2003 Chevrolet Tahoe

2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE: REFINING THE REAL THING

Tahoe, the best-selling full-size SÚV in the country, continues to build upon its reputation as an authentic full-size sport utility with incomparable ability. For 2003 it offers an even wider range of performance, safety, comfort and convenience features.

'Tahoe is constantly being refined,' said Tahoe Marketing Director Rick Scheidt. 'New safety features such as StabiliTrak plus creature comforts such as tri-zone heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems simply enhance its role as a durable, capable, go-anywhere vehicle.'
StabiliTrak
StabiliTrak is a vehicle stability enhancement system that improves vehicle stability on various road surfaces at various speeds, particularly on slick surfaces or during emergency maneuvers. For the first time in 2003, it is available on two- or four-wheel-drive Tahoes with the Vortec 5300 5.3L V8 engine.

It maximizes handling and braking dynamics by using a combination of systems and sensors including antilock brakes, traction control and electronic suspension. An array of sensors continually monitors the driver's intended vehicle path, measuring steering angle, wheel speed, brake pressure, lateral acceleration, longitudinal acceleration and yaw rate. This information is provided to an electronic control module that continually monitors vehicle dynamics and is programmed for intervention thresholds.

The system intervenes when it senses one or more of the wheels slipping, loss of lateral traction (side slip), or detects understeer ('snow-plowing') or oversteer (fish-tailing). Automatically, the system adjusts engine torque or brake pressure at individual wheels to help steer the vehicle in the intended path.

The Autotrac 4WD system gets improvements in fuel economy when operating in 2WD, as well as improved customer feel during parking lot and other low-speed maneuvers.

The 2003 Tahoe features improved brake performance, better 'pedal feel' and quieter operation. For the first time, Tahoe offers brake and accelerator pedals that can be adjusted rearward in unison by nearly 3 inches for better positioning and comfort, and are also available, with or without a memory feature.

A safe and secure environment
The 2003 Tahoe provides early compliance to 2005 federal seat standards for child restraint anchorages. The LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) child-seat system is provided in the front passenger- side seat and second and third row center and passenger-side seats.

Additional new safety enhancements for 2003 include a passenger-sensing system and dual-level air bags. The passenger-sensing air-bag system automatically deactivates the passenger-side air bag under certain conditions to protect children. The system assesses whether the occupant in the seat is an adult or child, based on the measured weight in the seat cushion and tension in the belt system, if any. If these measurements are typical for a child, the air bag is disabled. If they are typical for an adult, the air bag is enabled.

A dual-level air-bag system is a supplemental restraint system designed to detect vehicle deceleration and, based on the deceleration data, provide an appropriate amount of air-bag inflation. Sensors located in the front of the vehicle work with the sensing diagnostic module (SDM) to measure the severity of the impact. The SDM uses the data to determine the type of air-bag deployment (first stage or second stage) or non-deploy. Dual-stage air bags are designed to help reduce the occurrence of inflation-induced injuries by deploying the air bag less forcefully in lower-speed crashes.

Entertaining in style
Impressive new infotainment systems - including rear-seat entertainment systems with a DVD player and flip-down screen - add to Tahoe's creature comforts. These systems (except the base fleet radio) feature the next generation Radio Data System. RDS allows the radio to display a variety of text descriptions, including traffic information, construction updates, music type (i.e., 'classical,' 'rock,' 'country,' etc.), station call letters - even song and artist information. The new system can interface with services such as Tahoe's all-new, optional XM Satellite Radio feature. Available rear-seat audio controls allow second-row passengers to enjoy a separate audio source from front-seat occupants. For the first time in a full-size sport utility, Chevy will offer a custom-designed Bose audio system, which uses a new high-powered six-channel amplifier and eight speakers.

Tahoe's new XM Radio option features 100 coast-to-coast digital channels, including 71 music channels (more than 30 of them commercial-free) from hip hop to opera, classical to country, bluegrass to blues and 29 channels of sports, talk, children's and entertainment programming. XM also brings to the vehicle, for the first time on radio, a diverse selection of 24-hour news sources previously available only in the home. XM's next-generation sound-quality technology provides superior sound remarkably close to compact disc.

Refined interior comfort
A new dual-zone manual control heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is standard on Tahoe. It allows the driver and front passenger to adjust the temperature to their own comfort levels - up to a 30-degree Fahrenheit difference between the two front zones.

New tri-zone HVAC systems provide outstanding comfort. Customers can now opt for a sunroof and rear entertainment system with rear electronic climate control - a new system that automatically controls air delivery, fan speed, temperature and recirculating/outside air to provide faster warm-ups and cool-downs.

Manual rear air conditioning is standard. Rear electronic climate control is standard with the optional front system, providing second-row passengers an automatically controlled temperature setting independent from that of the front.

Smarter electrical systems
An advanced new multiplexed electrical architecture makes Tahoe even 'smarter' so it can provide more functions for 2003. A communication network transfers data throughout the vehicle. It enables the driver information center, which can be programmed for English, Spanish or French, to monitor and report on as many as 34 system functions - including new service indicators for Stabilitrak, 'Ice Possible' and 'Door Ajar.' Tahoe's instrument panel and cluster have been redesigned to accommodate these new features.

An available eight-button steering wheel control allows owners to personalize several functions and safely access new infotainment systems. They include duplicate controls for calculating trip and fuel data and provide easy access to the OnStar system. OnStar is an innovative in-vehicle communications and assistance service designed to provide drivers with access to live, personalized service and emergency assistance at the touch of a button, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Customers can use OnStar for hands-free personal calling or have e-mail read to them, in addition to other OnStar services.

The battery-rundown protection now automatically turns off the headlamps and park lamps in addition to interior lights after 10 minutes if left on inadvertently. A more powerful 145-amp generator - which provides a quicker battery charge and slows battery discharge during vehicle operation - is standard. A memory subsystem can remember preferences for seat, mirror, new adjustable brake and accelerator pedals, and climate control settings. A new four-position headlamp switch allows drivers to turn off the daytime running lamps more easily, when necessary.

Tahoe also has a newly designed center console for 2003.

Powertrain improvements
Tahoe's powerful Vortec 4800 4.8L V8 and ethanol-compliant Vortec 5300 5.3L V8 engines receive electronic throttle control (ETC) for a unique 'throttle feel.' New oxygen sensors provide enhanced durability and reduced emissions during engine warmup. Models sold in California feature a more robust catalytic converter system that meets Últra Low Emissions Vehicle (ÚLEV) standards. ( posted on conceptcarz.com)

Optional second-row bucket seats are now available on Tahoe models with leather front bucket seats. The second-row seats come with inboard headrests and reclining seatbacks. They provide easy access to the third row seat, and also can be folded to create a flat load floor.

Exterior mirrors feature power-tilt glass and power folding to protect them in narrow spaces; heating elements that clear frost, snow or ice; left-side electrochromatic glass that dims glaring headlights; puddle lights; new turn-signal indicators in the glass; and a memory feature. An available new power-adjustable camper mirror can be extended to a vehicle width of up to 106 inches.

For 2003, Tahoe features two new exterior colors: Sandalwood Metallic and Dark Spiral Gray Metallic.

Tahoe has 104.6 cubic feet of cargo volume with the second row seats folded forward. An optional third-row bench seat (except on Z71 models) offers up to nine-passenger seating. The third-row rear seat features a unique 50/50 split-fold design to provide a variety of cargo- and passenger-carrying configurations. The seats can be flipped forward and stowed for more cargo room, or they can be individually and easily removed to provide a flat load surface.

Tahoe's pulling power can be as much as 7,700 pounds when properly equipped. Off-roaders can choose the Tahoe Z71 model, with its specially tuned off-road suspension, specific shock absorbers and jounce jumpers with standard stabilizer bars. A locking rear differential, four-wheel drive and P265/70R17 all-terrain tires increase traction. Skid plates protect vital underbody components, and OnStar provides added security.

Source - GM Corporation