Astro/Safari Replacement Has Arrived!

[mdmead]

So GM dumped our beloved Astro/Safari in 2005 and basically left North America without a suitable replacement. Sure, you could move up to a fullsize van. Or down to a FWD 'mini' van. The years have slowly gone by and many have waited for a suitable sub!

As I read through the latest Truck Trend magazine, I see the replacement is finally here! A midsize rear-wheel drive van!

Oh, but did I forget to mention it is actually a Mercedes?

Seriously though, the new Mercedes Metris is actually a reasonable replacement for someone looking for the capacity of an Astro/Safari. While it is only offered with a 2.0L 4 cylinder engine, it is turbocharged and offers up 208 hp and 258 ft lb of torque. This rear-wheel drive van offers 2,500 lb payload and 5,000 lb tow rating which is right on par too. This is the van GM should have built!

Of course there is still one huge problem. No AWD or 4wd option. Maybe there is hope though since Mercedes is finally offering the Sprinter with AWD...

;)

[Captn. Crunch]

Ya I saw them on the tv. Good looking van and your right-it's what GM shoulda done instead of doing nothing. Trouble is MB's are wonderful till they aren't. My wife has a C320 and I can't work on it. The price of parts will make you cry.. literally!
GM did just re-introduce the ZR2 off-road version of the Colorado. Ive been emailing GM pleading with them to do this ever since they showed off their concept truck in L.A. two years ago. As a ZR2 and a Safari AWD owner I would close each email with the idea that they bring back the Astro/safari by dropping a van body on the Colorado and offering up all of the Colorado's drivetrain options. They listened to me on the Z so let's see what happens!

[AstroWill]

Now, if they put one of those 3cyl turbo diesel engines in there, you can count me in.

[Captn. Crunch]

I'd be ok with the 305 hp 3.6litre direct injected gas motor

[Cobra]

if they introduce AWD in a couple years that would be really tempting i'll have to take some more measurements but it sure looks promising.

[Astrophysics]

Hi Everyone,

Yes, that would be awesome to have van version of the Colorado.

AP

[bowtie262]

Errr, Thanks, but,, NO THANKS ! [-X [-X [-X

I'll keep my 1988 Astro shorty.

I bought a Merc Vito once,, never again.

I'll keep my 1988 Astro shorty, Good American build =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D>

[Astrophysics]

Merry Christmas to all,

The new MB van Metris is built in Spain.

The new Ford Transit wagon/van is super nice with 3.5 liter v6 Eco boast twin turbo 300 hp and 400 ft lbs torque.
130 " wheel base, turn circle 38 ft with rack and pinnon steering and McPherson front struts, rear leaf springs, the overall length is about 220" but with back up camera and big windows, easy to back up and park.

AP

[Astrophysics]

There is a 2" body lift available for Transit van also from Compass?
Also, Aluminess is making aluminum bumpers for Transit as well as roof racks.
Also, Quigley and Quadvan can convert Transit to 4 WD.
The Transit is available in low, mid and high roof also. Also, a 3.7 v6 non turbo or a 3.2 liter diesel is available.
FordTransit USA is the on line forum.

I hope Chevy makes a new van soon.

[doyoulikeithere]

my next van whatever it may be will have a door opening tall enough to roll my KLR inside

[Cobra]

the astro holds a kodiak 450 I like the idea of a bike fitting.....

[Bret Schmerker]

=; I don't consider the Metris a successor to the General Motors M-body mid-van. Parts for the Metris, being the Mercedes-Benz® it is and engineered to survive running for at least an hour flat out on the Autobahn (DEU), probably cost thrice as much as for any of the CHEVROLET®/General Motors City Express™, Ford® Transit™ Connect™, and/or RAM®/Fiat Chrysler ProMaster® City™. To match my M11006 with its V6-4300 for wattage to the road, I'd need a sequential-twin-turbo-supercharged 2.6L four- or five-cylinder Diesel. And European standards will seriously complicate a complete interior/exterior LED relamp project. (LASFIT® has usable relamps in the L-Series for almost all positions on the M11006, excepting the headlamps, which are covered in the firm's L1 and LA Series; I'd have to go to the more expensive and power-consuming T-Series, excepting headlamps that need Pro LED relamps, on the Metris.)