As the Silverado pickup enters production, Chevrolet is working on revising the Tahoe.
Running under full camouflage is this prototype of the next Chevrolet Tahoe, the next 2015 model. While the cover-up is extensive, several proposed changes in the full-size SUV are evident from this photograph taken during testing at one of GM’s proving grounds.
No surprise that the next Tahoe will offer vertical LED lights – at least in the front, but also likely in the rear – along with running lights. Chevy’s trademark grille design with the center horizontal bar and centered Chevy bow tie emblem (covered) are carried over in a slightly different grille frame.
Redone as a 2007 model in late 2005, GMT900 and the 2015 revisions are body-on-frame. Plans for a unit-body were dropped.
Note the door frames with less rounded corners for the glass. Perhaps more interesting is the way the doors fit into the roof – no more curved wrap-up, just a cut off that is well short of the roof top. New mirrors are among the obvious cosmetic other changes.
What is not seen are the changes in the vehicle’s chassis and drive train, all made to deliver better fuel economy, with some shared components from the heavily revised 2014 Silverado pickup truck that is about to go on sale. (2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Pickups Top F-Series and Ram in Fuel Economy with EPA 23 MPG Highway for V8 and Horses for Courses – GM’s Small Block V8 Versus Ford and Ram)
Speculation has Tahoe offering a lighter curb weight, as will virtually all revised vehicles going forward, with aluminum and high-strength steel and maybe carbon fiber materials in the chassis and body. A new multi-gear transmission and a smaller, blown engine are strong possibilities, although GM is lagging in the adoption of eight-speed transmissions and is still using 6-speeds. Look for Tahoe’s twins – GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade – to offer similar updates with their revised 2015 models.
See also:
- GM Invests in NanoSteel, Claims New Class of Light Weight Materials
- New Steel Alloys can Outperform Aluminum and Carbon fiber
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