GM releases pics of Z71 package on GMT900 SUVs

Without so much as an accompanying press release, General Motors released a slew of new images yesterday that show us what the Z71 off-road package looks like on two of the three GMT900 model SUVs. The Avalanche, Tahoe and Suburban are available with a Z71 package that adds, of course, the Z71 off-road suspension, new 18-inch aluminum wheels mounted on combination on-/off-road tires, an automatic locking rear diff, and high-pressure shocks. That's it for the hardcore mechanicals, though buyers who opt for the Z71 package are as much interested in the image these vehicles project as they are their capability. To that end, Chevy adds the Skid Plate Package, oversized wheel arch flares, tubular assist steps, extra bits of chrome trim, and rectangular fog lamps, along with the requisite Z71 badging so everyone knows you could go off road if you wanted to. The interiors benefit from a Z71-specific gauge cluster and brushed metal look for the dash. The Z71 package certainly adds some cajones to these GMT900 SUVs that will spend most of their lives on smooth pavement, and they also add some serious attitude, especially when ordered in all black.
Check out all the newly released images in our galleries for the Avalanche Z71 and Suburban Z71, as well as new galleries for the 2008 Tahoe Hybrid, Avalanche LTZ, Tahoe LTZ and Suburban LTZ.
[Source: GM]












Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
TriShield 5:33PM (2/14/2007)
The Z71 package has been available for awhile on the Tahoe. It's worth it for the improvement in looks alone. The aluminum-look interior trim is especially attractive.
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Scott 5:51PM (2/14/2007)
That's one of the better looking interiors I've seen in a truck/suv. Granted, that isn't saying much, but something is better than nothing.
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PhillipT 6:59PM (2/14/2007)
Yeh, they had 1 shot of the Z71 Tahoe on the site before it was released. But that pic of the avalanche makes me want to go buy that color blue for my '69 CST/10.
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D Man 6:02PM (2/14/2007)
I disagree, the interior looks cheap and of poor fit.
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Nickdago 1:49AM (11/16/2007)
Actually I own an 07 LTZ and the interior fit and trim could not be any better. Incredible truck. I love it. People never stop looking at it and asking me about it. I added some 22" chrome wheels to this black beauty and WOW
DanMan 9:43PM (2/14/2007)
An off-road package on a Suburban makes about as much sense as a screen door on a submarine. Any real off roader is gona tear off the factory suspension. The skid plates and locking diff are useful but probably cheaper if looked up on the options sheet as stand alone options. Just one more offical vehicle for soccer moms who might have to drive in 6in of snow one day.
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NoNameDenton 6:38PM (2/14/2007)
I like the interior and the look, the Z71 is very popular where I live and in the place in Tennessee where I travel to, and the ride is pretty nice to
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Crunkjuice 7:31PM (2/14/2007)
D Man: How did you determine that the interior looks poor fit? I looked closely @ the pics and do not see any apparent flaws with the "fitting"
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jg 6:47PM (2/14/2007)
they're just copying european design by putting the gauges behind the steering wheel.
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Dr. Greenthumb 7:05PM (2/14/2007)
Took exactly 5 posts for some troll to jump in. I'm sick of you lame ass europeans and your whining. 60% of all inventions in the world come out of the US. Including the one you are using to bash the US, but that 's gratitude for ya. Why is it that you folks so damned obsessed with what we do over here. We couldn't care less about you drive, most of which is unfit for american consumption. Yeah I said it, they build crappy cars in EUROPE too and that Big-Assed AIRBUS jet that can't get off the ground. You cats just don't talk about them. Let's spend a few minutes and bash Airbus for incompetence and ineptitude.
Though I am not the SUV type, if I were in the market for one, it would be from the GM 900 flock.
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SherbornSean 7:23PM (2/14/2007)
The Japanese have been making their cars with 4 wheels now for years, and GM has just gotten around to copying them.
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Scott 7:26PM (2/14/2007)
Damned Americans copying Germany and their newfangled four-stroke internal combustion engine!
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bernie 7:30PM (2/14/2007)
Seems like a great way to beak out of a slump - launch a ho-hum vehicle that gets 9 mpg. How much do they pay "car guy" Bob Lutz?
Maybe he should stop spending so much time blogging and get in the same area code with product planning.
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jg 7:30PM (2/14/2007)
'Took exactly 5 posts for some troll to jump in.'
You can't possibly have taken me seriously. What an idiot. Nice rant too.
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Sam 7:49PM (2/14/2007)
"10. Seems like a great way to beak out of a slump - launch a ho-hum vehicle that gets 9 mpg. How much do they pay "car guy" Bob Lutz?"
You mean the 1st large SUV hybrid Bernie?
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bernie 8:01PM (2/14/2007)
That's exactly what I mean numnutz. Show me a decent business case for a large hybrid SUV. I'll buy you lunch if they sell 10,000. Show me how that pays off the R&D. Sheesh what a bunch of morons the Detroit schools turn out.
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Jim Sanders 8:23PM (2/14/2007)
This vehicle has a shark fin antenna.
Must be stolen technology from BMW.
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Nick 8:29PM (2/14/2007)
Why don't they just make a diesel? And do people really take these monstrous things offroad?
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NoNameDenton 8:38PM (2/14/2007)
Why is it every post develops into a fight and argument, can't people have a civilized discussion without the name calling, swearing, and trolling
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Mike G 9:31PM (2/14/2007)
17 you suck. Oh and I agree just offer a diesel engine in the land barge, forget all the hybrid nonsense, not worth the effort. A diesel would be so much easier.
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