Chevrolet Lumina APV
| Chevrolet Lumina APV | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Chevrolet (General Motors) |
| Production | 1989–1996 |
| Assembly | Tarrytown, New York, United States |
| Designer | Dick Ruzzin |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Minivan |
| Body style | 3-door van |
| Layout | Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive |
| Platform | GM U platform: GMT199 |
| Related |
Oldsmobile Silhouette Pontiac Trans Sport |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 3.1 L LG6 V6 3.4 L LA1 V6 3.8 L L27 V6 |
| Transmission | 3-speed 3T40 automatic 4-speed 4T60-E automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 109.8 in (2,789 mm) |
| Length | 1990–93: 194.2 in (4,933 mm) 1993–96: 191.5 in (4,864 mm) |
| Width | 73.9 in (1,877 mm) |
| Height | 1990–92: 65.2 in (1,656 mm) 1993–97: 65.7 in (1,669 mm) |
| Curb weight | 3599–3899 lb (1632–1769 kg) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Chevrolet Celebrity (station wagon) |
| Successor | Chevrolet Venture |
The Chevrolet Lumina APV is a minivan produced by Chevrolet for the 1990 to 1996 model years. In 1994 the APV was dropped from the name to make the name more consistent with the cars, and it was simply known as Lumina or Lumina Minivan. It is similar to the Pontiac Trans Sport and Oldsmobile Silhouette. In the Chevrolet van lineup, it slotted between the rear-wheel drive entry-level Astro minivan and the Chevrolet Van.
General Motors' first attempt at producing a minivan to compete with the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager, the Chevrolet Astro and its twin, the GMC Safari, failed to make a noticeable dent in Chrysler's almost total dominance of the minivan market in the late eighties, so this second attempt was made.
The Lumina APV was introduced as part of a proposed full line of Chevrolet Lumina vehicles that in the end, included The Lumina Coupe, Lumina Euro Coupe, Lumina Z34 Coupe, Lumina Sedan, Lumina Euro Sedan and Lumina APV Minivan. The "APV" designation stood for "All Purpose Vehicle" and while the vehicle itself was certainly versatile and featured many innovative features, the unusual space age design failed to resonate with many potential minivan buyers. Consumers were ultimately confused by having two different vehicles share the same name as well, so the successor to the Lumina APV was the Chevrolet Venture.
The vehicle was based on the GM U platform, and for a time also offered as a limousine from a third-party manufacturer.
Assembled in the now defunct North Tarrytown Assembly, these U-body vans consisted of a galvanized steel spaceframe wrapped in composite plastic body panels that were impervious to rust and minor dents and dings, a manufacturing technique developed on the Pontiac Fiero and used extensively on General Motors' Saturn line of vehicles.
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