Autoblog

REPORT: GM's next-gen SUVs to be body-on-frame (otherwise they'd be crossovers)

Chris Shunk — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Truck, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

2009 Cadillac Escalade Platinum - Click above for high-res image gallery

The GMT900 platform is by far the highest volume chassis General Motors has here in the States, as it underpins the Chevrolet Silverado, Tahoe, Avalanche and Suburban, the Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV, and the GMC Sierra, Yukon and Yukon XL. We never had any doubt that GM would continue to build body-on-frame trucks in the future, but with demand for SUVs shrinking quickly, some thought the body-on-frame SUV would soon be a thing of the past. Maybe not.

Our friends over at Pickuptrucks.com are reporting that the next generation of the GMT platform will be produced by Magna International's Cosma in Canada and Mexico - and that new platform will underpin the next-generation of GM SUVs along with the GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado. Pickuptrucks quotes Magna spokesperson Scott Worden as confirming that the next generation of GM's large SUVs will come with the body-on-frame architecture. This sort of chassis tends to add weight versus a unibody platform, but it also adds capability for towing and payload at lower cost.

We're not really all the surprised that GM will continue to build BOF SUVs, especially when considering that the General sold a combined 200,000 copies of the Suburban, Yukon, Tahoe and Escalade last month alone. And last we checked, these are still relatively expensive vehicles that bring in quite a bit of desperately needed profit. And if customers are interested in a family hauler with better interior packaging and fuel economy, we're sure GM dealers will be happy to get them into a Buick Enclave, Chevy Traverse or GMC Acadia.

Gallery: 2009 Cadillac Escalade Platinum

[Source: Pickuptrucks]

REPORT: GM's next-gen SUVs to be body-on-frame (otherwise they'd be crossovers) originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM recalls Camaro, Traverse, SUVs/pickups for various issues

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:40:00 EST

Filed under: Recalls, Safety, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

General Motors and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have announced a suite of recalls for the Chevrolet Camaro, Traverse and various body-on-frame SUVs and pickups (Cadillac's Escalade, Chevrolet's Avalanche, Colorado, Suburban and Tahoe, along with GMC's Canyon and Yukon).

The Camaro recall has been discussed before, but now we have the official language and affected unit numbers to share with you. The recall of 1,243 Camaros is due to the possibility of the positive battery cable rubbing against the starter motor housing. When the insulation is worn through because of that chafing, the system can short out and the car won't start (or continue running if the motor is already going). Dealers will reroute the positive cable to fix.

15,393 2009 model-year Traverse crossovers are being recalled for a parking brake cable link that is not to federal specifications. According to the official press release, the parking brake pedal may cause the cable link to snap. Dealers will replace the cable link connector for free. Oddly, the recall does not make mention of GM's other Lambda-based three-row crossovers, which include the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, and Saturn Outlook.

Finally, 27,189 GM SUVs and pickups are being recalled due to potential faults with their fuel system control modules. The modules might have a seal problem that allows water in, which could then cause a short- or open- circuit, a development that could potentially trigger a host of warning lights or render the vehicle inoperable. Dealers will install a new fuel system control module unit at no cost. You can read all of the notices after the jump.

[Source: NHTSA - Camaro, Traverse, GMT900]

Continue reading GM recalls Camaro, Traverse, SUVs/pickups for various issues

GM recalls Camaro, Traverse, SUVs/pickups for various issues originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 May 2009 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2009 Chevy Tahoe LTZ 6.2L 4x4

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, SUV, Chevrolet, Reviews

2009 Chevy Tahoe LTZ 6.2L 4x4 - Click above for high-res image gallery

For a long time, gas prices in the United States were literally cheaper than dirt. Seriousl - check out the price of a bag of top soil at your local home improvement store. With such low fuel prices, the cost of operating a motor vehicle was really not much of an issue for most Americans. As a result, the only cost that concerned Americans when buying a vehicle was the monthly payment. People bought what ever they could afford on a monthly basis, not at the pump.

The result was the rise of the personal use truck, and in particular, the sport utility vehicle. It started slowly in the 1980s with the Jeep Cherokee and really picked up steam with the launch of the Ford Explorer. As the Nineties wore on, people moved into even bigger full-size SUVs and the Chevy Tahoe was among the most successful up until the last few years. That's when sales hit a brick wall as gas prices finally started to climb.

We recently got to spend some quality time with a 2009 Chevy Tahoe LTZ and its big 6.2-lliter V8. Follow the jump to see if this behemoth still has what it takes to charm consumers now that gas prices have ebbed.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Chevy Tahoe LTZ 6.2L 4x4

Continue reading Review: 2009 Chevy Tahoe LTZ 6.2L 4x4

Review: 2009 Chevy Tahoe LTZ 6.2L 4x4 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Feb 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tahoe, Yukon and Escalade not being replaced

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:28:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Plants/Manufacturing, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

The full-size SUV's future is on shaky legs and now, reports have surfaced that General Motors has killed the next generation Tahoe and Yukon 'utes, just weeks after announcing it would shutter its SUV plant in Janesville, Wisconsin. Of course, if that pair is buried, the Suburban and the Cadillac Escalade that use the same platform must also come to an end, at least in their current form.

Past reports indicate that the ultra-lux ride from Caddy will move to the Lambda platform for its next generation. The Tahukon pair had been slated for a redesign in 2011, and since that's reportedly not going to happen, the duo's future is definitely in question. GM will probably keep churning out the current version until it's no longer profitable to do so.

These days, any story about the General would be incomplete without some mention of Chrysler, and this one's no different. America's number three automaker just announced just last week that it would be phasing out its full-sized 'utes as well. Therefore, any possible merger of the two companies would carry on without a new large SUV platform at all. How the times have changed.

[Source: The New York Times via Inside Line]

Tahoe, Yukon and Escalade not being replaced originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM closing Wisconsin SUV plant early, doors closed by end of year

Chris Shunk — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

General Motors has announced that it wil close its SUV plant in Janesville, Wisconsin by the end of this year in response to the woeful market for utility vehicles. The plant produces the GMC Yukon and Chevy Suburban and employs 1,200 UAW workers. GM was originally planning to shutter the plant sometime before 2010, but deteriorating market conditions have expedited the plant's demise. The news comes only one week after the General announced that it would be closing its Moraine, OH SUV plant early, as well.

Some analysts think GM could pull the plug on its Oshawa truck plant and Mexico facility in Toluca early too since truck sales are down as well, as GM has already announced that those plants are slated for closure. GM top dog Rick Wagoner stated last week that some stamping facilities could also face closure to help align production capabilities to demand.

[Source: CNN Money]

GM closing Wisconsin SUV plant early, doors closed by end of year originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2008 Toyota Sequoia Limited

Dan Roth — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 13:57:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, SUV, Toyota

2008 Toyota Sequoia - Click above for high-res image gallery

Gigantor. The 2008 Toyota Sequoia arrives humongously revised from the already beefy first-generation. The Timberland Mica (Metallic Green) example that Toyota lent us for a week definitely deserves whatever size-related superlatives you can dream up. It's big, it's powerful, it doesn't sip fuel. There is a need and a market for this type of vehicle, however. If Sequoia buyers don't actually utilize its considerable capabilities, that's not Toyota's fault. This year marks the migration of Toyota's full size Sport Utility to the same mechanicals that underpin the new Tundra, ladling on capability to an already fairly competent and refined vehicle.

Gallery: Review: 2008 Toyota Sequoia Limited 4x4

Continue reading Review: 2008 Toyota Sequoia Limited

Review: 2008 Toyota Sequoia Limited originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Mar 2008 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2007: Lutz and Peper show off Chevy's high efficiency fleet

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, LA Auto Show, Trends, Budget, Hybrid, Sedan, SUV, Truck, Green, Technology, Crossover, Chevrolet, GM

Promising the best possible fuel economy for whichever type of vehicle its customers choose, GM's Bob Lutz and Ed Peper trotted a full lineup of green vehicles from their arsenal. The Aveo5, Impala E85, Malibu Hybrid, Tahoe Hybrid, Silverado Hybrid, Volt, Equinox Fuel Cell, Beat and Groove were used to show off that Chevy will be the brand carrying the greenish flame most prominently into the future for GM. Lutz talked about having a whole range of options available to meet future trends, from hybrids, to flex-fuel burners, to fuel cells, to electrics like start/stop technology and good old-fashioned economy cars that get great fuel economy.

Gallery: 2008 Chevy Hybrids at the LA Auto Show

Gallery: 2008 Chevy Aveo5

Continue reading LA 2007: Lutz and Peper show off Chevy's high efficiency fleet

LA 2007: Lutz and Peper show off Chevy's high efficiency fleet originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Nov 2007 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Will the real Tahoe/Yukon Hybrid MSRP please stand up?

Siddharth Raja — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 13:57:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, SUV, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

Hybrid vehicles still don't make much sense for automakers. The cost of the technology is more than what consumers are willing to pay and in many cases the fuel-saving benefits can be achieved with a simple diesel motor (at least in Europe). Because of this, coming up with the right sticker price can be a major stumbling block. Price it too high and no one will want to buy your hybrid, but discount it too much and money will be lost on every model sold.

GM got into a spot of bother recently when alleged prices for its new full-size hybrids SUVs were released on its website last month. The problem was that the listed prices "were too low" according to GM spokesman Terry Rhadigan. The Chevy Tahoe 4-Door two-wheel drive hybrid was listed at $47,915 and the four-wheel drive was listed at $50,720. The GMC Yukon two-wheel drive hybrid came in at $48,370.

The 'correct' prices are scheduled to be announced next week, though Popular Mechanics already have the two listed as $49,270 for the Yukon Hybrid 2WD and $48,815 for the Tahoe Hybrid 2WD. If that's the case, then the prices accidentally released last month weren't off by all that much.

$49,270 and $48,815, respectively

[Source: The Detroit News]

Will the real Tahoe/Yukon Hybrid MSRP please stand up? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Nov 2007 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Overtime is done at six GM plants

Chris Shunk — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, SUV, Truck, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, UAW/Unions

Vehicle sales are slow throughout the US right now, and a slumping housing market coupled with high gas prices means that trucks and SUVs are being hit extremely hard in particular. Large truck and SUV sales are down 9% through July year over year, and GM has halted overtime at six locations to help keep its large vehicle inventory under control. Workers from Flint; Oshawa, Ontario; Ft. Wayne, IN; Janesville, WI; Arlington, TX; and Silao, Mexico will need to punch out after completing eight hours work. GM wants to be sure inventories of its all-important large trucks don't get too high, which could necessitate higher incentives if available stock gets out of hand. GM looks very serious about keeping cash rebates in check, even with the possibility of a strike looming next month.

[Source: Freep]

Overtime is done at six GM plants originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Aug 2007 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Third-row seats new target for thieves

Chris Shunk — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Government/Legal, Chevrolet, Toyota

SUV owners love the flexibility that their removable or stowable third-row seats afford them, and thieves have taken note. A growing number of third-row seats are being stolen and sold at swap meets, and the removable seats on the Chevy Tahoe are one of the main targets. Chevy designers made the seats easy to install and remove, with only two bolts keeping the additional seating attached to the vehicle. Police officials in Long Beach, CA told Inside Line that the problem is so bad right now, crooks are "breaking into parked SUVs and grabbing third-row seats in the middle of the day". Police are offering to engrave metal under the the seats in several spots to help identify the stolen goods.

[Source: Inside Line]

Third-row seats new target for thieves originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Aug 2007 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Want a hybrid Tahoe/Yukon? GM will help you buy one

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 17:33:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, SUV, Green, Crossover, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM

Bob Lutz has apparently climbed down from the parapet of passing all costs onto the consumer... that is, when it comes to green tech. In fact, GM appears to be considering subsidizing the cost of its hybrids for consumers. The world's number two automaker has three hybrid transmissions in the works: a simple bolt-on starter/alternator combo called BAS, a BAS+ system that uses li-ion batteries instead of nickel metal hydride, and a dual-mode system with two electric motors that will debut later this year in the Tahoe and Yukon. The dual-mode is the priciest of the bunch, carrying a $10,000 premium per vehicle for a 25% fuel economy savings. Even though GM has licensed the technology to BMW and DaimlerChrysler to keep the costs down, Lutz declares that "if we price it at full cost recovery, I'd say we probably would sell -- not very many." Lutz didn't give any indication of what kind of subsidy might be offered to entice buyers, saying the question is "How much do you want to do and how much financial pain can you endure?"

Lutz also said that "nearly every Cadillac product could feature a hybrid variant as early as the next two years," but none of the hybrids detailed are meant for the Volt. That car is an electric car with range assist, not a hybrid.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Want a hybrid Tahoe/Yukon? GM will help you buy one originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Jul 2007 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Caddy considers adding hybrids to the mix

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 19:36:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, SUV, Green, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

The combination of high gas prices and a sales slowdown at Cadillac have caused the heads of GM's luxury division to consider adding a hybrid to the mix. During an interview with the Detroit News, John Howell, Caddy's head product honcho was quoted as saying that, "Pretty much every program I am looking at going forward has got a hybrid as part of it."

He remained mum on a timeframe for the addition of gas-electric hybrids into the Cadillac lineup, but for 2009, the blingtastic Escalade will be sporting a two-mode hybrid drivetrain, much like its GMT900 platform siblings, the Tahoe and Yukon. Such a system is expected to boost fuel economy by 25-percent over the standard gas-powered model.

[Source: Detroit News]

Gallery: 2007 Cadillac Escalade - In the Autoblog Garage

Caddy considers adding hybrids to the mix originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Jun 2007 19:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lutz lets a bit of Edmunds survey slip, GM takes 13 first place picks

Chris Tutor — Fri, 04 May 2007 09:24:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying

Sometimes news is just too good to keep to yourself. Just ask GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz. With his company supposedly claiming 13 spots on Edmund's Consumers' Most Wanted list, Lutz just had to brag a bit on the corporate blog before the winners were made public.

And he should brag. Most other car of the year awards are chosen by us automotive writers who usually prefer horsepower over hip room. As the name implies, Edmund's CMW awards are chosen by the car-buying public. And despite not voting with their wallets, the car-buying public who visits Edmund's really like their GMs.

The GMC Acadia got Most Significant vehicle of the year, beating out Honda's Fit, the Toyota Camry Hybrid, the Ford Edge and the Toyota Tundra.

Click through to see Edmund's press release as well as the other category winners.

[Source: Edmunds, GM FastLane Blog]

Continue reading Lutz lets a bit of Edmunds survey slip, GM takes 13 first place picks

Lutz lets a bit of Edmunds survey slip, GM takes 13 first place picks originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 May 2007 09:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AutoblogGreen First Drive: Chevy Tahoe Two-Mode Hybrid

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 01 May 2007 15:28:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, SUV, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

On any given Sunday morning, if I were offered the keys to either a Saturn Sky or a Chevy Tahoe with a big boat hitched to the back, 110 times out of a hundred I would put down that gnarly top on the Sky and make my way to the beach via the twistiest road I could possibly find. Once there, I would much rather go for a swim and lay on the beach than mess around with trying to launch a boat and later haul it out of the water.

Having made my own personal biases clear on this subject, there are clearly a great many people who would make the opposite choice. Many people choose to drive big SUVs for a wide variety of reasons, and with gas prices again at $3 a gallon and rising around most of the most of this country, those people would surely like to get a bit better gas mileage. After a long wait, they will soon have the option of a full-sized General Motors SUV with a new two-mode parallel hybrid setup, and AutoblogGreen has just had the opportunity to take a first drive in one. If this first application of the new hybrid system jointly developed by GM, BMW and DaimlerChrysler is of interest, check out ABG's detailed report by clicking here.

AutoblogGreen First Drive: Chevy Tahoe Two-Mode Hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 May 2007 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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America's Game, America's Truck: Rawlings baseball trim for Chevy trucks

Noah Joseph — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 19:26:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SUV, Truck, Chevrolet

Remember when Audi rolled out the baseball leather interior on the original TT convertible? That was nothing. For the real baseball fans, aftermarket trim specialists Katzkin Leather and sports equipment outfitter Rawlings have teamed up to offer a full, authentic baseball trim package for full-sized Chevy trucks.

The package includes seats upholstered in thick, rich baseball glove leather, in either brown or black - complete with contrasting stitching - that only gets better with age. You know, just like your childhood mitt. Also part of the package are a baseball bat ash wood dash inserts and steering wheel trimmed in leather to match the seats. A special grille was designed to mimic the look of a chain-link fence, and the package is rounded out by Rawlings badges galore.

The package just hit the market and is available for Chevrolet Silverado pickups and Tahoe SUVs. Only in America, kids.

[Source: Katzkin via Inside Line]

America's Game, America's Truck: Rawlings baseball trim for Chevy trucks originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 22 Apr 2007 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM to give Chrysler some GMT900 love?

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 03:25:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Chrysler, Daimler, GM

Last evening, a source privy to the talks between Chrysler and GM, revealed to the New York Times that the General may be sharing its GMT900 SUV platform with the American half of the German-American hybrid.

Since Chrysler doesn't have a large SUV in its line-up (the Durango doesn't make the cut), the rumored platform sharing could make a bit of sense - for Chrysler. As for General Motors, the automaker's turnaround plan is in full effect and the only upside we can see is that a little extra cash in the coffers certainly wouldn't do any harm, as long as it doesn't cut into their highly-profitable SUVs.

Talks between the two automakers have supposedly gone on for about six months, which leads us to believe that some partnership between the two automakers is forthcoming. Naturally, when the NYT contacted a spokesperson for Chrysler about the leak, the response was "no comment."

Ready, set, speculate...

[Source: New York Times via Jalopnik]

GM to give Chrysler some GMT900 love? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Feb 2007 03:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM releases pics of Z71 package on GMT900 SUVs

John Neff — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 17:26:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, SUV, Truck, Chevrolet

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]

Gallery: 2007 Chevy Avalance Z71

Gallery: 2007 Chevy Suburban Z71

Continue reading GM releases pics of Z71 package on GMT900 SUVs

GM releases pics of Z71 package on GMT900 SUVs originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Feb 2007 17:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy's arresting 2007 Police Tahoe

Alex Nunez — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 09:36:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Etc., Chevrolet

Chevy is out there touting its 2007 Police Tahoe, which is apparently the first SUV that was designed to be a law-enforcement machine from the very beginning. Granted, many of the features that make it a good police truck are part of what make the new GMT900 SUVs good vehicles anyway, but it still features its share of specific elements for the boys in blue.

They include a lowered, stiffened suspension, an upfit-ready electrical system, high-capacity radiator, oil cooler, heavy duty brakes with ABS, a skid plate package, tire pressure monitoring system, long-life spark plugs, and an upgraded battery (or two). Power comes from the E85-capable 5.3L Vortec V8 with 320 horsepower. The Tahoe's substantial size also enables officers to haul a lot of stuff inside.

We get excited about police cars. Maybe it's the painted steel wheels, aggressive rubber, and lowered stance -- we're not sure. Whatever it is, it brings out the kid in us, though, and we dig the looks of the new Tahoe as trimmed out for the fuzz.

It's something we're more than content to enjoy from a distance, though. We like police cars less when they're right in our rearview mirrors, and under no circumstances do we want to be invited for a ride in the back seat...

(Rear view, full press release after the jump)

[Source: GM]

Continue reading Chevy's arresting 2007 Police Tahoe

Chevy's arresting 2007 Police Tahoe originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Dec 2006 09:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Carnegie Mellon and GM entering driverless Tahoe in next DARPA

John Neff — Thu, 31 Aug 2006 16:24:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Technology, GM

Remember William "Red" Whittaker? He is the ex-marine turned college prof that competed in both the 2004 and 2005 DARPA Grand Challenge with a pair of autonomous H1 HUMMERs named H1ghlander and Sandstorm. Unfortunately for Red, neither HUMMER was able to beat Stanley, the autonomous Volkswagen Touareg from Standard, in last year's challenge that actually saw competitors finish the course for the first time.

Things might be different at next year's DARPA Urban Challenge in which vehicles will have to autonomously pilot themselves through a 60-mile urban course. Red and his team at Carnegie Mellon University will partner with General Motors this year to form Tartan Racing and field a driverless Tahoe as their entrant. Not only does Carnegie Mellon get the free SUV to use, the team will be composed of researchers from both the university and GM. The automaker sees the sponsorship as the fastest way to advance the research and development of future driving aid technologies, while we get the feeling that Red and the college boys just want to beat the pants off of Stanford next year.

[Source: GM]

Related posts:

Carnegie Mellon and GM entering driverless Tahoe in next DARPA originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 Aug 2006 16:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM supplying MTV with fleet of custom E85 vehicles and Chip Foose Tahoe Concept

John Neff — Thu, 24 Aug 2006 16:26:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Etc., Green, Chevrolet, GM

General Motors has teamed up with the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards to supply the event with a fleet of 60 E85 capable Chevy Tahoe, Avalanche and Suburban vehicles. The fleet will be used to transport "talent" (we use that term loosely) to the event and also get the word out about the first E85 refueling station in New York City that will be announced later this month. Each fleet vehicle is lightly customized with billet grilles, Chevy Accessory wheels and bright kit running boards on the Tahoes only. Designers stopped short of using MTV's Moon Man award as a hood ornament.

To commemorate the event, GM also hired designer du jour Chip Foose to build the Tahoe Concept. The company is billing Foose's creation as the first customized E85-capable vehicle. The Tahoe Concept features Foose details like a black powder-coated billet grille, lowered ride height, custom black wheels and a special two-tone paint job with a thin Tangier orange stripe.

Fuel for the fleet vehicles being used during the show will be provided by Sprague Energy and the vehicles will refuel at the New York City Dept. of Sanitation, hopefully after they've dropped off their pop star cargo at the red carpet. After the VMAs are over, Chevy will sell all 60 "MTV Video Music Awards Chevy E85" vehicles at dealerships in the New York area. That's right, you could own the Tahoe that delivers Ashley Simpson to Radio City Music Hall.

(More pics and GM's press release after the jump)

[Source: GM]

Continue reading GM supplying MTV with fleet of custom E85 vehicles and Chip Foose Tahoe Concept

GM supplying MTV with fleet of custom E85 vehicles and Chip Foose Tahoe Concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Aug 2006 16:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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