With its unique style and utility-enhancing articulated "Midgate," the Chevrolet Avalanche created a successful mini-niche in the light-truck market when it was introduced for the 2002 model year. However, the ensuing decade has seen many buyers seeking the comfort and capability pioneered by the Avalanche switching over to its more conventional cousin, the Chevy Silverado crew cab pickup. Now, after some 580,000 total sales, this multifaceted workhorse is departing the division’s lineup — but not without one final flourish. Coming this summer, the 2013 Chevrolet Black Diamond Avalanche will say goodbye and good buy with enhanced packaging and reduced pricing across the lineup.
The "Black Diamond" nomenclature will be shared by the entire 2013 Avalanche lineup, which Chevy says will be produced well into 2012. All will feature body-colored bed surrounds and a unique sail-panel badge. The base Black Diamond Avalanche LS will add a rearview camera, rear park assist, power adjustable pedals, fog lights, and remote start to its standards roster while the LT models gain the rearview camera and the primo LTZ carries over unchanged. Base prices on all trim grades has been dropped by $2,500 (after equipment adjustments), with the most affordable model, the 2013 Chevrolet Black Diamond Avalanche rear-drive variant, opening at $36,975.
Mechanically, the 2013 Black Diamond Avalanche will offer the choice of rear-drive or 4-wheel drive and be powered by a 300-horsepower/5.3-liter Vortec V8 with cylinder-deactivating that’s matched with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Dropping the Avalanche’s trick Midgate extends its bed length from 5 feet 3 inches to 8 feet 2 inches, effectively equaling that of a conventional pickup.
