STYLISH BRAVADA PROVIDES PERFORMANCE AND COMFORT

With its car-like performance and handling, maximum comfort and impressive utility in a stylish, distinctive package, Oldsmobile will proudly build the 2004 Bravada as the division continues to wind down production.

Recognizing that 90 percent of mid-size SUVs are driven exclusively 'on-road,' Oldsmobile crafted Bravada primarily as a quality luxury touring vehicle, although it does offer full off-road capability. Designed to be a luxurious mid-size SUV, Bravada was created for the evolving desires of customers seeking added luxury, performance and driving refinement in a sport utility vehicle. For 2004, Bravada continues to offer all of the quality and value customers have come to expect from Oldsmobile. This year Oldsmobile backs its commitment to quality by giving Bravada a five-year/60,000-mile warranty, the most extensive in the GM lineup.

New satellite radio technology

New for 2004, Bravada is available with the optional XM Satellite Radio system (continental U.S. only). XM Satellite Radio provides 100 coast-to-coast, digital-quality channels of original music, news, sports and talk. Consumers can subscribe to the basic service for $9.99 a month - less than the cost of a single CD. In addition, GM customers with GMAC financing can choose to include the XM subscription in their car payments.

Inline Vortec power

For 2004, Bravada offers the Vortec 4200 4.2L, dual-overhead-camshaft, inline six-cylinder engine with four valves per cylinder. The all-aluminum I-6 engine, which delivers 275 horsepower (201 kw) and 275 lb.-ft. (372 Nm) of torque, provides quick, smooth acceleration.

The Vortec 4200 4.2L engine's variable valve timing (VVT) enables it to produce full torque across a wider band - between 1600 and 5600 rpm - as well as yield higher output and reduce exhaust emissions. Even with its 10.1:1 compression ratio there is no fuel economy penalty and regular unleaded fuel is still recommended. The engine's advanced 'lost-foam' cast-aluminum design contributes to weight savings, less machining and substantial benefits in overall quality.

Fuel economy estimates are 15 mpg city/21 mpg highway for the all-wheel-drive model and 16 mpg city/22 mpg highway for the two-wheel-drive model.

Suspension offers luxurious driving comfort

Bravada's chassis features rack-and-pinion steering for decreased turning radius, a short-/long-arm front suspension and an exclusive air bladder rear suspension that offers superior driving comfort and distinguishes it from the competition. Two different suspensions are available on the all-wheel-drive Bravada - the standard coil suspension or the air suspension found on two-wheel-drive Bravadas. With the air suspension system, road inputs are constantly monitored, and two highly durable air bladders automatically inflate or deflate independently for improved ride and handling, giving Bravada the character of a sport sedan.

A 24-mm solid rear stabilizer bar contributes to improved handling. And on-demand SmartTrak helps all-wheel-drive Bravadas maintain good traction throughout a variety of road conditions. Hydroformed side rails, coupled with eight structural cross-members, increase torsional rigidity by 260 percent. A five-link rear suspension eliminates the heavy rear leaf springs normally used in truck chassis design.

DVD-based entertainment system

As customers would expect of a mid-size Oldsmobile SUV, Bravada is available with a DVD player, elevating in-vehicle entertainment to a new level. The DVD system includes a ceiling-integrated, fold-down 7-inch (178 mm) monitor with high-fidelity audio for miles of highway enjoyment. The system allows rear-seat passengers to watch movies, play video games or listen to audio CDs. Headphones are included so that rear seat passengers can enjoy DVD entertainment while those in front listen to the CD player or radio.

by GM Corporation

by Oldsmobile

A fully loaded, ultra lush version of the 4 door Blazer/Jimmy was the Oldsmobile Bravada introduced in 1991. The first generation was offered from 1991 until 1994 and the body style was a 4-door SUV built on the GMT330 platform. The engine was a 4.3 L Vortex 4300 V6, had a wheelbase of 107.0 inches, an overall length of 178.9 inches, had a width of 5.2 inches, and had a height of 65.5 inches.

The Bravada was the first truck-based vehicle that was offered by Oldsmobile since the 1920s, and by the time of production, was a U.S. only vehicle. The Bravada was only available with 'Smart Trak' all-wheel-drive, unlike its close relatives, as well as all-wheel drive, power equipment, leather upholstery, and the 4.3 L Z-code engine. At the center of the Smart Trak system was the Borg-Warner automatic transmission 4472 transfer case which offered 65% rear and 35% front torque with more to the front when it slips. Additional standard features were anti-lock brakes and remote keyless entry.

In 1992 a horsepower boost to 200 was added to the 4.3 L V6 engine. In this same year, the Bravada's instrument panel was updated and it now differed greatly from its siblings. The following year an overhead console was added and featured a compass, reading lights, and temperature. Also new for 1993, an optional Gold package was available with gold exterior badging and special gold aluminum wheels and this version continued to be produced through the 1994 model year.

The second generation of the Bravada was introduced in 1996 until 2001 and was also built on the GMT330 platform and had a wheelbase of 107.0 inches. The Bravada was updated later than other models, and no 1995 models were produced. Less box-shaped than its predecessor, the 1996 and 1997 models had an all-new shape. Standard features were daytime running lamps and a driver's airbag. The inside was styled much like the exterior with clean sharp shapes rather than ridges and squares.

Another update of the Bravada occurred from 1998 until 2001, the 'Smart Trak' system now featured the computer-controlled NP-136 transfer case which worked more like traction control. Only when wheel slip is detected the 'Smart Trak' kicks into AWD while the Bravada was now run RWD in normal operations.

Inside the Bravada the interior was updated and now included heated seats, dual airbags and an all-new front fascia which included the new Aurora inspired Oldsmobile logo. In 1999, OnStar was available as a cell phone unit which later became integrated into the rearview mirror in 2001 with available features like a virtual advisor and hands-free calling. Also for this year a Bose sound system was available and the engine was redesigned in 2000 though the output remained the same. Also available for 2000 was the Platinum Edition with a new two-tone exterior. In 2001 this second generation was phased out to get ready for the new GMT360 Bravada.

The third generation of the Oldsmobile Bravada was introduced from 2002 until 2004. The engine was a 4.2 L Vortec I6 with a wheelbase of 113.0 inches, a length of 191.8 inches, a width of 75.4 inches, and had a height of 74.5 inches. This third-generation model was only offered in Canada.

In February 2001 the all-new Bravada hit showrooms and the third generation promised to be the best. This model holds the distinction of being the both the first GMT360 truck introduced along with being the last new Oldsmobile model. It featured the new 270 hp Atlas I6 engine much like the Chevy Trailblazer and GMC Envoy. For the first time, rear-wheel drive was offered making it the first rear-wheel drive Oldsmobile since the '92 Custom Cruiser. This generation was the only GMT360 product that didn't have a V8 and it was the only Oldsmobile with a straight-6 engine.

In 2004 the production of the Bravada ended with the demise of the Oldsmobile marque. The 'Final 500' Bravada's were produced as special editions that featured custom seat embroidering and exterior badging inspired by vintage Oldsmobile logos, special chrome alloy wheels, dark cherry metallic paint and a medallion that featured that particular Bravada's production number running from 1 to 500. In January 2004, the final Bravada, number 500 rolled off the assembly line.

From 2004 until 2007 the Bravada bodyshell continued to be used by its joint replacements for the Buick Rainier, and from 2005 until 2009 by the Saab -7X which remained in production until December 2008.

by Jessican Donaldson