Chevrolet Introduces Tahoe RST with 420hp, 10spd, Magnetic Ride Control (0-60 in 5.7 seconds!)

Gecko

Administrator
Messages
4,754
Reactions
11,389
I've been a fan of the Tahoe since it came out in 2014, and today Chevy dropped a new trim level - the RST - with a number of performance upgrades. Pretty awesome package overall, IMO:

2018-chevrolet-tahoe-rst-004-1.jpg


2018-chevrolet-tahoe-rst-003-1.jpg


2018-chevrolet-tahoe-rst-002-1.jpg


2018-chevrolet-tahoe-rst-006-1.jpg


On the surface, the Rally Sport Truck Package for the Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe seems like your typical appearance pack. Don't be fooled. It actually opens up some intriguing performance options.

Buyers can add both a Borla performance exhaust and Brembo six-piston front brake calipers to the SUVs. The powerful calipers come along with larger rotors and pads for what should be a noticeable improvement in stopping power. The exhaust should give so-equipped Tahoes and Suburbans a throatier sound, and Chevrolet says it adds some horsepower, but didn't give specifics for the SUVs' standard 5.3-liter V8. While these options are being offered on the RST package, they can also be ordered for other Tahoes and Suburbans via the GM Performance catalog.

Now we highlight the 5.3-liter V8 as the "standard" engine because it's no longer the only engine available. On the Tahoe RST, you can now get the 6.2-liter V8 found in the Silverado. It makes 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, and Chevrolet says it will get the Tahoe RST to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. It will also have a towing capacity of 8,400 pounds. The Brembo brakes and Borla exhaust are available for this configuration, too, and the exhaust adds 10 horsepower at the wheels.

Picking the big V8 also brings a version of the 10L80 10-speed automatic found in the Camaro ZL1 and Ford F-150 Raptor. It has taller gear ratios with more space between speeds, different shift tuning, and a new bell housing. If that wasn't enough, the 6.2-liter also brings aboard GM's magnetorheological suspension.

This additional V8 package for the RST is only available on the Tahoe. The Suburban can only be had with the RST appearance package and the optional exhaust and brakes. But all of the packages are available for both two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive models. The RST package will be available this fall on 2018 model Tahoes and Suburbans, and the V8 upgrade will come out shortly after.

Appearance-wise, the RST pack also adds a body-color grille surround and headlight trim, and black-painted window surround, mirror caps, grille centers and badges. It also has unique 22-inch wheels. pricing and fuel economy were not released.

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2017/04/06/2018-chevy-tahoe-rally-sport-truck-package/#slide-4973690
 

Ian Schmidt

Moderator
Messages
2,341
Reactions
4,075
Even in their bad years GM's big trucks were usually pretty good, and this sounds perfect for today's market. And a heck of a sleeper - 5.7 0-60 in a big SUV is nuts. How good a value this package is will depend on the final pricing.
 

mmcartalk

Expert
Messages
4,158
Reactions
2,675
I've become somewhat of a GM fan lately (while, of course, still being objective in reviews and when giving advice). But even with their excellent roominess/space efficiency inside, towing/hauling capacity, good outward visibility from the large windows/square-box design, and reputation for toughness, I'd be leery of purchasing any of the large GM V8 body-on-frame SUVs. Unlike some of GM's other products (a number of which, today, are much more reliable now than in the past), Consumer Reports gives the big full-size GM SUVs relatively poor reliability ratings. I can also just imagine what the MPG figures are going to be, with 460 ft-lbs. of torque in the gas engine and what is essentially three tons or more of weight, in a non-aerodynamic design, with any kind of a load in it.
 
Last edited: