2007 Chevy Avalanche LTZ

The Redesigned Truck is Available with Many Aftermarket-Inspired Options

Over the course of Chevrolet Motor Division's storied history, a lot has changed. Many people know about the company's V8 engine intro back in 1917 and most everyone knows of the small-block V8 introduction in 1955. The name "Chevrolet" once stood for great value with customers worldwide. All of us who grew up in the Fifties, Sixties and Seventies with Chevrolet "performance" generally preferred lightweight, stripped models and then made our modifications using aftermarket parts.

Some auto enthusiasts still do that today but there are exceptions. Automobile manufacturers have learned that consumers want certain options (usually first introduced to the aftermarket) to be standard equipment or at least available for selected new vehicles. One such vehicle is the all-new 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche LTZ. Not yet heavily publicized, this dual-purpose truck is definitely one of Chevy's best-kept secrets.

The Chevrolet Avalanche is a different kind of hybrid. It's not a gas/electric hybrid; instead, it's a combination SUV/pickup truck, but its green too – able to run on E85 fuel. Part SUV and part pickup truck, the Avalanche has seating for four or five and a short pickup truck bed. The Avalanche also has a foldaway midgate designed to provide access to the bed when weather and other conditions permit. Chevrolet first introduced the Avalanche in the 2002 model year and for 2007 all the full-size Chevrolet and GMC trucks have received styling and equipment upgrades. For the past 40 years, Chevrolet trucks have made up a major segment of the huge American pickup truck aftermarket. As performance automobiles became more politically correct, people in both the performance and custom automotive aftermarket industry began talking to General Motors engineers and stylists. And they, in turn, began talking to the aftermarket.

The result has been improved vehicles from auto manufacturers and improved products from the aftermarket. GM engineers have tried to stretch the boundaries of vehicle design, but there are limits. For example, OE designers are limited in wheel and tire size by the wheel and tire envelope, wheel travel and the need for some customers to be able to install and use snow chains. But customers and leaders in the performance and custom aftermarket are still able to take vehicle design and performance to new levels. As trucks became more sophisticated in the ride, handling and braking departments off the assembly line, the performance and custom aftermarket–created parts and pieces made them more personalized and individualized per an owner's needs and wants. But the 2007 Avalanche is going to be a challenge; it has nearly every conceivable factory accessory available. The aftermarket will be hard pressed to design parts and pieces for this vehicle. But they will do it.

Even in stock configuration, the 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche LTZ is impressive. It has an official tow rating of 7,200 pounds. It can carry large 4' by 8' sheets of plywood and much, much more. It can also handle and brake with the best of them and accelerate smartly with its efficient and powerful Vortec 5.3-liter, 310-horsepower all-aluminum engine. Final drive is 4.10:1. It can also cruise as a V4 on the open road and deliver an amazing 27 to 28 miles per gallon in the process. Our tester featured a dash-mounted, color GPS map system. Not only did it show you the way to anywhere you were headed, but the monitor was also dotted with small logos of name-brand gas stations, fast-food eateries and more. For you guys (and gals) who never like to ask for directions, you no longer need to. Not ever. All you have to do is look at the LTZ GPS monitor.

We also liked the factory audio system. We were impressed with the XM radio feature and with the rear-seat entertainment system that kept everyone's interest with the electronics and CD/DVD audio/video plug-ins–all mounted on the back section of the LTZ's center console. The Panasonic color monitor is mounted in the headliner and opens downward at the touch of a finger Also adorning the interior roof area are multiple courtesy lights and a tinted glass sunroof with a molded plastic headliner cover. The sunroof glass can either lift up at the touch of a button at the back for air venting or it can slide fully open to let good ol' Mother Nature come rushing in. All of these features were first available from the aftermarket. The Bridgestone blackwall radial tires feature sculpted sidewalls, which are very eye-and ego-appealing. Years ago, OE bean-counters would probably have nixed them. Not today. They offer both form and function-perfect for this platform.

The Avalanche was also fitted with stylish, heavy-duty running boards. A look underneath revealed flat metal supports with four individual vertical walls designed to support the running boards. That's the OE market for you. It took them some time to understand that the trucks needed running boards, and when they finally got it they designed a proper mount. The LTZ also features a strong, boxed frame that is finished with a flat black, rubberized coating.

The Vortec engine's induction system was engineered for high-performance efficiency. The LS engine screams with authority on full throttle much like '60s performance engines did. Aluminum engine blocks and heads in the past were a super high-dollar expense that few could afford. Not so today. Production methods have advanced to the point where the cost of the lower weight aluminum–saving several hundred pounds–of weight–is well within most automakers' and automobile buyers' budgets.

Looking aft, the Avalanche's three-piece, molded bedcover most likely had its creative start in the automotive aftermarket. Each section's edge is sealed in rubber to help prevent water leaks. Each section is numbered (1, 2 or 3) and each has a schematic drawing underneath showing how it is to be reinstalled. We like the left and right locking arms which keep each section in place and secure. Well done and well designed, GM. The folddown back seat is so easy to use it can be operated with just one arm. The front bucket seats must be moved up slightly, then the seat bottom swings open and forward. The seat back then swings down. The rear cab wall or midgate (as GM calls it) then opens downward with the simple twist of a turn latch located in the upper middle. Voila! The LTZ pickup bed is now accessible from the cab for many things–including storage of weekend camping or fishing equipment, as well as all the things pickup trucks normally hold. If modified (listen up, aftermarket) say with a thin sheet of plywood and a few sleeping bags–two people could easily make it a comfy sleeping environment for weekend camping.

The tailgate is impressive as well. We liked its thick, upper molding which resembled a rear-deck spoiler. It is a functional part of the Avalanche LTZ's heavy duty theme and was no doubt designed with such in mind. Right below the tailgate opening latch is a round, color-keyed eye that turned out to be the lens for the Panasonic backup camera monitor. When the transmission is shifted into Reverse, the monitor (which usually serves as the GPS monitor) automatically turns on–displaying a 10-foot diameter space for ease of backup. When the rear bumper gets to within about five feet of an object, a first gold light glows at the center/rear of the cab above the rear window and a "beep" is sounded. At 3 feet, a second gold light comes on and another "beep" sounds. Finally, when the rear bumper is 2 feet from the object, a red light comes on and a "beep" sounds one more time. Backup systems began life in the recreational vehicle and motor home aftermarket. Smart move, GM.

When parking in places where space could be potentially minimal, a driver should turn the outside rearview mirror assemblies inward so accidental contact cannot be made. In the past, most rearview mirrors were moved by hand. But not the LTZ's. Its mirrors move in electrically and quickly–at the touch of a button on the driver's upper door panel near the electric window control switches. Aftermarket engineering? Maybe. Very cool, regardless.

Not only is the 5.3-liter Vortec V8 a 310 horsepower powerhouse, it runs on 87 octane unleaded regular fuel or E85 Ethanol. When using the latter, the fuel system is engineered to mix 85 percent Ethanol with 15 percent gasoline. Ethanol is usually refined from grain and has an octane rating slightly higher than that of gasoline. This "FlexFuel E85" engine is standard with the Avalanche's 4x4 driveline. The EPA mileage rating is 20 miles per gallon highway and 15 miles per gallon city. At 65 mph, the engine RPM is only 2,100. In V4 mode, the gas computer registered 27 to 28 mpg. In V8 mode, it showed 21-24 mpg. Our overall test-average was 16.2 mpg.

The dual-purpose Avalanche has never been a vehicle that didn't divide families – you either liked it or didn't. But most of my family agrees on the Avalanche; I have always liked it and, in fact, my son owned a 2002 model for several years. This 2007 edition features a good-looking re-styled front end that should help increase sales.

The LTZ's chrome-plated, thick-diameter custom turned-wire grille is actually plastic. It too is good-looking, but we are certain the aftermarket will come up with many post-purchase choices for Avalanche buyers. The headlight and taillight assemblies are both extremely attractive and upscale, but they also are likely to be replaced in the aftermarket.

The Avalanche is a versatile workhorse. It could tow a 1,000-pound twin axle trailer with a 4,000-pound twin Avalanche on board and still be 2,200 pounds under its tow limit: The official tow rating of the 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche LTZ is 7,200 pounds.

The Avalanche offers both heavy-duty "engineering" and superb styling. Although many of its options were aftermarket-inspired, there is plenty of room for aftermarket ingenuity to create more aftermarket products for the revised Chevrolet and GMC trucks.