Chevrolet's heavy-duty work trucks under the Silverado banner, built on a modular structure to allow multiple configurations for cabin size and box length, appear in 2500 (three-quarter-ton) and 3500 (one-ton) packages. The trucks conform as a two-door Regular Cab, four-door Extended Cab and four-door Crew Cab. Powerhouse engines and strong transmissions apply, including two gasoline Vortec V8 choices and a Duramax turbo-diesel V8. The Vortec 6000 6.0-liter V8 is the Silverado HD entry plant with 300 hp.

A Vortec 8100 8.1-liter V8 with 330 hp is optional. The Duramax 6600 6.6-liter V8 direct-injection turbo-diesel puts out 310 hp, although a new version, arriving later in 2006 as coupled to a new Allison 1000 six-speed automatic transmission, will generate even more muscle -- up to 360 hp with the torque rising to 650 lb-ft.

Built from a Silverado LD truck with a cabin like the super-size Suburban wagon, Avalanche discards Suburban's rear bay in favor of the shortened bed of a pickup. There's a big V8 aboard, a four-wheeling traction mechanism that automatically channels torque to all wheels, and a heavy-duty automatic transmission. The back wall of the cabin folds flat after the back seat tumbles forward and forms a generous extension of the truck box.

A deluxe cab in Avalanche mimics the Suburban in a layout seating five or six. Avalanche comes in 1500 or 2500 series with RWD or Autotrac 4WD traction. The 1500 pulls power from a Vortec 5.3-liter V8 that makes 295 hp but the 2500 packs the Vortec 8.1-liter V8 scored to 325 hp. On 2006 models the tow capacity improves -- for the 1500 to 8200 pounds or to 12000 pounds for Avalanche 2500.

Think of this one as a cross between a truck and an open-top roadster. Chevrolet calls it SSR -- Super Sport Roadster. There's a bed in back like a truck, but also a retractable hardtop that converts the vehicle via power controls to a breezy convertible. The lid folds in two pieces and tucks vertically behind front seats. Frame and chassis come from Chevy's TrailBlazer SUV, with the powertrain out of Corvette.

The 6.0-liter V8 thunders with a 10-point power boost for 2006, capping at 400 hp. To handle such muscle, SSR employs a heavy-duty Hydra-Matic 4L65-E HD four-speed automatic trans-mission or optional Tremec T56 six-speed manual gearbox. Wheels and tires are the largest stock rollers in the GM warehouse, with 19-inch alloy wheels in front and vast 20-inchers in back. 2006 editions of SSR are now marked by new two-tone color schemes.

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