Update (10/30): A GM representative, in a statement to MotorTrend, couldn’t comment on future consumer vehicles. But they would confirm that the company is, “exploring opportunities to adapt the all-new Suburban for military and government use. In its 85 years of existence, the Chevrolet Suburban has taken on many people and cargo challenges, both in civilian and government applications. We are excited to see how the all-new Suburban will continue that tradition.”
We think a consumer version of any future Suburban HD is unlikely, so this statement reinforces the suspicion that any upcoming Suburban HD would be a fleet- and military-only vehicle intended for specialty uses. The original story continues below.
You may not remember the Chevrolet Suburban HD. It was an obscure heavy-duty variant of the brand’s big people mover that was sold only to fleets before eventually going the way of the dodo. It was certainly a niche vehicle, given the capability of the regular Suburban. For a few types of users, though, the HD’s standard 6.0-liter V-8 engine, extra payload capacity, more rugged frame, and upgraded brakes were essential. Think fire and police departments that need to carry lots of gear and people in mixed road conditions. Is there a place in today’s market for a reborn Suburban HD?
According to a report from GM Authority, at least one executive thinks so. Speaking at the release of the GM Infantry Squad Vehicle, Tim Herrick, GM’s vice president of global product programs, discussed the broader Chevrolet and GMC full-size truck family, thinking out loud about ways to create a full-size truck architecture that works as a system. A system that would allow for heavy-duty variants of each of the platform mates, if GM so desired. “And with that, then you bring, maybe a heavy-duty Suburban,” he reportedly said.
Note that it wasn’t just a vague allusion to some new HD variants, through which a process of elimination could have revealed he was probably talking about the Suburban. Instead, he was quite specific in his remarks. Automakers aren’t generally eager to discuss a future unannounced product, so it’s especially notable that Herrick discussed the Suburban HD at all.
What might a Suburban HD look like? It’s not too hard to imagine, since the latest Chevy Silverado HD trucks launched last year in an entire class of revised or upgraded competitors. It’s a hot segment right now, so perhaps Chevy’s interest in a similarly-burly Suburban HD isn’t surprising. And that Suburban HD would likely feature the company’s new 6.6-liter V-8 gas engine, which replaced the 6.0-liter unit used in the previous Suburban HD. It’s possible the turbo-diesel 6.6-liter and its associated Allison 10-speed automatic transmission could make an appearance, too.
