What If the Chevrolet Avalanche Had Never Left?
Did General Motors make a mistake by terminating the versatile Chevrolet Avalanche at the end of the 2013 model year? Probably not. Sales at the time hardly justified keeping this Silverado “twin” around, even with a revolutionary MidGate allowing the cargo bed to expand into the cabin.
The automaker preferred to bring back the Colorado two years later. And let’s face it: the Avalanche was always more of a niche product, with styling that many people didn’t quite get. But what about now, with more and more pickups on the market (Jeep Gladiator, Ford Maverick, Chevrolet Silverado ZR2, etc.) and GM’s full-size trucks earning lots of praise following the launch of the T1-based generation?
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It’s certainly something to think about, and that’s what digital artist Oscar Vargas did in his latest Instagram post.
Vargas started with a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban, retaining the chassis, wheelbase and front end, but chopped off the roof in the rear while adding triangular pillars on top of the bedsides, just behind the cabin, and a hard tonneau cover.
Plastic cladding in a black finish helps protect the entire lower body just like on the original Avalanche, emphasizing ruggedness and a sense of adventure. The Suburban’s chunky door handles are replaced with something more subtle, however.
Overall, this modern interpretation is pretty good and would fit nicely in the current Chevy portfolio, but we’re not sure how much more people would buy one.
If you really want a versatile Chevrolet pickup offering a bunch of innovative features, you only need to wait for the new Silverado EV, which will be revealed at CES in Las Vegas on January 5, 2022. Mark your calendar.