General Motors announced last week the launch of the 2007 Chevy Tahoe, the first of GM’s next generation full-size SUVs to be introduced. General Motors leads the full-size SUV market with a 62 percent share, while the Chevy Tahoe has been the best-selling full-size SUV since 2001. Nonetheless, GM substantially redesigned the 2007 Tahoe to raise the bar in the segment in terms of power, ride, quietness, interior refinement and fuel economy. The 2007 Tahoe is built on GM’s new full-size SUV platform, which incorporates features such as a new, fully boxed frame, coil-over-shock front suspension, rack-and-pinion steering and an all-new, premium interior system that bolster the vehicle’s comfort, quality and capability. Wider front and rear tracks enhance handling and lower the center of gravity for a more confident road feel. A new Gen IV small-block V-8 family offers more power than comparable powertrains in previous models. A Vortec 5.3L V-8 with 320 horsepower and 335 lb.-ft. of torque offering fuel-saving Displacement On Demand technology is standard at the start of production. A Vortec 4.8L V-8 becomes available later and will be standard on Tahoe 2WD models. The small-block V-8 helps give the Tahoe the segment’s best fuel economy, the first to break the 20 mpg barrier in EPA unadjusted combined fuel economy. Preliminary testing with 5.3L-equipped models shows unadjusted combined fuel economy ratings of 20.5 mpg with 2WD models and 20.1 mpg with 4WD models. That’s better fuel economy than any other full-size SUV. The ’07 Tahoe is available in three trim levels: LS, LT and LTZ, with the high-volume LT trim level offered with LT-1, LT-2 and LT-3 equipment groups. Two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive models are available. New and substantially revised features include:
· Power-release fold-and-tumble second-row seat
· Remote vehicle starting system
· First- and second-row heated seats
· Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist
· Rearview camera system
· Touch-screen navigation system
· Power-articulating running boards (mid-year availability)
· DVD rear-seat entertainment system with larger, 8-inch screen
The 2007 Tahoe will be in showrooms after the first of the new year.