Artist Imagines A Stylish Modern Day GMC Safari
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The Chevy Astro and GMC Safari went out of production more than 15 years ago, but many motorists still hold these vans dearly for their reliability, practicality and abundance of available parts. Despite their lasting popularity, it’s highly unlikely that GM will ever put these two nameplates back into production, but that didn’t stop an amateur artist from envisioning what a modern-day recreation of the boxy van might look like.
This GMC Safari Rendering appears to reimagine the van as a battery-electric vehicle, based on its streamlined styling, closed-off “grille” and lack of tailpipes. While this rendering is much sleeker than the first or second-generation Safari, it stays true to the original van with its stubby nose, boxy silhouette, vertically-oriented taillights and off-center rear license plate position. This rendering also adopts the barn-door style rear tailgate and upward-opening rear window hatch of the second-gen Safari for that extra bit of added practicality and usability.
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A modern-day Safari van like this could be marketed as both a passenger van with seating for seven or eight people, or a panel van marketed towards delivery companies and fleet operators. GM recently debuted an electric delivery van in the way of the BrightDrop EV600, however the EV600 is quite a bit larger than offerings like the Safari or current-day Savana. That leaves some room for a smaller electric van in its portfolio, but we’re not aware of any current plans for such a vehicle. Other smaller companies have also introduced smaller EV delivery vans in recent months, such as the UD-1 from Electric Light Mobility Solutions (ELMS) and the Canoo delivery van, so perhaps there will one day be enough demand out there for a GM-branded van like this.
Let us know what you think of this GMC Safari rendering by voting or commenting below.
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I don’t like vans really, but I’ve always had a soft spot for the Astro/Safari. I like this rendering. It recalls quite a bit to the original.
Needs to be shaped more like a box to be a Safari.
And I wouldn’t at all be upset if GMC brought these back. Maybe use the Colorado chassis with the 2.8L diesel and 2.7L 4 banger? . It has to be a little bigger than the original (with more interior space than the Sienna), somewhat “old school” feeling, and be available in both passenger and cargo versions.
I’d make it as similar as I could to the Colorado Crew Cab short bed in size. Use a column shifter, the same wheels/tires as the Colorado/Canyon, and optional four wheel drive to give it that “truck” flavor.
The Astro and Safari were common family cars in the 1980s and 1990s. Almost all of them were treated like a family appliance, which means that they were not being widely restored. Values for clean, well maintained examples have gone up a bit as of late. Especially the latter model years (mid-late 1990s). It’s cemented itself as a van classic, if there is such a thing.
Parents had a ’93(?) Safari GT. It looked good! White trimmed in black with a gold a stripe! Had four “captian’s chairs” and a rear bench. It was their everyday driver and of course the vacation machine and was strong and fast for the day! They even would tow a small garden tractor on a utility trailer with it! It was great vehicle! They put a little over 150,000 miles on it and sold it and that guy still drives it today!
Now that I’m 50, I’d take that van in heartbeat or one like it and yes, it would have to be more boxy with more rear overhang!
gm could actually use this design concept to create a more aggressive looking GMC Savanna Full Sized Van replacement instead of relying on a Foriegn platform to develop an all new vehicle for 2024 or 2025, overall, I like this look, it is certainly something different to appreciate when it comes to looking a different approach other than the C – Shaped look for the LED’s as well.
Nicely done!
Bring this to Market as an EV, you must keep the cool factor.. safari and Astro has had huge following.. this would be a smart play..
I had a Astro passenger Van with 4.3 V6 and It was a great van ! The Astro and Safari were based off the S10 rear drive ,It would nice If they were brought back based off the larger Chevy Colorado chassis !
GM M-Vans were NOT based on the S/T truck platform. Though they used some S/T truck components, the M-Vans were actually unibody with a front sub/stub-frame. I owned several.
The front suspension for example was the one from the G Body cars.
I like it…. Stylish, and could capture ID Buzz customers.
This just looks comical. Safari/Astro is supposed to be boxy, that’s it’s charm. As aerodynamic as this is, if it were to be produced, it shouldn’t be named Safari or Astro. Perhaps something else that’s cosmic?
Future Toyota Previa? I’m on my 3rd Astro. A future version needs to be more about utility. The render is a good start but it’s an egg.
I think minivans are ready for a resurgence. People are buying them for camper conversions and are much more practical then a SUV . GM needs to offer something in this class. Make it AWD for some overland camping. I just bought a AWD Sienna and it was very hard to find. Vans are flying off the shelves.
I like it a lot!
Yes my wife and I would purchase one. A little to much glass, but looks good.
Yes, bring back the Astro/Safari … but more like what we’ve lost, don’t make it into a “swoopie” cross over wannabe. I;m sure GM has noticed while the Astro/Safari have been gone that Mercedes has filled the gap nicely with it’s Metris van which whose specs are dern close to the former Astro Safari. Parlay GM … if no Astro/Safari how about a short wheel based 1500 series Chevy Express Van like was sold in the 70’s an 80’s, many phone/cable techs drove those, were popular with the parts houses for delivery vans as well. GM, you used to be the leader … lead, forget about the focus groups, a Safari/Astro van or the above mentioned short wheel based full sized van WILL SELL ! Freshen up the exterior of what you have now, spruce up the interior options, add things like a nav system … I’m tell’n ya, people will buy it, it’s what we really want. Ask yourself GM …. why are your suv an truck sales good … it’s all ya got left. To finish this … the shops that do custom work like restoring vehicles to like new condition, are very busy, and are quietly buying up older Caprice Station Wagons and sedans, Impalas, Ford Crown Vics, etc and are selling them rather well. I’m looking at a 2010 Astro that a company is rebuilding with interest.
Hope they bring it back
🤮👎
I loved my Astro, though to be perfectly honest it always kinda felt like it was just a cramped version of the G series van. Same seating passenger capacity, but smaller spaces for it, not too much of a lighter curb weight, and a smaller engine. (Up until now I’ve had both, but the body is going to hell on the Astro, and the G20 needs an engine donor.) That all wheel drive package was pretty close to unstoppable in the winter though, and if I can repack it into the G20, it will live on as long as I can keep it on the road.
This rendering is pretty cool, and I’d rock that machine if GM did it. I’d kinda picture it as a double electric motor/all wheel drive beast, which would get the best things about the Astro/Safari without sacrificing passenger space for the engine and transmission.
Gm should of never taken them out if production nice van practical
Have a1995 GMC Safari van purchase it in 1997 as of today it’s my dream Cruise vehicle I live in Michigan have never drove in snow keeps it storage I love it customized by explorer the old school season dream Cruise in Michigan
I would love to see GM bring back the safari