GMC ENHANCES ENVOY'S STATURE
AS A PREMIUM COMPACT SPORT-UTILITY

The epitome of compact sport-utility luxury, the four-door four-wheel-drive 1999 GMC Envoy continues to dazzle and delight with more of the premium features which are its hallmark.

Envoy brings comfortable seating into automatic control with the addition of available two-position memory to its eight-way heated power driver's seat, with power recliner. An eight-way power heated front seat with power recliner is also available to enhance front passenger riding comfort. Envoy's premium seating includes sumptuous tone-on-tone soft Nuance aromatic leather for front and rear seats with the Envoy badge stitched into the headrests.

Steering wheel-mounted radio controls enhance the convenience of entertainment selection. As part of its redesign, the steering wheel houses a mini-module Next Generation driver's air bag that reduces mass and adds to interior spaciousness. A new instrument cluster signal also alerts occupants when the liftgate is ajar. And drivers benefit from a flash-to-pass safety feature. By pulling back on the turn signal stalk, they can flash their headlamps to communicate to the driver in front of them of their intent to pass.

A new AutoTrac two-speed active transfer case puts state-of the-art four-wheel-drive technology at drivers' fingertips. They can select between full-time all-wheel-drive or shift-on-the-fly four-wheel-drive for added traction. Pressing the "AWD" button puts the Envoy in full-time all-wheel drive mode and in automatic standby for four-wheel-drive mode. The new transfer case also allows the Envoy to be towed behind a motor home, for example, without having to disconnect the propshaft.

Standard automatic transmissions also incorporate a new "Tow-Haul" feature which can be accessed by pressing a button on the shift lever. When the vehicle is heavily loaded or pulling a trailer, the Tow/Haul mode automatically adjusts the transmission shift points to optimize vehicle smoothness.

New outside rearview mirrors provide more safety and convenience. The power-adjustable, heated, electrochromic mirrors feature a new mirror head design and a power folding feature. At the touch of a button, the Envoy mirrors fold inward for car wash and tight parking situations. The Envoy continues to feature a monotone paint scheme in which full-wrap cladding, door handles, molded wheel flares and mirrors are all body-colored.

Three new exterior color selections include Topaz Cold Metallic, Meadow Green Metallic and Indigo Blue Metallic.

Sophisticated front-end styling includes the technologically advanced high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps that integrate the headlamp, directional signal, parking and side marker functions. HID headlamps emit a true white light from a gas arc tube that is brighter, lasts longer and uses less electricity than a conventional halogen bulb. HID lamps contribute to safer nighttime driving by distributing 2.7 times more light than halogen lamps and by providing a wider, longer beam pattern. Envoy was the first production truck to offer HID headlamps - joining the ranks of just a few production luxury cars.

The smooth lines of the body-colored bumper and lower fascia include round fog lamps, integrated tow hooks, lower grille and chrome accents. The distinctive GMC center-post grille with the ruby red nameplate serves as the centerpiece of Envoy's front-end appearance. Harmonious rear styling includes a distinctive step bumper with integrated trailer hitch and eight-lead wiring harness and a rear spoiler with integrated neon CHMSL. Rear lamp assemblies integrate brake, backup, directional signal and side marker functions to enhance the harmonious flow of the exterior design. Exterior features also include heated outside mirrors and tinted glass on all windows rearward of the B-pillar.

The interior of Envoy includes a host of security and convenience features normally found on luxury passenger cars. With GM's OnStar Communication System, the Envoy driver has the confidence to go anywhere, anytime. Global positioning allows OnStar to constantly track and monitor the vehicle and to be available to assist with such emergency services as towing and remote door unlock in cast of an inadvertent lockout. OnStar can also help track a stolen vehicle, give advice about travel conditions and travel services and call the driver immediately to check for medical needs when the system senses that an air bag has been deployed. OnStar, a dealer-installed option, features a hands-free voice-activated cellular phone that allows the driver to keep both hands on the wheel when using the system while driving.

In addition to OnStar, the Envoy has keyless remote entry, which  includes a full-feature programmable vehicle alarm with a panic button on the key fob. This system allows the Envoy driver to unlock the vehicle and activate interior lights from 30 feet away. If the driver feels threatened at any time, he or she can push the panic button which activates the horn and flashes the headlamps. Occupant protection systems include driver and front passenger Next Generation air bags, which deploy with less force than the previous generation of supplemental inflatable restraints.

The Envoy is protected by the standard PassLock theft-deterrent system. PassLock disables the vehicle's engine for up to 10 seconds if any method of ignition other than the proper key is attempted.

Other electronic features are lockout prevention, retained accessory power and electronic climate control. Lockout prevention keeps the doors from locking if the key is in the ignition and the engine is not running. Retained accessory power allows the driver to operate windows, wipers and radio after the ignition is turned off. Electronic climate control maintains a customer-selected cabin temperature between 66 and 82 degrees. The overhead console includes a three-button HomeLink transmitter that memorizes the activation codes for up to three remote-controlled devices, such as garage doors, estate gates and security lighting.

Envoy's standard Premium Bose sound system features the patented Nd® woofer technology. Envoy was the first sport utility to offer Nd speakers and joined Corvette and the $30 million Gulfstream V business jet as the only other transportation product equipped with this sound technology. Bose Nd speakers contain neodymium magnets with 10 times the energy density of conventional ferrite magnets for a more life like bass delivery. An eight-inch Nd woofer is located low and forward in each front door. A 5.25-inch wide-range speaker is located low and forward in each rear door and two 2.5-inch high-output speakers in the dash complete the speaker placement in the Envoy. Bose engineers took thousands of acoustic measurements in the Envoy interior to design the system especially for it. As with all Bose automotive sound systems, all occupants hear the same lush, musical performance at the same volume level, regardless of where they sit in the vehicle. Additionally, the system includes device-independent rear-seat audio controls. While the driver enjoys the radio, for example, rear seat passengers may want to listen to CDs via two sets of headphones.

Real Zebrano wood accents provide a premium look to both the center console and door trim pads. The center console has many features, including a convenient six-disc CD changer and concealed cupholders that pop out of the console at the touch of a button. The instrument panel of the Envoy would be right at home in an upscale passenger car. The gauge cluster features a semicircular motif and the sound system and HVAC controls are angled 15 degrees toward the driver in cockpit fashion.

Envoy's standard Premium Luxury Ride suspension package includes an automatic load-leveling system. A built-in air compressor automatically raises or lowers rear shocks according to the hauling/towing conditions and makes the Envoy more stable on the road. The load-leveling system also features an emergency air supply valve located in the rear cargo area along with an air hose and inflator nozzles. This allows Envoy owners to inflate flat tires, rafts, bike tires, soccer balls, air mattresses, etc., quickly and conveniently.

Envoy uses GMC's reliable Vortec 4.3-liter V6 engine as its power plant. The 4300 Vortec provides smooth and confident performance whether the Envoy is cruising at highway speeds or pulling a 5,000-pound  trailer. The 4300 Vortec generates 190 horsepower and 245 lb-ft of torque. The powerful V6 engine is mated to the 4L60-E electronic four-speed automatic transmission.