Chevrolet Uplander

Production period:	2004 to 2008
Class:	motor car
Body versions:	station wagon SUV
Engines:	Gasoline engines: 3.5-3.9 litres  (146-179 kW)
Length:	4851-5189 mm
Width:	1829 mm
Height:	1791-1829 mm
Wheelbase:	2870-3076 mm
Curb weight:	1852-2107 kg

The Chevrolet Uplander is a SUV minivan of the Chevrolet Division of General Motors with front or four-wheel drive.  The Uplander and other members of the GM minivan family. A somewhat ungainly evolution of the Venture. This was offered exclusively in North America. It replaced the models Venture and Astro. The Uplander was a  development of the venture and was launched in the in 2005, the last year of production of the Venture and Astro models. Built on the same platform as Pontiac Montana SV6 the Saturn Relay, and Buick Terraza . 

History

Compared to the venture was extended especially the front end and the hood when Uplander, the formal premiere took place at the Chicago Auto Show in 2004 and production started in autumn 2004. This was built in Doraville Assembly in Doraville near Atlanta, the capital of State of Georgia. On 21 November 2005 GM announced that the plant will be closed at the end of 2008.

All basic Uplanders come equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 that makes 200 horsepower and 220 pound-feet of torque. A four-speed automatic transmission is standard

The standard equipment, as always with GM, is quite comprehensive: air conditioning, power door locks, adjustable and tilting steering column, AM/FM stereo with CD and MP3 player. While front airbags are standard equipment, side airbags in the first two rows cost extra. However, there are no side curtain airbags. unlike many of its competitors, the third-row seat isn't hidden in the floor.

Engines

At the start of production, the Uplander was offered with a 3.5-liter V6 engine with a maximum power of 149 kW for front-wheel drive and 146 kW for four-wheel drive and 293 Nm maximum torque.  A model years later (2006) was followed by the version with short wheelbase. The 3.9-liter V6 engine with a maximum power of 179 kW and 325 Nm of maximum torque was offered from model year 2007, but set the base engine and the four-wheel variant. The 3.9-liter V6 engine is a Flex fuel version that can run on ethanol and gasoline. The only available transmission version was a 4-speed automatic transmission.

Inside

At first Trim Levels and Options three different trim levels: base LS and LT. The base model offers power windows, air con, an eight-speaker sound system with a CD/MP3 player, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system and the OnStar communications system. The Uplander seats seven, the fold-flat third-row seat offers a 50/50 split. A two-tone colour scheme with faux metal Folding centre trays (with cupholders) between the first- and second-row seats are available. An overhead rail system provides rear-seat access to climate and entertainment functions, and can be upgraded with various storage containers. A rear-seat DVD entertainment system is standard on all Uplanders. A remote start system, is optional. For 2007 is still available in four trim levels with regular or extended wheelbase; Cargo and extended LT2 with 4WD all-wheel drive. 

Upgrades

Upgrades for the LS model include cruise control, keyless entry, rear air conditioning and a built-in child seat. Pop for the LT trim and you'll get a passenger-side power sliding door, deluxe rear-seat entertainment system and a 115-volt AC outlet, a power driver seat steering wheel audio controls, alloy wheels and second-row captain's chairs.

The all-wheel-drive system is available on the LT only, and adds automatic load-levelling rear suspension and an inflator kit. The LS and LT can be upgraded with leather seating and heated seats. An optional mobile digital media system allows other options include dual power-sliding side doors, rear parking assist and a remote vehicle starting.
All models come with four-wheel antilock brakes. Side-impact airbags for front occupants are included with LS IT, and optional on the base model. Side curtain
airbags are not available. The Stabil Trak stability control system is available on the LT when equipped with the optional sport suspension package.

When US-NCAP - Crash test the vehicle in frontal tests were driver-rated with four stars, in the IIHS conducted crash tests was the "moderate overlap front" experiment with "Good" rated. 

The price list started at 22,320 US dollars The Uplander was available with short and long wheelbase. Production of the Uplander was discontinued in late September 2008, successor is the Chevrolet Traverse.