2008
CHEVROLET NEW SUV MODEL GUIDE
Chevrolet
offers truck-based sport utility vehicles
in three sizes mid-size, full-size
and super-size with the TrailBlazer,
Tahoe and Suburban. Chevy wagons also
include three different car-based models
including the compact-class Equinox, the
big crossover sport van Uplander and the
HHR, a panel wagon with retro styling.
New for 2008 is the Tahoe Hybrid SUV toting
a hybrid propulsion system to improve
fuel economy.
Tahoe
Chevrolet's full-size SUV comes in three
versions, the entry-level LS, well-equipped
LT and top-tier LTZ with rear-wheel, two-wheel-drive
(2WD) or four-wheel-drive (4WD) traction.
The 4WD traction mechanism uses GM's automatic
Autotrac system with an electronic transfer
case bringing on-demand, all-wheel traction.
Two powerful V8 engines motivate the Tahoe.
The top plant is a 5.3-liter V8 with Active
Fuel Management (AFM) technology to pare
the cylinder load and conserve fuel. It
achieves 320 horsepower. Tahoe's Z71 off-road
package is new for 2008 with an off-road
suspension, automatic-locking rear differential,
protective skid plates and chrome tubular
assist steps.
Tahoe
Hybrid
This variation of Chevy's full-size SUV
gets a two-mode hybrid propulsion system,
which integrates an automatic transmission
with a hybrid-electric drive system. At
low speeds, the Tahoe Hybrid can move
using the electric motor or the gas-fired
V8, or a combination of both. At highway
speeds, the Tahoe's second mode works
with all eight cylinders of the engine
pumping when commanded, or with only four
cylinders through AFM technology to save
on fuel. Tahoe Hybrid's prow dips by 10
mm for aerodynamic efficiency, with a
hood and liftgate made of aluminum to
trim weight.
Suburban
Chevy's super-size SUV stretches 18 feet
long, with a vast cabin that has seats
for up to nine passengers. The series
includes the 1500 (half-ton) and 2500
(three-quarter-ton) versions with big
engines up to a 6.0-liter V8, which creates
366 horsepower. Both the 1500 and 2500
versions host 2WD and 4WD editions, but
the latter has a dash-mounted switch to
jockey between all-wheel-drive (AWD) traction,
rear-wheel or four-wheel high and low
settings. The Suburban's 5.3-liter V8
offers a flex-fuel version that drinks
gasoline or E85 ethanol. StabiliTrak skid
controls are standard now on the Suburban
2500, along with a six-speed automatic
transmission.
Trailblazer
In 2008, the mid-size SUV from Chevrolet
shows up in a regular length edition with
two rows of seats in the cabin for a capacity
of five. The TrailBlazer LT stocks a 4.2-liter,
in-line-six engine with 285 horsepower.
Also available is a 5.3-liter V8 delivering
300 horsepower with AFM to conserve fuel.
However, the sport-tuned TrailBlazer SS
gets a modified Corvette 6.0-liter V8
to push 390 horsepower through a 2WD or
4WD system. New standard equipment ranges
from curtain-style air bags to XM satellite
radio service.
Uplander
Called a crossover sport van (CSV), the
2008 Uplander is available with a regular
length or extended length body. The passenger
compartment arranged with three
rows of seats for up to seven riders
has the flat floor of a minivan extending
from forward bulkhead to aft cargo compartment.
Power comes from a 3.9-liter V6 with variable
valve timing (VVT) to generate 240 horsepower.
The plant also has a flex-fuel, E85-compatible
version. GM's StabiliTrak skid control
system is standard on the Uplander this
year, as is XM satellite radio service
and a tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS).
Equinox
Chevy's crossover utility vehicle (CUV)
has a long platform that creates a spacious
passenger compartment. The cabin has bucket
seats followed by a three-place bench
that slides fore and aft by eight inches
to vary legroom. The bench's seatback,
split 60/40 percent, reclines to two positions
with each side folding to make cargo room.
Three trims the LS, LT and LTZ
draw from a 3.4-liter V6 producing
185 horsepower with front-wheel-drive
(FWD) or all-wheel-drive (AWD) traction
mode. The Equinox Sport, a new performance
variant, packs a 3.6-liter VVT V6 that
hits 263 horsepower through a six-speed
automatic.
HHR
This CUV looks like a shrunk-down, retro-styled
homage to the 1949 Suburban of the roly-poly
fender and bulging roofline vintage. The
HHR, which stands for Heritage High Roof,
rides on Chevy's agile Cobalt sedan platform
and brings a spacious cabin with two rows
of seating and a big cargo bay. The two
trims LS and LT use different
four-cylinder Ecotec engines. A 2.2-liter
is the base plant, while the upgrade to
2.4 liters for top-level 2LT climbs to
172 horsepower. Standard features for
2008 include StabiliTrak, OnStar telecommunications
and a TPMS.
For
more information on Chevrolet
SUVs and wagons.
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