Chevrolet Express и GMC Savana: История полноразмерных фургонов

the full size van

The Chevrolet Express (also known as the GMC Savana) is a series of full size vans produced by General Motors since 1996. The successor to the Chevrolet G series van, the Express is produced in passenger and cargo variants. Alongside the standard van body, the line is offered as a cutaway van chassis; the latter vehicle is a chassis cab variant developed for commercial grade applications, including ambulances, buses, motorhomes, and small trucks. In production for a single generation since 1996, over 2.5 million examples of the Express and the Savana have been produced. One of the longest produced designs in American automotive history, the Express/Savana are rivaled only by the Jeep Wagoneer and Dodge Ram Van for longevity. Since 1995, General Motors has assembled the Express and Savana at its Wentzville Assembly facility (Wentzville, Missouri). Also, since 2017, GM has sourced commercial cutaway chassis production from Navistar through its Springfield Assembly Plant (Springfield, Ohio).

For the 1996 model year, Chevrolet replaced the G series Chevrolet Van with the Chevrolet Express (retaining Chevrolet Van for cargo vans). The first all new design for the General Motors full size van line since 1971, the model line was offered in passenger van and cargo van variants (the latter initially retained the Chevrolet Van name), with GMC replacing the Vandura/Rally with the Savana. Alongside the first substantial redesign of the model line in 25 years, GM predicted substantial growth in the full size segment through the end of the 1990s. While sharing the same engine sizes as the previous model line, the size of the engine cover was reduced, further increasing front passenger space. Cargo and base models were equipped with a single sealed beam halogen headlamp on each side. The LS trim changed this to a composite headlamp assembly. For 1999, a few minor functional changes were made to the model line. In a more noticeable update, Chevrolet retired the Chevrolet Van nameplate entirely, with the cargo van renamed the Express Cargo Van. The Express and Savana offered with 60/40 split panel doors on the passenger side of the vehicle; in a first (since the Corvair cargo van), an option was added for the driver side to receive the same split panel doors; this option was limited to the standard length body (requiring doors on both sides). Since its 2003 model revision, the Express has seen incremental updates to the model line. The light duty 2500 vans (below 8,500 pounds GVWR) were discontinued for 2006. For 2008, the Express passenger van received side curtain airbags and standard stability control (introduced for 3500 series vans for 2005); the steering wheel, seats, and gauge cluster were also redesigned. For 2011, the dashboard received upgrades (including Bluetooth compatibility and a USB port). For 2013, higher trim passenger vans received an optional navigation system, rearview camera, and parking assist system. For 2015, all radios became digitally tuned and a 120 volt outlet was added to the dash. For 2018, the Express dropped sealed beam headlights from all models, adopting the four composite headlamps of higher trim passenger vans. A blind spot monitoring system also became optional. For the 2019 model year, higher trim passenger vans received lane departure warning systems and collision alert warning features. An all wheel drive option was offered for the model years 2003–2014 on 1500 and light duty 2500 vans (below 8,500 lbs GVWR). AWD vans came exclusively with a 135" wheelbase and GM's 5.3L V8. For 2022, the Express entered its 26th year of production, overtaking the 1971 1996 Chevrolet Van in production longevity. As the music format had been phased out of automobiles (in favor of Bluetooth based content), the CD player was discontinued as an option. As of current production, the GMT610 platform is anticipated to be produced in its current form through the 2026 model year. Originally intended for replacement by a fully electric vehicle (using GM Ultium battery technology) derived from the BrightDrop Zevo, plans were later revised in favor of a substantial revision of the existing platform for the 2027 model year (under the model code GMT620); no details of GMT620 were released, though Ultium technology was dropped entirely in favor of retaining a lineup of internal combustion engines. In February 2024, GM abandoned its plans to produce an electric full size van; the status of the GMT620 redesign is also unknown, leaving the model line without a replacement beyond the 2025 2026 model year.

Far more aerodynamic than its predecessor, the Chevrolet Express derived much of exterior styling from the Chevrolet Astro mid size van (including its flush mounted exterior glass For 2006, the trim line was revised again to the current nomenclature, with the base trim renamed LS, and LS renamed LT. In line with the previous Chevrolet Van, the Express uses "G" as its internal model designator ("H" was used for all wheel drive vans during their production).

Since 1996, GMC has marketed the GMC Savana as its version of the Chevrolet Express. In line with Chevrolet, GMC consolidated the previous GMC Vandura (cargo van) and GMC Rally/Rally STX (passenger van) under a single nameplate, with Savana offered as a passenger van, cargo van, and as a cutaway chassis vehicle (see below). With the exception of its grille and GMC divisional badging, the GMC Savana is essentially identical to the Chevrolet Express. Using the same LS and LT trims as Chevrolet, the Savana is the only current GMC model line not offered with the Denali trim. Sharing the same model development as its Chevrolet counterpart, the Savana has undergone only minor detail changes since 2003. As of current production, the Express outsells the Savana approximately three to one.

For 2003, General Motors introduced the GMT560 medium duty truck architecture for Chevrolet, GMC, and Isuzu. The vertically oriented cab from the full size van line replaced the pickup truck cab previously used. Alongside a two door configuration, GMT560 vehicles offered a four door crew cab configuration. Produced as a Class 5–7 truck, the GMT560 vehicles (the Chevrolet Kodiak, GMC TopKick, and Isuzu H Series) were offered in 4×2, 4×4, and 6×4 drive for multiple applications. After 2009, General Motors ended medium duty truck production, leading to the discontinuation of the GMT560 chassis.

For 1997, GM introduced a cutaway chassis version of the 3500 series Express/Savana. Replacing the previous G30/G3500 (the larger "HD" variant was not replaced), the cutaway chassis Express/Savana is an incomplete vehicle (a chassis produced with no bodywork aft of the front seats) intended for additional fabrication by a second party manufacturer. Intended for a wide variety of potential applications, cutaway chassis are best known as the basis of ambulances, buses (shuttle buses and school buses), and recreational vehicles (RVs); they also are fitted with delivery truck bodies or utility bodies (increasing their storage space over a standard cargo van). Offered with either Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana branding on both the GMT600 and GMT610 platforms, the cutaway chassis is offered on the 3500 series in both dual rear wheel and single rear wheel configurations (the latter, trading increased maneuverability for lower GVWR). For 2009, GM introduced a 4500 series Express/Savana developed specifically for cutaway applications, raising its GVWR to 14,200 pounds and effectively filling the void left by the G3500HD's 1997 discontinuation. Since 2017, GM has outsourced production of GMT610 cutaway chassis vehicles, contracting production to Navistar International.

VIA Motors previously converted Chevrolet Express vans into electric vehicles since 2014. This was the first Chevrolet derived van to be built with an electric powertrain ever since the 1980s with the Griffon van which was a heavily modified version of the British Bedford CF Electric.

Chevrolet used the Express nameplate for the first time on an unrelated 1987 concept car designed for future limited access highways. The vehicle was turbine powered with drive by wire controls. A similar name was used on the Chevrolet City Express, a rebadged Nissan NV200.