Difference between revisions of "Chevrolet Blazer"

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{{Infobox Automobile
|image=[[Image:1994-1996 Chevrolet Lumina APV.jpg|250px|1994-1996 Chevrolet Lumina APV]]
|name=Chevrolet Lumina APV
|manufacturer=[[General Motors]]
|production=1989–1996
|class=[[Minivan]]
|transmission=3-speed [[automatic transmission|automatic]]<br>4-speed automatic
|layout=[[FF layout]]
|platform=[[GM A platform]]
|body_style=3-door [[van]]
|engine=3.1&nbsp;L ''[[GM 60-Degree V6 engine#LG6|LG6]]'' [[V6]]<br>3.4&nbsp;L ''[[GM 60-Degree V6 engine#LA1|LA1]]'' [[V6]]<br>3.8&nbsp;L ''[[Buick V6 engine#Series I|3800 Series I]]'' [[V6]]
|length=1990-93: {{auto in|194.2|0}}<Br>1994-96: {{auto in|191.5|0}}
|wheelbase={{auto in|109.8|0}}
|width={{auto in|73.9|0}}
|height=1990-91: {{auto in|65.2|0}}<bR>1992-96: {{auto in|65.7|0}}
|weight=3599–3899&nbsp;lb (1632–1769&nbsp;kg)
|successor=[[Chevrolet Venture]]
|assembly=[[Tarrytown, New York]], [[United States]]
|related=[[Oldsmobile Silhouette]]<br>[[Pontiac Trans Sport]]
}}
[[Image:Chevrolet-Lumina-APV.jpg|250px|thumb|right|1989-1993 Chevrolet Lumina APV]]
The '''[[Chevrolet]] Lumina APV''' was a [[minivan]] produced by [[General Motors]] for the 1990 to 1996 model years. The Lumina APV was similar to the [[Pontiac Trans Sport]] and [[Oldsmobile Silhouette]].


==Background==
The '''Chevrolet K5 Blazer''' and '''GMC 1500 Jimmy'' names were used on two different early (full sized) [[SUV]] models.
General Motors' first attempt at producing a [[minivan]] to compete with the [[Dodge Caravan]] and [[Plymouth Voyager]], the [[Chevrolet Astro]] and its twin, the [[GMC Safari]], failed to make a noticeable dent in [[Chrysler]]'s almost total dominance of the minivan market in the late eighties, so this second attempt was made. The Lumina APV was introduced as part of a proposed full line of [[Chevrolet Lumina]] vehicles that in the end, included just a minivan and sedan. The "APV" designation stood for "All Purpose Vehicle" and while the vehicle itself was certainly versatile and featured many innovative features, the unusual space age design failed to resonate with many potential minivan buyers.
The names "Blazer" and "Jimmy" were also used on other smaller model SUVs produced by General Motors.
The vehicle shared the unibody frame, and componentry with the [[GM A platform]]


==Technology and innovative features==
* The full-size [[Chevrolet K5 Blazer|K5 Blazer and Jimmy]] were produced on the C/K pickup truck chassis.
Assembled in the now defunct General Motors [[Tarrytown, New York]] assembly facility, these [[GM U platform|U-body]] vans consisted of a galvanized steel spaceframe wrapped in composite plastic body panels that were impervious to rust and minor dents and dings, a manufacturing technique developed on the [[Pontiac Fiero]] and used extensively on General Motors' [[Saturn Corporation|Saturn]] line of vehicles.
* The smaller [[Chevrolet S-10 Blazer|S-10 Blazer and S-15 Jimmy]] used the compact Chevrolet S-10 truck chassis.
* The [[Chevrolet TrailBlazer]], originally a trim package on the S-10 Blazer/Jimmy until 2002, when it became its own, larger model.
* The [[GMC Typhoon]] The GMC Typhoon was a high-performance version of the GMC Jimmy (Chevrolet S-10 Blazer) SUV.


The Lumina APV was available with seating for seven, with the five lightweight (34 lb) rear seats being individually reconfigurable and removable. In 1994, built-in child seats were added to the option list, which provided the ability to switch two of the rear seats between adult and child seating with the pull of a seat-mounted tab.
==See also==
* [[GMC Yukon]] (disambiguation) - nameplate created to reduce confusion between the compact and full size Jimmies.


The Lumina APV was the only version of the trio to offer a [[commercial vehicle]] model that featured a rubber-matted floor in lieu of carpeting, deletion of rear seating and painted plastic panels in place of the side rear glass.


Included with the optional level ride package, which utilized a compressor and air-pressurized rear shock absorbers to maintain vehicle height regardless of load, was a control panel and air hose kit that allowed the vehicle to be used to inflate tires, air mattresses, sporting equipment and the like.


In 1994, a remote-controlled power sliding door feature was added, a General Motors innovation, which is now found in almost every other minivan available.
[[Category:Chevrolet vehicles|Blazer]]
 
[[Category:Vehicle disambiguations]]
For the 1994 and 1995 model years, traction control was available with the 3.8 L [[V6]].
[[Category:SUVs]]
 
==Modest sales success==
The design of these minivans was controversial. At the time that the Chevrolet Lumina APV and its siblings were conceived, no one had tried to market a stylish or sporty minivan, and GM felt that that represented a potentially large market segment. They styled these minivans to be lower and sleeker than any of the competing brands on the market. The extremely large, long and sloped windshield and the resultant long distance to the base of the windshield when sitting in the drivers seat made for a disconcerting driving experience until a person could adjust to the "different" proportions. Automotive magazines christened the new minivans "dustbusters" after a household vacuum cleaning appliance that shared a similar side profile.
 
The first engine in these vans was a meager 3.1&nbsp;L V6, that produced only {{convert|120|hp|abbr=on}}, which was not up to the task of hauling these fairly heavy vehicles around with any authority.
 
In 1992, the Lumina APV and its siblings received the 170&nbsp;hp 3.8&nbsp;L [[Buick V6 engine#Series I|3800 Series I]] V6 as an option. The 3.8L provided much better torque and acceleration for the vans, making them the most powerful minivans in production at the time, until Ford's 1996 [[Ford Windstar|Windstar]] 3.8L debuted with {{convert|200|hp|abbr=on}}.
 
[[Image:ChevroletLuminaAPV.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Facelifted Chevrolet Lumina APV]]
In response to criticism (and relatively modest sales) attributable to the vehicles' avantgarde styling, feedback from potential customers, automotive publications, and even chiding in Chrysler Corporation's advertising, in 1994, the Trans Sport and Lumina APV received a facelift, shortening the nose by {{convert|3|in|mm}} and elimination of the black painted roof and [[a-pillar]] "canopy effect" to impart a more conventional look. Additionally a ridge was added to the interior dashboard to lessen the perceived distance to the base of the windshield.
 
Production of this generation of minivans ceased in 1996, at which time the Tarrytown plant which produced them and which had been in operation since 1900, was shuttered and scheduled for demolition.
 
The Lumina APV was replaced by the [[Chevrolet Venture]] which was a completely new vehicle, with conventional steel [[unibody]] construction and extremely conventional styling which purposely aped the class-leading [[Dodge Caravan]] and [[Plymouth Voyager]].
 
==Year-to-year changes==
===1991===
*Customer complaints regarding glare reflected on the interior of the windshield from the massive expanse of dashboard led to the addition of black carpeting in lieu of the more reflective plastic used in the previous year.
 
===1992===
*Newly available for 1992 was GM's [[Buick V6 engine#Series I|3800 Series I]] {{convert|170|hp|abbr=on}} V6 engine coupled with a [[GM 4T60-E transmission|4T60-E]] 4-speed electronically-controlled [[automatic transmission]].
*The cowl-mounted fixed radio antenna mast was eliminated, and an integrated roof antenna was installed, sandwiched between the roof and the [[headliner]].
*Side view mirrors were changed to the folding type and were enlarged to provide better rear-ward visibility.
*Brakes were enlarged and [[anti-lock brakes]] (ABS) was added as standard equipment.
 
===1993===
*A remote controlled power sliding side door was announced for 1993, but failed to actually make it into production that year.
*A redesigned center console was added this year with revamped, larger climate controls, a large storage cubby and a large storage bin at its base.
 
===1994===
*The exterior styling was revamped, three inches (76 mm)  were trimmed off the nose, headlights taken from the [[Pontiac Bonneville]] were installed and the "canopy-effect" black painted forward section of the roof and [[a-pillar]]s was changed to body color, all in an effort to make the vehicle seem more like its conservatively-styled competitors.
*In an effort to lessen the perceived distance to the base of the windshield, a ridge was added to the interior dash finishing panel.
*A remote-controlled power sliding door became available as an option.
*Built-in child seats for the second row became available as an option.
*A traction control system became available as an option.
*Rear deep-tinted windows now featured a darker tint than previously used.
*A driver's side [[airbag]] became standard equipment.
 
===1995===
*Automatic power door locks that engaged/disengaged with the transmission shifting into or out of "park" added as a standard feature of the power door lock option package.
 
===1996===
*Final year of production. The APV was replaced by the [[Chevrolet Venture]].
*Both the 3.1 and 3.8 L V6 engines were dropped, and the 3.4 L ''[[GM 60-Degree V6 engine#LA1|LA1]]'' V6 became the only engine available with {{convert|180|hp|abbr=on}} and 205 ft*lb of torque.
*Traction control dropped as an option.
 
{{Chevrolet Truck}}
 
[[Category:Chevrolet vehicles|Lumina APV]]
[[Category:Minivans]]
[[Category:Front wheel drive vehicles]]
[[Category:1990s automobiles]]
[[Category:Goods manufactured in the United States]]
 
[[de:Chevrolet Lumina APV]]
[[es:Chevrolet Lumina APV]]
[[lt:Chevrolet Lumina APV]]
[[pt:Chevrolet Lumina APV]]

Latest revision as of 22:59, 9 February 2009

The Chevrolet K5 Blazer' and GMC 1500 Jimmy names were used on two different early (full sized) SUV models. The names "Blazer" and "Jimmy" were also used on other smaller model SUVs produced by General Motors.

  • The full-size K5 Blazer and Jimmy were produced on the C/K pickup truck chassis.
  • The smaller S-10 Blazer and S-15 Jimmy used the compact Chevrolet S-10 truck chassis.
  • The Chevrolet TrailBlazer, originally a trim package on the S-10 Blazer/Jimmy until 2002, when it became its own, larger model.
  • The GMC Typhoon The GMC Typhoon was a high-performance version of the GMC Jimmy (Chevrolet S-10 Blazer) SUV.

See also

  • GMC Yukon (disambiguation) - nameplate created to reduce confusion between the compact and full size Jimmies.
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