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Chevys New Avalanche Hits Chicago

New Avalanche to be More SUV-Like

The Chevrolet Avalanche has always been a vehicle thats been difficult to classify. It certainly looks like a truck, with an uncovered bed, but theres more to the Avalanche than what initially meets the eye. The thing is, if it were just a truck and nothing more, the Avalanche would have been just another Silverado Crew Cab with an extra-short bed. Instead, it was significantly different when introduced. It featured a unique nose, a lot of black plastic cladding and a very short bed, plus slightly different exterior dimensions, as it was based off GMs full-size SUV platform. It also has sold well - Chevrolet has shifted over 379,500 of these quasi-pickups since

Chevrolet Vehicle Line Executive Gary White stands with the new 07 Chevrolet Avalanche at its launch in Chicago. (Photo: General Motors)

its launch in 2001 - while its customers are amongst the most loyal in the industry according to third party customer retention studies (see automotive news section within this website for January 4, 2004: General Motors Takes First and Last Place in New J. D. Powers Customer Retention Study). Compared to other members of the half-truck, half-SUV segment, the Avalanche makes them all look rather insignificant.
The Avalanche (foreground) and its MT-900 siblings, the Chevrolet Tahoe (mid position), and full-size Suburban (background). (Photo: General Motors) />With numbers like those, and the fact that out of all open-back SUVs, theres none as work-oriented as the Avalanche, there was no question whether GM should update it along with its 2007 full-size SUV lineup, or not. Therefore, the new model puts more emphasis on the SUV portion of the equation than in the previous version, as this latest Avalanche is built on General Motors refined MT-900 platform, which, for those who arent familiar with code names, is the full-size SUV chassis that the new Tahoe, Yukon and Escalade ride on. This means

Avalanches bed is now larger, without sacrificing class-leading interior volume. (Photo: General Motors)

that the Avalanche shares its nose with the Tahoe and Suburban, and will ride and handle far better than the vehicle that it replaces. The 07 Avalanche will also receive GMs StabiliTrak stability control system with Rollover Mitigation to help keep it shiny side up.

Youll need to keep a tape measure handy in order to find the differences in exterior dimensions between the old Avalanche and the new one, as they are minimal, although, there have been a few changes in back to improve the beds usability. While the vehicle itself is full-size, dwarfing three-quarters size trucks like the Ford Explorer Sport Trac, Honda Ridgeline and Toyota Tacoma, much of the space has been put towards

Despite its truck-like appearance, the Avalanche is an SUV at heart. (Photo: General Motors)

improving interior roominess - one of the prime reasons the Avalanche is so successful. A 2.0-inch stretch of the bed brings its length up to 5 feet, 3 inches, though, this can be dramatically improved by flipping down the Midgate, a bed/cabin divider which allows access from the bed to the interior and vice versa. With the Midgate in a lowered position, the Avalanche can carry items as long as 8 feet, 2 inches with the tailgate upright.

As with the previous model, the Avalanche will be available in a variety of trim levels, from the base LS to the leather n wood LTZ, but it will no longer be offered in separate half-ton and three-quarter-ton models. This should make little difference, however, as the Avalanche can still haul and tow almost as well as regular blue-collared pickups. Those with boats,

When the Midgate is folded, the Avalanches bed expands from 53" to 82" in length.? (Photo: General Motors)

trailers and other heavy objects on wheels should be happy to know that 2WD Avalanches can tow up to a maximum of 8,000 lbs, while models equipped with 4WD can tow a substantial 7,800 lbs. Also available will be the Z71 off-road package which includes stiffer springs and dampers.
As with most GM pickup trucks, the Avalanche has an extensive range of engines. Highlights for the new 07 model include two brand new powerplants that have a few fuel-saving tricks up their sleeves. Standard to the truck/SUV is the new 5.3-liter V8 that produces up to 320-horsepower and 340 lb-ft of torque, and features GMs Active Fuel Management system (previously called Displacement on Demand) which shuts off four of the eight cylinders on light loads. For the first time, GM will also offer the Avalanche with E85 Flex-Fuel Capacity, which allows the truck to run on ethanol-enriched fuels of up to 85 percent; lowering emissions and

An E85-powered Avalanche bursts through a popcorn waterfall at its launch in Chicago. (Photo: General Motors)

adding power. For those who need extra grunt, a new all-aluminum 355-hp 6.0-liter V8 will also be offered. The larger motor features variable valve timing as well as Active Fuel Management.

Because the Avalanche is the sole full-size vehicle in its segment, Chevrolet has tried very hard to improve on the original formula through customer feedback. New to the redesigned model is central locking that also controls the tailgate, factory-installed remote start, an available navigation system, as well as reverse sensors and a reverse camera integrated into the navigation system. The new truck also features a much higher quality interior, with better quality plastic surfaces and switchgear featuring a more premium-like feel.

With improved specs and all-new underpinnings, Chevrolet shouldnt have any trouble reigning in new buyers and maintaining its loyal customer base for this hard-working, hard-playing SUV-pickup crossover. Sales of the 07 Avalanche will start this spring; pricing will be announced closer to its arrival.

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