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Long
Island Press - Lifestyles - Start Your Engines:
2006 GMC Savana Conversion Van Test Drive.
Greg Zyla (1/19/06)
This week, I test-drove a vehicle that still offers
some of the best transportation available for
active families, executives or individuals who
rate first-class ground travel a priority.
I'm talking about GMC's beautiful 2006 Savana
Conversion Van, with complete transformation by
Centurion Vehicles, Inc. Centurion is a division
of the Conversion Van Marketing Association, which
is a partnership between General Motors and 23
of the nation's top conversion-van manufacturers.
CVMA members are the only manufacturers authorized
by GM to build GMC and Chevrolet conversion vans,
putting owners at ease knowing that parent General
Motors blesses the process.
Built on the trusty GMC van chassis, today's
GMC Conversion Van offers a wide variety of comforts
and options, from leather interiors to home-theater-style
entertainment systems that feature a 22-inch widescreen
flat-panel display.
Power for my moving "den" came via
GM's Vortec 5.3-liter V-8 and a high-tech automatic
transmission. The engine produces 295 horsepower,
more than enough to move the big van. These vehicles
are not noted for great fuel mileage, and mine
posts 14 mpg city, 18 mpg highway EPA numbers.
Notable is a 7,200-pound GVW rating, which makes
towing boats and other recreational vehicles easy.
Dual-level air bags and four-wheel disc brakes
with ABS are standard, as are a host of other
GMC included items, but I don't want to spend
too much time on the standard fare. It's the conversion
features that rate the space in this test drive,
and there are many.
If you're into movies, satellite radio, terrestrial
radio, computer console gaming or whatever, you
are surely in the right vehicle. Its superb 22-inch
TV truly shines when you pop a feature-length
DVD movie into the player, while the surround-sound
audio system mirrors those that sit in millions
of dens across America. Each rear passenger can
utilize headphones if desired, and set them to
either tune in or tune out the selected broadcast.
This means while two passengers enjoy a movie,
the others can take in the latest on XM Satellite
radio or the local radio on a dual-zone system.
If it's play time, the integrated video gaming
system will keep the younger ones (okay, us older
ones, too) busy for the whole trip. There are
abundant cup holders and coolers for drinks and
snacks, and many smaller convenience items.
The Centurion's exterior is beautiful, as my
tester had the high-top feature that allows passengers
to better stand up when moving about. The premium
leather seating is exceptional, and its accompanying
real-wood dark walnut trim makes for a true eye-popper.
Everywhere you look, it's luxury, convenience
and opulence. I especially like the third-row
sleeper seating, which allows for conversion into
a spacious bed for those overnight trips.
These vans are still some of the best buys for
those who need to transport people regularly,
and the pricing is very reasonable. My top-of-the-line
Centurion came in at a final tally of $52,750,
not counting whatever GMC Chassis discounts apply.
Consumers are reminded that these vans start for
way less, so check them if you are shopping this
market. (To see a list of your local CVMA GM dealers,
check the Web site at www.todaysconversionvan.com/CVMA/execute/see
and just enter your zip code).
I rate the Centurion GMC Conversion Van a nine
on a scale of one to 10. It's fabulous.
Likes: What's not to like! This is an amazing
vehicle with every convenience imaginable.
Dislikes: Fuel mileage. How about some type of
hybrid or a diesel?
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