HSV Avalanche XUV
Encyclopedia
The HSV Avalanche is an all-wheel drive crossover SUV
that was manufactured by Holden Special Vehicles
(HSV) between 2003 and 2005. Based on the Holden Adventra
LX8 crossover wagon, the Avalanche range also incorporated a dual-cab utility
model known as the HSV Avalanche XUV. The XUV derived from the Holden Crewman Cross8.
Both HSV vehicles were built in two series, the 2003 "Y Series II" (the wagon was actually available as of October/November 2003) and an updated version of the "Y Series II", which included some of the upgrades found in the newer "Z Series" HSV models. These later models are quite rare, with a build life of nine months from April 2005 to December 2005.
As with the related Holden VY all-wheel drive 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 Holden VZ and Z Series HSV non-AWD cars during this period.
The updated Avalanches with some of the Z Series upgrades 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.
V8 engine
rated at 270 kW of power and 475 newton metre of torque, mated to a four-speed 4L60-E
automatic gearbox. Permanent all-wheel drive was calibrated to deliver 62 percent of the power to the rear wheels, thereby maintaining a rear wheel drive feel to the handling of these vehicles.
Along with Holden's V8 Commodore-based AWD vehicles, the HSV Avalanche series was discontinued in late 2005 due to phasing out of the 5.7 litre LS1
engines because of the Euro III
emissions regulations.
Crossover SUV
A crossover SUV is a vehicle built on a car platform and combining, in highly variable degrees, features of a sport utility vehicle with features from a passenger vehicle, especially those of a station wagon or hatchback.Using the unibody construction typical of passenger vehicles, the crossover...
that was manufactured by Holden Special Vehicles
Holden Special Vehicles
Holden Special Vehicles is the officially designated performance vehicle partner of Australian automobile manufacturer Holden. Established in 1987 and based in Clayton, Victoria, the company modifies Holden models such as the Commodore, Caprice and Ute and markets them under the HSV brandname.-...
(HSV) between 2003 and 2005. Based on the Holden Adventra
Holden Adventra
The Holden Adventra is a crossover SUV manufactured between 2003 to 2006 by Holden, the Australian arm of General Motors . The Adventra is based on the Holden Commodore station wagon of the same years, but features an all-wheel drive configuration as opposed to a rear-wheel drive running gear.Sales...
LX8 crossover wagon, the Avalanche range also incorporated a dual-cab utility
Pickup truck
A pickup truck is a light motor vehicle with an open-top rear cargo area .-Definition:...
model known as the HSV Avalanche XUV. The XUV derived from the Holden Crewman Cross8.
Both HSV vehicles were built in two series, the 2003 "Y Series II" (the wagon was actually available as of October/November 2003) and an updated version of the "Y Series II", which included some of the upgrades found in the newer "Z Series" HSV models. These later models are quite rare, with a build life of nine months from April 2005 to December 2005.
As with the related Holden VY all-wheel drive 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 Holden VZ and Z Series HSV non-AWD cars during this period.
The updated Avalanches with some of the Z Series upgrades 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.
Powertrain
The Avalanche vehicles were fitted exclusively with the 5.7 litre LS1GM LS engine
The GM LS engine family is an engine design intended as the only V-8 engine used in General Motors' line of rear-wheel-drive cars and trucks. The LS series was a "clean sheet" design with little in common with the classic Chevrolet small block V8...
V8 engine
V8 engine
A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of four cylinders, in most cases set at a right angle to each other but sometimes at a narrower angle, with all eight pistons driving a common crankshaft....
rated at 270 kW of power and 475 newton metre of torque, mated to a four-speed 4L60-E
GM 4L60-E transmission
The 4L60-E is a series of automatic transmissions from General Motors. Designed for longitudinal engine configurations, the series includes 4 forward gears...
automatic gearbox. Permanent all-wheel drive was calibrated to deliver 62 percent of the power to the rear wheels, thereby maintaining a rear wheel drive feel to the handling of these vehicles.
Along with Holden's V8 Commodore-based AWD vehicles, the HSV Avalanche series was discontinued in late 2005 due to phasing out of the 5.7 litre LS1
GM LS engine
The GM LS engine family is an engine design intended as the only V-8 engine used in General Motors' line of rear-wheel-drive cars and trucks. The LS series was a "clean sheet" design with little in common with the classic Chevrolet small block V8...
engines because of the Euro III
European emission standards
European emission standards define the acceptable limits for exhaust emissions of new vehicles sold in EU member states. The emission standards are defined in a series of European Union directives staging the progressive introduction of increasingly stringent standards.Currently, emissions of...
emissions regulations.