Holden introduces diesel-powered Equinox

GM HOLDEN has added a diesel engine to its recently-introduced Equinox mid-size SUV range, with the new option commanding a $3000 premium over equivalent petrol-powered variants.

The 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel unit produces 100kW of power and 320Nm of torque and is exclusively paired to a six-speed automatic transmission with torque convertor.

Its claimed fuel consumption on the combined cycle test is as low as 5.6 litres per 100 kilometres, depending on the chosen variant, while braked towing capacity is 1500 kilograms.

Comparatively, among the pre-established turbo-petrol four-cylinder options, the 1.5-litre develops 127kW/275Nm and drinks 6.9L/100km, while the 2.0-litre makes 188kW/353Nm and sips 8.2-8.4L/100km.

The diesel is not available in the Equinox’s entry-level LS grade, instead kicking off from $35,990 before on-road costs in LS+ form.

Stepping up to the mid-range LT variant commands a $39,990 charge, while the flagship LTZ and LTZ-V variants check in at $47,290 and $49,290 respectively.

In diesel guise, the LS+ and LT variants are front-wheel drive, while the LTZ and LTZ-V variants are all-wheel drive.

Standard equipment in the LS+ grade includes 17-inch alloy wheels, dusk-sensing headlights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, LED daytime running lights, power-folding and heated side mirrors, keyless entry and start, and front foglights.

Inside, a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, a six-speaker sound system, a leather steering wheel and gear lever, an electric park brake and cloth upholstery feature.

Advanced driver-assist safety technologies extend to forward collision warning, low-speed autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, high-beam assist, cruise control, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera.

Stepping up to the LT adds 18-inch alloy wheels, front parking sensors, an 8.0-inch MyLink touchscreen infotainment system, satellite navigation, dual-zone climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a 4.2-inch multi-information display and heated front seats.

The LTZ further includes 19-inch alloy wheels, digital radio, a Bose sound system, wireless smartphone charging, park assist, a hands-free power tailgate, LED tail-lights, roof rails, chrome-accented exterior doorhandles, leather-appointed upholstery, rear heated seats and a power-adjustable driver seat with memory functionality.

Meanwhile, the LTZ-V also picks up a panoramic sunroof, a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats and a power-adjustable passenger seat.

According to Holden executive director of marketing Kristian Aquilina, the new diesel powerplant is a sound choice for customers in the market for an oil-burning mid-size SUV.

“The new 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engine boasts leading efficiency while remaining so smooth and refined, you forget you’re driving a diesel,” he said.

“The turbo-diesel joins the 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engines currently sold in the range, meaning we’ve got an Equinox to suit every taste, and with our extended seven-year warranty, now is a great time to buy.”

The Equinox, including its just-launched diesel variants, is currently available with a promotional seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and seven years of roadside assist until the end of June this year.

Sales of the Equinox in its first full-year on the market have been slow, with 1581 examples sold to the end of April, including 506 deliveries last month alone.

This effort places the Holden 11th in the sub-$60,000 mid-size-SUV segment this year, trailing the Mazda CX-5 (8329 units), Toyota RAV4 (7017), Nissan X-Trail (6897), Hyundai Tucson (6441) and Honda CR-V (5468), among others.

2018 Holden Equinox diesel pricing*

LS+ (a)	$35,990
LT (a)	$39,990
LTZ (a)	$47,290
LTZ-V (a)	$49,290

*Excludes on-road costs