The Tahoe has a 21Hz frame, which I guess is good for a truck. GM made a 25Hz FWD platform in the mid 90s with the G-body.
The way the article begins is pretty interesting:
16/22 EPA rating for the 4WD. Optioned up in LTZ trim it gets very pricey ($60k plus another $10k of options if you want). Kind of crazy but GM seems to have a lock on this particular market. I should note that the Tahoe beat the Expedition to the scene back in the 90s (by 2 years - Ford never made a 4-door Bronco), so maybe that means something.The Tahoe is one of Chevrolet’s primary rainmakers, a truck packed with greenbacks that still rules a segment competitors have let languish. The Tahoe and its larger Suburban sibling alone account for nearly 50 percent of full-size-SUV sales; mix in the numbers generated by the GMC Yukon models, and the market dominance becomes a smackdown.
The Gen V 5.3L is up to 355hp and 383lb-ft which is pretty amazing. The 95 Tahoe had the L05, and the 96 Tahoe had the L31 Vortec 5700 with 255hp to put that in perspective. An additional 100hp (and 48lb-ft, from less displacement) and still better fuel economy. Standard 3.08 and optional 3.42 gearing is pretty tall but the 6L80 has shorter lower gears than the 4L60 so I guess that works.
In platform nomenclature news, this new platform is unceremoniously named GMT-K2XX. So much for that run of sensible designators: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_GMT_platform.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GMT_K2XX
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/201 ... ive-review
The Suburban article is written by the honorable Csaba Csera (not a judge, just honorable, lowercase 'h'). And he reminds us right away that the Suburban has been in continuous production since 1935.
It'll tow over 8,000 lbs and that's just the half ton. Not sure if they'll make a 3/4 ton but they certainly have a long precedent of doing so. Ford tried to copy that with the very-briefly-produced (and now departed) Excursion. Too trucky. Solid front axle. Yuck.
GM will differentiate the GMC with fancier interiors (real wood, etc.).