2006 GMC Envoy offers refreshed appearance and enhanced safety features

"With its philosophy of 'continuous refinement' firmly set in place since its introduction in 2002 the GMC Envoy is no stranger to style, comfort, performance or safety," says Samer El-Khalil, Marketing Manager, Chevrolet SUVs and GMC, "In 2006 the Envoy and the Envoy XL sport a refreshed appearance as well as enhanced safety features while still delivering all the power, comfort and convenience that are the hallmarks of the GMC brand."

The appearance of Envoy and Envoy XL models is refreshed for 2006 with a new chrome grille accent, new chrome bodyside moulding and new side and rear Envoy badges as well as two new exterior colour options.

To its already impressive list of safety features, 2006 Envoy models add GM's StabiliTrak electronic stability control as standard equipment. StabiliTrak helps drivers maintain vehicle control during certain difficult driving conditions, such as gravel, wet pavement and uneven road surfaces, as well as in emergency lane changes or avoidance manoeuvres.

Along with standard StabiliTrak, available safety features include available head curtain side air bags that inflate from the roof rail between the A-pillar (the side roof support which is attached to the windshield) and side window header.

The standard engine on Envoy and Envoy XL is the award-winning Vortec 4200 4.2L 24-valve, dual-overhead-cam inline six-cylinder engine. Updated for 2006, it produces 294 gross horsepower and 396Nm of gross torque and provides the muscular yet smooth performance of many V-8 engines with the fuel efficiency of a six-cylinder engine.

Also available are the Envoy Denali and Envoy XL Denali; GMC's premium package which offers unique exterior and interior styling, a powerful V8 engine and luxury appointments. Featuring a distinctive chrome-plated honeycomb grille, an enhanced quiet package and standard leather seats, the Denali range of vehicles is synonymous with upscale refinement, styling and performance around the world.

Powering the Envoy Denali models is the robust, all-aluminium Vortec 5300 5.3L V-8. It delivers 344 gross horsepower and 494Nm of gross torque, for excellent step-off acceleration and a broad torque range.

The Vortec 5300 engine is equipped with GM's fuel-saving Displacement on Demand (DOD) technology. DOD technology enables fuel economy gains of up to 5 percent in certain light-load driving conditions by reducing the number of cylinders engaged in the combustion process. A sophisticated, next-generation engine controller determines when to deactivate cylinders, allowing the engine to maintain vehicle speed in lighter-load conditions - such as highway cruising. When the cylinders are deactivated, the engine effectively operates as a V-4, with alternate cylinders on each cylinder bank disabled. The engine seamlessly returns to V-8 mode the instant the controller determines the vehicle speed or load requires additional power.

The 2006 Envoy and Envoy XL also offer their passengers several entertainment choices. In addition to the AM/FM stereo and CD players, Envoy owners may also opt for an AM/FM stereo with six-disc CD changer, a Bose premium sound system, touch screen navigation or a rear-seat DVD entertainment system.

Surprisingly roomy and comfortable, all Envoy models provide exceptional first- and second-row head, leg, shoulder and hip room. And the third-row seat in extended-length (XL) Envoy models is designed to comfortably accommodate 95 percent of all adult males.

For extra loading flexibility, all Envoy rear seats fold flat, and on extended-length Envoys, it results in 3,042L of maximum cargo space.