GMC Envoy SUV wagon boosts size, power and premium equipment
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
|
LOS BARRILES, Mexico -- The paved route across Mexico's Baja California peninsula extends from the dusty village of Todos Santos on the Pacific Ocean to the palm-fringed fishing port of Los Barriles in the Sea of Cortez.
It heads north out of Totos Santos on Mexico 19 through a flat desert studded with tall saguaro cactus to the crossroads of San Pedro, then cuts to the east on a narrow and twisted blacktop ribbon of Mexico 1 for a dicey run over the Sierra de la Laguna mountains.
We traveled those rugged roads to test the spirit and sample the comforts built into a new generational design for the four-door Envoy sport-utility wagon from GMC Truck.
The Envoy debuted in the 1998 line of GMC as an ultimate luxury edition of the compact-class Jimmy wagon stocked with leather-bound bucket seats, Zebrano wood trimming doors and console, and a deluxe Bose stereo system in the dash with CD deck and six speakers.
This new version, designated as a 2002 model but rolling out of an Ohio factory early in 2001, scrubs virtually all aspects of the former Envoy and forges instead an entirely new vehicle positioned at the top of its class.
It's also a larger wagon than the predecessor Envoy.
The chassis grows significantly in length and breadth, with the wheelbase extending six inches longer and the distance between wheels spreading eight inches further for the front wheels and 7.5 inches wider for the rear ones.
With this larger platform, the structure of Envoy also measures larger in all directions. It expands eight inches in length, four in width and seven in height, for a net gain of 12 cubic feet of space inside the passenger compartment.
Envoy's package growth elevates the wagon to the mid-size category among sport-utility vehicles and results in a roomy cabin with four passenger doors and seats for five plus a rear cargo bay containing 40 cubic feet of space.
Envoy also earns best-in-class power from a new straight-six engine that generates the high horsepower of a V8 engine but the fuel efficiency of a V6.
The 4.2-liter six, with dual overhead cams and four valves per cylinder, yields 270 horsepower at 6000 rpm over a flat band of torque reaching to 275 lb-ft at 3600 rpm.
A heavy-duty GM Hydramatic 4L60-E four-speed automatic transmission mates with the Vortec 4200 engine to handle all of the torque.
This powertrain makes a wagon weighing well over two tons act downright lively, even under the stress of a heavy tow load or the steep incline of a road in the mountains.
In the Laguna mountains, our Envoy would still surge ahead when commanded. It leaped around an overstuffed truck on a rare straight stretch, despite the road grade, the altitude and the wagon's bulk.
It also tackled multiple hairpin twists and double-bend curves of the Mexican road with steadfast dexterity as the suspension absorbed all potholes and pavement bumps to float the chassis in cushy smoothness.
Envoy's stable stance and agile nature are a result of the new ladder-frame chassis with one-piece steel rails running the length of the wagon. The unusual rails -- each a single piece of seamless tubular steel -- produce a foundation that's strong and light in weight using fewer component pieces.
A welded steel superstructure rises from the rigid chassis bed with all body mounts tuned in all directions to enhance the frame's stiffness, absorb impacts from vertical movement and isolate noise.
Then the suspension system fitted on the super-stiff chassis produces superior handling control along with that smooth ride quality.
Independent components in front with coil-over-shock modules include a double A-arm for stability and excellent damping. In back, there's a multi-link solid axle in place of leaf springs typical to rough-riding trucks and wagons.
Another uncommon component for a truck-based wagon is the quick rack and pinion steering mechanism coupled to hydraulic power assistance. It brings a good on-center feel for steering with precise movements, but also sets up Envoy's tight turning circle of 36.4 feet.
For stopping, the four disc brakes connect to an intelligent four-wheel anti-lock system.
Electronic traction control applies to the two-wheel-drive version of Envoy, along with a limited-slip and locking rear axle to prevent the rear drive wheels from skidding on a slick road.
Optional four-wheel-drive utilizes GM's smart Autotrac system with push-button selections and automatic switching from standard rear-wheel traction to a mode that distributes engine torque between front and rear wheels.
Chassis, powertrain and mechanical gear on Envoy also show up on new wagons for Chevrolet (TrailBlazer) and Oldsmobile (Bravada), but the trio reflects different exterior styling and each has a unique interior treatment.
With Envoy, the package looks brawny but refined.
A massive prow posts large stacked headlamp clusters at front corners flanking a bold trapezoid-shaped grille ringed in chrome. A thick body-colored bumper curves around the lower grille and cradles round corner foglamps. Side panels flare in squared wheelwells between step rails and contain big 17-inch aluminum wheels, while at the rear a notched step bumper underscores the massive liftgate.
Inside, Envoy presents a luxurious environment drawn with the high-tech look of a professional workspace.
A pair of form-fitting bucket seats in front stands beside a central console with multiple functions. It cradles the shift lever and a dash stack of gear for audio and climate systems, with two stylish round vents perched above.
An extensive array of round analog gauges in the instruments cluster includes a large tachometer to the left of the centered speedometer.
Due to Envoy's stretched wheelbase, legroom in the rear three-person bench is ample. The seatback splits into sections and folds down to fashion a flat-floor cargo bay with double the space at 80 cubic feet.
Three trim levels -- Envoy, SLE and SLT -- build with a high content of standard equipment like power windows and locks and mirrors, air conditioning, a remote keyless entry system, cruise control and OnStar communicator. Envoy SLE adds premium cloth seat upholstery and chrome accents, but the SLT edition has everything, from an automatic climate system to leather buckets with memory, wood trim, backseat audio and climate controls, even headlamp washers.
Expect Envoy's price chart to run up from $28,820.
|
| 2002 GMC ENVOY VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS |
| Description: |
Mid-size 4-door SUV wagon
|
| Model Options: |
Mid-size 4-door SUV wagon
|
| Wheelbase: |
113.0 inches
|
| Overall Length: |
191.6 inches
|
| Engine Size: |
DOHC 4.2-L I6
|
| Transmission: |
Auto/4
|
| Drive: |
Rear 2WD, 4WD Autotrac
|
| Braking: |
Power 4-disc/ABS
|
| Airbags: |
2 (front) + 2 (side)
|
| Gross Weight: |
2WD: 5550 pounds
4WD: 5750 pounds
|
| Towing Capacity: |
2WD: 6300 pounds, 4WD: 6100 pounds
|
| Gas Mileage: |
16/21 mpg |
| MSRP Price: |
$ 28,820 to $ 33,820 |
|
|
|
The Big Lot! is dedicated to privacy, security, and service. Read our Privacy Policy.