GM Unveils All-New 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche, Makes Major Announcements About E85 and OnStar at Chicago Auto Show
08 Februar 2006 - 3:33PM
PR Newswire (US)
CHICAGO, Feb. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- General Motors will introduce the
all-new 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche, the latest rollout of its
next-generation full-size truck family and the industry's most
flexible utility vehicle, at the Chicago Auto Show. GM also makes
major announcements strengthening its flexible-fuel vehicle
leadership and adding a new navigation feature to OnStar, which
celebrates its 10th anniversary at the show. "GM continues to
demonstrate bold and innovative leadership in products, technology
and gasoline savings," said Brent Dewar, GM North America vice
president, marketing and advertising. "On all of these fronts and
more, GM is truly on a roll." 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche The Chevy
Avalanche was the first to combine the passenger-comfort attributes
of an SUV with the cargo capability of a truck. The 2007 model is
based on GM's brand-new, full-size SUV platform, which features
more power with improved, segment-leading fuel economy and
flex-fuel capability on some models; a sharper, more precise
driving feel; increased interior refinement and improved quietness;
and world-class safety. From its SUV comfort and ingenious Midgate
to its new family of flex-fuel-capable engines, Avalanche delivers
a unique combination of cargo and passenger options. "Avalanche is
a vehicle without peers, selling more than 379,500 units since its
spring 2001 launch through December 2005," said Ed Peper, Chevrolet
general manager. Avalanche is offered in LS, LT and LTZ models,
with 2WD and 4WD. A Z71 off-road package will be offered later in
the model year. At the start of production, Avalanche will be
equipped with an efficient 5.3L V-8 delivering 320 horsepower (238
kw) and 335 lb.-ft. of torque (463 Nm), along with Active Fuel
Management(TM) technology, which seamlessly switches between eight-
and four-cylinder power to save fuel. Two versions of the Vortec
5.3L Gen IV V-8 -- including an aluminum-block version that is
standard in 4WD models -- are compatible with E85. They can run on
any combination of gasoline and/or E85 fuel. Coming later in the
year is a powerful, new all-aluminum 6.0L V-8 with variable valve
timing and Active Fuel Management. The engine is rated at an
estimated 355 horsepower (264 kw). Pioneered on the
first-generation Avalanche, the Midgate opens to extend the
cargo-carrying capability from the cargo bed's 5.3-foot-long (1.6
m) length to 8.2 feet (2.5 m) -- 2 inches (51 mm) longer than
previous models. The rear seat must be folded to achieve maximum
storage capability; with the rear seat up and the Midgate closed,
Avalanche has room for up to six passengers. Avalanche also offers
up to 8,000 pounds (3,629 kg) of towing capability, when properly
equipped, enhancing its flexible, ready-for-anything capability.
New features on the '07 model enhance Avalanche's flexible
attributes and reflect customer feedback: * Central-locking
tailgate -- locking and unlocking the tailgate is more secure, as
the conventional keyed lock is removed from the tailgate. Locking
and unlocking functions are handled by the interior lock switches
or from the Remote Keyless Entry fob. * Remote vehicle starting --
standard on some models and available on others, the remote vehicle
starting system allows convenient start-up from a distance to
pre-heat or pre-cool the vehicle's interior. * Cargo cover
retaining straps -- new straps allow the cargo covers to be held
securely in place when removed from the storage compartments.
Avalanche also has a new tailgate that is spring-loaded to reduce
the effort needed to open or close it. GM pumps up E85 activity A
partnership between GM, Shell Oil Products U.S. and VeraSun Energy
Corp. will bring 26 additional E85 refueling stations to the
greater Chicago area. The collaboration is part of a broader,
national GM campaign to boost the use and awareness of
ethanol-based E85 fuel in the U.S. To promote E85 fuel and vehicles
during the Chicago Auto Show, several major Chicago buildings will
be illuminated in yellow lights in reference to the corn that is
used to make most of the ethanol in the U.S. E85 supply; and city
"street teams" will randomly reach out to Chicagoans Feb. 10-12 and
17-19 with giveaways that promote GM's new "Live Green Go Yellow"
E85 marketing and advertising campaign. GM also will promote E85
with a major presence in the 2006 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and
with 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup champion Tony Stewart. The E85
partnership and marketing campaign are designed to encourage
greater E85 use and showcase GM's E85 FlexFuel vehicle leadership
to U.S. consumers. E85 FlexFuel vehicles can run on any combination
of gasoline and/or E85, a fuel blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15
percent gasoline. E85 can contribute to energy independence because
it diversifies the source of transportation fuels beyond petroleum,
and it provides positive environmental benefits in the form of
reduced greenhouse gas emissions. "GM is pursuing gasoline-savings
solutions on many fronts on the way to our ultimate vision of
hydrogen fuel cell-powered transportation," said Elizabeth Lowery,
GM vice president of environment and energy. "E85 ethanol burns
cleaner than gasoline and is a renewable, domestic fuel that can
enhance the nation's economy and energy security." OnStar
Turn-by-Turn Navigation Many owners of new GM vehicles may remember
2006 as the last year they ever got lost while driving, thanks to
Turn-by-Turn Navigation, the first factory-installed, fully
integrated GPS navigation system from OnStar by GM. OnStar
Turn-by-Turn Navigation allows consumers to talk to a live advisor,
who in turn sends complete step-by-step directions to customers'
vehicles through their OnStar system. Audio directions are then
automatically piped through the vehicle's stereo as they are
needed, allowing drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes
on the road. The service debuts in March on the 2006 Cadillac DTS
and Buick Lucerne, and on the Cadillac STS in the second quarter as
part of the standard OnStar package. It will be available in about
1 million GM cars and trucks in the 2007 model year, and will be
expanded further within the portfolio in 2008. Turn-by-Turn is the
highlight of OnStar's latest generation of in-vehicle hardware, its
seventh in just 10 years. GM introduced the first OnStar-equipped
vehicle at the Chicago Auto Show 10 years ago. "The key to our
progress and growth has been to focus on services that matter to
customers, not just early adopters, and to make them easy to
understand and use," said Chet Huber, president of OnStar. "With
OnStar Turn- by-Turn Navigation, we're demystifying navigation
technology to bring safe, simple GPS-based routing to the mass
market at a fraction of the cost of other competitive
alternatives." First Call Analyst: FCMN Contact: DATASOURCE:
General Motors Corporation CONTACT: Laura Toole, Manager, Auto
Shows and Events of GM Communications, +1-313-665-3169, Web site:
http://media.gm.com/ http://www.gm.com/
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