Chevrolet Avalanche

Chevrolet Avalanche

Manufacturer	Chevrolet
Parent company	General Motors
Production	2001–present
Assembly	Silao, Mexico
Class	Full-size pickup truck
Body style(s)	4-door truck
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive / Four-wheel drive
Transmission(s)	4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	130.0 in (3302 mm)
Fuel capacity	31 US gal (117 L, 25.8 Imp. gal)
Related	Cadillac Escalade Chevrolet Tahoe GMC Yukon Chevrolet Suburban Hummer H2

GMT800

Production	2001–2006
Platform	GM GMT800 platform
Engine(s)	5.3 L V8 8.1 L V8
Length	2002-03: 221.7 in (5631 mm) 2004-06: 221.6 in (5629 mm)
Width	79.8 in (2027 mm)
Height	2002-03: 73.3 in (1862 mm) 2004-06: 73.6 in (1869 mm)

GMT900

Production	2006–present
Platform	GM GMT900 platform
Engine(s)	5.3 L V8 6.0 L V8
Length	221.3 in (5621 mm)
Width	79.1 in (2009 mm)
Height	76.6 in (1946 mm)

The Chevrolet Avalanche is a four-door, five or six passenger pickup truck SUV sharing GM's long-wheelbase chassis used on the Chevrolet Suburban) and Cadillac Escalade EXT. Unlike the typical pickup truck, the open bed of the Avalanche opens to the back seat area via a folding panel (marketed as a 'midgate') and removable rear window. A series of three removable panels form a watertight top for the cargo bed. Additional storage is provided behind each wheelwell, accessed by locking flip-top panels and useable as self-draining ice chests.

The name Avalanche derives from the dangerous and sudden collapse of mountain snowpacks known as the avalanche.

First generation

Avalanche was launched in 2001 as a 2002 model on the GMT800 platform. First year Avalanches featured light gray plastic body cladding, intended to provide visual distinction from the Suburban/Yukon XL. Avalanche also gave the public an advance look at the next generation of front fascia designs for the entire GM line. A full-length chrome strip splits each lamp assembly and the grille, with a gold Chevrolet "bow tie" in the center. The hood and fenders featured aggressive folds, in contrast to the soft box of the other GMT800 models.

2003 models featured darker cladding, but GM's new president, Rick Wagoner, demanded deletion of this "unpopular" trim (as did certain elements of the public). From mid-year, Avalanche could be ordered without the cladding. The uncladded model, known as the Without Body Hardware (or better by its acronym "WBH"), and alternatively called "slicksides" by GM marketers, resembles the '03-'05 Silverado in the front.

Avalanche was nominated for the North American Truck of the Year award and was Motor Trend magazine's SUV of the Year for 2002.

There are two engine choices: A Vortec 5.3 L V8 producing 290 hp (216 kW), for the half-ton 1500 series; and an 8.1 L V8 with 325 hp (242 kW), for the three-quarter-ton 2500 series. The drivetrain is rear-wheel drive or available with selectable high/low four-wheel drive.

Second generation

The GMT900 Avalanche was introduced at the Chicago Auto Show in February 2006. Production of the redesigned Avalanche began at the Silao Assembly in March of 2006. The Avalanche maintains the styled front end much like its sister vehicles, the Tahoe/Yukon and Suburban, yet it still has the distinct midgate and integrated bed as found on the previous incarnation. It has all the same standard and available features as the Suburban and the Tahoe.

A 2007 Avalanche was given away to the Most Valuable Player of the 2006 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, Michael Young.

Engines:

5.3 L Vortec 5300 V8 with Active Fuel Management, 320 hp (239 kW)
6.0 L VortecMAX V8 with VVT and Active Fuel Management, 366 hp (265 kW) (late 2006)

Cladding trouble

Soon after the release of the Chevy Avalanche customers began to notice cosmetic problems with the cladding on their vehicles. Over time exposure to heat and sunlight would cause a chalky faded appearance. It was especially noticeable on the cargo bed panels, and sailpanel windows where "Zebra Striping" would appear. Customer reaction to this problem resulted in General Motors agreeing to a one time treatment of a product called ArmorDillo. This product would temporarily restore the cladding for a period of about 6 months. After that it would wear off then need to be re-applied. Realizing this was not a permanent solution, GM, together with Gatorback Coatings, developed a coating that could be applied to the cladding to restore it to a like-new shine. This product was designed to etch into the plastic and bond a new layer of tinted acrylic over the faded plastic. Customers within the 3yr/36,000 original factory warranty could go to their dealership to have it restored under their original warranty under GM TSB:04-08-111-001C. With the exclusion of side body cladding on the 2007+ model years this has reduced the amount of cladding fade. General Motors has also identified the original source of the faded cladding. With that information they were able to reduce the cladding fade problem on the GM GMT900 platform.

Cultural references

Sufjan Stevens's 2006 album The Avalanche features a Chevy Avalanche on the cover and is hinted at in the album's title track "The Avalanche" ("I was on the hatch/riding on the avalanche")