If you classify cars on the basis of environmental friendliness, you may start with electric and hybrid models. At the other end of the spectrum we will probably find the large V8 powered SUVs that are so popular in America. This Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid combines the two apparently contradictory worlds. Fun fact: some of the technology used returns to BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
Jokes about the size are obvious when a European starts talking about a car like the Chevrolet Tahoe, but in the US this is really quite a common model. Yes, the Tahoe with its longer brother Suburban is also one of the largest SUVs there, but they are quite popular there, unlike here. By the way, they are also priced differently than here, which no doubt helps.
What large SUVs usually aren’t is economical. Lately, a lot has been done to improve this with smaller engines, cylinder deactivation and yes, also electrical aids, but in the base it still costs a lot of energy to make a gigantic, often square all-rounder of over 2,500 kg of its own. place.
6.0 V8
Chevrolet tried early on to reduce the consumption of its ultimate family car and did so by means of a genuine Hybrid variant. A set of electric motors worked together with a fairly advanced machine that, depending on the circumstances, may or may not function as a CVT, which explains the ‘2Mode’ on the nameplate. This discovery also ensures that the Tahoe Hybrid can simply be used as a workhorse and can therefore also pull the necessary. What also helps is that the petrol engine is not exactly compromised. The Tahoe Hybrid simply has a 6.0 V8, albeit in a relatively economical variant. With 333 hp, there is still enough power available. The Tahoe Hybrid was considerably more economical than a normal Tahoe, but still not a really economical type. Chevrolet, of course according to the American measurement method, came to a theoretical consumption of 21 MPG, or just under 1 in 9.
Also at BMW and Mercedes
Although the 2-mode hybrid system is built around a transmission from GM, the Americans did not develop the system completely themselves. It is the product of what has been called the Global Hybrid Cooperation. For example, the electrical part of this powertrain could end up in cars from competitor Dodge, but also in the BMW X6 ActiveHybrid and the Mercedes-Benz ML 450 hybrid. Fact of the week! Within GM, the power unit combination supplied in the Tahoe could also be ordered in Tahoe siblings GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade. Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups were also available as hybrids, but those cars were reportedly even less popular than their SUV siblings.
Streamline
You would expect a Tahoe Hybrid to be the version for a European buyer, but we never see it here. The Hybrid was about $ 9,000 more expensive in the US than a regular Tahoe, which undoubtedly has its effect on the availability of second-hand copies. On the outside, the Tahoe Hybrid can be recognized by the many green nameplates, but also by its own front bumper. The wheels are also unique for this variant, which is also slightly lower on the legs and – streamline is everything – has to lack its roof rails. This white specimen dates from 2008 and already came to the Netherlands in 2009. The current owner has owned it since 2012 and besides the fact that a wash would certainly not hurt, the car seems to look neat.