2020 Chevrolet Express enters its 26th year with a new engine

How long does a vehicle model live? While most models get a complete revamp in 7-8 years, Chevy Express van has been around for the last 26 years. The sturdy van has been accepted across the world and Chevy has never really fettled with the Express except in terms of frontal styling. Why fix something if it ain’t broken? The van for 2021 though, gets a new engine.

The current Chevy Express is powered by a 6.0-litre V8 engine which makes 341 hp and 504 Nm of torque. This mill is now on its way out, only to be replaced by a bigger 6.6-litre V8 from the 2020 Silverado HD trucks. The new unit churns out 401 hp and 629 Nm of torque. There is no change in the transmission though, with the same six-speed automatic unit doing duty with the new engine. In non-US markets, along with the new V8, the Express is also offered with a 276 hp V6 petrol or a 181 hp four-cylinder diesel.

Only a very few vehicles have been on sale for a long time with little changes made to them. The list includes icons like the original VW Beetle, Hindustan Ambassador, Citroen 2CV and more. But most of the vehicles in this list have hung up their boots while the Express is still soldiering on with just a minor facelift done in 2003. The large van will be around for a while, as proved by GM who spent the time to plonk in a new engine, giving it a new lease of life.