Specifications

• The Astro offered a wide range of different engine configurations, including a 145- to 190-horsepower 4.3-liter V6, and the renowned 'W' engine, capable of producing 200 horsepower. The power output of the Astro, combined with its truck-based powertrain, meant that it was capable of being a towing vehicle when fully equipped, an unusual trait in a minivan, and one which most front wheel drive minivans are unable to compete with.
  
  

Durability

• Although officially given the title of "minivan." the Chevy Astro was actually sized between the dimensions of the Chevrolet Venture minivan and those of the full sized Chevrolet Express. The Astro incorporated similar powertrain elements to those of GM's light vans, but was designed with an individual unibody chasis capable of being used as a cargo van and a conversion van, as well as a people carrier.
  
  

Upgrades

• After five years on sale, Chevrolet improved the Astro in 1990 with the introduction of a new dashboard and the option of an extended body length model. In 1995, after 10 years on sale, the Astro got a full face lift, introducing an extended nose resembling the then newly introduced Chevrolet Express van. The previous short-bodied model was removed from sale. In 2003, larger brakes and wheels were introduced in a bid to improve the handling and stopping ability of the vehicle.
  
  

Modification Ability

• Due to its hybrid design, the Astro has become particularly popular with various modifiers. Because of its shared design properties, the fitting of small-block V8 engines has been a regular occurrence, a simple switch because the V6 of the standard Astro is in fact based upon the GM small block V8. Other popular modifications include the adaption of the Astro for off road and camping purposes, simplified due to its large cargo area, as well as its all-wheel drive and locking differential.
  
  

Discontinuation

• The Astro was taken out of production in May 2005 as a combined result of falling vehicle sales and a need to update the range. New regulations governing side impact and head injury standards led to replacing the Astro with the new Chevrolet Uplander, which also replaced Chevrolet's Venture model. In its 20-year lifetime, Chevrolet built approximately 3.7 million Astros in its Baltimore plant.