The Chevrolet Express (also known as the GMC Savana) is a series of full-size vans produced by General Motors since 1996.
The successor to the Chevrolet G-series van, the Express is produced in passenger and cargo variants.
[2] One of the longest-produced designs in American automotive history, the Express/Savana are rivaled only by the Jeep Wagoneer and Dodge Ram Van for longevity.
[6][7] Cargo and base models were equipped with a single sealed beam halogen headlamp on each side.
Alongside substantial frame and chassis upgrades, the bodywork forward of the windshield was revised.
[17] For 2018, the Express dropped sealed-beam headlights from all models, adopting the four composite headlamps of higher-trim passenger vans.
[19] An all-wheel drive option was offered for the model years 2003–2014 on 1500 and light-duty 2500 vans (below 8,500 lbs GVWR).
As the music format had been phased out of automobiles (in favor of Bluetooth-based content), the CD player was discontinued as an option.
Later in the model year, infotainment availability was reduced to a single option, an AM/FM/MP3 stereo with auxiliary jack, urethane steering wheel, and two front door speakers.
Originally intended for replacement by a fully-electric vehicle (using GM Ultium battery technology) derived from the BrightDrop Zevo,[23] plans were later revised in favor of a substantial revision of the existing platform for the 2027 model year (under the model code GMT620); no details of GMT620 were released, though Ultium technology was dropped entirely in favor of retaining a lineup of internal combustion engines.
[25] The Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana use the GM GMT600 chassis, developed exclusively for full-size vans.
[26] In a first for the full-size van segment, the GMT610 platform was also offered with full-time all-wheel drive as an option.
[5] All gasoline engines adopted the "Vortec" port-fuel injection upgrades for 1996, increasing power and torque outputs; the 6.5 L turbo-diesel was offered in a GM full-size van for the first time.
[9] For 2006, the Express and Savana were once again offered with a diesel engine option, adopting a detuned version of the 6.6 L Duramax V8 (LGH) from the Chevrolet Kodiak and GMC TopKick.
In a design advancement for the market segment, the rear doors are hinged to open nearly 180 degrees, allowing the vehicle to back up to a loading dock.
Sharing the same model development as its Chevrolet counterpart, the Savana has undergone only minor detail changes since 2003.
[32]For 2003, General Motors introduced the GMT560 medium-duty truck architecture for Chevrolet, GMC, and Isuzu.
Produced as a Class 5–7 truck, the GMT560 vehicles (the Chevrolet Kodiak, GMC TopKick, and Isuzu H-Series) were offered in 4×2, 4×4, and 6×4 drive for multiple applications.
After 2009, General Motors ended medium-duty truck production, leading to the discontinuation of the GMT560 chassis.
For 2009, GM introduced a 4500-series Express/Savana developed specifically for cutaway applications, raising its GVWR to 14,200 pounds and effectively filling the void left by the G3500HD's 1997 discontinuation.
[36][37] Chevrolet used the Express nameplate for the first time on an unrelated 1987 concept car designed for future limited-access highways.