ORTH SHORE

NEWS AUTOMOTIVE GUIDE

4
rad

NEWS photo Terry Peters

COMPARED to the previous generation trucks, the naw Tahoe and Yukon offer a stronger frame with a heavier towing capacity; a choice of two new, more powerful V8
engines; standard four-wheel clisc brakes; more safety features; and a redesigned, roomier interior. Test drive the Tahoe at Carter Chevroiet on Marine Drive in North Van.

THE full-size Chevrolet Tahoe sport-
utility vehicle — and its twin, the
GMC Yukon — were completely
redesigned for the 2000 model year.
2001 models will remain basically
unchanged,

The new-generation Tahoe/ Yukon is based
on the recently redesigned Silverado /Sierra pick-
up truck chassis. As before, both 4X2 and 4X4
models are offered, but unlike the last generation
Tahoe / Yukon models, the new ones come only in a four-door
body style — the two-door is no longer offered.

Compared to the previous trucks, the new Tahoe and Yukon
SUVs offer a sronger frame with heavier towing capacities; a
choice of two new, more powerful V8 engines; new standard four
wheel disc brakes; a new rear suspension; more safety features; and
aredesigned, roomier interior with more teatures — in particular,

anew chird-row seat which brings total seating capacity up to nine
passengzers.

Bigger and roomier

Compared w the 1999 Tahoe/ Yukon, the new model is about
the sarme length, but is 53 mm (2.1 in.) wider and 46 ram (1.8 in.)
taller, The wheelbase is 39 mm (1.5. in.) shorcer, however, the
Tahoe*s wider, taller passenger compartment appears roomier than
before, and a new 50/50 split third row seat, available as an
option, brings total seating cpacity to a masimum of nine.

The front row seats can be a three-passenger 40/20/40 sphi
front benh seat or individual bucket seats with a ceatre console
and a huge, centre storage bin. The front bucket seats include seat-

belts integrated into the seats, and folding inside
armrests. Second-row seats are three-passenger
60/40 split bench seats with folding seatbacks.
The optional third-row three-passenger 50/50
splic bench seat is very versatile. The seatbacks
can fold flat or both sides can fold and tumble
forwards. In addition, one or both sides can be
removed completely from the truck. They have
wheels for easier removal, and are light enough
to be carried by an adult.

With the third row seats in place, there’s enough
cargo space for a few grocery bags, but not much more. Unlike
the longer Suburban, the Tahoe is not designed to carry nine pas-
sengers and all of their luggage. However, with one or both of the
third-row split seats tumbled forwards, there is plenty of luggage
space for six or seven passengers. The cargo area includes a cargo
net at the rear and a concealed rear storage compartment near the
wheelwell.

With the third row seats removed and the second row seats
folded flat, the Tahoe offers a cargo floor that is 2,139 mm (84.2
in.) long and 1,247 mm (49.1 in.) between the wheel housings.
The rear door height is 916 nim (36.1 in).

Tahoes offers a lift-up rear hatchback with a separate liftglass or
optional swing-out panel doors. The latter is preferred by trailer-
towers because it allows the rear doors to be opened with the trail-
erin place. However, the hatchback is more convenient for gen-
eral use because it allows unrestricted access from the sides, offers
a “roof in the rain, and eliminates the division in the rear window
which interferes with rear vision.

‘The large interior of a full-size SUV bike the Tahoe is often slow
to heat up on cold winter mornings or cool down on hot summer

Technical Data: 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe

Base Price (LT)... seescssssscseescsseessesersessesescsssnseeee PO, 185
Price as tested (4X4): .....seecsecssscssssssssersssssssneneesee bo, 090
TYP@?...........00 fUr-door, eight-passenger full-size SUV
Layout: .......longitudinal front engine/2WD/AutoTrac 4WD
EMQine: on. essetessessesseecssesssesssnersseeseedouitte OHV V8

wae-0n 2985 @ 5,200 1.9.m.
P265/70R-16 all-terrain
.-2,460 kg. (5,423 Ib.)
325 Ib.-ft. @ 4,000 r.p.m.
.....dour-speeu! automatic
LOM Qthy: oo. ses ccsesescesseesssccersenneeed G2 MM (198.9 in.)
Width: ooo. cessessccceccceesorsensersessersene,J04 mm (78.9 in.)
Height: esse seccessesseserseeseeeeeeeee | GOT Mim (79.7 in.)
Fuel consumption: city: ....17.1 litres/100 km (17 m.p.g.);
highway: 12.6 litres/100 km (22 m.p.g.)

Trailer tow Capacity: ........-...-..04--03,946 kg. (8,700 Ib.)

a

days, so GM engineers paid particular attention to quick warm-
up/cool-down times. Improved ventilation and faster air recircula-
tion are some of the notable, unseen benefits of the new Tahoe.
Second row seats have their own heater ducts, and third row seats
have an auxiliary heater on some models. An optional automatic
climate control includes second rew heat and fan controls For cold
inier mornings, electrically heated front seats are alse available.
The Tahoe's sound system offers clear, sharp sound: a 125-

Horsepower:
Tires:

See Tahoe page 28

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