Chevrolet Trucks Blog

For a best-selling full-size SUV, the pressure to improve and introduce innovations is always present. Knowing this, Chevrolet sees to it that its best-seller, the Chevrolet Tahoe is always armed with the latest equipments and features.

In 2007, the Tahoe was completely redesigned in order to deliver better driving performance and improved fuel economy.

The all-new 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe boasts the world’s the first production 2-Mode full hybrid propulsion system in the world. This system offers a 25-percent increase in fuel economy.

Moreover, the capability of the Tahoe has also improved. In fact, the 2008 Tahoe Hybrid is able to tow heavy weight cargoes that can reach up to  6,000 pounds which is equivalent to 2, 721 kilograms. To even better its performance, it is equipped with a 6.0L V-8 engine with GM’s highly efficient Active Fuel Management technology. This technology from GM allows the Tahoe to switch between four- and eight-cylinder power, depending on the specific driving situation.

The 2008 Tahoe is available in LS, LT, LTZ and Hybrid models with 2WD and 4WD. Tahoe’s standard  powertrain also features the 5.3L V-8 with Active Fuel Management technology that effortlessly switches from eight-cylinder to four-cylinder operation to improve fuel economy.

Additional changes for the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe are minor to preserve the Tahoe’s original style. These changes include a  40/20/40-split bench seat in LS models that offers convenient storage space in the center section and also, woodgrain trim is added to the forward center console and brighter instrument pointers in the gauge cluster. New exterior colors also include Blue Granite and Deep Ruby Metallic.

Also present in the 2008 Tahoe is the ever famous Z71 Off Road appearance package. This package is only optional but thus includes the Z71 Off Road suspension with high-pressure, gas-charged monotube shocks, 18-inch on/off-road tires, automatic-locking rear differential, front recovery hooks, a durable skid plate and a high-capacity air cleaner. Other features for the Z71 Off Road package are also available depending on the owner’s preference.

With the constant increase in fuel prices, it is a big relief for Chevrolet Suburban owners that their Suburban features the Active Fuel Management technology from the General Motors. The Vortec 5.3L V8 engine standard on Suburban half-ton models and the Vortec 6.0L that come along with half-ton models deliver power when you need it without consuming as much fuel as a normal SUV or truck would. Here’s additional information on the Suburban’s Active Fuel Management Technology:

• In situations where extra power is not needed, such as cruising down the highway on level roads, Active Fuel Management™ deactivates four of the eight cylinders with seamless precision
• When load demands increase, such as when the vehicle accelerates or travels uphill, valves are reactivated to provide eight-cylinder operation
• The bottom line is, the next-generation Vortec 5.3L and 6.0L V8s in Suburban half-ton models are more efficient in providing the energy to move the vehicle when only four of the eight cylinders are operating
• The powerful 32-bit engine control computer triggers cylinder deactivation based on inputs from vehicle sensors — making deactivation almost undetectable
• Active Fuel Management™ technology helps the 2007 Suburban equipped with the Vortec 5.3L engine deliver an estimated MPG of 15 city, 21 highway for 2WD models and 15 city, 20 highway for 4×4 models. In fact, you can drive up to 651 miles on a single tank of gas in 2WD models
• In addition, exhaust-noise silencing measures and revised powertrain mounts add to the engine’s overall smoothness

The Chevrolet Suburban is equipped with only the latest features and technology to ensure and improve the safety of its passengers.  This is just one of the many efforts being undertaken by Chevrolet to provide a solution to the safety problems and concerns in today’s vehicles.

Chevrolet’s main goal is to make the Chevrolet Suburban as stable and as reliable as possible. Staying true to this goal, Chevrolet offers the StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control System as a standard on Suburban half-ton models. The StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control System becomes especially useful during times when one will need to conduct emergency maneuvers.

How does the The StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control System work? First of all, it has a control mechanism that allows the comparison between the driver’s steering output and the actual response of the truck. This control module will then create small, individual brake applications to improve the vehicle’s control and stability on the road. Second, this system automatically comes into action when it detects loss of lateral traction, understeer or oversteer and in these conditions, it will all brake pressure and adjust engine track if desperately needed. Also included in this system is the Proactive Roll Avoidance, which decreases the possibility to roll over in an emergency situation.

In our time when consumers are paying close attention to fuel consumption, the vehicles likely to be affected the most will be the hybrids and the four-cylinder vehicles. The new numbers will also affect large vehicles such as SUVs and pickups, but the impact is smaller. The big Chevrolet Suburban SUV with a 5.3-liter V-8, for example, declines from 16 mpg city and 22 highway to 14 city and 20 highway.

“There will be a learning curve, most definitely,” said analyst Todd Turner, president of Car Concepts of Thousand Oaks, Calif. “With pickups, you are going to see more people on the fence. It will be just like we saw when gas prices went up two years ago.” Although most trucks diminish at a slower pace than small cars do, dealers have a hunch that the new numbers may still lead to some working class buyers to reconsider pushing through with their pickup purchase.

“Every day we turn on the TV, we have a reminder of the price of gas,” said Leo Griggs, who owns Park Cities Dodge in Dallas. “We’ve already seen some truck sales slide, and I just don’t think this can be positive.”

The revised EPA tests have city and highway phases. The top speed in the highway cycle is now 80 mph, which is 20 mph more than before.  As for the acceleration in both city and highway phases, they have been increased to 8.5 mph per second, which is more than twice as fast as the old test.

Despite the many competitors that are out in the market, the redesigned Suburban has continued to draw new customers. It even has even increased its sales for more than 10 percent during the first quarter of 2007. This only goes to show that Chevrolet did the necessary adjustments to the Suburban with its 2008 edition. All models had as a standard the head-curtain side impact air bags, which were an optional choice for some of the Chevrolet models. Apart from this, the Suburban 2500 undergo noteworthy changes. It now has a fuel-saving six-speed automatic transmission, standard StabiliTrak electronic stability control system and available 17-inch aluminum wheels.

Additional changes for the 2008 edition reflect what the customer preferences are. What’s best about the Suburban ’08 is that it has taken on the needs and preferences of the market. There is a change to a 40/20/40-split bench seat in LS models. It was modified to give way to more convenient storage space in the center section. Aside from this, a wood grain trim has been added to the forward center console and brighter instrument pointers in the gauge cluster are installed.

The Suburban ’08 features the popular Z71 Off Road appearance package. This optional package includes the Z71 Off Road suspension with high-pressure, gas-charged monotube shocks, 18-inch on/off road tires, automatic-locking differential, front recovery hooks, a durable skid plate and high-capacity air cleaner. Large, color-keyed wheel flares, an aggressive front fascia and chrome tubular assist steps, door handle centers, mirror caps and front grille inserts provide a one-of-a kind appearance.