73-87chevytrucks.com
General Site Info => General Discussion => Topic started by: Mr Diesel on June 12, 2008, 01:14:15 am
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The other day I remembered that back in the late 1990s Chevy was offering a pickup truck with 4 wheel turning ability, and I realized I hadn't seen one since at least 2000. Did it end up turning out to be a really bad idea with all kinds of problems or was it just not popular?
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GM originally wanted to have all their trucks equipped with quadrasteer by 2005. But the buying public just never went for the option and the program was discontinued. It cost @$5000 and weighed around 500 lbs. It worked well, and GM was the only truck mfr to develope the system, but it just never sold.
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GM Offered it on their 2002-2005 GMC Denali Pickups that was meant to be geared towards those that towed anytype of trailer, but as stated before, Joe/Jill Consumer didn't have that much of an interest in a truck that capable...... Quite a few of them were quickly returned to the Dealers, as alot of the Buyers were just too intimidated by the feature...... GM does vow that it wants to attempt offering it on a wider variety of Trucks/Vans/Etc in the near future though....
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Just like factory navigation, it was a lot of money for a so-so feature. But would also be much more prone to problems and very expensive repairs once you are out of the warranty period. I sure wouldn't want a used truck with that on it. Honda abandoned it too when they had it on their late-80's Preludes. I don't think it was as expensive nor as heavy as the GM system (nor as heavy duty) but it seemed like more of gimmick than anything.
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Competely unnessesary.
Mazda had it too on their 626. And of course, they're no longer offering it either.
What's going to sell a car these days is mpg. It's 1979 all over again.........
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The manufacturers have realised that you dont need 4wheel steer to get round corners! A good driver will anticipate a bend and drive accordingly.
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GM actually had the right idea with it, as GMC was the one that wanted it to be available for it's Towing Consumers.... Basically they thought that it was something that was needed by those individuals that were towing large loads, such as those with Large Fifth Wheels,Car/Truck/Motor Sport Transports, or even larger Boats/Heavy Duty Equipment trailers....
The Trucks were quite capable of handling their intended loads, but the majority of Target Consumers just didn't have full interest in having an Expensive Option, that they just weren't comfortable with it's Handling Characteristics....
For Civilian Personal use, the Trucks Basically Bombed in the Showrooms, but for Commercial/Heavy Duty/Fleet/Military use, the trucks actually still have a decent market presence...