Details On 07 Tahoe From Automotive News

[Perian]

Link: http://www.autonews.com/article.cms?articleId=55744

PHOENIX -- General Motors says the 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe gets better fuel economy than its predecessor and feels more like a car to drive. But the Tahoe still is what it is: a large truck.

The redesigned Tahoe is longer (by 5 inches), wider and heavier than the vehicle it replaces.

"Nobody is asking for a bigger truck, but everybody is asking for more room," Gary White, GM vehicle line executive for trucks, said at a press event here.

Based on the GMT900 platform, the new Tahoe will arrive at dealerships in January. It is one of several new large SUVs and pickups GM is counting on heavily in 2006.

The basics: GM executives tout the Tahoe's ability to eke out another mile per gallon compared with the current version. On the other hand, they say large SUV sales are driven more by customer needs than a desire for better mileage.

The 2007 two-wheel-drive Tahoe gets 16 mpg in city driving and 22 mpg on the highway. That's up from 15 in the city and 20 on the highway for the outgoing model.

For the four-wheel-drive model, GM claims 15 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway, compared with 15 mpg/19 mpg for the 2006.

Displacement on demand

The better mileage comes from GM's displacement on demand cylinder deactivation system, which shuts down pistons when not needed. The technology is standard on GM's Gen IV small-block V-8 engine.

Meanwhile, GM lowered the Tahoe's center of gravity and widened the axles to make the vehicle handle more like a car. On top of that, the vehicle's brakes have lost their mushy feel.

Notable features: Chevrolet tilted the windshield from 50 to 57 degrees to add interior space and increase driver visibility under stoplights. Also, drivers can now adjust the seat 3 inches closer to the instrument panel or move an extra inch backward for more legroom. The center bin between front seats has been doubled in size. It has 20.1 liters of space -- enough to store a laptop computer or an oversized purse.

The rear gate opens and closes at the touch of a button. Third-row seats have a hand grip so they can be carried like a suitcase after removal.

What GM says: "Our steering is more precise," says White. "The new Tahoe is like you are driving a smaller, more nimble vehicle."

SUV anonymity

Compromises and shortcomings: The 2007 Tahoe still looks like a Tahoe; it's not a complete styling overhaul. Add a little road dust and the 2007 Tahoe disappears completely into SUV anonymity. Heads generally do not turn at the stoplight on this one. The driver gets more legroom at the expense of second-row passengers.

Nuts and bolts: Production of the 2007 Tahoe started last week at GM's Arlington, Texas, plant. Pricing has not been set.

The skinny: Big SUV lovers should still feel like king of the road. The added carlike driving qualities won't lull Tahoe drivers into thinking it is something less than a full-sized SUV.

[TaHoE]

I bet if GM put Throddle and Drive-By-Wire electrical systems in these 900's the MPG numbers would be much higher since the vehicle is so heavy, but none-the-less those numbers are still quite good for such a large SUV, best in class because even best-est in class, way to go Tahoe!

[JVal14]

They neglect to mention that the hybrid models dramatically improve economy for those that are really concernicus.

[JVal14]

Compromises and shortcomings: The 2007 Tahoe still looks like a Tahoe; it's not a complete styling overhaul. Add a little road dust and the 2007 Tahoe disappears completely into SUV anonymity. Heads generally do not turn at the stoplight on this one. The driver gets more legroom at the expense of second-row passengers.

GM doesn't want to turn heads with Tahoe/Yukon, it has a dozen other vehicles for that. It wants it to be somehting that the majority of people will like, which they have and probably still will. The changes were addressed to big complaints (i.e. interior); few people complained about the exteriror.

[saturnsteve]

I cannot wait to see one in person, and to drive one too!

[GMFreak8]

The driver gets more legroom at the expense of second-row passengers.

Well isn't that nice of them. Give the driver more room for his laptop computer and fat stomach, while giving everyone else less room.

[smith7629]

Originally Posted by TaHoE

I bet if GM put Throddle and Drive-By-Wire electrical systems in these 900's the MPG numbers would be much higher since the vehicle is so heavy, but none-the-less those numbers are still quite good for such a large SUV, best in class because even best-est in class, way to go Tahoe!

The current GMT800s have a drive by wire now.

[KingElvis]

AAAAAAAAAARGH!

Whatever happened to the "average" of 21mpg that was plastered all over the internet for weeks? The average between 16 and 22 is 19mpg, not 21mpg.

[Quickening]

LESS legroom in the back? Thats not very smart..

[ByTheLake]

I posted this in another thread, but does anybody else think that the '07 Tahoe's optional brush guard looks like a big Honda logo?

... or is it just me?

[goblue1999]

Originally Posted by GMFreak8

Well isn't that nice of them. Give the driver more room for his laptop computer and fat stomach, while giving everyone else less room.

if you want room, buy your own **************** truck and drive yourself. if you're sittin' behind me, hang on and shut up.

[56 Starchief]

Originally Posted by ByTheLake

I posted this in another thread, but does anybody else think that the '07 Tahoe's optional brush guard looks like a big Honda logo?

... or is it just me?

i see your point

[ByTheLake]

Originally Posted by JVal14

GM doesn't want to turn heads with Tahoe/Yukon, it has a dozen other vehicles for that.

A dozen head turners? Are those heads turning towards or away from the vehicles?

[espo19047]

Originally Posted by ByTheLake

I posted this in another thread, but does anybody else think that the '07 Tahoe's optional brush guard looks like a big Honda logo?

... or is it just me?

I saw it myself.
No big deal though.

[The Oatman]

The tahoe brush guard looks like a head mounted device for straightening your teeth...