General Motors Fleet's 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe is available in two law enforcement packages: the Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicle is designed for high speeds and dynamic capability with the added comfort needed from an everyday patrol vehicle; the Special Service Vehicle is more focused on off-road and towing needs where high-speed operations are not required.
Both the PPV and SSV models are powered by the Tahoe’s 5.3L V-8 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. To meet the most demanding needs of law enforcement, the PPV engine borrows high-performance rocker covers from the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 LT4 engine. These rocker covers improve crankcase ventilation, allowing the 2021 Tahoe to handle high lateral conditions better than its predecessor. Engine oil and transmission fluid are cooled by dedicated, heavy-duty cooling systems specific for law enforcement applications.
To handle the dynamic load of police pursuits, Chevrolet worked with Bridgestone to develop a pursuit-rated all-season tire. The Firestone Firehawk Pursuit tires, mounted to 20-inch steel wheels, were tested by Chevrolet at multiple race tracks and play a large role in the PPV’s improved stopping distance, which has been reduced by 11 feet from 62 to 0 mph on dry surfaces compared to the 2020 model.
The Tahoe police-specific front seats provide additional hip room, allowing officers’ utility belts to fit more comfortably. 2021 Tahoe police vehicles offer 70.3 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the second-row seat, which is 18.3 cubic feet more than the next largest pursuit-rated SUV competitor. Rear door openings are now 13 percent (3.5 inches) wider than the previous generation to ease the loading of handcuffed passengers.
The independent rear suspension and longer wheelbase dramatically improve handling and ride smoothness for both civilian and law enforcement applications, particularly on uneven pavement and unpaved surfaces. The exterior design is based on the Tahoe Z71 trim, which features a rugged front grille, higher approach angle and front skidplate.
Tahoe’s police vehicle blunt-cut wire harness has 31 wire circuits to the cockpit, 56 wire circuits to the cargo area and 25 shared circuits to connect aftermarket equipment without removing major panels or components. The electrical system is powered by an upgraded dual battery system with emergency equipment isolation. To avoid excessive engine idling, a 760-amp auxiliary battery will allow video systems, department radios, mobile data terminals, emergency lighting, and more to operate without running the engine. A high-output alternator is 47% more powerful than the 2020 model to support the continuous running of electrical equipment.
The 5.3L V-8 engine features Dynamic Fuel Management. DFM enables the engine to operate in up to 18 different cylinder patterns – with as few as two cylinders – to optimize power delivery and efficiency.
While the Tahoe PPV is offered in two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations, the SSV is exclusively 4WD. For added off-road capability, 4WD models offer a Terrain Mode, which provides performance similar to 4WD Low without the need of a two-speed transfer case. Special Service Vehicles also offer an available Max Trailering Package with a max-tow rating of 8,200 pounds. This package includes an active, two-speed electronic Autotrac transfer case with push-button controls and an integrated trailer brake controller.
