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Show Automotive, SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 2002 . . ,J C-14 r 2002 GMC ENVOY by Bruce & Holly Hubbard The Advisor Croup I lonest values. Enduring quality. quali-ty. American tradition (k-neral Motors states in its commitment to the Olympic Spirit coming next month to I 'ark City. General Motors has introduced the award winning CMC Envoy, Chevrolet Trail Blazer and Olsmobile iravada. Over the years General Motors ( iMC trucks have mastered the large SUV market. Chevrolet and CMC offered smaller SUV's for the younger buyers and for many who just wanted a vehicle a little smaller. The original Blazer and Jimmy. They were all based on the truck platform. T he new CMC Envoy , Chevrolet TrailBlaer come only as a four door model. They use an all-new body-on-frame design that has been designed from the ground up as an SUV and is not adapted from a pickup truck. CMC's Envoy is a good Ix)ker with its solid chrome bar across the grille and nose and the rounded round-ed tail lights. The public wanted more room and the new GMC Envoy has that. The GMC Envoy has 6-inch longer wheelbase, 8 inches longer overall, and 5 inches wider. Inside the cargo space equals that of the new larger Explorer at 80.5 cubic feet. The CMC Envoy will not offer a third seat initially, but eventually a stretched version will offer that feature. The GMC Envoy delivers unequaled power and smiH)thness, while providing excellent fuel efficiency. The ride and drive is one thing we immediately noticed. It handles han-dles so well on the road and off-road off-road we were very pleased. Even Toyota, BMW and Mercedes have nothing over the new GMC Envoy. Only Chevrolet will still offer the smaller versions of the Blazer. (iMC and Chevrolet will offer both the 4-door and 2-door ver-tion. ver-tion. The redesigned Chevrolet H CI M -i's ' If I'C All New FORESTERS 4, As T,nw as NATE SUBARU The Beaunof All-Wheel Drive. Trail Blazer, Oldsmobile Bravada and GMC Envoy trio won't look quite so much like triplets, as the front doors, roof, and tailgate are the only common exterior exte-rior panels. For those that want additional room then look at the GMC Envoy XL or the Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT. These stretched SUVs are built on 129-inch wheelbas-es wheelbas-es and are 207.6 inches long overall. Compared with 113-inch wheelbas-es wheelbas-es and 191.6-inch overall lengths on the midsize Envoy and TrailBlazer. Most SUVs offering offer-ing three rows des THE 2002 FOUR ignate row three for kids because there's not enough head room for adults. XL EXT have surprisingly ample head room, not to mention leg and arm room in the third row. The third seat holds two adults-up adults-up to 6 feet 2 inches and 200 pounds-comfortably, GM says.The Yukon Extended version allows for even a third person. I would not like to be that person however. To camouflage a bulge in the roof, the Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT and GMC Envoy XL use a luggage rack. Even with the third seat up the extended version has good cargo room. If you need more cargo than passengers, the third seat flips and folds. There's also a convenience compartment in the floor. Open the lid and there are three compartments com-partments to hold things, including includ-ing one for wet items such as swimsuits or boots. All three GM vehicles have a brand-new inline six. Displacing 4.2 liters, the new six features dual overhead camshafts, four valves Gearing Up Stock 's: 2186N, 2345N Stock 's: 2101N, 2121N m Over Invoice WADE mmis m i m i I mm i - v -1 , .-w. cm-. . DOOR MID-SIZE CMC ENVOY SUV per cylinder, variable valve timing, tim-ing, coil-on-plug ignition, and electronic throttle control. It puts out 270 horsepower 6000rpm and 275 pound-feet of torque 3600rpm, which is more power but a bit less torque than competing compet-ing V-8s. The new engine when compared to 2002 for Ford's standard stan-dard 4.2-liter V-6 and is even superior to Ford's 4.6-liter V-8, which cranks out a respectable 240 horses. The smoothness and power we loved. The ability to climb hills with a load was evident. evi-dent. Those in Park City, Salt Lake and Aspen will love the trio's ability abil-ity to climb traverse the mountains moun-tains in all weather condition. This new inline six achieves low emissions vehicle (LEV) status and can tow up to 6400 pounds. Towing is one thing the GMC Envoy does well just like the Suburban and Yukons. The new straight six is combined com-bined with a four-speed automatic transmission, and can be had with rear-wheel drive or GM's Autotrac automatic four-wheel drive. Four- . wheel disc brakes and ASSr?1' We're For The 02' Winter Games New '02 OUTBACKS As LOW as Over Invoice SUBARU 1207 So. Main standard. The GMC Envoy uses a five-link rear suspension, independent front suspension, front and rear stabilizer bars, and a premium ride suspension tuning package that makes even railroad tracks seem smooth. An advanced system sys-tem of 12 specially tuned body mounts use hydraulics and rubber pads to isolate road inputs and noise, limiting vibration and harshness dramatically on any kind of road or trail. We drove over the worst roads Detroit has and the GMC Envoy out performed many of the luxury sedans that cost tens of thousands of dollars more. ' On the backroads I found handling han-dling to be excellent. The sharp turns proved to be no problem for the tall GMC Envoy. The hydrauli-cally hydrauli-cally assisted rack-and-pinion steering system provides a precise steering response and tight turning turn-ing radius. Braking also is at world-class levels in terms of noise, wear and brake feel. We ran the truck in the Automatic Four-Wheel Four-Wheel drive and in two-wheel mm ia f , fTi Ath ih" ; BACK-U-UP ' II I Mill II IHiMUWI Jw' -1-r ''-w)t3Krm ' i drive. On the dash you can either switch a Sbjutton to auto matic, or full-time full-time four-wheel drive high, leave it in rear-drive --t2WD mode, or it in four- low. The hydrauli- jcally assisted rack-and-piruon steering system enhances maneuverability. Despite Envoy's increased wheel-base wheel-base and length,' its 36.4-foot turning diameter diame-ter is almost six feet shorter than its predecessor. Envoy XL, although 16 photo by Bruce Hubbard . , i v ' inches longer than the five-passenger five-passenger Envoy, still provides an impressive 41.3-foot turning diameter. diam-eter. Our well-equipped GMC Envoy had memory power seats, plus heated seats- both back and bottom bot-tom cushions with a three-setting heater. The $250 option is one of the best interior features yet. The dash is well-designed; easy to see and has everything you'd need within easy reach. The vehicle's vehi-cle's styling offers dramatically improved visibility and a commanding com-manding view of the road. Envoys's enhanced driver information center (DIC) has a 22-character 22-character message display, giving drivers feedback on dozens of vehicle systems and conditions. One of the best things that GM has done is provide a steering wheel that not only tilts but controls con-trols the heat and cooling, radio, phone plus the DIC mentioned above. The steering controls offer a safety feature often overlooked. Without having to move your hands from the wheel you can set radio, heat cooling, call, and see - Jaguar M .11.1 . i' --'""iii' mum"- 2002 Jaguar 2.5 X-Type $348f PER MONTH 39 month lease, payment plus S1.999 plus tax & license, 10K . .milesyear, Res. S1 6,521, OAC. See dealer for details. Pictures may not represent actual vehicles. Subject to change without notice. information displayed on the center cen-ter dash through special buttons on the steering wheel. In the overhead area we find the rearview mirror and a Homelink ; system that allows you to remotely remote-ly turn on and off lights in your j home, open your garage, and turn i off your security system. 4 The GMC Envoy has a wonderful wonder-ful feature all cars should provide. An on board tape recorder. This makes it possible to record a message, mes-sage, a license plate, a number you need to remember. Just touch the overhead button and speak into it. A great idea from GM that we expect to see in more vehicles. Envoy's standard audio system features a CD player with Radio ; Data System (RDS) technology that permits searching for radio stations by type and receiving text-based messages. A 275-watt Bose premium sound system, available on the SLT, optimizes listening lis-tening pleasure. Envoy and Envoy XL will also offer a factory-installed DVD Rear-Seat Rear-Seat Entertainment system. A wide screen, flip-down, color liquid-crystal display and the capability capa-bility of playing studio quality audio video in both CD-audio and DVD formats. GM Accessories are offering an '. array of options for interior and ; exterior of the Envoy. The trailer ; hitch, built for convenience and ; long-lasting durability, allows cus-; tomers multiple hauling applica- tions. Once the hitch is in place, -the sky's the limit with either bikes, skis or snowboards. The system features a sturdy " connection to the truck's two-inch! receiver. The entire unit tilts " down with a hand-operated lever ; so the cargo area is easy to reach. The ski package allows customers; to carry up to six pairs of skis or four snowboards. The GMC Envoy price range is $29,000 to $34,000, and the Yukon ; range is $33,000 to $37,000. The . XLEXT will fall in between. Visit your dealer today and you will be impressed. Or Visit www.gm.com gmc. . . . Dlfif. mm -mB Ml 5-spd., all wheel drive, leather, power windows, locks, cruise, cassette. Complimentary Maintenance. Standard equipment only. JAGUARS (in jSfi. Jl E- 1 |