SUV will be sold at selected dealerships and may even be signed

After much excitement, many manufacturers have now understood that electrification will not be introduced at the same speed as planned a few years ago. Several reasons contributed to this new scenario, such as consumer adaptation, the recharge network and the reduction of tax incentives in some markets.

However, the process progresses. Chevrolet, for example, is focusing on high-end models in its new electric phase in the country. After present the Blazer EV, which costs R$479 thousand, is launching the Equinox EV, which costs R$419 thousand. Both use a modern platform (Ultium), have improved construction and even the marketing is special.

With more than 600 dealerships in Brazil, Chevrolet began a project to specialize some stores to offer premium service. Therefore, only 31 were initially selected for this. In Bahia, Grande Bahia, in Salvador, and Topvel, in Vitória da Conquista, were the first to be named.

Upon arriving at these dealerships, the customer will find two Chevrolet vehicles that hark back to the brand’s luxurious past. Since Opala and Omega, for example, when sophistication was one of the manufacturer’s main pillars in the country.

In the case of the Equinox EV, the configuration that reaches the national market uses two motors, one on each axle. This option makes the crossover an all-wheel drive vehicle and is one of its assets. The explanation is simple: electric vehicles have an almost instantaneous torque – almost because it is necessary to wait for the pressure on the accelerator to reach the engines and from them to the wheels – and having force on both axles better equalizes traction, promoting more control of the vehicle.

To complete this package, the two engines together deliver 292 hp of power and 46 kgfm of torque. The practical result is acceleration from zero to 100 km/h in just 5.8 seconds and a recovery from 80 to 120 km/h in 4.8 seconds. The 85 kWh battery offers a range of 443 kilometers according to the Inmetro cycle and its recharging speed is up to 22 kW (AC) and 150 kW (DC), around 3.5 times more efficient compared to other models.

In order to increase the perception of superior quality of the Equinox, Chevrolet added some technologies, such as adaptive cabin climate control. The environment can be pre-adjusted by day and time according to the user’s routine, who will notice that the temperature of the air conditioning, steering wheel and seats adjusts automatically according to the external climate.

Another innovation is the fact that this crossover is fully connected. In other words, it does not require a smartphone to design applications and online maps, for example. It exclusively uses the built-in Google system with integrated navigation specific to EVs, including indicating the vehicle’s range at the destination and possible charging points.

This information is shown on the multimedia center screen, which is 17.7 inches and makes up the virtual cockpit, along with the 11-inch instrument panel. The connectivity package also includes native Wi-Fi, OnStar protection and telemetry services, an application to control Equinox functions remotely and remote updating of electronic systems.

Chevrolet’s two new EVs, Blazer and Equinox, have attributes – and prices – of premium vehicles. If the company manages to correctly implement marketing, it will compete well with rivals such as BMW and Volvo.

Both are on pre-sale, with deliveries to follow, including for GM Fleet subscription plans. For this leasing program that includes maintenance, insurance and taxes, the Equinox costs from R$11,649 per month and the Blazer, R$13,299.

* THE JOURNALIST TRAVELED AT GM’S INVITATION