Historically, many things have come in three units or so. For example, just think at the three wisemen in the Bible, many fast food restaurant “trios”, three blind mice, the three Muskateers and so on. So, it comes to no surprise that the almighty General Motors has come up with three new sport utility vehicles for 2002. But, contrary to earlier approaches, GM has decided to make these three small trucks completely different, at least from a stylistic point of view. So, here they are, the Chevrolet Trailblazer, the GMC Envoy and the Oldsmobile Bravada. Before we go any further, let’s point out that these new trucks won’t be on the market until early spring 2001. At the beginning, the actual Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Jimmy will still be on the market (and should stay on until 2003 or so). Eventually, in Canada, the only two-door version will be a GMC Jimmy very much like the one we already know since no two-door version of the new trucks is planned. As for the Oldsmobile, though GM has announced the disappearance of the brand, the Bravada should be the last model ever bearing the Oldsmobile name but it should stay around for another four or five years!

Sharing the same components

If you look carefully, you’ll notice that all three makes bear a different look, even for the wheel wells. But underneath, all three trucks share a similar frame with a brand new inline six cylinder 4.1-liter engine that pumps out a healthy 270 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. The only transmission available will be a well-known four-speed automatic box. The Chevy and the GMC will share a two-speed transfer case (including a neutral position that will make these trucks towable behind a camper) while the Oldsmobile will have a unique all-wheel drive system that will include only one speed with no possible input from the driver. As far as suspension is concerned, all three trucks will have an independent front suspension while the rear end will still be a solid axle held in place by a five-link suspension. The Chevy and the “base” GMC will have rear coil springs while the “upscale” GMC and mostly the Oldsmobile will share rear air suspensions with rubber bladders acting as springs. Let’s note at this point that the new GM utes share nothing with the actual pick-ups built by the same manufacturer. The chassis is built in Canada by the Budd Industries in Ontario and already, there is a 16-inch longer version being studied to be built next spring to make each of these trucks a seven-passenger vehicle. But why three different trucks? Simply a marketing effort to please the traditional ute buyer with a Chevrolet product, the so-called “professional” with a GMC and the “luxury” buyer with the Bravada. And why an in-line six? According to Ron Koceba, the chief engineer, this type of powerplant is smooth, very powerful and very fuel-efficient. It would be the first ever DOHC in-line six engine in a truck and it includes variable timing. Its power is meant to equal or beat all V-8’s on the market while its weight is 40 to 50 pounds lighter than that of the earlier V-6’s. And Ted Roberston, chief engineer of all GM mid-size SUV’s (he used to be chief engineer of Camaros and Firebirds at the Ste-Therese plant) also added that the chassis was hydroformed like those of the Corvette and the Silverado-Sierra pick-ups. This chassis is 20% lighter but is 260% stiffer in torsion also thanks to eight cross members. It is remarkable to notice that the front coil over shock SLA front suspension looks like that of the Camaro-Firebird duo, most probably thanks to Robertson. Bilstein monotube shocks complete the picture. Braking is done through disks all around. As far as wheels are concerned, they are of 16 or 17 inches and while Chevies will ride on BFGoodriches, the GMC and Bravada will sport Michelin Cross-Terrain tires. Steering is done through a new hydraulic boosted rack and pinion mechanism. The body lays upon 12 body mounts. By the way, rear-wheel drive version only will be available even in Canada.

Three different trucks on a common shell

Like we wrote earlier, these new GM trucks all sport a different design. Actually, only the roof, the front doors and the tailgate are commonly shared. The Bravada takes up its design lead from the Oldsmobile Aurora while the Chevy retains the usual work horse truck look with bolder fender flares and molded rocker panels. This truck will fit between the Blazer and the Tahoe in the Chevy line-up. The Envoy will be completely different with a more “professional” look. Just notice the trapezoidal wheel wells and taillamps.

And even different interiors

Though all three SUV’s share the same shell, their interior differ. The instrument panel has the same backbone but their exterior styling is, once again, different. For example, the Envoy includes very interesting instruments with a chrome ring as vents are also finished with a brushed metal look. The front row is made of two bucket seats while the rear row is a bench seat that can hold three adults but still can be folded to give bigger cargo space. Only later will we have the seven-passenger version. It is now difficult to give our road impressions on each of these three SUV’s we tried in Mexico’s Baja California simply because GM wants us to respect an early February embargo. But let’s point out that GM has surely built very modern vehicles that will become an instant success on the market. Following our first drives, we can say that GM has met our expectations and fulfilled its promises, whether it is on or off road. And now, we can say that the Ford Explorer and the Jeep Grand Cherokee, two among the most popular vehicles of this category, will have to face very stiff competition from GM, especially with three trucks as a front row attack.

---

» 0 Commentaires

Ecrivez un commentaire

Vous devez être enregistré pour écrire un commentaire.