The History Of Chevrolet Tahoe

The Chevrolet Tahoe (and very similar GMC Yukon) is a full-size SUV from General Motors. Chevrolet and GMC sold two different-sized SUVs under their Blazer/ Jimmy model names through the early 1990s. This situation changed when GMC rebadged the full-size Jimmy as the Yukon in 1992. Chevrolet waited until 1994's introduction of a four-door version to rebadge the mid-size S-10 Blazer as the Blazer, renaming the full-size Blazer as the Tahoe.

The Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon currently serve as General Motors' full-size SUVs. Lengthened wheelbase models are available for both as the Suburban for the Tahoe and Yukon XL for the Yukon. A luxury Denali model joined the Yukon lineup in 1998. As of 2002, a Denali version of the Yukon XL was also available as the Yukon XL Denali.

In North America, the Tahoe is sometimes used for police car use, especially in rural areas where four-wheel drive and more ground clearance are necessary.

The new GMC Yukon was introduced for 1992, while Chevrolet continued calling their version the Blazer. All were 2-door models through 1994. In 1995 the Chevy changed the name of the Blazer to Tahoe and introduced a 4-door version. The Tahoe was Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year for 1996.

The Tahoe/ Yukon were shorter than the Suburban on which they were based, but shared that vehicle's GMT400 platform. This was a true truck chassis, and was based on that used in the Chevrolet Silverado full-size pickup truck. Both two-door and four-door models were produced, as well as rear- and four-wheel drive. The two door weighs roughly 4500 pounds while the four door weighs approximately 5500 pounds. "AutoTrac" full-time all-wheel drive and OnStar were added for 1998. The upscale Denali trim line to the Yukon appeared around this time as the vehicles became popular with wealthy families.

In Mexico, the Tahoe 2-door was released in 1995, called the Chevrolet Silverado, and in 1998 the 4-door was released as the Silverado 4-door, and both were available in Base, LS and luxury LT trim lines.

When the GMT800-based SUVs were released in 2000, a 2WD Tahoe Limited was produced for demand purposes. It featured Police package suspension, monochromatic paint, no roof rack, distinctive front bumper and body kit, 2-toned leather seats and 16" alloy wheels. A 4x4 Z-71 Tahoe was also produced that had a monochromatic paint scheme, distinctive front bumper and wheels.

The Chevy Tahoe Limited Edition was offered for the 2000 model year, but based on the first generation model platform. The Tahoe Limited was produced for only one model year. According to research, there were 8,905 units produced -- all in black. The Tahoe Limited was originally badged as the Tahoe SS (concept in 1995), but GM brass disliked the idea of an "SS" at a time when insurance companies were already demanding higher premiums for SUVs. Ronal 16" wheels, brakes borrowed from the Chevrolet Suburban, Bilstein shocks, a two-tone leather interior, and a 120mph (190km/ h) gauge cluster were among the standard features in the Tahoe Limited. A body that sat 2" lower than normally aspired Tahoes, along with an all black grille, fog lights set in the front bumper and side skirts gave the Tahoe Limited a more aggressive stance -- which is said to have been originally inspired by a Tahoe Police Package shown at the 1996 SEMA Show.

Other than the Tahoe Limited Edition, the vehicle was redesigned for the 2000 model year on the new GMT800 platform, still shared with the full-sized pickups. Two new engines replaced the old 5.7 L (350ci) small-block V8, and while both were smaller, both produced more power. The manual transmission was dropped. In Mexico, the GMT800 Chevy Tahoe is called a Chevrolet Sonora.

Both vehicles received significant updates with only the grille and headlights distinguishing one from the other. Both vehicles now featured softer lines as part of a more aerodynamic design. The interior was also updated with new seats, dashboard, and door panels.

"StabiliTrak" stability control was offered for the first time in 2003, as were XM Satellite Radio, Bose audio, and a DVD entertainment system as the models continued to climb upmarket. Both engines received 10 hp (7.5 kW) more for 2004.

General Motors replaced the Tahoe and Yukon on the new GMT900 platform in late 2005 as a 2007. A hybrid version of the Yukon, which uses the shared GM/ Chrysler Advanced Hybrid System 2, is followed with the 2008 models. The GMT900 based Tahoe and Yukon exceeded initial sales expectations and continue to sell well despite a weakening market for large SUVs.

For 2007 the GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Tahoe received different front fascias and hood. The GMC Yukon features a monolithic grille and headlights, while the Chevrolet Tahoe grille is divided by a body colored bar similar to the chrome bar found on most of the GMT800 Tahoe. While the Tahoe's hood now features a design attribute obtruding from its otherwise smooth contour, the Yukon features a smooth hood with two slight curves on both sides of the hood. Both the new Yukon and Tahoe feature a more angular design that gives the vehicles a more upscale appearance. The interior was significantly redesigned as well. It features a new real wooded trim dashboard with new chrome accented instrument controls. New door panels as well as new seats were also added to the interior.

Short wheelbase and police Tahoe production began at Arlington Assembly on December 1, 2005. SWB Yukon production began in early 2006, with Janesville Assembly coming on line as well. Long wheelbase versions began at Janesville and Silao Assembly in March.

Highway mileage has improved from 19mpg (12.4L/ 100km) to 21-22mpg (11.2L/ 100km) with the addition of Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation. Both the old and new versions get 15-16mpg (15.7L/ 100km) in town.

The 2007 Tahoe was featured on, and promoted through Donald Trump's The Apprentice, where the two teams put together a show for the top General Motors employees to learn about the new Tahoe. Also, The Apprentice sponsored an online contest where entrants could create their own commercial for the new Tahoe. The vehicle will still continue to have a maximum capacity of 9 passengers.

Further information: GMC Denali

The GMC Denali nameplate started as the luxury version of the Yukon for the 1998 model year. The Denali trim is as in the GMC Envoy available on both standard and XL versions.

1999

In 1998, at the time of its introduction, the Yukon Denali was GM's answer to the Lincoln Navigator, but then GM introduced a clone to the Yukon Denali and rebadged it "Escalade" under the Cadillac nameplate. The Yukon Denali's exterior was shared with the Cadillac Escalade, with the entire front clip and lower side body panels differing from the standard Yukon. In the interior, however, the Denali features luxury options not available in the Yukon. These included an upgraded leather interior, power seats, heated seats front and rear, Bose stereo system, and some woodgrain on the dashboard.

2001

Even though the Yukon was redesigned alongside the Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe in 2000, the Denali and Escalade retained their 1990s base design. It was not until 2001 that the Denali and Escalade were redesigned. While the Escalade departed from its Yukon based exterior design scheme in attempt to hide its roots, the Yukon Denali's exterior is almost the same as that of a post-2000 GMT400 model year Yukon. Embossed side body panels and slightly reworked headlights with projector-beam lenses differentiate the Yukon Denali from the regular Yukon. 2001 also saw the introduction of the billet grille which now has become the hallmark of the Denali nameplate.

2007

The Yukon Denali was redesigned for the 2007 model year alongside the regular mainstream Yukon. The biggest change was in the styling, such as the flattened tailgate reminiscent of the new Tahoe, and particularly the grill and headlight shapes, which made the Yukon look less aggressive than previous models. The only exterior difference between the Yukon Denali and the standard Yukon remains to be the chrome grille; and of course the insignias, embeveled rockerpanels, chromed headlights and the Vortec 6200 engine which it shares with the Cadillac Escalade.

Tahoe made its hybrid electric debut in fall, 2007. In January, 2008, starting price was USD$50,540.

The Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid uses a combination of its 6.0-liter V8 engine and an electric motor which charges a 300-volt battery. The vehicle can run on either gasoline, electricity or a mixture of the two using an automatic system to monitor the vehicle's torque and assess the most efficient source of power. The battery is charged either directly by generating electricity through driving the electric motor using the gasoline engine (while the vehicle is coasting or being driven by the gasoline engine), or by the wheels driving the electric motor through what is called "Regenerative Braking" when the vehicle is decelerating, thus regaining a small amount of the energy invested in forward momentum. The Tahoe works most efficiently at low speeds when it can run entirely on the battery (for a limited range) making fuel consumption so efficient that it rivals mid-sized sedans like the Toyota Camry. EPA rating of fuel consumption for the Hybrid is an average of 22.3mpg as opposed to 14mpg for the gasoline varieties of the Tahoe.

The 2007 Tahoe was featured on and promoted through Donald Trump's TV series, The Apprentice, where the two teams put together a show for the top General Motors employees to learn about the new Tahoe. Also, The Apprentice sponsored an online contest in which anyone could create a commercial for the new Tahoe by entering text captions into the provided video clips; the winner's ad would air on national television. This viral marketing campaign backfired however, when hundreds of environmentally conscious parodies flooded YouTube and Chevy's website critiquing the vehicle for its low gas mileage. Though Chevrolet initially made a statement saying they would keep these adds on their site the company eventually took them off. The negative publicity that these commercials garnered eventually led many marketing and p.r. firms to question the effectiveness of user generated advertising.

In Brazil the Tahoe GMT800 is officially sold and registered under the name of "Blazer", as the original Blazer's were never sold in Brazil in large amounts. The GMT800 is also used by Brazilian elite police units, such as the BOPE (Batalhão de Operações Policiais Especiais) in Rio de Janeiro and the ROTA (Rondas Ostensivas Tobias de Aguiar) and GATE (Grupo de Ações Taticas Especiais) in São Paulo. It is also used by the São Paulo State Police and the Rio Grande do Sul State Police.