Chevrolet Astro
| Chevrolet Astro/GMC Safari | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Chevrolet/GMC (General Motors) |
| Also called | GMC Safari |
| Production | 1985–2005 |
| Assembly | Baltimore Assembly, Baltimore, Maryland |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Cargo Van |
| Body style | 3-door van |
| Layout | Front engine, Rear-wheel drive / All-wheel drive |
| Powertrain | |
| Transmission | 4-speed Automatic 4-speed Manual 5-speed manual |
| Chronology | |
| Successor |
Chevrolet Traverse (Astro) GMC Acadia (Safari) Chevrolet City Express (cargo van) |
| First generation | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Production | 1985–1994 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Related | Chevrolet S-10 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2.5 L Tech IV 98 hp (73 kW) I4 4.3 L 4300 165 hp (123 kW) V6 4.3 L 4300 200 hp (150 kW) V6 |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 111.0 in (2,819 mm) |
| Length | STD: 176.8 in (4,491 mm) EXT: 186.8 in (4,745 mm) 1992–94 Astro Cargo Van STD: 177.9 in (4,519 mm) 1992–94 Astro Cargo Van EXT: 187.9 in (4,773 mm) |
| Width | 77.0 in (1,956 mm) 1992–94 Safari & Astro Cargo Van: 77.5 in (1,968 mm) |
| Height | 1985–89: 73.7 in (1,872 mm) 1985–89 Cargo Van STD: 74.5 in (1,892 mm) 1990–91 STD: 74.9 in (1,902 mm) 1990–91 STD: 74.1 in (1,882 mm) 1992–94 Astro: 76.2 in (1,935 mm) 1992–94 Safari Cargo Van: 76.1 in (1,933 mm) 1992–94 Safari SLX: 76.4 in (1,941 mm) 1992–94 Safari 2WD EXT: 76.6 in (1,946 mm) 1992–94 Safari Cargo Van AWD STD: 75.7 in (1,923 mm) 1992–94 Safari Cargo Van AWD EXT: 76.0 in (1,930 mm) |
| Second generation | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Production | 1995–2005 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Related |
GMC C/K Chevrolet C/K Chevrolet Express GMC Savana |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 4.3 L 190 hp (142 kW) V6 |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 1995–96: 111.0 in (2,819 mm) 1997–2005: 111.2 in (2,824 mm) |
| Length | 189.8 in (4,821 mm) |
| Width | 77.5 in (1,968 mm) |
| Height | 1995–96 Astro: 75.9 in (1,928 mm) 1997–98 Astro: 76.0 in (1,930 mm) 1995–96 Safari: 76.2 in (1,935 mm) 1997–98/2002–03 Safari Cargo Van & 1999–2001 Astro Cargo Van 2WD: 75.3 in (1,913 mm) 1997–2005 Safari & 2002–05 Astro: 75.0 in (1,905 mm) 1999–2001 Astro 2WD: 74.9 in (1,902 mm) 1999–2001 Astro Cargo Van AWD: 75.2 in (1,910 mm) 1999–2001 Astro AWD: 74.8 in (1,900 mm) |
The Chevrolet Astro is a rear-wheel drive mid-sized van manufactured and marketed by Chevrolet from 1985–2005 and over two build generations. Along with its rebadged variant, the GMC Safari, the Astro was marketed in passenger as well as cargo and livery configurations—featuring a V6 engine, body-on-frame construction with a separate front engine/suspension sub-frame, leaf-spring rear suspension, rear bi-parting doors, and a seating capacity of up to eight passengers.
Because of their size, and truck-based platform, the Astro and Safari not only competed against Dodge Caravan/Plymouth Voyager and the Japanese Toyota Van, but also vehicles such as the Dodge Durango and Honda Pilot. The Astro was marketed as a minivan, though sized between the Chevrolet Venture/Lumina APV unibody minivan and the full-size Chevy Van/Express. Similar to the Ford Aerostar, it had powertrain components in common with GM's other light trucks and up to a 5,500 lb (2,500 kg) towing capacity.
Both Pontiac and GMC have used the Safari nameplate (GMC belonged to the Pontiac/GMC Division); Pontiac used the nameplate on several of its station wagon models from 1955 to 1989. The two Safaris, both Pontiac and GMC, were marketed simultaneously, at times by the same dealerships, from 1985 through 1989. The Pontiac Safari is not a variant of the GMC Safari, and the Chevrolet Astro by extension.
The Astro model name had been used previously for the unrelated Chevrolet Astro 1 Concept car, first shown at the New York Auto Show of 1967.
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