Chevrolet
adds a new dimension to the mid-van segment with the 2005 Uplander, a
crossover sport van for those who want it all: the bold styling of an SUV, the
passenger room and interior versatility of a van, and the smooth ride and fuel
efficiency of a sedan.
With the ability to carry seven people in comfort plus plenty of cargo, the
Uplander lineup includes front-wheel-drive passenger models available in base,
LS and LT trim, as well as an all-wheel-drive passenger van and
front-wheel-drive commercial-use cargo van.
Uplander is powered by an overhead valve 3500 3.5L V-6, rated at 200
horsepower (149 kw) and coupled to GM’s proven Hydra-Matic 4T65-E
electronically controlled automatic overdrive transaxle.When properly
equipped, Uplander can tow up to 3,500 pounds.
While front-wheel drive is standard, the Versatrak all-wheel-drive system
is available on LT models, giving this crossover sport van even more
capability. GM’s exclusive Versatrak all-wheel-drive system is lightweight,
quiet and efficient. The on-demand system is one of the most advanced
approaches to all-wheel drive. If one or both front wheels lose grip, the
Versatrak system goes into action automatically, with no buttons to push or
levers to throw. The system is poised to help drivers make use of the traction
available by not only transferring torque from front to rear, but also from
side to side between the rear wheels – an ability not found in many
competitive systems.
Uplander also is offered with StabiliTrak, GM’s advanced Vehicle
Stability Enhancement System. StabiliTrak assists the vehicle in maintaining
the driver’s intended path by applying a brake force at any corner of the
vehicle independent of the driver’s use of the brake pedal.
StabiliTrak uses an accelerator pedal position sensor, a brake master
cylinder pressure sensor and a steering wheel angle sensor as inputs to
interpret the driver’s desired path and whether to accelerate or decelerate
the vehicle. StabiliTrak also uses these sensors plus a lateral accelerometer
and yaw rate sensor to determine the vehicle’s actual path.
If the difference between the driver’s desired path and the vehicle’s
actual path becomes great enough, StabiliTrak takes appropriate action to
assist the driver with maintaining the desired path. If the vehicle begins to
“snowplow,” or understeer, StabiliTrak applies the inside rear brake to
help turn the vehicle. If the vehicle begins to fishtail, or oversteer,
StabiliTrak applies the outside front brake to straighten the vehicle.
StabiliTrak is integrated with the traction control and ABS systems.
StabiliTrak is not available on models equipped with Versatrak.
Comfort and response
Uplander has as standard an extensive list of comfort and convenience
items, such as air conditioning, power windows and power door locks,
tilt-adjustable steering column, and an AM/FM stereo with CD and MP3 player. A
standard, all-new four-wheel anti-lock disc brake system, 17-inch wheels and
tires, a rigid chassis structure and long 121.1-inch (3077 mm) wheelbase all
contribute to Uplander’s smooth and precise car-like characteristics.
Also contributing to Uplander’s smooth ride and agile handling is an
independent front suspension. MacPherson struts and stabilizer bars up front
provide responsive road manners, while the rear suspension utilizes aluminum
short and long (SLA) control arms and automatic load-leveling shock absorbers
for improved stability, particularly when cornering over rough pavement.
Near-endless interior versatility
With comfortable seating for up to seven, Uplander’s interior is
extremely versatile, with almost unlimited combinations of passenger and cargo
space configurations. Both the second- and third-row seats are foldable and
removable. Second-row bucket seats can be folded and tumbled up against the
front seats for increased cargo space, and the third-row fold-flat bench seat
has a 50/50 split for added passenger/cargo flexibility.
Uplander also offers an innovative and flexible rear convenience
center/cargo system. With its doors closed, the box-like cargo system’s
height lines up with that of the folded third-row seat, providing a flat load
floor, with more depth for carrying items behind the second row. Overall,
there is up to 136.5 cubic feet (3,865L) of cargo space.
Other innovative storage features include an overhead rail system, which
integrates into a single unit lighting and rear HVAC/audio controls along with
features such as a standard rear-seat entertainment/DVD system. Snap-in
storage and accessory modules are available to store smaller personal items,
such as sunglasses, CDs or cellular phones. Second-row captain’s chairs are
standard on the uplevel LT and available on the LS. On models with second-row
captain’s chairs, available convenience trays with pop-up beverage holders
between the first- and second-row seats fold easily out of the way for
pass-through between seats. A second-row console is available with models
equipped with second-row bucket seats.
Innovative exterior styling
Uplander’s innovative styling combines the best attributes of vans with
the bold look of a sport-utility vehicle. Its prominent Chevrolet horizontal
mid-grille band and large, chrome-ringed grille accentuates its SUV-like
appearance. From the side, Uplander’s wide, exposed C-pillars also reinforce
its SUV look, while 17-inch wheels and wider tires contribute to its sturdy
stance. Gray molding covers the rocker panels and extends to lower front and
rear fascias, creating an SUV-like skid-plate. An optional roof rack completes
the picture with tubular-shaped, satin finish side rails.
Total safety and security approach
Uplander is engineered to be among the safest vehicles in the mid-van
segment, and is designed for outstanding performance in real-world crashes.
Notable features include structural enhancements to the frame using
high-strength steel. A long front-end compartment provides a large crush zone
to preserve interior space, while longer and stronger engine compartment side
frame rails increase energy absorption in the event of a frontal impact.
All seven seating positions have three-point safety belts. Retractors for
front seating positions have built-in load limiters that allow a controlled
amount of give in the belt, thereby reducing the peak load on the chest during
the “ride down” in a crash.
The Uplander also has pretensioners in the front safety belt system that
deploy at the same time as the frontal air bags to take up slack in the safety
belt webbing. Pretensioners also help reduce the amount of occupant movement
in the event of a crash to help reduce the risk of injury.
The Uplander is equipped with the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for
CHildren) system in all second-row seating positions. This system provides two
lower anchors and a top tether anchor to be used to secure a child seat to the
vehicle seat structure. A top tether is also provided in the center position
of the third row. These anchorages are designed to make it easier to properly
install compatible child safety seats.
Standard, front dual-stage air bags for both driver and front passenger are
designed to help reduce the risk of air bag-induced injury. When the air bag
system’s control unit detects an impact, it determines whether the crash is
severe enough to trigger a deployment, and whether the primary amount of
inflation is sufficient. The primary stage alone will deploy in most front
impacts requiring the supplemental protection of an air bag, while a secondary
stage is designed to deploy in more severe frontal collisions.
In addition, the Uplander has GM’s Passenger Sensing System (PSS).
PSS uses the latest sensing technology to turn the front passenger air bag on
or off. If the sensor system detects an unoccupied front passenger seat or the
presence of a smaller occupant, the front passenger air bag is designed to
automatically turn off so it would not deploy in the event of a frontal
collision. A status indicator on the instrument panel alerts occupants that
the passenger air bag is on or off. Even with this system, GM strongly
recommends to restrain child passengers in an appropriate child seat placed in
the second or third row of the vehicle.
Optional seat-mounted side-impact air bags also help provide head and torso
protection for both the front passenger and the driver.
Daytime running lamps are standard on all models. Uplander also comes
standard with GM’s PASSKey III theft deterrent system.
All Uplander models come with the OnStar system, including a one-year
subscription to the Safe & Sound plan. OnStar-equipped Uplanders feature
new sixth-generation hardware with digital and analog coverage. OnStar’s Gen
6 hardware also includes upgraded hands-free voice recognition capabilities
including more intuitive continuous digit dialing and improved voice
recognition accuracy. OnStar is the leading provider of in-vehicle safety,
security and information services in the United States and Canada. Using the
GPS satellite network and wireless technology, OnStar features core safety
services and OnStar Personal Calling that allows drivers to make and receive
hands-free, voice-activated phone calls using a powerful three-watt
digital/analog system and external antenna for greater reception.
GM Mobility options
A range of Mobility packages is available for Uplander, for customers who
transport passengers or themselves but need easier access to enter or exit a
vehicle. One such feature is a dealer-installed Sit-N-Lift power seat.
Operated by a hand-held remote control, this innovative seat rotates and
extends out from the right side of the vehicle’s second-row seating area to
provide easy transfer from a standing position or from a wheelchair.
The Sit-N-Lift seat is mounted in the original seat attachments and is
installed in place of the second-row passenger seat. Available as a regular
production accessory and as an accessory kit through GM Parts Operation,
Sit-N-Lift requires no permanent vehicle modifications.
PhatNoise leads entertainment choices
Uplander’s range of available in-vehicle entertainment choices is
unprecedented. From available XM Satellite Radio (continental U.S. only) to a
standard DVD player with flip-down screen and integrated controls, longer
drives become more enjoyable.
For the ultimate in-vehicle entertainment system, Uplander can be equipped
with the segment-exclusive Mobile Digital Media Powered by PhatNoise system
(available interim 2005).
The available PhatNoise system is a wallet-sized, 40-gigabyte hard drive
cartridge that installs in the Uplander’s overhead rail system. The
system’s capabilities include:
