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| Manufacturer | General Motors |
|---|---|
| Production | North America: 1990–2009 China: 2000–present |
| Successor | GM Lambda platform |
| Class | Minivan Crossover SUV |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Body style(s) | 3-door minivan 4-door minivan 4-door Crossover SUV |
The U-platform (or U-body) is a front wheel drive minivan and crossover SUV platform from General Motors produced since 1990. North American sales ended in 2009, but Chinese production continues. The minivans were divided into three generations, 1990-1996, 1997-2005 and 2005-current. The U-body was also used for General Motors' first generation crossovers from 2001-2005.
The fourth character in the Vehicle Identification Number for a U-body is "U".
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First Generation Minivans
Released in the fall of 1989, for the 1990 model year the U platform utilized a galvanized steel space frame underneath composite plastic dent resistant panels similar to those used in Saturn models and the Pontiac Fiero. The vans features unconventional styling, which some commenters likened to a DustBuster vacuum cleaner.[1]
All models used a 120-hp, 3.1L V6 mated to a 3-speed automatic transmission. In 1992, the 3800 Series I V6 became available with a four speed automatic. Both were replaced by the LA1 3400 V6 in 1996.
The vehicles in this generation included:
- 1990–1996 Chevrolet Lumina APV ("APV" was dropped from the model name in 1994)
- 1990–1996 Oldsmobile Silhouette
- 1990–1996 Pontiac Trans Sport
In 1994 The Lumina and Trans Sport received a facelift, which shortened the nose and gave them a more conventional look. The Silhouette however did not receive this update.
International
The Pontiac Trans Sport was also sold in Europe.
European customers had grown accustomed to sleek minivans, thanks to vehicles such as the Renault Espace, and did not object to the Trans Sport's futuristic styling. In 1994, when the Trans Sport was updated, the European version retained the original shape, with the Oldsmobile Silhouette being sold badged as a Pontiac Trans Sport.
Second Generation Minivans
In 1997 the second U-body (platform) minivans arrived,[2] also known as the GMT200.The new minivans were of unibody steel construction and the styling was intentionally conventional to such an extent that contemporary reviewers remarked that without looking closely at the badging and grille treatments, these minivans could be mistaken for their primary competitors, the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager, which at the time commanded a 50% share of the minivan market.[3] Production of this generation was performed at GM's Doraville, Georgia facility, and later at GM Shanghai.
The vehicles in this generation included:
- 1996-1999 Opel/Vauxhall Sintra
- 1997-2005 Chevrolet Venture
- 1997-2004 Oldsmobile Silhouette
- 1997-1998 Pontiac Trans Sport
- 1999-2005 Pontiac Montana (Montana was a trim level of the Trans Sport prior to 1999)
- 2000-2005 Buick GL8 (China only)
International
- The Opel Sintra (badged as the Vauxhall Sintra in the United Kingdom) was an export built in the US along side other vans for the European market. The Sintra used Opel engines instead of the LA1 3400 V6 engine, that the US vans used.[4]
- The Buick GL8 is sold by Buick only in China.
- The Pontiac Trans Sport of this generation was also sold in Europe, badged as a Chevrolet Trans Sport.
Third Generation Minivans
The U-body was updated once again (GMT-201) in 2005. These vans were referred to as "Crossover Sport Vans" (CSV) by General Motors, in reference to their SUV-inspired styling. North American vans were built in GM's plant in Doraville, Georgia. General Motors ceased minivan sales in the US in 2008. The Pontiac Montana and Chevrolet Uplander continue to be sold in Canada and Mexico for 2009. Production the Buick GL8 continues in Shanghai, China.
The vehicles in this generation include:
- 2005-present Buick GL8 (China only)
- 2005-2007 Buick Terraza
- 2005-2009 Chevrolet Uplander
- 2005-2009 Pontiac Montana SV6 (2005-2006 in the US)
- 2005-2007 Saturn Relay
Crossover SUVs
In 2001 General Motors decided to produce its first entry into the Crossover SUV category using a shortened U-body platform.[5]
Vehicles:
- 2001-2005 Pontiac Aztek
- 2002-2007 Buick Rendezvous
Future
At the 2009 Shanghai Auto Show, GM demonstrated the Buick Business Concept concept car, reportedly a preview of a next generation U-body application.[6]
References
- ^ Michelle Krebs (1996-12-01). "After the Dustbuster, a Clean Sweep". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/1996/12/01/automobiles/after-the-dustbuster-a-clean-sweep.html. Retrieved 2009-09-18.
- ^ http://wardsautoworld.com/ar/auto_big_test_brand/index.html
- ^ http://www.trucktrend.com/roadtests/chevrolet/112_9702_1997_chevy_venture_dodge_caravan/index.html
- ^ http://wardsautoworld.com/ar/auto_opel_sintra_offers/
- ^ http://wardsdealer.com/ar/auto_pontiacs_new_aztek/
- ^ John Beltz Snyder (2009-04-21). "Shanghai 2009: Buick Business MPV Concept". NextAutos.com. http://www.nextautos.com/shanghai-2009-buick-business-mpv-concept. Retrieved 2009-09-18.
External links
[1] Frontal Offset of the '97 minivans.
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