CHEVROLET TAHOE test drive since 2008 SUV
Battle Elephant
I have a full-sized SUV to the phenomenon called in America with Bo-o-ohing skepticism. Conservative frame design, adjacent to rude design and trouble -free ergonomics. A voracious motor, a thoughtful automatic machine, no controllability, causing doubts all -terrain qualities. Well, yes, an excess of iron creates a certain illusion of security. Moreover, these guys are similar to each other like drops of water, regardless of which emblem decorates the embossed facade. Here is the Chevrolet Tahoe from the same breed, another monster from the vast expanses of North America, nurtured on gift gasoline. Therefore, the meeting with him seemed to me working everyday life, but not a holiday. However, I could not even imagine that I would part with him in a completely different mood. At first, some features of the design of the machine were pleasantly surprised by modern American engineers no longer in the liking of the reputation of retrograde. For example, the spar frame, the holy of the holy overseas SUVs, is made by the advanced hydraulic forming method and consists of three elements means that in the case of a severe accident, it will be enough to replace the damaged sector. The suspension is controlled by the Autoride electronic system, which even at full load supports the body in a horizontal position, as well as, analyzing the speed of the car, the degree of loading and road conditions, constantly corrects the rigidity of the shock absorbers. The brake system is equipped not only by the usual ABS, but also by the system of distribution of brake efforts. The four -speed machine is equipped with an adaptive algorithm of operation, which allows it to adjust the gear shifts to the selected driving style. The machine also has a Tow/haul special mode designed to tow heavy (up to 4 tons) trailers. In it, switching occur at increased speeds. And on the neutral transmission of Tahoe, you can tow at any distances, which is not permissible for other cars with an automatic box.
Well, progress is obvious. And if you compare the current Tahoe with the predecessor, then there are even more changes. So, the springs in the rear suspension gave way to the springs, and in order to improve controllability, reinforced reptile stability stabilizers were used. All these innovations aroused more respect for the car than his heroic dimensions and mass and chrome armor sparkling in the sun. I wanted to try a full -size SUV again. What if something really changed? The first minutes of communication with the car did not bring revelations. Tahoe looks absolutely American, and its weighty figure on high-profile tires is perfectly recognizable with a couple of hundred meters. Of course, on the spot all the necessary attributes: Bumpers made of polished steel, powerful steps and separately opening glass of the rear door. Inside, the car is no less extensive than outside. A three -row leather hall is ready to place seven people without any casualties from comfort. True, it is not easy to get to the very rear seats for this in parts to fold the seat of the middle row and squeeze into a narrow doorway. So let the younger generation do this! And if one is not listed in the list of potential passengers, then the chairs from the trunk can be removed by increasing its volume at once.
The front panel is perceived precisely as a panel, as a massive monolith. It is decorated with a spider -shaped steering wheel, a characteristic element of pickups and SUVs of Chevrolet and GMC brands. The same origin has the dashboard loaded with all kinds of signs. To the left of the steering wheel of the steering wheel switch, which has to cope alone with all the functions assigned to him, on the right of the poker of the gearbox. An electronic compass is built into the salon mirror (to the offensive small), a duplicate control unit of the second air conditioner is located a little higher, which creates its own special microclimate for the rear passengers. Gray with black plastic, cup holders and 12-volt sockets everywhere ... In general, the classic of the genre. Most liked the front seats. Such capital structures with seat belts and side airbags and indispensable armrests integrated in them. The abundance of adjustments struck: for example, you can change the degree of not only lumbar, but also lateral support. All adjustments, of course, are on electric drives. The seats themselves are characterized by a successful profile and an excellent distribution of loads. Nothing to do with flabby sofas of road dreadnoughts! Immediately there is a desire to go on a long journey, all the same.
The world from the captain’s bridge Tahoe seems different. Roads become smoother and already, there are less distances. Insolent gazelles turn into small sleepers, trucks and buses do not scare their dimensions only to worry about how not to crush any of those five or eights that are fussing under the wheels. The dynamics of the car are stunning: from such a big man you just do not expect such a sprint agent! The inaccuracies of the machine gun are completely leveled by the huge torque of the engine and the adaptive abilities of the box. If, with a sharp click on the Tahoe gas pedal, he hesitated, moving one or two gear down, then after a second, roaring like a combat elephant, he rushes forward intimidatingly. And the first question that comes to mind when you recover: can this colossus stop in time? But the brakes do their work well, although it is felt that it is not easy for them to control the movement of two and a half tons.
The surprise of the machine presented the surprise. It was that Tahoe was barely rushing in corners, not at all trying to deeply fall on its side! And the returning effect on the steering wheel is quite intelligible, although the hydraulic power steering in American is prayed. Therefore, it is easy to get carried away and at the entrance to the turn from the habit of breaking the front wheels, to death by frightening passers -by with a heart -rending howl of rubber. The problem of traffic jams for the owner of Tahoe is minimized. You can relax in a spacious and cool salon, holding the brake pedal with your right foot and enjoy cool music. Cool not only in the sense of compliance with personal tastes, but also in relation to the quality of sound. Yes, the money that was paid for an audio system with a cassette, a cd player, a six-channel amplifier and nine speakers, among which there is an eight-inch subwoofer, was not spent into the wind. And if you are tired of waiting, you can break free, using the tram tracks or the roadside. On the road of any degree of breakdown Tahoe, it is like a jungle elephant, gently swaying. True, it is not worth abuse of its endurance when large irregularities pass at high speeds begin to manifest the fluctuations of unsproved masses, clearly transmitted to the body.
Speaking of cross -country ability, you should remember why this car was created. His elements are dusty primers to the non -vaudis and rocky paths of Wyoming, where the possibilities of its long -flowing suspension and smart transmission are realized in the best way. The Autotrac 4x4 proprietary system has solutions for all cases: 2HI (rear -wheel drive), Auto 4WD (automatic connecting the front wheels when slipping the rear through multi -disc clutch), 4Hi and 4LO (symmetric full -wheel drive with a blocked interdosseous differential, the upper and lower rows of the transmission, respectively, respectively ). However, the inclusion of the 4LO mode is possible only with a complete stop and transfer of the gearbox lever to the N (neutral) position, which in difficult conditions can complicate further touch. In general, in areas with a bulk or soft coating, you should be extremely vigilant: under the weight of its own weight, the car is able to pave the soil and immediately steer. In general, Chevrolet Tahoe unexpectedly made a fresh, original impression. Remaining a real American SUV, he acquired almost European manners. And his comfort became more ergonomic, or something. Even a slightly eccentric interior does not dare to call the language flawed: in combination with the size, energy and understandable reactions of the car, it allows you to plunge into a different, tempting world of the world of strittes, highway and interstans, without losing my connection with reality.
The car is provided by a group of companies Laura.
During the test, the car is insured ASK Trust.
Text: Leonid Klyuyev
Photo: Roman Ostanin
Source: Wheel magazine [No. 59/2002]
