GMC Minivan Spy Shot in Popular Mechanics Magazine

[jbartley]

interesting...

upon closer inspection. can anyone else confirm that there doesn't appear to be sliding-door tracks? which means GM finally go the message and has them hidden on the roof like everyone else? (YESSSSSSS!)

[Z28x]

GMC needs a GMT355 SUV. I'm not sure how I feel about a GMC minivan

[Ming]

Originally Posted by Z28x

I'm not sure how I feel about a GMC minivan

[WishIhadatruck]

I got my Popular Mechanics in the mail yesterday and saw this. I hope it is coming soon. I can't wait to see it undisguised. The overall shape of the vehicle is very interesting. I also hope it doesn't compromise cargo loading and space too much. If it gets better mpg because of it however it might be worth it. Isn't the Honda rated for 28 hwy? Can they meet or beat that? Will it be rated for 4500 lb towing like the lambda suv's? AWD option? This is the closest I've ever gotten to being excited about a minivan.

[kenman923]

If GMC loses the Envoy, it's only a matter of time that the Chevy Trailblazer is dropped in favor of a CUV.

[Michael_S]

Fall of 2007 as an '08 model? Now you're talking!

As I've said in a number of other threads, I'll be minivan shopping late next year or early 2008. I prefer to buy domestic, but not if the competition offers a clear edge at a similar price.

The Outlook, Enclave, and Acadia are similar to minivans, but more pricey. I'm not willing to pay extra for styling I don't need. But if these new minivans offer an equally practical package at a more competitive $25,000 price, they'll be my first test-drive when my wife and I go minivan shopping.

[akbar]

Originally Posted by pkd87

I agree. Only 2 version are needed. I also hope Chevy doesn't get an Outlook clone.

A friend of mine who is part of the Lambda launch team, Chevy Lambda crossover is launched next fall

[TAMark]

GMC is still selling well over 5000 Envoy's per month. Here's one Envoy owner that won't move to a crossover or minivan since I need to tow with it. I sure hope they find a new vehicle for the 4.2 I6. That is such a sweet engine and would be criminal to drop it.

[superstreet]

Originally Posted by kenman923

If GMC loses the Envoy, it's only a matter of time that the Chevy Trailblazer is dropped in favor of a CUV.

thats bad because i think that the envoy and the trail blazer are one of the best suvs of the market

[telo]

Why can't they just kill the minivan? Crossover's are the way to go as the next generation is so anti-minivan that they'll never sell.

[tgagneguam]

Not surprisingly, it's how to discern anything meaningful from this spy photo.

I'm not so sure how I feel about a minivan for GMC. I think it'd be nice for Chevrolet to have a class-leading minivan before GMC does. And I do hope that the final looks, minivan necessities (power doors; folding seats/cargo storage management system; and the fun interior, child-friendly accoutrements), and the powertrain are all in order.

[56 Starchief]

Originally Posted by kenman923

If GMC loses the Envoy, it's only a matter of time that the Chevy Trailblazer is dropped in favor of a CUV.

good. the Trailblazer is a heaping piece of carp (yes the fish) and a relic of the old GM. may we never see anything like it again.

EDIT: can you believe these are designed by the same company:

Trailblazer "interior":



GMC Acadia interior:



"oh yea that trailblazer interior looks GREAT! Toyota can't beat that! Where are my contact lenses?" -Ron Zarella

[69Firebird400]

Originally Posted by kenman923

If GMC loses the Envoy, it's only a matter of time that the Chevy Trailblazer is dropped in favor of a CUV.

I think it's just a matter of time for that. The only thing that will save the Trailblazer is a resurgence in its sales, but that's probably not likely to happen unless they heap on the incentives or gas goes to $1.50 a gallon, since those things aren't getting any younger, and newer crossover competition (including from within GM) is only getting better.

I like what I see of the GMC van's proportions. It gave off a Nissan Quest sort of feel at first glance, but that may just be because the Quest also has a "modern"/"futuristic" shape, and also because the Quest is a very large vehicle. The headlight shape appears to be the same as the Acadia's, which I actually prefer to the Outlook's nose. It really does look huge in those pictures, though. At least they won't have the "too small" problem that the current vans have - now hopefully they can keep the weight down so it gets decent fuel economy.

[akbar]

Originally Posted by jbartley

interesting...

upon closer inspection. can anyone else confirm that there doesn't appear to be sliding-door tracks? which means GM finally go the message and has them hidden on the roof like everyone else? (YESSSSSSS!)

maybe this is a photo of the Chevy cross over due next fall

[goblue]

Originally Posted by Ming

This was a great vehicle. It offered lots of storage space, 3 true rows of seats, and the ability to tow 5500lbs. I think this is another vehicle that GM simply abandoned - which in spite Japan illustrating now for decades that the route to success is to continue to improve, GM still seems to think design, ignore, scrap, stopgap, rename, release is the better course.

Imagine for a moment if they had implemented continuous improvement on this vehicle - which had a huge following in business and personal use.

- Body on frame moves to high strength unibody for improved drivability and seat stowage, IRS becomes standard, AWD available.
- Tow rating climbs to 6,000 lbs with available 5300 small block V8 and 6 speed auto
- Tired 4300 swapped in place of modern 4200 with class leading 6 speed
- Integral ramp designed into rear bumper with 500lb capacity
- Second row seats flip and fold against the front seats, or can be removed easily via above ramp.
- Third row folds into floor
- Available rear moonroof is engineered flush with rear door, so tall articles could be carried (a modified, inexpensive XUV trick)
- 2 mode hybrid becomes available, and in engineered to allow vehicle to function as a generator while still providing 25% mileage improvement

This would be a van. However, in corporate GM think, this would compete too much with the full size vans that frankly are too big for most people, so better to cede what was a market they owned - highly capable midsize vans.