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Chevy Adds Avalanche W/o Body Hardware For '03

Chief

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Chevrolet Adds Avalanche Without Body Hardware for 2003

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New Safety, Comfort, Convenience and Performance Features

Chevrolet Motor Division introduces an Avalanche for the first time in 2003 without body hardware, and has significantly improved all Avalanche models for the new model year.

Expanding Avalanche Appeal
The composite lower body panels -- called "cladding" or "body hardware" -- will be removed to create a new appearance package that will expand the appeal of Avalanche with a more traditional full-size pickup look that still provides Chevy's unique Convert-a-Cab System and Midgate for flexibility and function. Avalanche sales have already topped 100,000 units. Production of Avalanches with the new appearance package begins in the first quarter of 2003. The other Avalanche models will have darker color body hardware for 2003.

First Public Showing
The first public showing of the new Avalanche Without Body Hardware will be at the Texas State Fair in September 2002.

Optional Soft Top
The Avalanche Without Body Hardware will offer the same equipment packages and options as the original versions except for an optional soft top for the cargo area. The North Face edition and three-quarter-ton versions of the Avalanche, however, will not be offered without body hardware.

Improvements for 2003
Avalanche has also made safety, comfort, convenience and performance improvements for 2003.

Safety Enhancements
Safety enhancements for 2003 include a passenger-sensing system and dual-level air bags. The automatic passenger-sensing air-bag system automatically deactivates the passenger-side air bag under certain conditions to protect children. The dual-level air-bag system is a supplemental restraint system designed to detect vehicle deceleration and, based on the deceleration data, provide an appropriate amount of air-bag inflation. Dual-stage air bags are designed to help reduce the occurrence of inflation-induced injuries by deploying the air bag less forcefully in lower-speed crashes.

The 2003 Avalanche already complies with 2005 federal seat standards for child restraint anchorages. The LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system for child seats is provided in the front-passenger side seat and second-row center and passenger side seats.

Creature Comforts
New creature comforts for the 2003 Avalanche include rear-seat entertainment systems with a DVD player and flip-down screen. These systems feature the next-generation Radio Data System, and can interface with services such as XM Satellite Radio, a new option for 2003. A custom-designed Bose audio system is also available with a new, high-powered, six-channel amplifier and six speakers.

XM Satellite Radio
The XM Satellite Radio is optional on all models. It offers 100 coast-to-coast digital channels with various music programming including several commercial-free channels, 24-hour news sources and sports, talk, children's and entertainment programming -- all with sound quality close to compact disc.

New Driver Convenience Package

Adjustable Pedals
Avalanche defines convenience in 2003 with a new driver convenience package. Optional brake and accelerator pedals can be adjusted rearward in unison by nearly three inches for better positioning and comfort, and they are available with a memory feature. An eight-button steering wheel control is available to personalize several functions (trip calculator, fuel data, etc.), and provides safe access to all entertainment systems. New power outside rear view mirrors fold against the vehicle for easier vehicle passage through narrow spaces; the power mirrors also tilt for easier curb viewing when parallel parking.

A new multi-zone manual-control heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (standard) allows the driver and front passenger to adjust the temperature to their own comfort. The battery-rundown protection now automatically turns off the headlamps and park lamps in addition to the interior lights after 10 minutes if left on inadvertently.

Improved Performance
Improved performance for the 2003 Avalanche includes better brake performance, better "pedal feel" and quieter operation. Avalanche's sure-footed Autotrac 4WD system gets improved fuel economy when in 2WD, as well as improved "driver feel" during parking-lot and other low-speed maneuvers. A new electrical architecture enables the driver information center to monitor and report as many as 34 vehicle system functions. New service indicators include "Ice Possible" and "Door Ajar." The standard engine continues to be a powerful 5.3L V8 with 285 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque.

Convert-a-Cab and Midgate
The Avalanche hallmark is its revolutionary Convert-a-Cab System and Midgate for great flexibility and function. When the rear passenger seat and Midgate are folded, the standard bed length converts from 5'3" to 8'1". A three-piece rigid cargo cover can be used to cover and protect the cargo box and its contents. Two Top-Box Storage compartments on either side of the cargo box provide a combined 3.5 cubic feet of lockable storage space. The compartments have drains, so they can be filled with ice and used as coolers.

New Colors
Avalanche for 2003 offers three new exterior colors: Charcoal Gray Metallic, Arrival Blue Metallic and Yellow (interim availability). The North Face Edition has a new medium gray interior.
 
Looks nice, but I don't see myself trading mine in for a claddingless AV.

I did predict this much though:

"The North Face edition and three-quarter-ton versions of the Avalanche, however, will not be offered without body hardware."

Goo's the man with the news once again!

David
 
OK, now that I've seen it and IMHO: :9:

It just looks naked to me and less rugged. Maybe more "civilized" looking and certainly less distinguishable from the droves of other trucks/suv's out there. Now I know that the more you see the Av the cladding becomes an integral part of the "coolness factor" and not a design quirk.
 
IT does not look like an avalanche...... :cry:

Looks like the new Silverado with the sail panels.....I wonder how many will sell.
 
IMHO; The 2003 Claddless AV looks wimpy. The only improvement I see as significant is the brake pedal feel. Seeing that many of the standard equipment items we got on the 2002's are now options it would not be worthwhile trading up to a 2003.
 
Yes ... it does look like a new Silverado with sails.

I just don't see them turning as many heads as we did in our '02s. I guess we will start having them cruise with us next year. Won't be the same though.
 
Despite this release from GM I have it from a secret agent deep within the dungeons of Detroit that this won't be ready for a first quarter 2003 release.

I also have it from the same source that Sage Green goes away in January of 2003 and is replaced with Yellow.
 
This will probably get me in trouble again but. Maybe someone could start a, "Not a Real Chevy Avalanche Fan Club Forum". Or rename ours to "The Original Chevy Avalanche Fan Club Forum".
 
Most of us here like our cladding, but so many people have commented on how much plastic "cladding" my Av has and how they don't know if they like it or not. After seeing that picture, and reading all the comments thus far, it looks so much BETTER cladded than without. It does look like another GMC/Chevy truck. I'm all in favor of cladding now after seeing the "naked" Av! Without cladding, it might as well be an F-150 Crew Cab! The cladding and sail panels are what make thwe Av SO distinguishable from anything else in the GM stable right now other than the slight similarity to a Trailblazer.

Jamie
 
after all this time, now I am so accustomed to the cladding that an un-clad Av looks like some sort of sedan - I don't know, I can't put my finger on it, but that was my inital reaction to the photo. Looks like just another 'burban it seems . . .

I do see some fender molding that is ripe for a mod on my 02, but it would be in a non-matching color :(
 
Chief said:
Despite this release from GM I have it from a secret agent deep within the dungeons of Detroit that this won't be ready for a first quarter 2003 release.

I also have it from the same source that Sage Green goes away in January of 2003 and is replaced with Yellow.
True ... this is the information I received a couple of weeks ago from a source close to the production:

the PRODUCTION of the "Claddling-less" AV's will begin in February 2003. ?They should be hitting the lots in the March / April 2003 timeframe. ?At that time, Cladding (Body Hardware) will become a $700 - $800 option

The color information has already been released by GM.
 
Well...IMHO...
The AV without the cladding looks so very "Plain Jane." It's lost that unique look and doesn't have as much personality. But...you know what they say. "To each his own." Can't believe I just said that. ;)

Cindy :B:
 
black_magic said:
Is it me or are the turn signals on the bottom just like the Silverados? ?

Yuk!
I just compared the front end to the '03 Silverados.

Looks like a complete match including the headlights / turn signals!!!

Here's the two side by side:

avalanche_nocladding.jpg

PV__006923__.jpg
 
Way too plane Jane!!!

I think GM is losing their mind

No more Camaro
+
No more Firebird
+
Cookie cutter trucks again
=
No personallity
...and I'm a huge GM loyalist!!!


 
Well, I have to be man enough to admit I was wrong, IMHO. When the AV first came out I said, Square wheel openings, Plastic Cladding, no body will buy this thing. And, said to myself, If they take the cladding off and fix the wheel openings I might buy one.

So, I am waiting to order an 03, with darker cladding which I assume will look a little better than the light shade, but;

I now admit I love the original look, at least I am honest.
 
DCRANER said:
Well, I have to be man enough to admit I was wrong, IMHO. ?When the AV first came out I said, Square wheel openings, Plastic Cladding, no body will buy this thing. ?And, said to myself, If they take the cladding off and fix the wheel openings I might buy one.

So, I am waiting to order an 03, with darker cladding which I assume will look a little better than the light shade, but;

I now admit I love the original look, at least I am honest.

There is still time for you to get a real AV and not one where the DNA got screwed up.
 
I agree, the new AV looks just like the other GM Trucks. It was the cladding that pulled me towards my AV purchase. Too bad the cladding is an option for the new AV. I wonder how many people would purchase the cladding as an option?
 
I agree, it definitely looks like a burb with the back end chopped.
It looks more cityish. Soccer mom edition. Still an Avalanche though, but no ruggedness.

I do like how GM is offering multiple versions and not just interior upgrades like the LS vs LT Tahoes, Subs, etc.
I can't wait to see the new darker cladding. I already see myself buying an 03 sometime during the year.
Truck's almost paid off and I'm tired of dreaming about Avalanches. Time's getting close to live it.

 
It does look too similar to the Silverado, but you have to give people choices. You had to figure the headlights would be the same between the two trucks, that only makes sense.

I have read that the Camaro will be back soon from GM insiders on the Z-28 board! Does anyone here know anything about that?
 
As 'original' Av owners, we enjoyed the 'uniqueness' of our beasts. That Chevy is putting a sort of Av looking front end on more and more things dilutes that. I know that when looking for fellow Av's on the road, I've mistaken Trailblazers for Av's a couple of times. This is destined to get worse as the 2003 trucks debut . . . sad to say but true. But the uniqueness was fun while it lasted!
 
Z-28Avalanche said:
It does look too similar to the Silverado, but you have to give people choices. ?You had to figure the headlights would be the same between the two trucks, that only makes sense.
So we are going to have two bowties now?

One for the AV with "body hardware" and one without ... or just order all '03 Silverado accessories for the front end?

It will be interesting next year.
 
Does this mean that a 2003 Avalanche with cladding gets an Avalanche front end?

And a 2003 Av without cladding gets a 2003 Silverado front end?

If so, the Av with no cladding is not an Avalanche to me. It is a four door Silverado with an Avalanche midgate and bed. :rolleyes:
 
Goo, good point on the front end. If the "cladded" AV's have the same front end as ours and the "non-cladded" AV's have the silverado's there will be differences. Even things like billet grills and headlight covers will be different.

P.S. I don't like the fog lights either.
 
Hey, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa folks. Remember - people are going to buy claddingless Av's and they are going to become members here.

Watch what you say about the product - I don't want a class war starting! ;D
 
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