Another factor in the ride-and-handling equation is the upgrade to standard 16-in. wheels and tires, putting the Express and Savana vans in step with other full-size truck families, while light-duty models now benefit from standard power rack-and-pinion steering, providing more nimble performance. Advancements have also been made in the vans' braking ability, thanks to GM's new HydroBoost hydraulic four-wheel-disc system with ABS and Dynamic Rear Proportioning.
Twin-piston front calipers, a larger master cylinder, and bigger rotors and pads make for better pedal feel and fade resistance and deliver reduced stopping distances. Engineers told us that GM tests show brake pads now last at least twice as long in some models--an important service consideration.
GM has done a fine job delivering reliable power with the Vortec engine family and smooth-shifting Turbo-Hydramatic four-speed automatic transmissions with overdrive--which now offer GM's Tow/Haul-mode capability. An all-new lineup of Gen-III V-8s--the 275-hp Vortec 4800, 285-hp Vortec 5300, and the power-leading 300-hp Vortec 6000--give the Express and Savana more juice and better performance, economy, reliability, and durability than the previous small-block V-8s and top comparable rivals in either horsepower and/or acceleration capability. A 200-hp version of the Vortec 4300 V-6 is now the base engine for light-duty G-Series vans in all 50 states, while the Vortec 6000 is the largest engine available. No diesel is offered.
The G-vans continue to offer other previous best-in-class features, such as the widest rear-cargo door openings, lowest step-in heights, and highest maximum payload rating (2430 lb) of any light-duty base-model van with the 6200-lb GVW G1500.
Express/Savana passenger vans continue to be available in regular (135 in.) and extended wheelbase (155 in.) lengths and provide eight-, 12-, or 15-person carrying capability. Cargo vans, available in the same wheelbase lengths, offer seating for two. Cutaways, which can be converted for various commercial and RV requirements, come in 139-, 159-, and 177-in. wheelbase lengths, with GVWs from 8600 to 12,300 lb.
Our extended test drive proved that the '03 Chevy Express and GMC Savana have been redesigned to better fill a variety of market needs--from the personal-use passenger van to the commercial cargo workhorse, and from conversion-van capability to keeping upfitters happy with a functional and dependable cutaway chassis. Whatever the application, GM seems to be in a much better position to capture the full-size-van sales lead.
The Time Has Come
All-Wheel-Drive in a Full-Size VanThe long wait for the functional advantages of a full-size van to be teamed with the roadholding capability of a true, all-wheel-drive system are over. General Motors will offer three new all-wheel-drive cargo and passenger vans along with its 2WD Chevy Express/GMC Savana models for '03. They'll feature a full-time viscous-coupled transfer case that will automatically transfers torque where it's needed.The viscous coupling acts as a torque-biasing device attached to the front- and rear driveshafts in a lightweight magnesium housing mounted directly to the automatic transmission. One set of the discs turns with the front axle, the other set with the rear axle. The discs are surrounded by a high-viscosity silicone fluid that, when deformed, transfers power from the faster rotating discs (or the slipping wheels) to those rotating more slowly (the wheels with grip). A 35-65-percent front-to-rear power split is used under normal operating conditions, while up to 100 percent of the engine's torque can be transferred to the wheels with traction when needed.Road surfaces needn't be slippery for the AWD system to deliver a traction advantage. If climbing a hill or steep grade, for example, the differential will send more torque to the rear wheels to compensate for the extra weight. The AWD also accommodates for speed differences that naturally occur when a vehicle travels around a corner on dry pavement and adds superior cornering capabilities under all circumstances. The system also provides better durability than a rear-drive-only system because torque is continually shared between the front and rear axles. Prices have not been announced.--JMC |
Industry-First Features:
Left-hand Door, Nifty Pro/Access Panels
Perhaps the biggest news about GM's redesign of the '03 Express/Savana are the exclusive industry-first features that deliver more day-to-day convenience and capability and add a surprising amount of work efficiency. One step-saver is an optional 60/40 left-hand-side hinged door, available on regular-length passenger and cargo vans to provide the segment's most flexible passenger entry/cargo loading capability. The same innovative access feature that won must-have status in the minivan segment is now available to the full-size customer, with complete driver-side access to the second-row seat/cargo compartment and third-row seat/rear compartment.Hinged and sliding passenger/cargo doors continue to be available on the right-hand side. The right-side hinged door is available without the optional left-side door, but the new left-side door requires customers to get the same hinged-type door on the right side. Side- window options, including a choice of stationary (fixed) or swing-out windows with standard light-tinted Solar Ray or deep-tinted glass are the same for both sides. Rear cargo doors also continue to offer a choice of stationary or pop-up windows.Topping our favorite feature list are the innovative side access doors (opened by the key-fob remote) on new specialty GMC Savana Pro and Chevy Express Access models to allow contractors street-side access to tools and parts, saving both time and steps. These flip-up panels cover the cutouts where passenger-van side glass would normally be installed and are body-colored to match the vehicle. Without having to unlock the van and rummage around in the cargo hold each time to find service items, we predict contractors will wonder how they ever worked without the nifty side panels.--JMC