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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 badge engineered variant, the GMC Safari, the Astro was marketed in passenger as well as cargo and livery configurations — featuring a V-6 engine; unibody 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. Competing against Dodge Caravan/Plymouth Voyager and the Japanese Toyota Van, 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 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- 1989. The two Safaris, both Pontiac and GMC, were marketed simultaneously, at times by the same dealership, 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.〔(Chevrolet Astro I Concept car at www.ultimatecarpage.com ) Retrieved on 24/7/08〕 ==First generation (1985–1994)== Initial advertising boasted that it was a vehicle that will "make you realize that life is too big for a minivan", referring to the Chrysler minivans. The van seated up to eight passengers. Engines options ranged from 145 to 190 hp (108 to 142) kW 4.3L V6 engine, depending on options and/or model year. It was also fitted with the 200 hp "W" engine. Much like the second-generation GM F-body 1970-1981 and X-body vehicles, the GM M-van (Astro/Safari) had a bolt-on subframe incorporating the front suspension from a GM B-body station wagon (Chevrolet Caprice, Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser) with a leaf-spring rear suspension. The lower ball joints were larger than their B-body counterparts (similar to 1977-96 Cadillac D platform vehicles, e.g., Fleetwood limousines). These ball joints were later used in the final Chevrolet Caprice 9C1 (police package) cars manufactured in 1995 and 1996. They also shared many mechanical similarities to the GMT 325/330 midsize S/T pickups and utility vehicles. As mentioned above, the Astro and Safari were rear-wheel drive vehicles, but in 1990 a new all-wheel drive (AWD) system (the first U.S.-built minivan to do so), designed and developed by FF Developments (FFD),〔 〕 was made optional. The AWD models had a lower fuel economy: 17 miles per gallon highway versus 20 to 21 miles per gallon for rear-wheel drive vans. AWD Astros used a Borg Warner 4472 transfer case. In 1990, a new dashboard was introduced along with the availability of an extended body option, sharing its wheelbase with the shorter version. The 1990 model year also introduced the hydroboost braking system, a system using the same accessory belt driven pump to supply the power steering and brakes. In 1992, a new optional door form was introduced, colloquially known as Dutch doors. This form was two bi-parting doors with a flip-up window above. Previously, Astro and Safari vans were equipped only with bi-parting doors. An optional 4.3L (RPO L35) engine with central port injection and a balance shaft was phased in. In 1993, an electronically controlled 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive became standard as the sole transmission offering. As with many other 1993 model year GM vehicles, Scotchgard fabric protection also became a standard feature on Astro vans equipped with cloth seats. 1994 also saw the addition of three new exterior paint colors. These colors were Indigo Blue Metallic (#39), Light Quasar Blue Metallic (#20), and Medium Quasar Blue Metallic (#80). For the 1994 model year, GM started manufacturing most of their vehicles, including the Astro and Safari, with CFC-free air-conditioning systems, which used R134a refrigerant instead of R-12 Freon. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Chevrolet Astro」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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