GM to Unwrap ’10 GMC Terrain CUV at New York Auto Show

General Motors Corp. plans to unveil the ’10 GMC Terrain, a previously expected midsize cross/utility vehicle, at next month’s New York International Auto Show.

The Terrain represents the second North American vehicle off GM’s revamped Theta Epsilon CUV platform, joining the new-for-’10 Chevy Equinox arriving at dealers later this year. Existing models of the Saturn Vue and overseas-market Opel Antara utilize a shorter-wheelbase version of the same platform.

GM will produce the Terrain, which slots in under the Acadia large CUV in GMC’s portfolio, alongside the Equinox at the auto maker’s Ingersoll, ON, Canada joint venture assembly plant. With the addition of the Terrain, GM discontinues production of the Pontiac Torrent.

The Terrain is expected to carry the same blocky, muscular lines of other products in the truck-centric division, but its powertrain lineup remains unclear.

However, the new Equinox receives an all-new, 2.4L direct-injection 4 cyl.-engine and 6-speed transmission combination expected to achieve highway fuel economy of 30 mpg (7.8 L/100 km), and a 3.0L direct-injection V-6, which also is new for ’10.

Expectations also are for both front-wheel and all-wheel-drive setups, as with the new Equinox, but rumors suggest the Terrain could add a third row to push its seating capacity to seven.