• 2013 Black Diamond Avalanche offers unique final-year model

• Following Avalanche’s lead, crew-cab pickups now dominate light-duty segment

DETROIT – The Chevrolet Avalanche, which won buyers with trendsetting design and unique features – and helped launch the boom in crew cab pickups – celebrates its final year in production with the 2013 Black Diamond Avalanche.

Black Diamond Avalanches will feature body-colored bed surrounds, a unique badge on the sail panel, additional features on LS and LT models, and lower prices across the lineup.

“More than 580,000 Avalanches have been sold since its introduction in 2001, and Avalanche has won major awards and recognitions throughout its run,” said Mark Clawson, Avalanche marketing manager. “So it is only fitting that Avalanche retires on a high note.”

“The Chevrolet Avalanche was one of the earliest forays into re-inventing the traditional pickup truck, said Michelle Krebs, senior analyst, Edmunds.com. “It was a vehicle that maintained the traditional truck image and capability but was more versatile for the person buying it for personal use more than work – a lifestyle truck more than a work truck. Other variations on the theme from competitors followed the Avalanche’s debut.”

For 2013, a rear camera, rear park assist, power adjustable pedals, fog lamps and remote start will be added as standard equipment on LS models, while LT models have added a standard rear camera. Base prices have been reduced $2,500 (after equipment adjustments) with the 2WD Avalanche LS now starting at $ 35,980, plus $995 dealer freight charge.

“Although Avalanche sales have tapered off in recent years, as crew cabs have grown to dominate Silverado sales, we know there are many Avalanche enthusiasts among Chevy customers,” said Clawson. “The Black Diamond Avalanche is our way of saying ‘Thank you’ and making it just a little more attractive to own one more Avalanche.”

Avalanche reshaped the pickup market

When introduced for the 2002 model year, Avalanche offered unique styling and innovative features like a midgate that extended the bed into the cab. Perhaps more important, its overall design proved to be one of those rare ideas that change a segment – a light-duty pickup with comfortable accommodations for five people.

This concept of a well-equipped light-duty pickup that could tow, haul, and carry the family attracted enough interest to generate 93,482 sales in 2003, its third full year of production. Recognizing the appeal of the Avalanche, Chevrolet and other truck makers began developing light-duty crew cab pickups. By 2011, crew cabs accounted for more than 65 percent of light-duty pickup sales, and helped transform the pickup from a workhorse into a true multipurpose family vehicle.

Through it all, Avalanche retained a core of passionate fans who loved its style, comfort, and versatility. Avalanche was named 2002 Motor Trend Truck of the Year upon its introduction, and 2007 Truck of the Year by the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada. Avalanche also has been top choice in a number of consumer publications.

Avalanche at a glance

The Chevrolet Avalanche is one of the industry’s more-flexible utility vehicles, combining the passenger-comfort attributes of a SUV with the cargo capability of a truck, thanks to the exclusive Midgate. It opens to extend the cargo-area from 5-foot-3-inch-long (1.6 m) length to 8 feet 2 inches (2.5 m). It is available in LS, LT and LTZ models, with 2WD and 4WD.

Storage compartments alongside the cargo box provide ample and lockable storage with pluggable drains that can be filled with ice and used as coolers.

The Avalanche is based on GM’s full-size SUV platform, offering a maximum towing capacity of 8,100 pounds (3,674 kg). It is powered by an efficient combination that includes the Vortec 5.3L V-8 with cylinder-deactivating Active Fuel Management technology and a fuel-saving Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic.

Avalanche also delivers useful technology and comprehensive safety features, including Bluetooth wireless phone connectivity with specific steering wheel controls, standard rear camera system, head curtain side-impact air bags and StabiliTrak electronic stability control. Avalanche offers an integrated brake controller that works with the ABS system to provide immediate and measured brake force signaling to electric-controlled trailer brake systems; there is no requirement for external and/or aftermarket brake control systems.

Avalanche milestones

The Avalanche was introduced at the 2000 North American International Auto Show in Detroit as a concept and was described as a no- compromise Chevy Truck with a unique combination of configurable passenger and cargo space. The production Avalanche was positioned as an Ultimate Utility Vehicle (UUV) when it went on sale in 2001 as a 2002 model
A special Avalanche was equipped to protect and transport the Olympic Flame during the Torch Relay prior to the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City; the relay covered more than 13,500 miles and passed through 46 states on its way to the Olympic Stadium for the Opening Ceremony on Feb. 8, 2002
In addition to receiving Motor Trend’s Truck of the Year for 2002, the Avalanche received the Design and Engineering award from Popular Mechanics. Both recognized the vehicle’s revolutionary innovation
Chevrolet teamed up with outdoor outfitter North Face and offered a special edition Avalanche in 2002 that was used to transport a team of kayakers through the rugged terrain of the Himalayas to the Tsangpo Gorge in Tibet, where they successfully accomplished first descent of the most-feared whitewater on the planet
In 2006, Chevrolet introduced an all-new Avalanche with a fully boxed frame and redesigned suspension to deliver more refined ride and handling; a new Z71 off-road package was introduced and front featured special off-road tires, unique grille and fascia, an integrated front bumper winch and oversize tow hooks
A 2007 Avalanche was presented to the 2006 Major League Baseball All-Star Game MVP Michael Young of the Texas Rangers

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com

GM says Carlisle Blue and the Centennial Edition packages will not be available on the 2013 Corvette.
– Production of the 2012 Corvette is scheduled to end in May. That’s when the plant will switch over to the 2013 model.
But GM is warning Chevy dealers that it plans to build the 2013 Corvette for only nine months. That means production will probably end in February 2013. The company is encouraging dealers to stock up on some Corvettes to carry them through late summer 2013 until the Bowling Green plant restarts.
The 2013 Corvette lineup includes the 427 convertible, which transplants the 7.0-liter, 505-hp V8 from the Z06 into the chassis used for the Grand Sport convertible. It comes only with the six-speed manual transmission.
The 60th-anniversary package includes a unique white paint color, exterior stripes, anniversary logos embroidered on the seats and unique badges. It can be added to any Corvette model. If you take a 60th-anniversary convertible, the top uses blue-colored fabric.
The 2013 Corvette marks the end of the C6 generation of the car. With history as a guide, the last year or two of nearly every Corvette generation has produced some of the best examples in the sports car’s family tree.
Chevy sold 13,164 Corvettes in 2011, up 4.3 percent from the year before”

-via Corvette Forums

One of the most common questions I get asked when delivering the new vehicle to happy customers is about the Diesel Emission control system built into new diesel motors. The product used for the emission control is called Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) or “AdBlue”. DEF is an aqueous urea solution used in Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) to lower NOx concentration in the exhaust emissions from diesel engines. It is injected into the exhaust stream by a metering system at a rate of 3–5% of diesel usage. An electronic control unit adjusts the flow of fluid in accordance with engine temperature and the way you drive the vehicle (speed, torque etc). DEF is stored in a 26 lt tank below the driver, having a filler under the bonnet. A tank should get you around 5 to 6 thousand km, but is dependant on driving conditions, and as mentioned, diesel usage.

The cost of “AdBlue” is around 2 – 4 Dollars a tank of Diesel.

Our customer driving back to WA should not require any refill untill well after he gets home.

For Refill Information, including warning systems, please watch the following:

For more information on how the system works, or the anything relative to DEF or right hand drive coinversions, don’t hesistate to give us a call !

Today we saw three 2012 Chevy Sliverados arrive, and we are expecting 2 more GMC Sierra Denali to arrive, with more Chevrolet’s next week.

All the hard work, planning, preparations and permits are finally paying off. The staff at VAI have been working hard to keep up with the rapid changes that have taken place. And to their credit, they have continued to keep the operation smooth. We are in the final stages of completing the move into our modern facility, providing great opportunity to customers to view brand new Chevrolet’s, GMC’s, Hummer’s, Dodge’s and Cadillac’s up close, and weather free! The workshop provides customers time to view the conversion process while it’s taking place in a safe, clean and modern environment.

We would love for you to come and visit. Simply call Brian on 0407149358 or email Brian here

2011 Dodge Ram 2500HD 4×4

• Cummins Turbo Diesel
• 6 Speed Auto Trans
• 4X4
• 2500 HD series
• A huge range iof interior and Exterior specifications

2010 Corvette Grand Sports

• 6.2L V8 RWD
• 430 bhp @ 5900 rpm
• 424 nm @ 4600 rpm torque
• Traction control
• 4 wheels with 6 potted brakes (front) 4 potted (rear)
• ABS
• Keyless entry
• TPMS
• DRL
• Dual airbags with side impact airbag.
• HID headlamps.
• Dual zone climate control
• 20 inch staggered wheels. (Rear wider than fronts)
• Run flat tires.

Victorian American Imports have out grown our existing premises and will be moving into a new facility with upgraded workshop and showroom to house even more vehicles. The facility will include greater accessibility for our valued customers as well as upgrades in workshop equipment and systems that will improve on our outstanding delivery times on existing vehicles. The premises will be larger, creating more room for our American Vehicle Imports and Sales, as well as increased exposure to the general public.

WATCH THIS SPACE!!