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Chevrolet Gives 2023 Tahoe RST 'Police Pursuit' Level of Performance

This special Performance Edition will be the fastest retail Tahoe available with a top speed of 124 mph.

Even though General Motors is promising to go all electric, before it does, Chevrolet is proving that it knows how to build highly desired performance vehicles. The 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe RST Performance Edition is designed to make every driver who loves a powerful vehicle happy. It will be the fastest retail Tahoe available, powered by a 6.2L V-8, fine-tuned with Chevrolet Performance parts.

“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,” said Scott Bell, Chevrolet vice president. “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.”

2023 Chevrolet Tahoe RST Performance Edition

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 Performance induction and exhaust systems increase output of the 6.2L V-8 to 433 horsepower and 467 lb.-ft. of torque. That is an increase of 13 more horsepower and 7 more lb.-ft. of torque over the current RST’s available 6.2L engine, giving it more horsepower than any other Tahoe.

This will be the fastest retail Tahoe with 0-60 mph in 5.78 seconds. It has a top speed of 124 mph on the test track. Huge Brembo front and rear brakes with unique Torch Red calipers give the RST Performance Edition better ability to stop. The front brake rotors are nearly 25% larger in diameter than the standard RST system. The brakes can take this Tahoe from 60-0 mph stopping in 133 feet.

Features of the RST Performance Edition Include:

  • Four-wheel-drive
  • Police-spec springs, retuned dampers and police-spec chassis calibrations
  • Police-spec lower ride height of 0.4 inch in front and 0.8 inch in the rear
  • Performance-calibrated brake pedal feel
  • Police-spec Firestone Firehawk Pursuit 275/55R20 tires with specific 20-inch aluminum wheels in black
  • Quarter mile in 14.2 seconds at 97 mph on the test track (compared to 14.4 seconds at 97 mph on base RST)
  • 60-0 mph braking in 133 feet (compared to 139.4 feet on base RST)
  • Top speed of 124 mph on the test track (compared to 112 mph on base RST)

“We have carefully tuned this vehicle to handle speed with confidence and control that is immediately apparent behind the wheel,” said 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 Performance Edition offers the same 7,600-pound trailering capacity as the base RST when equipped with the 6.2L engine. The special edition comes standard with the Luxury Package trim. The package is priced at a starting MSRP of $8,525 and will be exclusively available on the 2023 Tahoe RST with the 6.2L V-8 engine. Production begins in late 2022 at GM’s Arlington Assembly in Texas.

Chevrolet Photo

Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin.

Follow Mary Conway at @maryconwaymedia and send her car news tips for future stories.