New for 2007 E85 flex-fuel (Ethanol-capable) Vehicles Announced

[Stéphane Dumas]

I'm subscribed to the National Vehicule Coalition newsletter and they listed the additionnals 2007 models who can get E85. And if the news is already posted, sorry for the inconvience

the new ones
General Motors:
3.9 liter Chevy Express
3.9 liter GMC Savana
3.9 liter Chevy Uplander
3.9 liter Pontiac Montana
3.9 liter Saturn Relay
3.9 liter Buick Terraza

and the complete GM models who can have E85
http://www.e85fuel.com/information/general_motors.php
I wonder why they don't put the 3.9L flex-fuel to the Impala, G6, since it's basically the same engine?

Edited With Corrected List:

2007

5.3L V-8 engine Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra half-ton pickups 2WD & 4WD

5.3L Vortec-engine Avalanche, Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon & Yukon XL

3.5L Chevy Impala (LS, 1LT & 2LT)

3.5L Chevy Monte Carlo (LS and LT models only)

5.3L Chevy Express

5.3L GMC Savana

3.9L Chevy Uplander

3.9L Pontiac Montana

3.9L Saturn Relay

3.9L Buick Terraza

2006

3.5L Chevy Impala (LS, 1LT & 2LT)

3.5L Chevy Monte Carlo (LS and LT models only)

2005 - 2006

5.3L Vortec-engine Avalanche

5.3L Vortec-engine Police Package Tahoe*

2003 - 2006

5.3L V-8 engine Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra half-ton pickups 2WD & 4WD

5.3L Vortec-engine Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon and Yukon XLs

[WannabeRich]

Originally Posted by Stéphane Dumas

I wonder why they don't put the 3.9L flex-fuel to the Impala, G6, since it's basically the same engine?

Excellent question. I'd like to hear what lame answer they have.

[Ming]

3.9L Express and Savana? Wow. I missed that entirely. I wonder if that means the hoary "for fleet" 4.3LV6 Silverado/Sierra will eventually get replaced with the new-ish 3.9L as well?

The lame-ness of the 3.9L move on the Impala is what is keeping me from buying an LTZ (getting a loaded LT2 instead). Perhaps they don't have E-85 working with AFM yet? (Active Fuel Management being new on this year's Impala)

But one might also ask why all of the cars getting the 3.5LVVT for 2007 don't have E-85 option like the Impala. GM appears to be targeting fleet sales first. But the Saturn Relay and other CSV's getting it, and not just the "for fleet only Uplander" was a nice surprise.

[Stéphane Dumas]

Originally Posted by Ming

3.9L Express and Savana? Wow. I missed that entirely.

I'm surprised to see this engine under the hood of these full-size vans as well? I ponder if they plan to retire the 4.3L V6?

[usa1]

Originally Posted by Ming

3.9L Express and Savana? Wow. I missed that entirely. I wonder if that means the hoary "for fleet" 4.3LV6 Silverado/Sierra will eventually get replaced with the new-ish 3.9L as well?

I was surprised too, then I checked the web site and it's the 5.3 V8 that's E85. There is no 3.9L for the RWD vans.

Mark

[Stéphane Dumas]

I guess the website corrected the mistake.

[Ming]

Originally Posted by Stéphane Dumas

I guess the website corrected the mistake.

LOL, yeah, that makes more sense. I was also noticing the "2007 Montana" and that seemed odd. Edited the original post.

Am I losing it or did Pontiac drop the SV6 for 2007, much less the "Montana" moniker?

[dindak]

I think a 3.9 Uplander with DOD would be more usefull. No E85 in Ontario so whats the point.

[Rayzilla]

Originally Posted by Ming

LOL, yeah, that makes more sense. I was also noticing the "2007 Montana" and that seemed odd. Edited the original post.

Am I losing it or did Pontiac drop the SV6 for 2007, much less the "Montana" moniker?

The Montana SV6 is no more. I thought the Relay was dumped?

[superstreet]

Originally Posted by dindak

I think a 3.9 Uplander with DOD would be more usefull. No E85 in Ontario so whats the point.

[spaz]

Even though it was a typo i wonder how well the LZ9 3900 VVT V6 would do in the full size pickups and vans. the only thing that the 4300 has that the 3900 doesnt is 20 more ft-lbs of torque (260 vs 240). The 60 degree design of the 3900 would definately make it a much smoother running engine even if it has to rev higher than the 4300. By the way the 4300 is based on the GEN 1 small block, actually a chevy 350 with 2 cyls chopped off. It would be especially important with Toyota stepping up its fullsize truck program, and with Nissan considering a V6 variant of the Titan to lower prices that GM be competitive on all fronts which means these old 90 degree v6 motors (3800, 4300) have to go

[TahoeMikeZ71]

Originally Posted by Rayzilla

The Montana SV6 is no more. I thought the Relay was dumped?

Yeah, the SV6 Montana is dead. But, the Relay is dying in '09 the last I heard.

[coaster.n3rd]

We could really use some flex fuel engines at Saturn. It sucks trying to explain why there are not any when customers ask.

[asim]

Originally Posted by Ming

LOL, yeah, that makes more sense. I was also noticing the "2007 Montana" and that seemed odd. Edited the original post.

Am I losing it or did Pontiac drop the SV6 for 2007, much less the "Montana" moniker?

The Montana SV6 will still be sold in Canada for 2007.

[IMPALAon20s]

Originally Posted by Stéphane Dumas

I wonder why they don't put the 3.9L flex-fuel to the Impala, G6, since it's basically the same engine?

theres probably a reason.. perhaps heavier weight of impala requires more torq/hp that e85 can't produce? just a theory.