Oldsmobile Bravada arrives in larger format as a refined SUV
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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TODOS SANTOS, Mexico -- We're following a tight and twisty two-laner over pothole pavement on a roller-coaster route up the western coast of Mexico's Baja California peninsula, blue expanse of Pacific waters to the left, a mess of desert sand and saguaro cactus to the right and jagged mountains off on the horizon.
Vehicle for this journey is the four-door Bravada sport-utility wagon in an advanced prototype edition of a 2002 version redesigned and restructured from tip to tail. It handles kinks and curves of the Mexican road with confidence-inspiring agility as a sophisticated suspension manages to isolate all of the pothole rough stuff and maintain a smooth and comfortable ride quality.
There's a forceful new straight-six engine under the hood and it's pushing lots of power to the wheels through a smart all-wheel-drive system that's always engaged.
Thankfully, the wagon also packs beefy disc brakes tied to anti-controls to counteract all of that gusto.
Did we mention the longhorn steers that stand in the road around virtually every blind bend?
Broken fences promote an impromptu open-range policy on this remote route and you never know what livestock may suddenly appear to test the brakes and your dodge-em skills. In the first hour of our drive we meet lots of cows, plus several horses and a mule, a herd of goats, two really big pigs, a few scrawny chickens and one way-too-long iguana lizard.
To this driver the stock seems like so many orange plastic pylons on a snaky autocross course. We use them to test Bravada's agility for swerving, braking and veering to avoid contact -- although the animals would sometimes move around, making the sporadic tests all the more tricky.
Despite the danger, our vehicle exhibits uncommon dexterity in maneuvering around the road herds and its strong brakes with true-tracking anti-lock control keep us out of harm's way.
Bravada in this new iteration bears little resemblance to previous editions.
The wagon first appeared in 1991 as a plush sport-utility vehicle built atop the chassis of GM's compact-class pickup truck. It featured a differential transfer case that put power to all wheels for superior pavement traction, and a passenger compartment that enveloped riders with the deluxe comforts of a luxury vehicle. Its shortcoming was that it rode rough like a truck and required too much effort to maneuver in traffic.
Then a new platform was created for the wagon in 1995, first manifested with Chevrolet's Blazer and the GMC Jimmy. By the time a Bravada variation appeared, it sported unique exterior trimmings and a fancy cabin with seats covered in soft leather as standard issue.
This latest version, with the wheelbase stretched six inches further than the previous Bravada, measures eight inches longer, five inches wider and five inches taller. The expansion moves Bravada into the mid-size wagon class and carves out a spacious cabin with seats for five and a cargo bay with 40 cubic feet of room.
Underpinnings -- from chassis to powertrain and mechanical equipment -- are also used to create new wagons for Chevrolet (TrailBlazer) and GMC (Envoy), although the three vehicles show different exterior styling and each has a unique interior treatment.
Bravada presents the cleanest lines and only comes one way -- first-class.
A new sheetmetal shell looks smooth and sophisticated in a restrained understatement that emphasizes body-colored elements in the absence of excessive chrome or plastic cladding. Design cues borrowed from other Oldsmobile products appear in the face with thin horizontal headlamps and twin air intake ports stacked in the lower fascia.
On smooth side panels, fender flares wrap around the wheelwells and draw attention to Bravada's 17-inch tires mounted on six-spoke aluminum wheels.
At the tail, a broad step bumper stretches below the width of a flip-up tailgate with its pop-open window. A hitch platform with hitch receiver and seven-pin trailer harness connector mount low as standard gear.
Bravada's cabin carries two rows of leather-clad seats with two plush buckets in front of a bench for three.
Front seats adjust in eight directions with power controls, while the rear seatback splits 40/60 and folds to double the cargo space of a flat-floored bay.
Deluxe amenities include perforated leather seat upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate controls, the audio package with cassette and CD decks, an auxiliary air compressor that also feeds the rear air suspension, and OnStar telecommunications link for in-vehicle safety, security and information services.
Optional equipment ranges from heated front seats to electrochromic exterior mirrors, the premium Bose stereo upgrade and six-disc CD changer, a gold trim package, power sunroof and the all-wheel-drive traction system.
Dubbed SmartTrak, the automatic traction device normally channels the engine's torque to rear wheels like a conventional rear-wheel-drive wagon. However, when on-board sensors detect wheel spin, the system instantly shifts torque to all wheels and keeps Bravada tracking straight.
Power for Bravada comes from a new in-line-six engine that produces the high horsepower of a V8 engine but the fuel efficiency of a V6. Displacing 4.2 liters and outfitted with twin overhead cams and four valves per cylinder, the plant generates 270 hp.
A four-speed automatic transmission links to the plant and shifts efficiently and quietly.
Bravada's new chassis employs one-piece side rails to create a platform that's light in weight yet strong enough to resist twisting and flexing.
Suspension elements mounted to the stiff chassis allow precise control but also produce a plush ride quality. Included is an independent front suspension and a multi-link solid axle in back that eliminates the crude leaf springs typical for rough-riding trucks and wagons.
Aiding control for the driver is a fast-to-act rack and pinion steering system with hydraulic power assistance, and brakes with a big disc at every wheel and a tie to the intelligent four-wheel anti-lock system.
A two-wheel-drive Bravada also stocks electronic traction control that may be switched off when traversing deep snow or mud.
Bravada's new 2002 models appear in the spring of 2001 priced from $32,235 for 2WD or $34,767 for the AWD version.
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| 2002 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS |
| Description: |
Mid-size 4-door SUV wagon
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| Model Options: |
Mid-size 4-door SUV wagon
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| Wheelbase: |
113.0 inches
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| Overall Length: |
191.6 inches
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| Engine Size: |
DOHC 4.2-L I6
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| Transmission: |
Auto/4
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| Drive: |
Rear 2WD, AWD SmartTrak
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| Braking: |
Power 4-disc/ABS
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| Airbags: |
2 (front) + 2 (side)
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| Gross Weight: |
2WD: 5750 pounds
4WD: 5750 pounds
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| Towing Capacity: |
2WD: 6300 pounds, 4WD: 6100 pounds |
| Gas Mileage: |
16/21 mpg |
| MSRP Price: |
$ 32,235 to $ 37,752 |
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