2005 Chevrolet Uplander & Pontiac Montana SV6 Van News: SV6 to be dropped

[Vintalage]

"The rugged look of an SUV and the utility of a mid-van - Pontiac's all-new SV6 crossover sport van delivers on both counts with a package of sporty styling, responsive performance, superior quality and segment-leading in-vehicle entertainment choices. Pontiac introduces the 2005 Montana SV6 at the Chicago Auto Show on Feb. 4.

The Montana SV6 is Pontiac's second crossover vehicle and is the latest in an expanding portfolio of new products, including the 2004 Grand Prix, Bonneville GXP and GTO, the refreshed 2005 Vibe, 2005 G6 sedan and 2006 Solstice roadster. All of these vehicles exemplify the division's renewed spirit of performance. Pontiac's performance renaissance incorporates exhilarating driving dynamics, a bold and distinctive design language, and refined interior and exterior appointments.

Expressive design - one of the keys to Pontiac's product renaissance - is seen in the Pontiac-signature dual-port grille front-end styling. Similar attention to detail is found throughout the interior, including the performance appearance of the instruments and superior seating material, as well as chrome appointments on the door handles and instrument ring, and brushed chrome on the center stack and steering wheel.

The Montana SV6's 'best of both worlds' features include:

- Expressive SUV styling cues.
- Body structure and chassis reinforced to improve crash protection.
- Low step-in height and dual power-sliding rear doors.
- Seven-passenger seating.
- Responsive high-value 3500 V-6, producing 200 horsepower and 220 lb.-ft. of torque.
- Available remote start.
- Four-wheel disc brakes with standard ABS.
- Standard 17-inch wheels and tires.
- Foldable and removable second- and third-row seat; 50/50-split stowable third-row with fold-flat seat.
- Available, leading edge audio/video system, with optional DVD player and flip-down screen.
- Segment-exclusive Mobile Digital Media Powered by PhatNoise entertainment system available, with 40-gig, removable and downloadable hard drive cartridge - enough memory to hold 10,000 songs in MP3 or WAV formats - plays music, movies, video games and much more.
- Standard front overhead console and overhead rail system.
- Spacious and flexible rear convenience center/cargo system available.
- Dual-stage front air bags.
- Available side impact air bags (in seat).
- Available StabiliTrak vehicle stability enhancement system.
- Available Versatrak all-wheel drive.
- Available XM Satellite Radio.
- Standard OnStar (with one-year Safe & Sound package).

The Montana SV6's range of available in-vehicle entertainment choices is unprecedented. From XM Satellite Radio to a DVD player with flip-down screen and integrated controls, long drives pass more enjoyably. And then there's PhatNoise.

A segment exclusive, the Mobile Digital Media Powered by PhatNoise system is a wallet-size 40-gigabyte hard drive mounted in the overhead rail system, providing a staggering amount of versatility. The system's capabilities include:

- Storing and playing back up to 10,000 songs in MP3, WMA or WAV formats.
- Storing and playing up to 40 movies in MPEG format (standard format for movies).
- Storing and playing a combination of songs and movies.
- The ability to provide the software for playing a video game.
- The ability to provide a voice-browsing interface - if the driver wants to listen to music, the system tells him or her over the radio speakers the song's name, allowing the driver to run through a list of stored music using steering wheel buttons.
- Listening to books, magazine or newspaper articles recorded on a PC.
- Allowing simultaneous listening to two entertainment sources.
- Downloading digital camera pictures through a USB port in the PhatNoise cartridge and playing them back on the DVD screen.

The PhatNoise system's hard drive is easily removable, so it can be connected to a home PC or laptop to download computer files for playback in the SV6, giving passengers an unprecedented level of entertainment customization.

Production of the SV6 will begin in the fourth quarter of 2004 at the GM Doraville Assembly Plant near Atlanta, Georgia - a plant recognized for building the best-quality mid-vans in America. For two years in a row, GM Doraville ranked as the No. 1 plant in its segment in terms of productivity, according to The Harbour Report North America 2003 and The Harbour Report North America 2002."

Source: GM Inside News



So we have 4 versions of this van. All of them look the same just about. Ugly.

[Sleepwalkr]

Well, they are mini-van SUV's, so we can't expect them to be beautiful.... but you're right about them all looking the same. I'm not sure what GM is trying to do here except kill this idea through monotony.

[Vintalage]

What's the point in making a crossover minivan/suv? It still is a minivan in the end. Styling is just not there. Looks worse than the current models.

[PontiacGTboy]

Originally posted by Vintalage
What's the point in making a crossover minivan/suv? It still is a minivan in the end. Styling is just not there. Looks worse than the current models.

Agreed. Looks worse than the current modles when they first came out!

[Mike3800]

I think they are pretty great looking, and the Chevrolet looks better than the Pontiac.

I'd be happy to get one of these for my wife.

[Mike3800]

Originally posted by Vintalage
What's the point in making a crossover minivan/suv?

AWD + the roominess of a minivan. Minivans have more cargo and passanger room than any SUV that's a fact, but most people don't like minivans so they buy cramped haevy slow gas sucking SUV's instead, but these don't look like minivans so much. I bet they sell like hotcakes.

[Vintalage]

Originally posted by Mike3800
AWD + the roominess of a minivan. Minivans have more cargo and passanger room than any SUV that's a fact, but most people don't like minivans so they buy cramped haevy slow gas sucking SUV's instead, but these don't look like minivans so much. I bet they sell like hotcakes.

I'm going to say that I doubt that. There are better offerings out there and what's selling like hotcakes right now is the New Toyota Seinna. That is the industry leader. The Honda Oddessy comes in second and is still a good minivan. Both look better than this crappy effort GM is going to put out. I still see "minivan" when I look at it.

[Mike3800]

Originally posted by Vintalage
There are better offerings out there and what's selling like hotcakes right now is the New Toyota Seinna. That is the industry leader. The Honda Oddessy comes in second and is still a good minivan.

Where do you get your info that they are leaders in sales. Quality I agree.

However, neither of them have AWD available.


I do like the Sienna and the OddIsee. I'd still buy the Odd I see over the Sienna. I'd still give this new Chevy a look see before I bought anything.

[VTECSiGAH8R]

GM has 2nd biggest share in minivan market next to Chrysler at like 25%, and Chrysler with like 45%. Toyota and Honda combined are like 20% of the market.

[Mike3800]

Originally posted by VTECSiGAH8R
GM has 2nd biggest share in minivan market next to Chrysler at like 25%, and Chrysler with like 45%. Toyota and Honda combined are like 20% of the market.

That's what I was thinking. Where did you find that info?

[Vintalage]

I'm not talking about sales. I'm talking about features, content, space, styling, etc. They are industry leaders in that respect.

But from what I see, the new '04 Seinna is selling pretty well.

[Mike3800]

Originally posted by Vintalage
...and what's selling like hotcakes right now is the New Toyota Seinna. That is the industry leader.

Not.

Originally posted by Vintalage
I'm not talking about sales.

Not picking on you but you just did.

Originally posted by Vintalage

I'm talking about features, content, space, styling, etc. They are industry leaders in that respect.

Accoding to you.

According to the majority, more people like GM and Dodge's minivans, that's why they buy them more than Toyota and Honda.

You also forgot about the Quest. Although the ugly duckling of the bunch, it by far has the most features of any of them, not counting the new ones you posted since they haven't even hit the sales floor yet so no way to tell what the feature will be for certain etc..

I still say these will sell like hotcakes. Off topic, I now have a strange craving for hotcakes.

[Ant]

holy shared headlights throughout entire GM crossover lineup, batman!

[Vintalage]

Yeah, I left out the Quest. I forgot to include it. I have no problem with GM's current minivans. They don't look bad. But what they are coming out with is terrible. But there will be people buying this crap for a number of reasons. Most would be like "I wanted to stick with GM." But if people are anything like me, they would give this a test drive and come back saying it's no better than the rest out there. Plus the styling is turning me away.

[Vintalage]

The other thing I don't understand is why have 4 versions of the same freakin minivan. The saturn is just like the pontiac and the chevy is just like the buick. What's the point?

[Mike3800]

Originally posted by Vintalage
Most would be like "I wanted to stick with GM."

You honestly thnik it's loyalty? I don't buy GM because of loyalty... crap... I don't even have a GM car right now.

What it is is features for the $$... that's why GM is losing some sales to Hyundai. People want features but don't want to have to go to the poor house for them.

Also rental fleets, cause GM cars are nice and also less expensive than most of the competition. It all boils down to bang for the buck. By bang I mean features and performance second.

Originally posted by Vintalage

But if people are anything like me, they would give this a test drive and come back saying it's no better than the rest out there.

If they were like you, they would close mindedly judge the vehicle without ever having set foot in it or seen it in person not knowing if it's better or worse than the competition and if they did drive it they would already have the mind set that it's crap so a test drive would make no difference.

[Mike3800]

Originally posted by Vintalage
The other thing I don't understand is why have 4 versions of the same freakin minivan. The saturn is just like the pontiac and the chevy is just like the buick. What's the point?

Variety.

This is nothing new. It helps them sell and it keeps costs down.

They have been doing this for years. I don't agree with it, but people will buy it, and it works for them.

GMC Sierra, Chevrolet Silverado... no way I can list all of the same cars with different labels and slightly differnt looks.

Hell... they got you twice with the SAME CAR!! You had an Alero and now a Grand Am.

[Vintalage]

Originally posted by Mike3800
You honestly thnik it's loyalty? I don't buy GM because of loyalty... crap... I don't even have a GM car right now.


If they were like you, they would close mindedly judge the vehicle without ever having set foot in it or seen it in person not knowing if it's better or worse than the competition and if they did drive it they would already have the mind set that it's crap so a test drive would make no difference.

Well, yeah. That's the way my dad thinks. He has stuck with chrysler for years. He had a '01 300m traded for an '04 300m. Before the '01, an '00 Cirrus and before that, '99 Concorde. Before that, '97 Voyager. You get the idea. But I am not basing all of america's thinking on what my dad does. But i've heard many people say this when buying another GM or Chrysler, or any brand for that matter.

Regarding your second paragraph, first impressions are everything.

And yeah, Alero--->Grand am. Look totally different though.

[Mike3800]

Originally posted by Vintalage


And yeah, Alero--->Grand am. Look totally different though.

I agree sorta... on close inspection you can tell it's the same car.

but not anymore, it loks the same from the get go.

[Vintalage]

True. Same body sharing the same parts. But the rear end and front end plus the interior are completely different.