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CHEVROLET Avalanche Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Generations: 2
First production year: 2001
Engines: Ethanol, Gasoline
Body style: SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle)
CHEVROLET Avalanche SUT photo gallery

Chevrolet introduced the second generation of the Avalanche in 2006 and showed an improved overall design, but kept its main advantages.

Built on the same platform as the Chevrolet Silverado/Cadillac Escalade, the Avalanche SUT was the budget-version of the Escalade SUT. It was a four-door SUV with a short bed in the back. The idea was not bad, but the customers were not very keen to adopt it.

On the 2006 model, the Avalanche SUT shared its front fascia with the Tahoe and the Suburban. It featured two rectangular-shaped headlights with corner-mounted turn signals and daytime running lights at the bottom. Its grille sported a transverse slat that wore the golden bow-tie badge in the middle, while GM adorned the bumper with a pair of fog lights. From its side, the four-door pickup featured a short bed in the back.

GM built the SUT version with a very flexible cargo area. The cabin featured a removable rear panel, extending the bed length. This was the main advantage of the Avalanche SUT. Its cockpit provided two wide seats at the front and a split-folding bench in the rear. Thus, the customer could have used the rear seats as a storage area or fit three adults inside. On the dashboard, Chevrolet included the transmission buttons to engage the 4x4 system and the low-range gear.

Under the hood, GM installed a choice of two engines: a 5.3-liter V-8 and a 6.0-liter V-8. The former was available with a two-wheel-drive configuration, while the latter was exclusively 4x4.

full description and technical specifications
CHEVROLET Avalanche photo gallery

In its quest to find new ways to attract customers, Chevrolet introduced the 2002 Avalanche in 2001 as a mix between an SUV and a pickup, offering something more than any Silverado could do.

Most big carmakers in the world are trying different ways to attract customers, and that was also the case for GM when it introduced the Avalanche in 2001. It was an SUV/pickup based on the same chassis as the Chevy Suburban. At first sight, it was just another double-cab pickup, but it was way more than that.

At the front, the Avalanche was clearly a Chevy. The thick horizontal chromed slat that crossed the vehicle from left to right split the headlights into upper and lower areas. Underneath them, the carmaker installed a chromed bumper that featured a black area upper side, depending on the trim level. At the bottom, the Avalanche sported a shield underneath flanked by a pair of foglights. The vehicle's profile showed, at first glance, just a regular, four-door pickup with stylish body cladding that protected the paint from chip stones and scratches. Yet, at the back, the bed featured black trims that covered an external roll-bar behind the cabin.

The most important innovation brought by the Avalanche was the mid-gate that separated the bed from the cabin. By folding the rear seats down, owners could have lowered the cabin's rear panel and extended the 5ft3" bed inside the passenger compartment. Thus, the owners could've safely transported standard size plywood panels and up to 8ft1" long drywalls.

Under the hood, GM installed a choice of 5.3- and 8.1-liter V8s paired to a four-speed automatic transmission. Power was sent to the rear or in all corners, depending on the options.

full description and technical specifications