All-new Police Pursuit Vehicles and Special Service Vehicles debut late this year
With a new Tahoe coming soon, there’s a new version of the Police Tahoe on the way as well. Make that two new versions, one designed with a pursuit rating and sporting some serious upgrades to help make that happen, and one meant for law enforcement duties that include more towing and off-roading and less running down The Bandit.
Since the standard Tahoe has grown significantly bigger with the new generation, so has the cop model that shares the same body. It’s now got 1,990 L of space for stuff behind the second row of seats. About 25 percent more than the next-biggest pursuit-rated model, Chevy says. And the rear door openings are 13 percent wider, making it easier to stuff in someone wearing handcuffs.
But those aren’t the important changes for the Police Pursuit Vehicle. It’s got some major hardware changes to help it handle high-speeds. Starting with its own suspension that uses cop shocks, cop springs, and cop anti-roll bars (sorry, Jake and Elwood), and a lower ride height all to help this big beast handle. The lower height improves stability and aerodynamics as well, Chevrolet says.
When it comes to stopping, the PPV gets a set of massive 16-inch Brembo front rotors and six-piston fixed aluminum calipers. We’re not sure if it’s the same setup as the performance extras that you can spec on the current-gen Tahoe and pickups, but the specs read the same. Those big brakes need big wheels, and these looks like the first purpose-built police cars to run on 20-inch wheels from the factory. While detachments might not like the maintenance costs that come with it, GM and Bridgestone worked together on a custom pursuit-rated Firestone tire that was tested on-track and cuts stopping distances from 100km/h to 0 by 3.4 metres.
Because hot pursuit can mean long and hard cornering, the PPV Tahoe gets rocker covers borrowed from the supercharged LT4 V8 as used in the Camaro ZL1. They have better crankcase ventilation which Chevrolet says helps it better handle “high lateral conditions.” Oil and trans fluid coolers are designed specifically for law enforcement applications.
Chevrolet says this is the “most aspirational vehicle in the law enforcement industry,” but those officers must not have heard of Dubai’s fleet of supercars or the high-performance machines used in Europe and other parts of the world.
The PPV and Special Service Vehicle packages start with the Z71’s exterior trim, meaning they get a version of that model’s grille that we’re going to guess is cheaper to replace, but also improves approach angles and has a skidplate to protect the oily bits underneath.
GM’s rear camera mirror is offered, letting officers see around the centre divider and trunk-mounted cargo, or to see “through” officer doggo’s kennel. GM’s full suite of collision avoidance features are on the options list, but push-button start and keyless entry are standard. There are also more than 100 dedicated circuits built into the wiring harness for lights, sirens, and other electronics and controls for those functions can be integrated into the steering wheel buttons. There’s a second battery to allow less idling, a more powerful alternator, and new seats that are designed to give more hip room for accommodating utility belts loaded with gear.
Both can have 4WD, and the PPV can be rear-drive only. While the SSV doesn’t get all of the go-fast bits, it does get an available tow pack to let it handle trailers up to 8,200 lbs and comes with an electronic transfer case.
Chevrolet says the new PPV and SSV Tahoes will be available early next year.
Keyword: Chevrolet Shows Off Police Pursuit Tahoe