Filed under: Spy Photos, SUVs, Chevrolet, GM
Chevy Suburban with Z71 package surfaces
Some resourceful members of the GMInsideNews community managed to grab what appears to be official pics somewhere of a Chevy Suburban wearing the not-yet-released Z71 offroad package. Rather than being purely cosmetic, the Z71 package will add a host of real mechanical upgrades to the Suburban, Silverado and Avalanche. Of course, Chevy is still making sure its big SUV and trucks look the part of the rugged off-roader.
(Follow the jump for an interior pic and a list of the expected cosmetic and mechanical upgrades)
Cosmetic enhancements:
- Redesigned front fascia with satin chrome grill insert and lower skid plate appearance with increased approach angle
- Wheel Flares -body color
- Satin chrome door handles and mirror caps
- Z71 badges (LT badges removed)
- Colors: Black, Silver Birch, Sport Red, Bermuda Blue, White, Antique Bronze (Antique Bronze on Tahoe & Suburban only)
- Leather appointed Ebony seats or Ebony seat accented with Morocco Brown or Light Titanium inserts
- I/P trim plates in brush metal, similar to LS, plus brush metal plates added to steering wheel (replaces wood grain)
- Unique cluster appearance with Z71 badging
Mechanical enhancements:
- Rear Locking Differential
- 18" Aluminum Wheel
- 18" On/Off Road Tire, P265/65R-18 Blackwall
- Skid Plate Package
- Tubular Assist Steps (satin chrome)
- Off Road Suspension with high-pressure, gas-charged mono-tube shocks
- High Capacity Air Cleaner
- Tow Hooks
Nowhere in all of this information do we learn about the drivetrain of an SUV or truck with the Z71 package. The GMInsideNews forum members are hoping it comes with the 6.2L Vortec V8 and new six-speed automatic transmission used in the Cadillac Escalade and GMC Denali. If not that premium drivetrain, we should expect any Z71 off-roader to use the 6.0L Vortec V8 and Hydra-Matic four-speed.
[Source: GMInsideNews]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Luis Longo 1:29PM (7/17/2006)
Add anything, it ll never be an off road machine, its just a packg, with a few mechanical enhancements,
You want an off road SUV, buy the LR3 FOR THE SAME PRICE, and i bet that it beats the Chevy from interior to ride quality... Its just better and for the same price, so if you re reading this, chances are you are a car cognoscenti or car crazy... you ll always pick the Rover.
Reply
iQuack 1:43PM (7/17/2006)
Nice truck, but with today's diminished SUV sales, isn't this like arranging deck chairs on the Titanic?
Reply
Tim UF 1:44PM (7/17/2006)
the LR# will never have the towing and cargo capacity that a suburban has though...
I'm guessing most people will buy this package and never actually use the locking rear diff, and see it as an easy way to get big tires on the truck.
Reply
DJ 2:01PM (7/17/2006)
3. the LR3 will never have the towing and cargo capacity that a suburban has though...
Right now, there so close, it probably doesn't matter. What's interesting though is that the Tahoe has a HIGHER towing capacity with the 5.3 than the 6.2
in the Escalade. It's mainly because the 6.2 with 6-speed only offers one rearend choice. Of course the LR3 is going to climb 45 degree angles and the GM triplets won't. It just depends on where you wanna go and what you're gonna pull there.
Reply
DJ 2:01PM (7/17/2006)
3. the LR3 will never have the towing and cargo capacity that a suburban has though...
Right now, there so close, it probably doesn't matter. What's interesting though is that the Tahoe has a HIGHER towing capacity with the 5.3 than the 6.2
in the Escalade. It's mainly because the 6.2 with 6-speed only offers one rearend choice. Of course the LR3 is going to climb 45 degree angles and the GM triplets won't. It just depends on where you wanna go and what you're gonna pull there.
Reply
Presto 2:01PM (7/17/2006)
That truck is a BEAST. Looks pretty good.
As for #1's comments, you're comparing apples to oranges. The LR3 isn't the same size as a suburban, nor does it have the same seating capacity. The LR3 is actually overpriced if you think about it, since you're getting less seating capacity and paying a premium for the green Land Rover badge on your grill.
Reply
Corey W. 2:12PM (7/17/2006)
Why would you even think the Z71 package on the Suburban is comparable to the LR3? The LR3 is designed right of the back for off roading. There's no distinct connection with Suburban and off roading like the LR3. And it's Land Rover, of course it gonna have a dab of luxury. (interior, ride quality) In the broad sense of SUV I can understand but I don't think they're direct competitors.
Last I checked, full for the LR3 is $53k, full for the Suburban is $42k. I like both trucks...Again, I just don't see the comparison....
Reply
Corey W. 2:18PM (7/17/2006)
BTW: I think Chevy is doing great with the grill, hood and fender design on the new trucks.
Reply
PJ 2:19PM (7/17/2006)
Z71 Suburbans make me laugh. It amazes me how many Bay Area commuters fork over an extra ~$6,000 for the privilege of a slower steering ratio, tall and squirmy off-road tires, and more-nervous shock calibration.
Only six grand for even sloppier handling in my SUV? Gosh! Where do I sign up?
I do realize, though, that it's all a matter of where you live and what you use your vehicle for. I'm sure there are people out there using the package for its intended purpose.
Reply
Bob 2:23PM (7/17/2006)
Can't wait to see people pack 2 kids (1 in each row) and all their gear in the back (4 bags). Pull their boat (gas guzzling 180 mercury) 1 or 2 times year, and utilizing the four wheel drive in winter to slide into a pole because 4 wheel drive still slides on ice. This is the reason we pay so much for gas. Rent the damn thing twice a year when you need it and use the excess money saved to go on a real vacation, save for college or donate to Green Peace.
Reply
Joe 2:24PM (7/17/2006)
My LR3 seats 7. If you need more than 7 people in your car rent a bus. I agree, apples to oranges. My LR3 was $55,500 before accessories and additional options.
I think that the Z71 new package looks nice. The LR3 is a very nice truck. It's downsides are electrical glitches and 10mpg in city. My fully-loaded LR3 has been in the shop 50 days in in during the last 18 months (11,000 miles). Mostly bad sensors and loose electrical connections. I could Lemon Law it, but I don't because I still like it more than everything else. Yes, it is expensive once you add the options, but please go and test drive one before you call it overpriced or only for snobs. You are geeting what you pay for, the Range Rover is great too, but the LR3 is a much bettter value.
Back to the Z71. I think that the pack will sell. It gives the truck a nice look. I would like to see a nav system placed into the dash and the center console looks a little too big.
Reply
Bob 2:31PM (7/17/2006)
Um, Joe, I have some land I would like to sell you. If going back for 50 days worth of repairs is "you are geeting what you pay for" then I have some building sites for you - never mind the swamps. People complain about GM, but their trucks don't require that much shop time. I have a venture (s-10 frame), and have only had to worry about the brakes.
Reply
Joe 2:34PM (7/17/2006)
That sounds logical enough, but like I said.. go drive one for a while before you form a decision.
Reply
David 2:57PM (7/17/2006)
an "off-roading SUV" does not have 18" wheels...
Reply
Will Wheeler 2:58PM (7/17/2006)
I highly doubt anyone is off roading a Suburban, so this is nothing more than an appearance package. However, this will probobly sell a lot more Suburbans, since there are a lot of people willing to pay for this.
Reply
Ken 3:02PM (7/17/2006)
The comments this board on any story involving an SUV never seize amazing me. Yes, we all know SUV's and big pick up trucks have terrible gas mileage. We who drive them already know this GOING IN to make our purchase. All of you who drive nothing more than a puddle jumper, save your comments when a sneak peak of those vehicles come out. Donate my money to Green Peace instead of my gas guzzler? Okay, right after Larry David and his wallet sniffing wife stop driving their Toyota Prius to the airport and hopping on their PRIVATE GAS GUZZLING JET. Ever heard to "Plane Pooling, Larry? It's called flying commercial.
Reply
Big Al 3:24PM (7/17/2006)
I have seen a couple of the '07 'Burbs around town and think that the Z71 package enhances the look, if nothing else. If the new ones are anything like the current model, the reason for the additional cost is not necessarily the mechanical "enhancements", but more for the stand equipment that is included with the package (leather, power seats, mirrors, OnStar, etc).
And while it's still no Prius, it gets much better mileage than anything in it's class. Maybe a hybrid Z71 would do the trick?
Reply
Jim 4:00PM (7/17/2006)
instead of adding any off road upgrades they should just do the appearance, no one takes a suburban off-road.
Reply
Slim 4:08PM (7/17/2006)
I sure hope they put the 6 speed automatic in this thing. The 4 speeds are feeling more and more old school every day.
Reply
joe2 4:12PM (7/17/2006)
Joe, your vehicle has been in the shop for 50 days in the past 18 months? Either your kidding around with us at the expense of GM's reliability reputation or you have the worst luck on the planet w/ vehicles..
If I spent 55k + on a vehicle and it spent that amount of time in the shop, I'd drop it off via a flatbed at rick wagoner's house and have it deposited in his olympic size pool...
Reply