Though manufactured on a model-specific chassis, the Lumina APV was front-wheel drive, deriving its powertrain from GM sedans.
In response to the first-generation Chrysler minivans, General Motors introduced the rear-wheel drive Chevrolet Astro (and GMC Safari) for the 1985 model year.
In 1986, GM unveiled the Pontiac Trans Sport concept vehicle, largely serving as a preview of the APV model lines.
During its development, the APV model lines largely benchmarked the extended-length Chrysler vans, closely matching their length, width, and height (on a shorter wheelbase).
The Lumina APV was to compete directly with the higher-volume Voyager/Caravan, serving as a "volume leader",[3] the Trans Sport was to be the sporty minivan equivalent of sporty Pontiac sedans, and the luxury-trim Silhouette was intended as a more contemporary competitor to the Chrysler Town & Country and Ford Aerostar Eddie Bauer.
[7] The rear beam axle was fitted with coil springs[7] (the only other minivan besides the Ford Aerostar and Renault Espace at the time).
Distinguished by its large windshield and sloped hoodline, the Lumina APV was of a "one-box" design, a configuration similar to the Ford Aerostar and Renault Espace.
In line with the Aerostar and Chrysler minivans, the Lumina APV was configured with a single sliding door and a rear liftgate.
Coinciding with the use of a galvanized steel spaceframe (in place of a conventional unit-body design), the Lumina APV was fitted with composite plastic (SMC) body panels.
[8] Developed for the Pontiac Fiero[3] and later expanded in use for the Saturn SL, the manufacturing technique largely eliminated the threat of corrosion and damage from minor dents and dings.
The manufacturing also allowed GM to style the Lumina APV separately from its Pontiac and Oldsmobile counterparts at low cost; each model line is externally distinguished by its hood and front fascia.
For this model year, the Lumina APV (and its counterparts) introduced a power-operated sliding door via remote control,[4] the first American-market minivan to offer this design.
Distinguished from its counterparts by trim,[3] the interior design of the Lumina APV was centered around its modular rear seating system.
As a consequence of its sloped windshield design, the depth of the dashboard of the Lumina APV (and its counterparts) was among the highest ever seen in a mass-produced automobile.
While nearly identical in dimensions and exterior design, the JB6500 is a rear-wheel drive vehicle, powered by an 87 hp (64 kW) Chrysler-designed 2.2-liter inline-four, paired to a 5-speed manual transmission.