All about cars

No, it’s not a leftover from prop from the movie “Judge Dredd,” it’s the all-new Chevrolet Avalanche.  Now, pay attention, because although it may look like something out of an explosion-filled sci-fi matinee, it’s actually a pretty serious piece of equipment.

Like the Ford Explorer Sport Trac, the Avalanche carves a new niche in the sport-utility market by slicing the roof of the cargo area off, in this case opening up the back of a Suburban.  Unlike the much smaller Sport Trac however, the Avalanche’s cargo bed is still connected to the passenger cabin via a “Midgate,” which allows the rear window and wall to be removed.  Fold the back seats down, drop the Midgate, and the Avalanche is a two-seat, four-door pickup truck.  Close it back up, and it’s a Suburban with an open bed.  It’s enough to make you wonder why someone didn’t think of it sooner.

Like the Suburban with which it shares 85% of its parts, the Avalanche is a big, big truck.  The unique front end and copious gray cladding add even more visual impact.  The traditional Chevy chrome grille bar rides front and center, leading an aggressively creased and bulged hood and body.  That vast expanse of gray plastic looks best on dark-colored Avalanches, and it’s not evidence of cost-cutting on Chevy’s behalf, either.  The cladding is scratch- and chip-resistant thermopoly olefin (TPO) that provides protection from brush and stones during off-road adventures.  The Avalanche’s nicely-finished Midgate is structurally reinforced injected molded (SRIM) plastic, ensuring no need for a bedliner.  The optional hard tonneau cover will support up to 250 pounds, enabling owners to stand or walk on it if necessary.  A closer look at the Avalance reveals handy steps integrated into the corners of the rear bumper and standard-equipment storage boxes along the top of the cargo bed.  These boxes hold up to 3.5 cubic feet of stuff (for the record, that’s more cargo space than a Toyota MR2 has), and can double as coolers thanks to the insulating qualities of the plastic bed and a pair of thoughtful drains.

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