Tahoe police pursuit vehicle gains crash mitigation technologies.
Police departments across the nation have their choice of Chevrolet, Dodge and Ford models to choose from. All three manufacturers vie to serve our men and women in blue as well as other emergency service personnel.
Available Enhanced Driver Assist Package
The 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe PPV is one of the largest models of its kind and this year it is claiming something no other model has: the industry’s first-in-class safety technology. The technologies fall under the “Enhanced Driver Assist Package,” designed to “reduce potential crash speeds or help avoid a crash all together.”
The option package includes power-adjustable pedals, a safety alert driver seat, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, forward collision alert, and low-speed automatic braking. The package is optional, but may very well entice departments to consider them.
Indeed, that fact was confirmed by Theodore Quisenberry, a 43-year law enforcement veteran and the retired chief of the Royal Oak (Michigan) Police Department and the Oakland County Homeland Security Division. Said Quisenberry, “When they’re on road patrol, police officers are constantly multitasking. Now when officers are scanning their surroundings, so is their vehicle. That will help them stay safe.”
The Fab Five
The five available safety features are now routinely offered on many Chevrolet vehicles. The power-adjustable pedals may not have an apparent safety component, but when included with the standard 10-way power driver’s seat and tilt wheel, finding the ideal driving position is important for the blue brigade.
The safety alert seat is unique to GM. The way it works is that it provides seat-bottom vibration pulses instead of audible crash avoidance alerts. Lane keep assist with lane departure warning provides gentle nudges when a vehicle veers out of its lane and the turn signal is not activated.
Forward collision alert uses a radar and a forward-looking camera to gauge the closing speed between the PPV and the vehicle immediately in front. If the gap is too narrow, an audible warning is issued. Lastly, the low-speed forward automatic braking system will apply the brakes when the PPV is traveling at low speeds, particularly as the system detects a front-end collision is imminent.
2018 Chevrolet Tahoe PPV Specifications
The 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe PPV costs from $42,830, not including third-party up fits. This body-on-frame vehicle offers 120.7 cubic feet of interior passenger volume and 112.1 cubic feet of cargo space. Buyers have a choice of two- and four-wheel drive configurations.
This model is powered by a 5.3-liter V8 engine, generating 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque and sends power to the wheels by means of a six-speed automatic transmission. The PPV rides on Goodyear P265/60R17 V-rated all-season tires mounted on 8.5″ black steel wheel with bolted on center cap and matching spare wheel. Optionally, departments can order the tires with aluminum wheels. You also get a full size spare tire mounted on a black steel wheel (does not include center cap).
Standard equipment includes aero shutters, a front underbody shield, transmission oil cooler, engine oil cooler, routing grommet, electric power steering, stability control, proximity sensors, OnStar, and rear park assist with a rearview camera. Optional features include ground studs, a trailer hitch insert, recovery hooks, splash guards, rear door locks, windows and handles — inoperative, an exterior lamps emergency flashing system, wiring provisions for equipment, and spotlights.
Of course, there are a number of convenience features sure to please, including air conditioning, cloth seats, cruise control, an 8-inch color display, four USB ports and one auxiliary input jack. Also, Bluetooth connectivity, an overhead console, and an available navigation package round out the key features.
Chevrolet Police Pursuit Vehicle Fleet
For 2018, the Chevrolet Caprice PPV is discontinued. The model was imported from Australia, but the manufacturing plant building the PPV and other Holden models is being shuttered. For now, the other choices include the Silverado SSV pickup truck, the Express Van, and an Impala Municipal model.
