GMC ENVOY

The 'GMC Envoy' is an SUV from the GMC marque of General Motors. It was introduced as a luxury version of the Jimmy for the 1998 model year, the same year the Jimmy was restyled.

Contents

1998

2002

Models

XL

XUV

Denali

Future

External links

1998

For 1998, the Envoy was a luxury trim line of the 'GMC Jimmy' SUV, itself a clone of the 'Chevrolet Blazer'. This version used a 190 hp (142 kW) V6 Vortec 4300, and was retired after the 2001 model year.

2002

The new Envoy replaced the Jimmy name in GMC's lineup. While it still shares a platform with the Chevrolet TrailBlazer, the styling is differentiated. Early versions used the 270 hp (201 kW) straight-6 Vortec 4200 engine, while later Envoys stepped up to 275 hp (205 kW). This rating grew to 291 hp for the 2006 model year. All Envoys have 4-wheel disc brakes. A Displacement on Demand 5.3 L V8 was used beginning in 2005.
The Envoy was ''Motor Trend'' magazine's Sport/Utility of the Year for 2002. The 4200 Vortec I6 engine has been named to ''Ward's 10 Best Engines'' list several times.
'Engines:'

★ 2003-present LL8 4.2 L (256 in³) I6

★ 2003-2004 5300 5.3 L (323 in³) V8

★ 2005-present 5300 5.3 L (323 in³) V8 with Displacement on Demand
'Safety Features'
The GMC Envoy has a variety of safety features available as standard or optional.
The GMC Envoy received a 3-Star Frontal Crash Rating for the Driver and 4-Stars for the Front Passenger. All area's including side-impact crashes received 5 stars. These tests were conducted by the NHTSA. These ratings pertain to the model year of 2002 to present.
For 2006-present, GMC added standard stability control, or as they call it "Stabilitrak."

Models

XL

The Envoy XL was the full-size counterpart to the five-passenger mid-size Envoy. One unique element of the Envoy was the availability of a usable 3-row that was comfortable for a 6-foot passenger in the, 7-passenger 'Envoy XL' version. This vehicle is 16 in (406 mm) longer and has a higher roofline to allow easier access to the third row of seats. This roof is disguised by standard roof racks. The Envoy XL was larger than the short-wheelbase Yukon.
Production of the XL model was handled by the Oklahoma City Assembly plant in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The XL model ceased to exist after the 2006 model year, because the plant there then closed on February 20, 2006. The Envoy XL will be replaced by the Acadia for 2007. Many thought the 2007 redesign of the GMC Yukon led to the demise of the Envoy XL.

XUV

The five-passenger 'Envoy XUV', introduced in 2003, was an attempt to create a crossbreed of pickup truck and SUV. It featured a retractable rear roof section that slid forward, giving an open-topped load area. A 'MidGate' could be raised to partition the load area off from the passenger compartment; this was solid and plastic-lined to waist height and with a retractable glass partition for the top half. The two-way tailgate could either hinge sideways or drop down; the tailgate glass retracted into the solid tailgate. The cargo area was waterproofed and fitted with a drainage system, allowing it to be hosed down easily for cleaning.
The advantage of the Envoy XUV over a pickup truck or a more truck-like crossbreed such as the Chevrolet Avalanche (which shares the MidGate idea) is that the cargo area, with retractable roof and rear glass closed, the cargo area is sealed, full-height and lockable, thus making it close to a SUV. The disadvantages include a much smaller cargo area and breakable side glass. The Envoy XUV's retractable roof was reminiscent of the Studebaker Wagonaire of the 1960s.
Sales were projected at 30,000 per year for the XUV (approximately a third of Envoy production), but were much slower with just over 12,000 sold in 2004. GM decided to discontinue XUV production on March 15, 2005.

Denali

In 2005, a Denali luxury version of the Envoy became available. Both the standard length wheelbase Envoy as well as the Envoy XL are available with the Denali trim option. The Envoy Denali features the hallmark bullet pattern grille and an upgraded interior with luxury car-like features such as heated power seats, extensive woodgrain trim, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Prices for the Envoy Denali range from US$37,145 to $42,750; prices for the Envoy XL Denali range from $38,575 to $43,895.

Future

The Envoy (along with the Chevrolet TrailBlazer and Saab 9-7X) will likely be phased out by 2010, and will be replaced by a Theta platform crossover SUV that will be a rebadged Chevrolet Equinox. It will also replace the Pontiac Torrent.

External links

★ Official American site

★ Official Canadian site

★ AutoGuideWiki.com