As first discovered by our sister site Ford Authority, Ford Motor Company has recently filed to register E-550 as a trademark with the USPTO, suggesting that GM’s cross-town rival is planning on an even more robust variant of its E-Series/Econoline van, which is available exclusively in cutaway form ranging from the E-350 to the E-450. If it pans out, the move would give The Blue Oval a leg up on General Motors’ line of full-size vans — the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana.
2016 Chevy Express Cutaway with cargo box
Specifically, the cutaway variants of GM’s Express and Savana vans are currently available as 3500 and 4500 models. Starting at $29,550, the vans have the following capabilities:
Express/Savana 3500 Cutaway
- GCWR up to 20,000 pounds
- GVWR up to 12,300 pounds
- 139 / 159 / 177 inch wheelbase
- Vortec 4.8L V-8 L20 making 285 hp / 295 lb-ft of torque or
- Vortec 6.0L V-8 L96 making 342 hp / 373 lb-ff of torque
Express/Savana 4500 Cutaway
- GCWR up to 20,000 pounds
- GVWR up to 14,200 pounds
- 159 / 177 inch wheelbase
- Vortec 6.0L V-8 L96 making 342 hp / 373 lb-ff of torque
The capabilities of Ford’s E-Series cutaways are somewhat similar — though Ford’s range-topping E-450 DRW cutaway tops the Express/Savana 4500 cutaway in GVWR by 300 pounds (at 14,500 pounds) and by 2,000 pounds in GCWR (at 22,000 pounds).
| Model | Engine | GCWR | GVWR | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-350 (SRW) 138" Wheelbase | 6.8L | 18,500 | 10,050 | 5,100 |
| E-350 (DRW) 138" Wheelbase | 6.8L | 18,500 | 11,500 | 6,327 |
| E-350 (SRW) 158" Wheelbase | 6.8L | 18,500 | 10,050 | 5,038 |
| E-350 (DRW) 158" Wheelbase | 6.8L | 18,500 | 11,500 | 6,213 |
| E-350 (DRW) 158" Wheelbase | 6.8L | 18,500 | 12,500 | 7,213 |
| E-350 (DRW) 176" Wheelbase | 6.8L | 18,500 | 12,500 | 7,203 |
| E-450 (DRW) 158" Wheelbase | 6.8L | 22,000 | *14,200/14500 | 8,988 |
| E-450 (DRW) 176" Wheelbase | 6.8L | 22,000 | *14200/14500 | 8,981 |
- *14,200 lb GVWR options (derated springs)
- All weight in pounds (lbs)
- GCWR = Gross Combined Weight Rating
- GVWR = Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
As such, the old yet trusted (and well-selling) Savana/Express might soon be outdone by a Ford E-550, a model designation that was discontinued in the early 2000s. Here’s to hoping The General will counter with an Express 5500 or Savana 5500 of its own in the near future.
Comment
They only need to green light Navistar to put the Express body on a the current 4500-6500 series, then it would be game over. Bring back the Top-Kick/Kodiak.