Test drive GMC Savana 1995 - 2002 Minivan

Rock & Roll

Given the geographical and economic characteristics of Russia, the love of our citizens for practical European, Korean and Japanese machines is quite understandable, and is incomprehensible to large American ones. In addition, huge monsters with multi -liter engines are most often used only for movements in urban traffic jams.


However, we have people who spend so much time in the car that they already need comfort on wheels, comparable to home and work and relax. And there is no better option here than American full -size (as they are called there) Van, for example, GMC Savana. True, in a standard factory version, this is just an ordinary eight -seater bus. Something more serious of it is done in Starcraft Corporation.


It is curious that both GMC and Starcraft companies began at about the same time. The first comes from Max Grabovsky in 1902 Rapid Motor Vehicle Co., which built trucks; In 1908, under the name Grabowsky Motor Co. (probably from here and GMC) She became part of the General Motors Corporation.


The second grew from Star Tank, founded in 1903 and then produced feeders and drinkers for farms. After some time, Starcraft took up the production of boats and walking boats and soon became a leader in this area. Then the company achieved major success in the release of trailers and campers. In 1980, Starcraft took up the removal of standard van vans from a large three into exclusive machines with the highest level of comfort ...


It was such a car that I had to take the GMC Savana Starcraft Conversion Van test. The weather that day turned out to be bad frost, wind, snow, but the car looked so solid and convincing that disgusting weather conditions did not cause fears.


Black, tightly toned glass, low wide bumper, classic two-story optics (as on Suburban), a built-in high roof ... something, and Americans can work in public. By the way, a useful thing in the stream is extremely courteously treated, and even if you make an inaccurate maneuver, no one is hysterically signed.


For access to the salon, there are bivalve swing doors on the right side open the entrance to the world of the skin and natural wood. On the floor is a bright carpet, so I involuntarily want to take off the shoes. A high ceiling allows you to walk around the cabin freely, almost without bending.


The passenger compartment is separated from the driver's septum with a sinking tinted glass. In principle, he can accommodate five: two captain chairs that can rotate around their axis, plus a three -seater sofa called Rock & Roll. The sofa is equipped with an electric drive and is laid out in a double bed (very convenient in a long -range voyage and not only).


There is a cup holder next to each armchair, as well as an exit to the headphones to listen to music without interfering with others. Under the ceiling, neat drawers are located, as it were, for different trifles, meanwhile, in one of them a video material was found, and in the other a vacuum cleaner (!). Next to the video recorder, but already in sight, there is a TV with a 14-inch screen (real with a kinescope). On the left near the partition separating the driver, the radio is cut, due to this location it is not very convenient to control it (a TV with a remote control, and a radio without). The acoustics of the audio and video systems are autonomous, so in principle you can simultaneously watch a movie and listen to music (though it is not clear who needs it). A huge mirror-light is mounted in the ceiling, creating the effect of the starry sky and additional space above the one. Huge windows are equipped with curtains. If you lower them, in the cabin it becomes homely comfortable.


Doors opening access to the luggage compartment are also swinging. Its volume, given the size of the machine, is small, although, of course, you can fold the rear sofa. However, it seems that the cargo compartment is proposed to use as a wardrobe there is a special wooden rod on which you can hang hangers with clothes.


They didn’t think about whom, remaking this car, so it was about the driver. At the wheel, it is very close due to the partition from the back, despite the fact that I have 175 cm in height. The steering wheel itself is located vertically and very close to the knees, and no adjustments can correct the situation. But the devices are clearly visible.


The devices, by the way, are interesting: in addition to the standard ones, there are arrow voltmeter and an oil pressure sensor with markings in the pascal (!).


In the finish of the torpedo, unlike the passenger compartment, they used not a tree, but the plastic that imitates it (why spend expensive material on the driver, it is not the main one here). And between the driver's and front passenger seats they simply put a hefty refrigerator and even not fixed it ...


The weather, as already mentioned, did not contribute to the conduct of a full-fledged test drive, but it was possible to appreciate something. The engine has a huge margin of power and moment, which allows a heavy car to leave traffic lights first. Only an automatic box with its eternal delay spoiled the picture a bit. The steering wheel differs in a void characteristic of most American machines, but the brakes equipped with ABS showed themselves on winter roads only from the best side.


In fact, evaluating this car from the point of view of the driver is not entirely correct. In order to thoroughly feel all its advantages, at least a minimum passenger composition and a fair amount of time are necessary. However, taking into account what he saw, it can be assumed that the functions of the long -range house of the GMC Savana Starcraft Conversion Van performs perfectly. In addition, the Americans know a lot about such housing.
 
Alexander Nadens
 

Source: Motor magazine [March 2002]