Chevy has taken the wraps off its new competitor to the Ford Policy Utility Interceptor.

The new Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicle (can we just call it the TPPV for this story?) is powered by the 5.3-liter V8 and is custom-built for the high speeds, dynamic capability, and added comfort required of a patrol vehicle.

“Tahoe is the most aspirational vehicle in the law enforcement industry,” said Ed Peper, U.S. vice president, GM Fleet. “By listening to the needs of officers from around the country, we have built the best Tahoe ever.”

2021 Chevrolet Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicle 100
2021 Chevrolet Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicle

Having been in attendance at the Ford Police Utility Interceptor launch, the lack of a fuel-efficient powerplant seems like a big omission here. Police departments can save big money – and employ more police and buy more vehicles – with the savings generated by plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. This is not a theory. Police departments across America are doing so.

Like all police vehicles, the TPPV and its sidekick the off-road-focused Special Service Vehicle (TSSV), get minor engine upgrades, steel wheels, and tires selected for stopping distance and durability. Chevrolet says the Firestone Firehawk Pursuit tires were tested by Chevrolet and stopping distances were reduced by 11 feet from 62 to 0 mph on dry surfaces compared to the 2020 model.

Here is a quick list of some of the special features the TPPV gets:

-Specific suspension tuning with unique monotube dampers, coil springs and stabilizer bars for less body roll and more driver confidence when executing police-type maneuvers.
-Lower ride height compared to civilian Tahoes for better high-speed aerodynamics and improved vehicle stability.
-Heavy-duty braking system with large front Brembo six-piston aluminum monoblock calipers on 16-inch rotors.
-Heavy-duty, clutch-type limited-slip rear differential.
-Speedometer certified at 140 mph.

GM is marketing the standard safety suite of lane keep assist, forward collision prevention etc as a benefit to officers. However, we don’t see an equivalent of the Ford tracking system that prevents the officers from being snuck up on when parked. Nor did we see any evidence of a 75 MPH rear impact system that is specially designed to protect highway patrol officers from being killed when in a parked vehicle at construction sites or in ticketing work.

We assume they are there, but Ford made the ballistic panels more obvious, actually adding stickers to the locations where the bullet-resistant panels had been added.

We wish GM the very best of luck with its new police vehicle line. GM has its fans in all aspects of law enforcement.