Chevy Takes The Tahoe RST Drifting At The Yas Marina Circuit: Video
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Certain cars exude specific expectations. Seeing a coupe with fat tires, a throaty exhaust and low ground clearance will likely make one think that it’s ready for the track. But a body-on-frame SUV with plush seating and a laundry list of the latest amenities conveys thoughts of a comfortable family hauler. But General Motors has upended those expectations with the Chevrolet Tahoe RST Performance Edition, and filmed a video to show just that. The 90-second-long clip shows the full-size Tahoe RST SUV doing something you’d expect to see a Chevrolet Camaro doing – drifting.
The Tahoe RST Performance Edition is a stellar machine with the necessary specs to turn rubber into smoke. It swaps the Tahoe’s standard 5.3L V8 L83 and 8-speed automatic transmission for the more powerful 6.2L L86 V8 engine (making0 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque) and 10L80 10-speed automatic gearbox. A high-capacity air cleaner, a 3.23 rear axle ratio, and Magnetic Ride Control with a sport/performance calibration round out the package.
In the video, Ahmad Daham, a professional drifter who began taking cars sideways in billows of smoke as a teenager, takes the Tahoe RST onto the Yas Marina Circuit as part of a collaboration between Chevrolet and Red Bull. To note, Daham has been competing professionally in drifting competitions for the past seven years and has won four regional drifting championships as a Red Bull athlete.
“In the drifting community, we don’t typically use SUVs for stunts and competitions,” Daham said, “But the Tahoe RST is a beast. Its powerful engine, excellent handling, and performance technology make it an insanely fun and capable car to drift, which is why it stands out from other SUVs for me as a professional drifter.”
The performance-oriented Tahoe also looks the part thanks to the RST (Rally Street Truck) package, which adds a set of 22-inch gloss black aluminum wheels with custom silver inserts, and a host of body-color and blacked-out accents. For instance, the front and rear bow ties, mirror caps, grille, greenhouse trim and nameplate badging are blacked out, while the door handles, headlamp accents, and grille surround are finished in body color.
Watch the video for yourself, and lust after this beautiful monster, which looks stunning on the street, while having the chops to take on a track.
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He made that tahoe dance!
The Tahoe and its iconic bretherin, the Suburban, are fine examples of American ingenuity in Chevrolet’s vehicle portfolio. With an all-new 2020 Suburban and Tahoe on the horizon, an exciting chapter in the book of GM’s core competency is soon to begin. Btw, that gentleman really made that Tahoe dance for sure.
All I know is no Ford Expedition Or Lincoln Navigator Can Do That.
My Yukon SLT is basically the same vehicle and it has been leveled out in the rear (lowered) to no longer be hopped up. The handling is phenomenal.. and I can come around corners that even when driving my nieces Challenger RT I get a bit scared taking… despite its lower center of gravity and RWD. I won;t compare it to my V or Z for obvious reasons.. the Alpha platform being what it is.. along with the YBody. Point being.. the Escalade with the 8 Speed was doing 0-60 in 5.8secs and a 1/4 in 14.4 sec @ 96.8 mph, pulling .77g. This is a 5900lb vehicle. Putting a 100-150 more HP, coupled to the faster shifting 10Speed, lowering it and inch or two.. and U have a pretty crazy performing large luxury SUV.. on the other end.. an XT7 could literally take the original SRX formula (which was essentially a tall STS) and raise a CT6 up a few inches, and add some metal to make it a style equivalent to the XT4
Wow, a gas executing buffalo around the track…… Just give us a proper, N/A made, mass-produced, Charger-sized, rwd Chevy sedan that we really want (not that loaded-only SS crap).
It interesting to see these in export trim without the deep tint on the rear windows that the US versions have. Punished the crap out of those tires too.
Reminds me of figure 8 school bus races. Except those are supposed to be funny.
The ‘sport’ in Sport utility vehicle is a misnomer.
Wow didn’t know they put the 8-speed in the Tahoe. What year did that start?
Anyone who thinks “drifting” is a good idea needs a lobotomy
Just because you don’t like gravy don’t take away my mashed potatoes!