Conceptually, Chevy's unique Avalanche is unchanged for 2007, though in appearance and engineering, much has changed. For starters, the vehicle

(Photo: Rob Rothwell)

is now founded on GM's new GMT900-series truck chassis, which also includes the handsome Yukon and Tahoe lines for 2007. Immediately noticeable is the integration of the front bumper into the Avalanche's front fascia. The redesign smooths-out the nose of the big rig, making it considerably more aerodynamic while reducing wind-rush and increasing fuel economy ever so slightly. The rakish angle of the truck's windscreen also contributes to a reduction in the Avalanche's co-efficient of drag. Overall, exterior build-quality is vastly improved over the previous generation of the re-configurable pickup/SUV. Despite the significant exterior alterations, the improvements most likely to catch a consumer's attention are inside. In keeping with the GMT900 design theme, the Avalanche's instrument panel has been lowered and overhauled for 2007, resulting in a look that's more Cadillac than Chevy. The dashboard layout and cabin architecture now rivals the class-leading arrangement Ford has been inserting into its trucks for the last couple years.

The tester GM provided me was a fully-loaded LTZ edition of the Avalanche, on to which was added an entertainment system in the way of

(Photo: Rob Rothwell)

a DVD player supported with wireless headphones and a power-operated sunroof. With such fixins, the Avalanche does a good job of mimicking a luxo land-yacht rather than a full-size, half-ton pickup. The Avalanche's new cabin is quite striking, not to mention spacious. The materials in use are far less truck-like than what previously lined the inner walls. The upscale environment and wonderfully comfortable seats are now worthy partners to the vehicle's gentle ride quality. The Avalanche is so proficient at absorbing road degradation before it unduly jostles the cabin that occupants might be surprised to learn they are riding in a rugged, four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicle with a minimum of 231 mm (9.1 in) of ground clearance; the Avalanche conceals its four-wheel-drive capability that well. (A two-wheel-drive Avalanche is available in both the US and Canada). Operational refinement is definitely an Avalanche highlight- and one that extends to its drivetrain as well.

My tester was mobilized by a 310 horsepower, 5.3 litre, flex-fuel V8, which is standard in the 4WD Avalanche. Flex-fuel means that the engine can

(Photo: Rob Rothwell)

live on a mixture of up to 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. Ethanol is a bio-fuel derived from plant material such as grain and corn. Its usage, while in its infancy, will help relieve our dependence on petroleum while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Bio-fuel is also a renewable source of energy, making it a potential boon to the domestic agriculture industry. Further greening of the Vortec 5300 is accomplished with the application of GM's Active Fuel Management system, which deactivates four of the eight cylinders when power demand is low. Fewer cylinders combusting equals less fuel burned, resulting in reduced emissions and improved fuel efficiency. And let's face it, anything that'll squeeze a few more kilometres from a tank of gas is greatly welcomed in a vehicle weighing in at a hefty 2,518 kg (5,539 lb). But even with the latest technology working to conserve fuel, the 2007 Avalanche is thirsty. Travelling 100 kilometres in town will, according to GM, burn 15.4 litres of conventional fuel. The same distance on the highway requires 10.4 litres of the golden nectar. (15 / 22 mpg respectively). Mixing ethanol with gasoline will reduce the figures noted.