How many times is a press release sent out boasting that a car is “all-new"? How many hours are there in a day?
However, when Chevrolet dropped the well-worn gimmick on the new Tahoe, it happened to be true. This fifth-generation model – and the Z71 variant in the Mena region – is fresh from the ground up, built on a new platform with independent rear suspension that frees up more room for cargo and third-row occupants.
Room for more
Featuring a more contemporary look outside with 170 millimetres added to its length, including a 122mm longer wheelbase, it also houses a new interior. This is roomier and comes with a host of goodies such as a full-length panoramic sunroof and a power-operated folding third row of seats. These also include decent footwells rather than sitting flat on the floor, thanks to a new suspension.
This alone is a big win as it makes the third row a genuine place for adults to sit for long journeys, helped by easy access to the back, with enough head and leg room as well as air vents. It justifies the car as a proper cruiser for seven adults, especially when you add in an additional 26mm of legroom in the middle row, too.
Smooth on and off the road
It wouldn’t be a Tahoe or worthy of its Z71 badge, though, without V8 power, and so the tried-and-trusted 355-brake horsepower, 5.3-litre motor – that develops 519Nm of torque – sits under the hood. What is new is that it is backed by a 10-speed automatic transmission, in place of the old six-speed box, and includes hill-descent control.
While other Tahoe models can be ordered as rear-wheel drive, the Z71 is available only as an all-wheel drive and comes with a two-speed transfer case for off-road purists.
It sits on 20-inch wheels wrapped with all-terrain tyres and has plenty of underbody protection, including a front skid plate with well-placed tow hooks to make for a practical and highly usable desert truck. The new rear suspension gives the Tahoe a much smoother ride around town, plus more leverage over rocks and sand dunes when off-road.
Intuitive performance
While it does reduce its payload weight capacity, that’s rarely an issue for family transport. The old live axle can carry more weight, but it comes at the expense of comfort that works for commercial pickup trucks, but is definitely the right move for the seven to nine occupants in the Tahoe.
For the first time, air suspension is also available, and for towing a trailer the package adds a bigger radiator and cooling fan, as well as hitch guidance with hitch view in the backup camera.
Performance was adequate, with GM saying 7.5 seconds to 100 kilometres per hour, and it has a governed top speed of 185kph that, given its size, would feel every bit of that and more. But that’s not really the point of this car, and for those concerned about fuel consumption, it has cylinder deactivation that shuts down four of the eight pots when cruising.
A small light on the dash lets you know when you’re saving fuel, and it’s surprising how often you’re happily loping along with only four cylinders. As soon as it’s needed, though, and with absolute seamless integration, the full force of the V8 kicks in the moment you touch the throttle.
Cushy cabin
Priced at Dh236,900 ($64,506), the Z71 is at the premium end when you compare it to the full-sized Japanese options, but delivers more space inside and includes some superior interior features as standard, so the extra-cost options list is not as extensive.
A large 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment interface sits in the centre and the column shifter is a push-button arrangement on the dash, freeing up a bit more room around the steering column.
The bigger screen houses the usual navigation features, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s also no shortage of USB plugs; five C-type plugs are dotted throughout the rear and there are several traditional USB plugs up front.
The centre console houses the phone tray, which not only wirelessly charges when you’re on the go, but also mirrors on to the infotainment screen without having a mess of charging cables. The 8.0-inch digital gauge cluster in front of the driver is nice and clear, along with the lucid rear-view and surround-view cameras.
Our test car also came fitted with a rear-seat entertainment system featuring twin 12.6-inch displays mounted behind the eight-way powered front seats to keep children engaged on long trips.
There are also rain-sensing wipers, tri-zone climate air conditioning and remote engine start, which is magic for summertime.
Safety features
On the safety side, all models include forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking. The latter system works by first warning of a potential frontal collision and, if necessary, the vehicle can automatically jump on the brakes to prevent or lessen the impact of a frontal crash.
There’s also the option to include lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and rear parking sensors that are well worth a tick of the options box (and, depending on the insurance company, might result in a drop in your annual premium).
The Tahoe has long been a favourite in the Middle East, but it needed to be refreshed in all areas. Thankfully, with this 2021 model, it now faces up to the competition in terms of ride, handling, interiors, safety and comfort – yet still retains that chunky American look so loved in the region.
The specs
Engine: 5.3-litre V8
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Power: 355bhp
Torque: 519Nm
Price: Dh236,900
Coming soon
Torno Subito by Massimo Bottura
When the W Dubai – The Palm hotel opens at the end of this year, one of the highlights will be Massimo Bottura’s new restaurant, Torno Subito, which promises “to take guests on a journey back to 1960s Italy”. It is the three Michelinstarred chef’s first venture in Dubai and should be every bit as ambitious as you would expect from the man whose restaurant in Italy, Osteria Francescana, was crowned number one in this year’s list of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
Akira Back Dubai
Another exciting opening at the W Dubai – The Palm hotel is South Korean chef Akira Back’s new restaurant, which will continue to showcase some of the finest Asian food in the world. Back, whose Seoul restaurant, Dosa, won a Michelin star last year, describes his menu as, “an innovative Japanese cuisine prepared with a Korean accent”.
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
The highly experimental chef, whose dishes are as much about spectacle as taste, opens his first restaurant in Dubai next year. Housed at The Royal Atlantis Resort & Residences, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal will feature contemporary twists on recipes that date back to the 1300s, including goats’ milk cheesecake. Always remember with a Blumenthal dish: nothing is quite as it seems.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
Springtime in a Broken Mirror,
Mario Benedetti, Penguin Modern Classics
Asia Cup Qualifier
Venue: Kuala Lumpur
Result: Winners play at Asia Cup in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in September
Fixtures:
Wed Aug 29: Malaysia v Hong Kong, Nepal v Oman, UAE v Singapore
Thu Aug 30: UAE v Nepal, Hong Kong v Singapore, Malaysia v Oman
Sat Sep 1: UAE v Hong Kong, Oman v Singapore, Malaysia v Nepal
Sun Sep 2: Hong Kong v Oman, Malaysia v UAE, Nepal v Singapore
Tue Sep 4: Malaysia v Singapore, UAE v Oman, Nepal v Hong Kong
Thu Sep 6: Final
Asia Cup
Venue: Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Schedule: Sep 15-28
Teams: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, plus the winner of the Qualifier
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The five pillars of Islam
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Zayed Sustainability Prize
RESULTS
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More on animal trafficking
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Schedule:
Friday, January 12: Six fourball matches
Saturday, January 13: Six foursome (alternate shot) matches
Sunday, January 14: 12 singles
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
More coverage from the Future Forum
The five pillars of Islam
About Housecall
Date started: July 2020
Founders: Omar and Humaid Alzaabi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech
# of staff: 10
Funding to date: Self-funded
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Read more about the coronavirus
RESULTS
Welterweight
Tohir Zhuraev (TJK) beat Mostafa Radi (PAL)
(Unanimous points decision)
Catchweight 75kg
Anas Siraj Mounir (MAR) beat Leandro Martins (BRA)
(Second round knockout)
Flyweight (female)
Manon Fiorot (FRA) beat Corinne Laframboise (CAN)
(RSC in third round)
Featherweight
Bogdan Kirilenko (UZB) beat Ahmed Al Darmaki
(Disqualification)
Lightweight
Izzedine Al Derabani (JOR) beat Rey Nacionales (PHI)
(Unanimous points)
Featherweight
Yousef Al Housani (UAE) beat Mohamed Fargan (IND)
(TKO first round)
Catchweight 69kg
Jung Han-gook (KOR) beat Max Lima (BRA)
(First round submission by foot-lock)
Catchweight 71kg
Usman Nurmogamedov (RUS) beat Jerry Kvarnstrom (FIN)
(TKO round 1).
Featherweight title (5 rounds)
Lee Do-gyeom (KOR) v Alexandru Chitoran (ROU)
(TKO round 1).
Lightweight title (5 rounds)
Bruno Machado (BRA) beat Mike Santiago (USA)
(RSC round 2).
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