GMC Envoy
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| GMC Envoy | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | General Motors |
| Production: | 1998–present |
| Predecessor: | GMC Jimmy |
| Class: | Midsize SUV |
| Generation I | |
| Production: | 1998–2000 |
| Platform: | FR/4WD GMT330 |
| Engines: | 4.3 L Vortec 4300 V6 |
| Generation II Envoy/XL/XUV | |
| Production: | 2002–present 2004–2005 (XUV) |
| Platform: | FR/4WD GMT360 |
| Body Styles: | 4-door wagon 3-row wagon (XL) sliding-roof (XUV) |
| Similar: | GMT360 SUVs |
| Engines: | 4.2 L Vortec I6 5.3 L Vortec V8 (XL) |
The GMC Envoy is an SUV from the GMC marque of General Motors. There have been two different vehicles to bear this model name, the 1998-2000 Envoy, and the 2002-present Envoy.
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) Vortec 4300. This Envoy was retired after the 2000 model year.
2002
The new Envoy replaces the Jimmy name in GMC's lineup. While it still shares a platform with the Chevrolet TrailBlazer, the styling is much more differentiated. It uses the more powerful 275 hp (201 kW) Vortec 4300 engine and has 4-wheel disc brakes. An extended-length 7-passenger version is called the Envoy XL. The Envoy was Motor Trend magazine's Sport/Utility of the Year for 2002. A Displacement on Demand 5.3 L V8 was used beginning in 2005.
Engines:
- 2003-2005 LL8 4.2 L (256 in³) I6
- 2003-2004 5300 5.3 L (323 in³) V8
- 2005 5300 5.3 L (323 in³) V8 with Displacement on Demand
XUV
The five-passenger Envoy XUV, introduced in 2003, is an attempt to create a crossbreed of pickup truck and SUV. It features a retractable rear roof section that slides forward, giving an open-topped load area. A 'MidGate' can be raised to partition the load area off from the passenger compartment; this is solid and plastic-lined to waist height and with a retractable glass partition for the top half. The two-way tailgate can either hinge sideways or drop down; the tailgate glass retracts into the solid tailgate. The cargo area is 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 is reminiscent of the Studebaker Wagonaire of the 1960s.
Sales were projected at 30,000 per year for this version (approximately a third of Envoy production), but have been much slower with just over 12,000 sold in 2004. GM decided to discontinue XUV production on March 15, 2005.