General Motors
General Motors unveiled its 2003-model Chevy Express and GMC Savana, full-sized vans GM has redesigned to make them better suited for commercial users.

The vans, which will compete with the Ford E-Series, Dodge Ram Van, Freightliner Sprinter, fall into three weight categories: 1500 Series van rated at 6200 and 7200 pounds GVW; 2500 Series are rated at 7300, 8500, and 8600 pounds; and the heavy-duty 3500 Series includes vans rated at 9600 pounds and commercial cutaway chassis with GVWs from 8600 to 12,300 pounds.

The vans are powered by GM’s all-new Gen III Vortec V8 gasoline engines, ranging from 275 to 300 horsepower., as well as a new 200-horsepower Vortec V6, which is the base engine on light-duty G-Series vans in all 50 states. According to GM, availability of the 300-hp. Vortec 6000 has made both the Vortec 8100 and 6.5-liter diesel obsolete.

All models come standard with a 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive, and for the first time GM’s Tow/Haul Mode feature is now available.

Options include all-wheel-drive, left-hand “60/40” entry/load doors available on regular-length units, and remote-release side access panels on Express Access and Savana Pro models.