HSV Avalanche SUV

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The Avalanche XUV was a AWD dual-cab utility vehicle manufactured by Holden Special Vehicles, based on the Holden Crewman Cross8. Its sister vehicle, the Avalanche wagon, is based on the Holden Adventra LX8 wagon.

Both HSV vehicles were built in two series, the 2004 Y-series (the wagon was actually available as of October / November 2003) and the 2005 Z-series, the latter of which is quite rare, with a build life of barely nine months from April 2005 to December 2005. As with the related Holden VY AWD vehicles, the HSV Y-series AWD vehicles as built from September 2004 to March 2005 confusingly have Z-series compliance and VIN numbers ... this correlates to the building of new specification VZ Holden and Z-series HSV non-AWD cars during this period. Along with Holden's V8 Commodore-based AWD vehicles, the HSV Avalanche series was discontinued for 2006 due to phasing out of the LS1 5.7 litre engines because of new emissions regulations.

The HSV Avalanche vehicles were fitted exclusively with the LS1 5.7L V8 engine rated at 270 kW (362 hp) of power and 475 N·m (350 ft·lbf) of torque, mated to a GM 4-speed automatic gearbox. Permanent all wheel drive was calibrated to deliver 62% of the power to the rear wheels, thereby maintaining a rear wheel drive feel to the handling of these vehicles.

HSV Z-series Avalanche vehicles can be externally visually differentiated from the Y-series versions by their re-profiled front bumper unit that looks less aggressive and which features a more integrated appearance to the auxiliary driving lights.