As the most enduring nameplate in automotive history, the Chevrolet Suburban makes its grand entrance into the 21st century. Already known for its 'do everything' versatility, the all-new 2000 Chevy Suburban continues to set the benchmark as an SÚV that offers both awesome capability and everyday practicality.
'Even though the Suburban is all-new, it's really a product of 65 years of continual refinement,' said Brand Manager Steve Ramsey. 'You can sum up the new Suburban in three words - more comfortable, capable and confident. In short, it's the best Suburban ever.'
The 2000 Suburban will be available in both two-and four-wheel-drive configurations, in a choice of 1500-or 2500-Series models.
More Comfortable The all-new Suburban is the most comfortable Suburban in history, thanks to a combination of structural enhancements, ride and handling improvements and new luxury features.
Suburban's new frame design is stiffer and stronger than previous designs, creating a more stable foundation for the body, powertrain and suspension, which contributes to improved ride and handling. Hydroforming, used in strategic areas such as the front/rear rails and engine crossmember, adds strength and improves dimensional control by eliminating weld.
And, 1500-Series Suburbans utilize a new five-link rear suspension with coil springs. Frame and body improvements enabled engineers to more efficiently tune Suburban's suspension for an exceptionally smooth ride and optimum traction, even over bumpy roads.
Suburban's new interior maximizes space through efficient packaging of components, such as heating/air conditioning ducts, and by moving the spare tire from inside the cargo bay to underneath the vehicle. Driving comfort is maximized, thanks to easier maneuverability than the previous model and a tighter turning diameter.
In addition, a new driver seat provides increased seat travel and improved seatback angles. Standard on Suburban LT, a new premium driver bucket seat pampers with added comfort and convenience touches such as a heated seatback and cushion, power lumbar adjustment, an articulating headrest and two-position memory driver seat.
For the first time, Suburban offers optional second-row bucket seats complete with inboard armrests and reclining seatbacks. This can provide rear-seat passengers with even more comfort. A new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system provides quicker cool-downs, a quieter blower and other features, such as a five-speed fan control and rear-seat heat ducts.
Suburban is available with a new 126-watt uplevel audio system, which is matched to a new nine-speaker system. This package comes complete with a sealed, eight-inch subwoofer for fuller sound and richer bass.
Suburban owners can also opt for the available rear-seat audio controls which allow front and rear-seat passengers to listen to music independently. In all, comfort is the classic strength of the Chevrolet Suburban.
More Capable Building on 45 years of successful smallblock production, 2000 Suburbans feature versions of Chevy's new lineup of small block engines - the Vortec 5300 and 6000 V8s.
The new Vortec 5300 V8, standard on 1500-Series models, offers 30 more horsepower than its predecessor. The 300 horsepower Vortec 6000 V8, standard on 2500-Series models, offers 45 more horsepower than the previous 5700 V8 and 10 more horsepower than the 7400 V8.
Torque has been improved for towing and hauling capability as Suburban delivers steady power when and where it's needed most. The new Vortec engines are teamed with a more durable and 'smarter' four-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission.
(posted on conceptcarz.com) New features include a redesigned, larger sump, which reduces heat and improves durability. 2500-Series Suburbans with the Z82 Trailering Package now feature a transmission temperature gauge, which allows the driver to monitor the transmission fluid temperature.
Long known for its 'big truck' trailering capacity, the new Suburban features technological advances which enhance performance, safety and durability applications.
'For customers with boats, campers or horse trailers, Suburban keeps it simple. You just 'plug in and play,' ' said Chief Engineer Ken Sohocki. Suburban has the power to not only move heavy loads, but keep them moving, Suburban also incorporates features such as pre-wired trailer connections and electric brake controller. The Tow/Haul mode eliminates manual shifting on hilly terrain, and Dynamic Rear Proportioning helps maximize Suburban's rear brakes while trailering.
To improve ride and handling while trailering, Suburban offers the following: • Smooth Ride Suspension-Ideal for everyday city and highway driving and light-duty trailering, this system provides a smooth, soft ride and excellent handling.
• Autoride Suspension-This new segment-exclusive utilizes information from wheel height, steering and other sensors to continuously vary shock damping while driving.
• Premium Ride Suspension-This system features self-leveling rear shocks that use energy from normal suspension motion to adjust and maintain level vehicle trim heights to help improve handling.
• Autotrac-Available on four-wheel-drive models, the transfer case delivers torque to the front wheels when itÕs needed, based on road conditions.
• Electronic Traction Control-Available on two-wheel-drive models, this system reacts to low-traction conditions and even disengages cruise control when wheel slippage is detected.
More Confident With a long list of new safety, security, durability and low-maintenance features, the new Suburbans inspire more confidence when you get behind the wheel. For 2000, SuburbanÕs four-wheel disc antilock brake system performs better and provides longer life than the previous-model design due to 40 percent larger brake pads.
Side-impact air bags are standard for the driver and front outboard passenger for enhanced protection in a side impact. Visibility has been improved through more effective headlamps, a larger windshield, longer wipers in the front and rear, and a relocated spare tire.
Also on Suburban, GM's available factory-installed OnStar(r) Communications System detects air bag deployment and sends help, in addition to providing a variety of convenience features. For added peace of mind, standard child-safety door locks prevent inadvertent rear-door opening while the vehicle is in motion.
Suburban's interior safeguards against injury, as all 'contactable' interior objects, such as knobs, edges and air conditioning vents, have been rounded and their protrusion into the cabin area is limited to help avoid injury in the event of a collision.
Energy-absorbing foam attached to trim panels, moldings, the headliner and other areas helps protect occupants from a potential head injury. In fact, Suburban meets the new 2003 Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 201 for head-impact protection today.
Driver lockout prevention helps reduce the chance of locking your keys in the vehicle. And, programmable automatic locking and unlocking doors allow Suburban drivers to tailor locking and unlocking operation to their individual preferences.
More Worldy Suburban was designed to be more environmentally friendly, as fuel economy, component life and emissions have all been improved relative to previous designs.
In addition, Suburban makes greater use of recycled and recyclable materials. An average of 56,000 old tires are used annually for radiator-side air baffles; 5.5 million pounds of recycled fabric is used for floor insulation.
It's this kind of forward thinking that has made Suburban one of America's largest mass-produced all-purpose vehicles.
'Full-size sport utility buyers will find that the new Suburban offers more of what they want, in a way that fits their lifestyles,' Ramsey §äid. 'It's that kind of attention to detail that made Suburban an American icon in the first place.'
Source - GM Corporation
• Premium Ride Suspension-This system features self-leveling rear shocks that use energy from normal suspension motion to adjust and maintain level vehicle trim heights to help improve handling.
