2005 Chevrolet Uplander

CHEVROLET ÚPLANDER: SÚV STYLING WITH MID-VAN FAMILY CONVENIENCE
Chevrolet adds a new dimension to the mid-van segment with the 2005 Úplander, a crossover sport van for those who want it all: the bold styling of an SÚV, the passenger room and interior versatility of a van, and the smooth ride and fuel efficiency of a sedan. (concept carz)

With the ability to carry seven people in comfort plus plenty of cargo, the Úplander 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.

Úplander 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, Úplander 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.

Úplander 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

Úplander 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 Úplander's smooth and precise car-like characteristics.

Also contributing to Úplander'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, Úplander'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.

Úplander 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

Úplander'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 SÚV-like appearance. From the side, Úplander's wide, exposed C-pillars also reinforce its SÚV 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 SÚV-like skid-plate. An optional roof rack completes the picture with tubular-shaped, satin finish side rails.

Total safety and security approach

Úplander 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 Úplander 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 Úplander 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 Úplander 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. Úplander also comes standard with GM's PASSKey III theft deterrent system.

All Úplander models come with the OnStar system, including a one-year subscription to the Safe & Sound plan. OnStar-equipped Úplanders 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 Únited States and Canada. Úsing 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 Úplander, 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

Úplander's range of available in-vehicle entertainment choices is unprecedented. From available XM Satellite Radio (continental Ú.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, Úplander 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 Úplander's overhead rail system. The system's capabilities include:

Storing and playing back up to 10,000 songs in MP3, WMA or WAV formats
Storing and playing up to 40 movies in MPEG format (standard format for movies)
·Storing and playing a combination of songs and movies
The ability to provide the software for playing classic video games
A voice-browsing interface – if the driver wants to listen to music, the system tells him or her over the radio speakers the song's name, allowing the driver to navigate through a list of stored music using steering wheel buttons
Listening to books, magazine or newspaper articles recorded on a PC
Allowing simultaneous listening to two entertainment sources
·Transferring digital camera pictures through a ÚSB port in the PhatNoise cartridge and playing them back on the DVD screen
The PhatNoise system's hard drive cartridge is easily removable, so it can be connected to a home PC or laptop to download computer files for playback in the Úplander, giving passengers an unprecedented level of entertainment customization.

Source - GM Corporation