Chevrolet Express

Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana
Manufacturer General Motors
Production 1996–present
Predecessor Chevrolet Van / Beauville
GMC Vandura / Rally
Body style van
First generation
Manufacturer General Motors
Also called Chevrolet Savana
GMC Savana
Production 1996–2002
Assembly Wentzville, Missouri, United States
Class Full-size van
Body style 3-door van
4-door van
Layout Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Platform GMT600
Engine 4.3L Vortec 4300/L35 V6 (1996–2001)
4.3L Vortec 4300/LU3 V6 (2002–present)
5.0L Vortec 5000/L30 V8 (1996–2002)
5.7L Vortec 5700 L31 V8 (1996–2002)
6.5L V8
7.4L V8 (1996–2000)
8.1L Vortec 8100/L18 V8 (2001–2002)
6.5L turbo-diesel V8 (1996–2002)
Transmission 4-speed automatic
6-speed automatic (2010–present)
6 speed auto on 2500 and 3500
Wheelbase SWB: 135.0 in (3,429 mm)
LWB: 155.0 in (3,937 mm)
1999–2000 Express SWB: 127.9 in (3,249 mm)
Length 1996–98 SWB: 218.8 in (5,558 mm)
1996–98 LWB: 238.8 in (6,066 mm)
1999–2002 SWB: 218.7 in (5,555 mm)
1999–2002 LWB: 238.7 in (6,063 mm)
Width SWB: 79.2 in (2,012 mm)
LWB: 79.4 in (2,017 mm)
Height 1996–98 Express: 81.8 in (2,078 mm)
1996–98 Savana SWB/2500 SWB & 3500 LWB: 82.5 in (2,096 mm)
84.7 in (2,151 mm)
85.0 in (2,159 mm)
1996–98 Savana LWB: 88.3 in (2,243 mm)
84.8 in (2,154 mm)
1500 & 2001–02 3500 LS LWB: 79.6 in (2,022 mm)
1997–2002 3500 SWB: 83.9 in (2,131 mm)
1997–2002 2500 LWB: 81.1 in (2,060 mm)
2001–02 2500 LWB: 82.2 in (2,088 mm)
2001–02 3500 LWB: 82.8 in (2,103 mm)
Second generation
Manufacturer General Motors
Also called Chevrolet Savana
GMC Savana
Production 2003–present
Assembly Wentzville, Missouri, United States
Class Full-size van
Body style 3-door van
4-door van
Layout Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Platform GMT601
Engine 4.3L Vortec 4300/LU3 V6 (2002–present)
4.8L Vortec 4800/LR4/LY2 V8 (2500/3500, 2003–2009)
4.8L Vortec 4800/L20 Flex-fuel V8 (2500/3500, 2010–present)
5.3L Vortec 5300/LM7 V8 (2003–2007)
5.3L Vortec 5300/LMF Flex-fuel V8 (2008–present)
6.0L Vortec 6000/LQ4 V8 (2003–2006)
6.0L Vortec 6000/LY6 V8 (2007–2009)
6.0L Vortec 6000/L96 Flex-fuel V8 (2010–present)
6.6L Duramax LLY turbo-diesel V8 (2006–2009)
6.6L Duramax LMM turbo-diesel V8 (2010–present)
Transmission 4-speed automatic
6-speed automatic (2010–present)
6 speed auto on 2500 and 3500
Wheelbase SWB: 135.0 in (3,429 mm)
LWB: 155.0 in (3,937 mm)
Length 2003–present SWB: 224.1 in (5,692 mm)
2003–present LWB: 244.1 in (6,200 mm)
2003–05 Savana LWB: 244.0 in (6,198 mm)
Width LWB & 2003–present SWB: 79.4 in (2,017 mm)
Height 2003–present SWB: 81.6 in (2,073 mm)
2003–present LWB: 82.0 in (2,083 mm)

The Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana are full-size vans from General Motors. They replaced the Chevrolet Van and GMC Vandura in 1996. The Express and Savana currently hold 44.8% of the full-size van market in the United States, just behind rival Ford's E-Series. The Express outsells the Savana by more than 3 to 1.

After 2003, the Express and Savana had updated sheetmetal similar to the GMT800 light trucks and SUVs, and at the same time, fitted with the LS engines. In 2004 Stability Control (Stabilitrak) was added to all passenger vans. In 2008 the interior was updated and side impact roof airbags were standard on all passenger models. They also offer the E85 Flexfuel Vortec 5.3L V8 engine in both the 2008 Express 1500 Work Van and Passenger Van. The 6.6L Duramax Diesel V8 was added as an option for 2006.

The cargo variety of the Express/Savana is popular as a work vehicle, often used by electricians, plumbers, and others needing to haul a variety of large items. In this way, it is the North American equivalent of the ubiquitous white vans in the United Kingdom. In the Netherlands the Express/Savana is available as a civilian vehicle, ambulance, and police accident van. The police van is used by the Police of Amsterdam.

The Express/Savana is also available as a passenger van, seating 8 to 15 passengers (depending on the model), and is often used as a tow vehicle, ambulance, shuttle bus, or school bus. Both the cargo and passenger models, as well as the cutaway versions, often serve as the basis for conversion vans, motorhomes, and wheelchair accessible vans.

There was a limited edition model of the Chevy Express passenger variety, named the LT. This type was a GM factory made conversion that included a Bose sound system, two flip down flat panel television monitors, a VCR, leather seats, aluminum wheels, extra trim, and an advanced GM stereo system with CD and cassette. This model was discontinued around the year 2003 and was meant as a trial sale.

Chevrolet Express was also the name of a concept car first shown in 1987. It was a turbine powered, drive-by-wire car made to show the possibilities of future limited-access highways.[1]

Gallery

References

  1. ^ "1987 Chevrolet Express Images, Information and History". Conceptcarz.com. http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z4903/Chevrolet_Express/default.aspx. Retrieved 2010-05-22. 

External links

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