All-new Suburban delivers more

All-new Suburban delivers more
Photos by -Autonet.ca
Staff
Published: 06 01 2006

Chevrolet is endowing the 2007 Chevy Suburban with more — the capacity to haul more passengers and/or more cargo than any other vehicle in the segment, as well as a 360-degree safety system of occupant protection and crash-avoidance technology.

The '07 Suburban is based on GM's new, full-size SUV architecture, which features sleek exterior styling, a sharper, more precise driving feel, more power with segment-leading fuel economy, increased interior refinement and improved noise suppression in the cabin. Suburban rides on a 3,302 mm wheelbase, which supports generous passenger and cargo capability, while enabling a smooth ride.

"Suburban is the industry benchmark when it comes to capability and the 2007 model affirms the reputation established in 1935, when the first Suburban was introduced," said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager.

Available in the second quarter of 2006, the new Suburban is offered in 2WD and 4WD in 1500 and heavy-duty 2500 series. At the start of production, Suburban 1500 models will come with an efficient 5.3-litre V8 with Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation). It will be joined later by a new all-aluminum 6.0-litre V8 with Active Fuel Management and variable valve timing (VVT). An iron-block VVT 6.0-litre V8 is offered on 2500 models. All are mated to 4-speed automatics.

Suburban also offers a host of new and enhanced safety features, including available head curtain side air bags and standard StabiliTrak stability control system with new rollover mitigation technology.

Additional safety features include:

  • Standard OnStar
  • Standard dual-stage front airbags with Passenger Sensing System
  • Standard front seat safety belt pretensioners with rear impact deployment capability
  • Standard tire pressure monitoring system
  • Available rain-sensing wiper system
  • Available Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist
  • Available rear-view camera system

Extensive attention to detail was paid to a quiet driving experience. It centers on a new, stiffer, fully boxed frame, which reduces vibrations transmitted to the passenger cabin. That enabled more precise mounting and tuning of chassis and suspension components. Even the standard 17-inch wheel/tire combinations (and available 20-inchers) were designed to reduce noise.

Other noise-reducing initiatives include substantive components and materials used throughout the body structure, streamlined exterior mirrors and roof rack, more steeply raked windshield and tighter body gap tolerances.

But owners shouldn't be lulled by the docile qualities. Suburban offers up to 8,100 pounds (3,674 kg) of towing capability (2WD models) in 1500 series and up to 9,700 pounds (4,400 kg) in 2500 models.

The roomier interior is airy, thanks to the lower position of the instrument panel and deeper windshield. But it is also physically bigger, with up to 137.4 cubic feet (3,890.6 litres) of cargo room available behind the front seats.

The seats themselves are designed to provide more comfort, additional passenger-carrying flexibility, and easier entry/egress. They're slimmer but manufactured with firmer foams and more aggressive bolsters.

Front-row seats have one-inch more aft travel and the second-row seatback angle is adjusted an additional two degrees rearward for added comfort. Accessibility to the rear seat is enhanced through the use of a unique power-release fold-and-tumble second-row seat, while the third-row seat is easily removable.

Other available convenience features include:

  • Remote vehicle starting system
  • First- and second-row heated seats
  • Touch-screen navigation system
  • Power-deployed running boards
  • DVD entertainment system with 8-inch screen

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