

GM recently pulled the plug on a Buick version of the Terrain and Equinox (Chevrolet) after getting negative feedback from the media and consumer groups.

2010 GMC Terrain:

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Inside Line