The most recent spy shots of the upcoming 2020 Tahoe published earlier this week confirm the presence of a new aerodynamics feature – front air curtains.
Looking at the large SUV from the rear reveals a vertically-shaped cutout (“tunnel”) that diverts air coming into the front fascia in a predetermined manner, thereby contributing to better aerodynamic performance.
About Aerodynamic Air Curtains
Air curtains maximize a vehicle’s aerodynamic performance by utilizing specially-engineered tunnels at the front of the vehicle. The tunnels manage airflow in a specific and pre-determined manner, guiding air around the vehicle’s wheels, rather than allowing it to run uncontrollably into the wheel houses. The result is maximized aero efficiency and reduced aerodynamic drag.
Better aerodynamic performance, in turn, translates to improved fuel economy – particularly on the highway – as well as reduced noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) levels experienced by the driver and passengers.
Chevy Applications
Air curtains have been making their way across the Chevrolet model range over the last several years. As of this writing, the technology is exclusive to Chevrolet vehicles within the GM family.
The first application of air curtain technology by Chevrolet (as well as by GM) was the sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro, which was introduced for the 2016 model year. The second Chevy model to use the feature was the all-new 2019 Silverado, which shares the T1 platform with the 2020 Tahoe and its longer twin, the 2020 Suburban. Notably, the air curtains are not featured on the Silverado’s platform mate – the 2019 GMC Sierra.
Given the technical and proportional similarities of the Tahoe and Silverado (as well as the Suburban), it’s safe to assume that the execution of the air curtains on the 2020 Tahoe will be very similar, if not identical, to that of the 2019 Silverado.
We should see much more of the vehicle in the months ahead as it nears development completion and is introduced sometime in the first half of the 2019 calendar year. Stay tuned!
2019 Chevy Tahoe Premium Plus Edition
About Chevrolet Tahoe
The Chevrolet Tahoe is a full-size Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). It is currently Chevrolet's second-biggest SUV, slotting under the extended-length full-size Chevrolet Suburban. The current model was introduced for the 2015 model year and represents the fourth generation of the Tahoe nameplate. The model rides on the GMT-K2 platform shared with the Chevrolet Silverado, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Sierra, GMC Yukon and Yukon XL as well as the Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV.
2018 Chevrolet Tahoe RST interior
The 2018 Chevy Tahoe represents the fourth model year of the fourth-generation Tahoe. The vehicle remains highly competitive in its segment and the 2018 model year brings various improvements, most notably the Tahoe RST appearance package and Tahoe Performance Package with the 6.2L V-8 L86 engine and the new GM 10-speed transmission. The 2019 Chevy Tahoe represents the fifth model year of the fourth-generation Tahoe, and offers up a new exterior color, a new Premier badge on the tailgate, and new color availability for the Tahoe RST as well as the rear-closeout feature. In addition, a new Premier Plus model is introduced and includes the 6.2L V8 L86 engine, 10-speed automatic transmission and several premium-level touches.
2020 Chevy Tahoe prototype undergoing testing
An all-new, fifth-generation model is expected for the 2020 model year. The vehicle is expected to be based on the new GM T1 platform while delivering an all-new exterior, interior, powertrains, and styling details.
The Chevrolet Tahoe is built at the GM Arlington factory in Texas operated by GM USA.
Related News & Info
- GM news
- GM forums
- Chevrolet Tahoe information
- Running GM sales results
- Running Chevrolet sales results
- Running Chevrolet Tahoe sales results
- Running Chevrolet sales results
Comments
Hope it looks better with them
I like the styling with them on the Silverado. I think they did a great job with it. Hopefully they do a better job with the Tahoe/Suburban interior.
Tahoe/Suburban interior needs to take a step up not a step back. It already has has soft touch materials throughout the upper dash area. GM cannot allow to happen to the Tahoe/Suburban what happened to the Malibu interior going from soft touch everything to the hardest plastic upper dash material in the industry. GM once and for all has to realize that materials do matter. You can always take a step upwards but cannot go backwards. Look what happened to the last Gen Civic. Customers lost their minds due to the cheap interior plastics. Now Honda has by far the best interior materials used and are once again selling like Hotcakes. Do not let us down GM. Ford has finally released a true competitor to the Tahoe/Yukon/Escalade. Must leapfrog Ford.
The ‘air curtain’ is fine if it’s tastefully done. You would think that on Chevrolet’s of all things, it would be clean and tastefully done. Look at all of their 50’s/60’s iconic designs. All were very clean and tastefully done. Look at the gmt-400 ‘Like A Rock’ SIlverado’s, all clean and tastefully done. That’s what made Chevrolet so loved, their designs. What’s happened lately?? On the new Silverado the air curtains just look gaudy… Two big honkin air scoops hanging off the sides like a bad add on from pep boys. And chopping up the front bumper sides just so they could extend the normal fenders into long side burn/mutton chops looking things. It’s just bizarre styling. Ford and the Sierra use the same air curtain concept but it’s more tastefully done. And I’m not seeing where the fuel economy advantage is in the Silverado over the Sierra?? You’d think with these massive air scoops on the Silverado that the fuel economy would be off the charts, yet it’s not. It’s no better than the Sierra.
I just hope the Tahoe integrates these thing better. The new Silverado had the potential to be the best looking model since the gmt-400’s or even the 67-72’s if not for the air curtain scoops.
I will be completely disappointed if the bean counters got ahold of the new interiors.
These are the most profitable vehicles they make in a segment where they control the market share.
GM loves to proclaim that they sell more vehicles over $60,000 than any other brand but their interiors suggest otherwise.
Don’t give us hard plastic and an 8” screen in a $85,000 Denali.
I like it on the Silverado.
I just hope that it helps it go from 22 mpg to 22 mpg like it did with the Silverado. ?
How the hell are we supposed to wash the area behind these things? It seems like as designs become more intricate, cars become harder to wash by hand.
Get yourself a 3600 psi power washer.
I think an 8″ screen is just fine. The better front suspension with the new generation will add better stability on bigger bumps and the near suspension will add more space in the back. I can add this beast to the top of my list after I can find one 2 years old.
The air curtains are the one thing about the new Silverado that really bugs me. Hopefully Chevrolet listened to all of the criticism and gave them a more integrated look on the Tahoe. For example, they could integrate them into the Fog light housings like Hyundai does with the Elantra.
I’m hoping that for the interior Chevy uses a similar theme to the new Blazer, which would give it an aggressive and upscale feel, which would really help it stand out against the Expedition which in my opinion is far too similar to the F-150 and Superduty inside.
Is it an air curtain or an air vent?…….I thought a curtain was something that hung down and obstructed airflow? The vent allows air to pass thru the front fascia and around the wheels. It actually should be routed to the rotor as added cooling.
The 2016 Ford Explorer has had this since 2016 model year so its no big discovery, kinda late actually.
Yea, it’s been around for a while!
https://ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.php/air-curtain-17418.html
Am I the only one that isn’t shocked it will be a SUV
version of the Silveradoo? And trim levels respectively? I mean, I thought that has been the case since they have made the Tahoe and Suburban. I would expect it to be the same exterior and interior exactly, except with more seats. Or am I wrong on that?
I finally got to experience the air curtains in person and they are damn ugly and made of cheap plastic! Plus, they will be a nightmare to try and clean!
Please! Don’t screw up the clean look of the Tahoe with these ugly “innovations”!!!
Sleeping aid to reduce nightmares.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0794H8WYJ/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B0794H8WYJ
I don’t know about ugly… they look good to me. Tough to clean? Just spray some water from a hose through them and the cleaning is done.
The biggest difference is the aero advantage they bring. Did you “experience” that?
And please don’t use those squinty eyed headlights!!
not only does it show having a similar air curtain vent but the side mirrors are mounted lower just like the 2019 Silverado and if you look closely at the interior grab handle its the same one from the 2019 Silverado
Alex,
Just because they look good to you does not mean the rest of us agree. As far as “aero” advantage, I have lived long enough and driven long enough to know that gas mileage gains are more related to driving habits, i.e. sudden acceleration, not being a smooth driver and so on than to any particular device on a vehicle. Sure, this engineering may help but any “lead foot” can overcome the gains. As far as “hosing out” the air curtains. Not all areas of the country have the same compositions or types of soil which leads to a different approach to cleaning. Red clay found in the southern states will not simply “hose out”. And ask somebody from lower Alabama if “love bugs” will hose off this design. And yes, I did get to drive and experience the “aero advantage” and I can tell you it is a crock of sh$!! But that’s my opinion of this otherwise OK truck. I’m sorry it does not equal yours Alex.
The new 2019 Silverado looks fantastic and much awesome especially front shape, I hope the same face lift or better for the 2020 Tahoe/Suburban.. Keep going forward GM, thanks for you wonderful SUVs/Trucks.