General Motors introduced its new multipurpose 2005-model Chevrolet Tahoe Police Package to its law enforcement product council and members of the press on Dec. 18 at the GM Desert Proving Grounds, located 34 miles southeast of Phoenix in Mesa, Ariz.

The new Chevrolet Police Tahoe is engineered for high-speed and severe-duty law enforcement use, which distinguishes it from the current Chevrolet Tahoe Special Services model. “This special Tahoe enables law enforcement officers to go places and do things that are difficult to do with a typical sedan,” said Brian McVeigh, general manager, GM Fleet and Commercial Operations. McVeigh said GM anticipates selling 6,500 to 7,000 Police Tahoes annually.

The standard engine is the Vortec 5300 5.3-L V-8, which produces 295 horsepower and 330-lb-ft. of torque. It is coupled to a four-speed Hydra-Matic 4L60-E automatic transmission with overdrive. The estimated fuel economy is 14 mpg city, 18 mpg highway, and 16 mpg combined. The 5300 Vortec can also operate on E-85 fuel.

The Police Tahoe is equipped with heavy-duty suspension, heavy-duty cooling, H-rated tires, and Hydroboost four-wheel disc brakes with ABS providing power assist to stop the vehicle if the engine stalls or is turned off. The Police Tahoe also includes a tire pressure monitor, which alerts the driver if any of the tires begin to lose air pressure.

For underbody protection, the 2005 Police Tahoe features a skid plate package that includes an aluminum front underbody shield extending from behind the front bumper to the first cross member to protect the oil pan and other drivetrain components.

Other standard equipment includes a 26-gallon fuel tank, 160-amp alternator, a heavy-duty 770 CCA battery with run-down protection, and extended-life spark plugs.

“The Police Tahoe is an ideal alternate selection for day-to-day patrol, K-9 Unit use, SWAT, and other applications where rear-wheel drive and versatility are a high priority,” said Bruce Wiley, product and marketing manager for GM Law Enforcement Programs.

With the second-row seats upright, the Police Tahoe offers 63.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity for gun cases, haz-mat equipment, and other gear. The second-row seats can fold forward increasing total cargo capacity to 104 cubic feet. The Police Tahoe has a GVW rating of 6,400 lbs.

In addition to the 2005 Police Tahoe, GM’s law enforcement lineup includes the Chevrolet Impala Police Vehicle, Chevrolet Tahoe Special Services unit, Chevrolet Express Prisoner Transport Van, and HUMMER H1 Tactical Unit.