The Chevrolet brand of Detroit’s General Motors Co. revealed today at the 2022 Detroit Auto Show’s media day the 2023 Tahoe RST Performance Edition, which features more horsepower and speed than ever before for retail customers.
The new Tahoe RST Performance Edition leverages a number of chassis, suspension, and other elements from the pursuit-rated Tahoe PPV package for police, with many of the vehicle’s dynamics calibrated by the same engineering team.
Chevrolet delivers more power than any other Tahoe by introducing Chevrolet Performance induction and exhaust systems to this package that increase output of the standard 6.2-liter V-8 to 433 horsepower and 467 lb.-ft. of torque. That’s an increase of 13 hp and 7 lb.-ft. over the current RST’s available 6.2L engine.
“The 2023 Tahoe RST Performance Edition is designed for those who want the best of both worlds — the everyday comfort and capability of a full-size SUV along with the driving excitement of a true performance vehicle,” says Scott Bell, vice president of Chevrolet. “It leverages the proven capability of Chevy’s pursuit-rated police vehicle packages and motorsports success to offer a confident, engaging driving experience for our customers.”
On the special edition, the 6.2L V-8 engine continues to be exclusively paired with the 10-speed automatic transmission. Standard components the RST Performance Edition borrowed from the pursuit-rated Tahoe include:
- Police-spec springs, retuned dampers and police-spec chassis calibrations.
- Police-spec lower ride height of 0.4 inch (10 mm) in front and 0.8 inch (20 mm) in the rear.
- Brembo front and rear brakes with unique Torch Red calipers. The front brake rotors are nearly 25 percent larger in diameter than the standard RST system.
- Performance-calibrated brake pedal feel.
- Police-spec Firestone Firehawk Pursuit 275/55R20 tires with specific 20-inch aluminum wheels in black.
“We have carefully tuned this vehicle to handle speed with confidence and control that is immediately apparent behind the wheel,” says Dominique Lester, chief engineer. “The pursuit-rated driving dynamics inspire excitement and confidence on the road, and we’re proud to have achieved this level of ride and handling in a full-size SUV largely through performance calibration and tuning.”
The RST Performance Edition also has the numbers to back up its carefully calibrated systems, including 0-60 mph in 5.78 seconds, a quarter mile in 14.2 seconds at 97 mph on the test track, 60-0 mph braking in 133 feet, and a top speed of 124 mph on the test.
That performance does not come at the expense of true SUV capability, as the Performance Edition offers the same 7,600-pound trailering capacity as the base RST when equipped with the 6.2-liter engine.
In addition to the unique powertrain, chassis and suspension upgrades, the Tahoe RST Performance Edition comes standard with the Luxury Package, which includes a host of active safety features and driver convenience features.
The special edition Tahoe will sport a black “RST” badge on the rear tailgate. On the interior, standard sport pedals elevate the performance look and feel.
The package is priced at a starting MSRP4 of $8,525 and will be exclusively available on the 2023 Tahoe RST with the 6.2-liter V-8 engine. Production begins in the fourth quarter of 2022 with U.S. and globally sourced parts at GM’s Arlington Assembly in Texas.
